A horrific incident involving Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft unfolded during a 2024-25 Big Bash League (BBL) match at Perth Stadium on Friday, January 3.
During the 22nd match of the league between Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder, Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft were involved in a devastating collision that left players from both camps extremely worried and scared.
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Daniel Sams left after a collision with Cameron Bancroft
The incident happened in the first innings of the match when Perth Scorchers were batting. On the second ball of the 16th over, Ferguson bowled a leg-lined delivery to Connolly, who flicked it over square leg.
Watching the ball go up in the air, Sydney Thunder players Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft raced in to take the catch. Both players were watching the ball and because of that they ended up bumping into each other.
It was an absolutely horrific collision as Sams and Bancroft were unable to get up after the incident as they smashed their faces into each other.
Bancroft immediately clung to his face and remained bloodied as Sams lay on the ground. Medical staff rushed to the pitch after the collision to check on the players and after some time, Bancroft with a bloody nose managed to get off the pitch with the physio.
However, things looked extremely serious with Sams, who could not get up and was taken off the field.
Speaking live, Mel Jones was shocked as she spoke about the incident that unfolded on the ground. She said, as quoted by Fox Cricket:
“There was a terrible collision. There is concern here. Both players were fully engaged with the ball, with their eyes on it. We didn't see that coming. This is what you don't want to see.
“The major concern is around Daniel Sams. It's Cam Bancroft on his feet that actually walks off the ground. Looks like some damage was done to his nose. So brave – for both of them it was all eyes on the ball. It's the last thing you want to see in any form of sport. It will take some time for the players to recover and get back into things.”
Also, immediately after the incident it was confirmed that the duo will not be able to participate in the match. All the players, fans, support staff and broadcasters present at the ground were shaken by the incident and play resumed after a long delay.
Watch: Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft involved in collision
A horrific collision between Daniel Sams and Chris Green during the BBL. I hope it's nothing serious. (Astro Cricket)#BBL #DanielSams #ChrisGreen #BigBashLeague #Cricket pic.twitter.com/v4ke391Rsw
— Fantasy Khiladi (@_fantasykhiladi) January 3, 2025
Terrible collision between Daniel Sams and Chris Green during bbl . I hope it's not serious #AUSWIND #BBL pic.twitter.com/RHhZnTzEST
— Rebel Flame 🔥 (@RevoltSpire) January 3, 2025
'Both Conscious and Talking' – Massive Update on Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft
Before the second half, it was officially announced that Daniel Sams and Bancroft had been replaced by concussion substitutes Ollie Davies and Hugh Weibgen.
A live commentator also gave a colossal update on the duo, saying that Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft are both conscious and talking. “They are both conscious and talking,” the on-air commentator said.
“They are both conscious and talking.”
An update on Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft. #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/fyojiyNulP
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 3, 2025
Meanwhile, commentator Steve O'Keefe felt the massive Perth crowd played a part in the horrific collision between Sams and Bancroft as the players were unable to hear each other's calls.
“It's going to be so hard to start again. These big stadiums, you don't really hear them, shouting a player off the ball and something like that happens. Completely accidental, but it's horrifying to see. You can only hope they come out of this with minor injuries. As a side, it's really hard to regroup now,” he was quoted as saying by Fox Cricket.