Hamstring injury to Hurricanes new ball weapon “not significant” but stint on sidelines could be

Scans showed no significant damage to James Faulkner’s latest injury setback but Hobart’s key cog could still miss a large chunk of the Big Bash season in another blow for the Hurricanes

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POWERPLAY specialist James Faulkner will miss Wednesday night’s Big Bash rematch against Brisbane as Hobart medical staff determine the extent of his latest soft tissue setback.

Faulkner left the Gabba during Sunday night’s loss to the Heat after bowling just 10 deliveries, citing hamstring tightness.

The injury occurred at the exact same stage of the tournament as last season when he strained his calf against Brisbane.

The 30-year-old missed seven matches of BBL|09 — the Hurricanes lost four of those and one was a no result — highlighting his importance to the side.

James Faulkner Hurricanes celebrates the wicket of Shaun Marsh of the Renegades during the Big Bash League match between the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Renegades at Blundstone Arena, on December 19, 2020, in Hobart, Australia. (Photo by Steve Bell/Getty Images)

This season the star all-rounder has been a new ball destroyer, three times making at least one early breakthrough in his opening over and in another match snaring a wicket in his second.

Speaking on RSN Breakfast Club radio, Hurricanes coach Adam Griffith said while Faulkner’s latest concern was not “significant damage”, he could be set for up to four weeks on the sidelines.

“He did his calf last year and unfortunately he has a sore hammy at the moment,” Griffith said.

“He had some scans done yesterday [Monday], there is no significant damage in there but as we know with hammy’s it can be a week and a half or four weeks depending on how they recover.

“He got back to us last year before finals so fingers crossed he can do the same thing this year.”

James Faulkner could miss a significant portion of the BBL despite scans revealing no major hamstring damage. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Faulkner’s absence from the start of the bowling innings will see another reshuffle of the attack, with Nathan Ellis — who shot to stardom last summer with Faulkner and strike weapon Riley Meredith both injured — potentially to take more responsibility in the powerplay.

Ellis has mostly been saved for the two over “power surge” as well as the death overs where he repeatedly showcased his temperament 12 months ago.

“My role has potentially changed a little bit, last year we had a few injuries and my role went into the powerplay and also at the death as well,” Ellis said.

“At the moment I am trying to be a bit more of a defensive bowler. We have Jimmy Faulkner up top taking wickets and the likes of Riley and Scott Boland taking wickets through the middle.

“My role is the power surge and the death, trying to compliment those three bowlers.”

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