‘Terrible to watch’: Maddie Penna’s sickening head knock in WBBL clash

The commentators were left in shock after Adelaide Strikers young gun Maddie Penna suffered a “terrible” head knock in the WBBL.

Maddie Penna of the Adelaide Strikers goes down after being hit while fielding. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

Adelaide Strikers young gun Maddie Penna was forced off the field after suffering a “terrible” head knock during Tuesday’s WBBL match against the Sydney Thunder.

In the seventh over of the run chase at Adelaide’s Karen Rolton Oval, Sydney’s Tahlia Wilson played a cut shot off leg-spinner Amanda-Jade Wellington towards Penna at backward point.

The 21-year-old dived to prevent a boundary, but an unfortunate bounce meant the ball struck her in the face.

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Penna collapsed onto the deck as team medics rushed onto the field. She returned to her feet a few minutes later and retired to the pavilion for further treatment.

“She looks to have really hurt herself … she looks in agony,” Fox Cricket commentator Adam Peacock said.

“That’s awful. There is no way in the world she could’ve done anything about that.”

Former Australian batter Michelle Goszko continued: “That’s terrible to watch.

“It’s not a nice thing to happen … I got hit in the face a couple of times.

“We just hope Maddie is OK … it’s just awful when that happens.”

Maddie Penna cops a nasty bounce and the ball hits her in the head.

Thankfully she's walking herself off but she'll get checked out just in case #WBBL07

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) November 9, 2021

The Strikers team doctor assists Maddie Penna. Photo by Mark Brake/Getty Images

Earlier in the match, Penna smacked 14 not out to help the Strikers register a formidable score of 176/4.

South African duo Dane van Niekerk and Laura Wolvaardt were the chief destroyers with the bat, scoring 58 and 54 respectively.

The Thunder could only muster 158/6 in response, with English international Issy Wong cracking an explosive 43 not out off 16 deliveries, including six sixes.

“What a display from Issy Wong. Wow,” Fox Cricket commentator Melinda Farrell said.

“All those sixes have gone in the same part of the ground every single time. That’s incredible.

“She’s batted well in The Hundred, she’s shown she can hit it but I’m not sure if she’s ever been in a situation where she’s facing one of the best bowlers in the world in Megan Schutt, meets her first ball, just carts her over the picket fence. Thank you very much.

“She had the cheat codes for everything the Strikers could throw at her in this game.

“Just the same area, Dane Van Niekerk hit three sixes in an over earlier. She did that to her and then to Megan Schutt as well, one of the best bowlers in the world, two sixes off her over.

“Absolutely glorious striking. Wonderful to watch.”

The Strikers will next face the Sydney Sixers at 4.50pm AEDT on Wednesday at the same venue.

— with Matthew Sullivan