Essendon expected to be without Tom O’Donnell for at least a week
Beset by injuries in the early stages of the Premier Cricket season, Essendon will now be without star paceman Tom O’Donnell for at least a week but Connor Rutland is nearing a return.
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Essendon will be without star spearhead Tom O’Donnell for at least one match due to a hamstring injury.
The paceman pulled up sore after the first day of the Bombers’ rain-affected draw against Ringwood and is expected to sit out this weekend’s clash with Dandenong and possibly longer.
First XI coach Mitch Johnstone said the club would not rush O’Donnell’s return and risk further injury.
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“He’ll probably miss the next game and with his injury history — lower back, groins and hammies — we’ll be cautious to make sure he’s cherry ripe,” he said.
“He’s an important asset for us and he’s done really well for us this year, so we’ll be a little more conservative with that one.”
O’Donnell has been on fire in the opening five Premier Cricket rounds, claiming 11 wickets at an outstanding average of 11.91 and strike rate of 24.45.
Last season’s Premier Cricket club champion has been beset by injuries this season with Vanuatu international Patrick Matautaava (ankle), Connor Rutland (thumb) and Nishal Perera (groin) all racing the clock.
Rutland injured the thumb on his bowling hand in training but Johnstone believes he’s close to facing Dandenong.
“(Connor) has missed the last three weekends of cricket, which is a shame because he was flying in the pre-season and was bowling quite well,” he said.
“He’ll be pretty close this weekend, he’ll be very handy for us.”
Weather has also been against Essendon this season after strong bowling performances were scuppered by rain the following weekend.
In a Round 3 one-dayer, the Bombers skittled Casey-South Melbourne for 134 but didn’t get a chance to chase as rain forced a draw.
Rain again intervened on Saturday with the entire day’s play cancelled after Matt Doric’s hat-trick had helped reduce Ringwood to 8-67 the previous weekend.
Johnstone remained upbeat despite the early-season setbacks.
“We’ve been a little bit stiff, where we were to be in pretty commanding positions only for the weather gods to intervene,” he said.
“It’s a little disappointing but it’s beyond our control, the weather, and we weren’t the only ones who were in strong positions and didn’t get the chance to claim points.”
Essendon will travel to Geelong on Wednesday night for a mid-week Super Slam clash against the Cats at Geelong Cricket Ground.