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Friday night’s Big Bash League clash between Sydney Thunder and Perth Scorchers at Optus Stadium took a terrifying turn when Thunder duo Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams collided in a brutal head-on collision. Both players, chasing a high catch from Cooper Connolly, ran from opposite directions at full speed and collided with each other, leaving the crowd stunned.
The impact left Sams lying on the ground, apparently unconscious, while Bancroft walked away with a bloody nose. Both players were later confirmed to have suffered concussions and were taken to hospital for further tests amid concerns over possible facial fractures.
Collision leaves crowd in shock
The incident occurred in Perth’s 16th innings when Connolly hit a ball into the night sky. Sams ran from the boundary, while Bancroft ran with the flight of the ball from midfield.
The resulting collision was sickening. Sams lay motionless on the grass, while Bancroft, although conscious, was clearly shaken. The Scorchers batsmen immediately stopped running between the wickets, showing respect for the injured players.
Medical teams quickly rushed to the field. Bancroft, dazed but able to walk, was escorted away with blood coming from his nose. Sams needed more care and was eventually taken off the field in a medical taxi.
Approved Concussion Replacements
Concussion replacements for both players were approved by match referee David Boon. Hugh Weibgen, a 20-year-old debutant, and Ollie Davies, who was unwell earlier in the day, replaced the injured duo.
Weibgen, who made his BBL debut, showed no signs of nerves despite the tense atmosphere. His composure helped stabilize the Thunder’s fielding efforts as play resumed.
Perth Burners Tickets
Before the collision stopped play, the Scorchers had been cruising. Finn Allen, New Zealand’s explosive opener, was at his destructive best. He scored 68 off just 31 balls, hitting six fours and five towering sixes.
Allen’s firing, however, changed the tide. Chris Green, the Thunder player, pitched brilliantly and finished with figures of 3-20. His efforts halted Perth’s momentum after they reached 2-110 in 12 overs.
Green dismissed Allen with a crucial delivery and the Scorchers stumbled to 4-126 after losing 3 wickets in just 8 runs.
Cooper Connolly and Nick Hobson then steadied the ship, taking Perth to a competitive 177/4 at the end of their innings. Connolly remained unbeaten on 43 off 31 balls, while Hobson contributed 21 not out.
Allen’s missed opportunity proves costly
Thunder goalkeeper Sam Billings had a difficult night behind the stumps. He dropped a high catch by Allen when the Kiwi had 31. The missed opportunity proved costly as Allen went on to dominate the Thunder bowlers.
Allen’s aggression was on full display as he took 22 runs off Sherfane Rutherford’s over. But the Scorchers were unable to capitalize on their initial attack, thanks to some timely advances from Green.
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