Cameron Bancroft’s BBL over after head clash with teammate Daniel Sams, both players hospitalised

Cameron Bancroft will play no further part in the Big Bash League season after his sickening collision with teammate Daniel Sams. DANIEL CHERNY has the latest on the Thunder pair.

Cameron Bancroft has been ruled out of the remainder of the Big Bash League season following his sickening on-field collision with teammate Daniel Sams on Friday night in Perth.

The Sydney Thunder duo will both be discharged from hospital Royal Perth Hospital on Saturday after undergoing CT scans and being monitored for more serious concussion symptoms.

The head-on clash during the Thunder’s thrilling win over the Scorchers halted play for several minutes, with Bancroft breaking his nose and suffering a fracture to his shoulder.

Sams had to be taken off the ground in a medicab with what appeared more serious injuries, however, Thunder general manager Trent Copeland confirmed that the all-rounder looks to have avoided any fractures.

The moment before Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft collided.

Both players lie prone on the turf.

Sams will be placed in Cricket Australia’s 12-day concussion protocol, but there is no sense of urgency from the Thunder to get him back on the field.

“In the past hour, we’ve had confirmation that CT scans have come back largely pretty clear,” Copeland said.

“Cameron is with family in Perth … the extent of his injuries is a broken nose and a fractured shoulder blade as well as the concussion. The likelihood is that he’s going to be out for the remainder of the BBL.

“There were fears that (Daniel Sams) might have had an orbital or facial fracture of some sort. Largely, all the reports from the CT scan have been pretty clear.

“There’s a chance (he could play this season). He’s minimum 12 days, barring extenuating circumstances and an amazing, miraculous recovery – let’s not rule that out. I’d imagine we’re looking at that last game against the Sixers at the SCG (on January 17) as a minimum.

“The rest of the squad has departed, they’re on their way in the air as we speak off to Brisbane. These two guys will be in good hands in Perth.”

Bancroft leaves the field. He is believed to have broken his nose.

In a remarkable postscript, it emerged that Ollie Davies left his sick bed at the team hotel -- where he had been stricken with a virus – to play a role in the Thunder’s final ball win.

“Ollie was at the hospital himself during the day, checked himself out, gets his kit on and bats in the match,” Copeland said.

“He was going to watch from the hotel, then that all happened.”

Already calling on several replacement players, Thunder import Sherfane Rutherford suggested that assistant coach Dan Christian was also preparing to field for the team had Davies not arrived at the ground.

Rutherford was the hero, making an unbeaten 39 from 19 balls to lead the side to an incredible four-wicket win.

“(The collision) was a motivation for us — we had a little chat before we went to bat. It was just for them — everything we did tonight was for our two soldiers,” Rutherford said.

“I told myself as well, I have to do something for them. If I had to do it anytime, it was tonight when we needed it the most.”

The Thunder squad has already been decimated this season through injury, with Tom Andrews, Toby Gray, Blake Nikitaras and Hugh Weibgen all called up as replacement players this tournament.

Copeland said that the total number is closing in on a dozen as they look to navigate the rest of the tournament.

“We’re up to replacement numbers 10 and 11 at the moment from our squad that was named prior to the tournament starting,” he said.

“(Nic) Maddinson’s thumb injury kicked it all off. I’ve literally lodged six replacement requirements in the last 24 hours, inclusive of overseas players departing for other leagues. So fair to say there’s a bit on.”

The Thunder currently sit in second, with a game in hand on their cross-town rivals, the Sydney Sixers.

Originally published as Cameron Bancroft’s BBL over after head clash with teammate Daniel Sams, both players hospitalised