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Daniel Sams had to be stretchered off the pitch while Cameron Bancroft walked out with a bleeding nose.
Daniel Sams (L) and Cameron Bancroft.
A nasty collision between Sydney Thunder’s Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams made for some chilling scenes in the Big Bash League 2024-25 on Friday where the latter had to be stretchered out of the Perth Stadium and the former was helped out with a bleeding nose.
It happened in the 16th over of the Perth Scorchers’ innings in the match. Lockie Ferguson bowled the second ball on Cooper Connolly’s pads who tried to get it up and over square leg but ended up skying it just over the 30-yard-circle line. Bancroft ran from inside the ring at high pace while Sams converged on him from outside, with both watching the ball.
Bancroft’s head hit Sams on the forehead and the latter collapsed to the field. Bancroft held his nose and sat nearby as medical staff rushed in and players from both sides had concerned looks on their faces. Watch the video below, though viewer discretion is advised:
There was a significant halt in the play as both players were tended to. Sams had to be stretchered out of the playing field eventually while Bancroft walked back with the physio. The on-air commentators confirmed that the former won’t take any more part in the game.
Pacer Liam Hatcher replaced Sams on the field initially. The franchise later confirmed fresh substitutes and said both injured players were conscious, although had to be admitted to hospital.
“Sydney Thunder’s Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams have been substituted out of tonight’s KFC BBL 14 match against Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium. Both players are conscious and talking, demonstrating symptoms of concussion and have possible fractures. Both have been transported to hospital for assessment. Ollie Davies and Hugh Weigben have been substituted into the Thunder team,” the franchise said.
The match resumed solemnly soon after and the Thunder put up a target of 178 runs, with Connolly remaining not out at 43 (31).
This was the second incident where a stretcher was involved in a high-profile game on Friday. Earlier, Pakistan’s Saim Ayub had twisted his ankle while playing the New Year’s Test against South Africa at Newlands. He was tended to by the physio for a long time before the stretcher was called up.
