Friday evening Big Bash League collision between Sydney Thunder and the Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium took a scary turn when the Thunder duo Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams collided in a brutal head-to-head collision. Both players, following a lofted catch by Cooper Connolly, ran in opposite directions at full speed and collided with each other, leaving the crowd stunned.
The crash left Sams lying on the ground, seemingly unconscious, while Bancroft walked away with a bloody nose. Both players were later confirmed to have suffered concussion and were taken to hospital for further tests amid concerns of possible facial fractures.
The collision leaves the crowd in shock
The incident happened in the 16th over of the Perth innings when Connolly skied a ball into the night sky. Sams raced in from the boundary, while Bancroft raced the fly ball through the middle of the play.
The resulting crash was boring. Sams lay motionless on the ground, while Bancroft, though conscious, was clearly shaken. The Scorchers batting immediately stopped running between the wickets, showing respect for the injured players.
Medical teams have come to the ground. Bancroft, groggy but able to walk, was led away with blood pouring from his nose. Sams needed more attention and was eventually taken off the field in a medical taxi.
Brain replacements approved
Match referee David Boon approved concussion substitutions for both players. Hugh Weibgen, a 20-year-old debutant, and Ollie Davies, who was unwell earlier in the day, stepped in for the injured duo.
Weibgen, making his BBL debut, showed no signs of nerves despite the tense atmosphere. His composure helped bolster the Thunder's fielding efforts as play resumed.
Innings Perth Scorchers
Before the collision stopped play, the Scorchers had been cruising. Finn Allen, New Zealand's explosive opener, was at his devastating best. He hit 68 off just 31 balls, hitting six fours and five towering sixes.
Allen's firing, however, turned the tide. Thunder spinner Chris Green bowled brilliantly, finishing with figures of 3-20. His efforts slowed Perth's momentum as they raced to 2-110 inside 12 overs.
Green dismissed Allen with a crucial delivery and the Scorchers stumbled to 4-126 after losing 3 wickets for just 8 runs.
Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson then steadied the ship, taking Perth to a competitive 177/4 by the end of their innings. Connolly remained unbeaten on 43 from 31 balls, while Hobson contributed with 21 not out.
Allen's missed opportunity proves costly
Thunder goalkeeper Sam Billings had a tough evening behind the stumps. He took a high catch from Allen when the Kiwis were on 31. The missed opportunity proved costly as Allen continued to dominate the Thunder bowlers.
Allen's aggressiveness was on full display when he took 22 runs off Sherfane Rutherford. But the Scorchers could not capitalize on their early attack, thanks to Green's timely advances.
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