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Deputy editor, ESPNcricinfo- Deputy Editor Andrew arrived at ESPNcricinfo via Manchester and Cape Town, after finding the assistant editor at a weak moment as he watched England's batting collapse in the Newlands Test. Andrew began his cricket writing as a freelance covering Lancashire during 2004 when they were relegated in the County Championship. In fact, they were top of the table when he began reporting on them but things went dramatically downhill. He likes to let people know that he is a supporter of county cricket, a fact his colleagues will testify to and bemoan in equal quantities.
Cameron Bancroft is set to be ruled out of the remainder of the BBL with a broken nose and fractured shoulder while Daniel Sams faces at least 12 days out of action under concussion protocols following the scary on-field collision at Optus Stadium on Friday night.
Both players were due to be released from hospital on Saturday afternoon following the results of CT scans which have not shown further significant injuries. They will remain in Perth, supported by members of Thunder's backroom staff, while the rest of the squad travels to Brisbane.
Being from Western Australia, Bancroft has family in Perth while Thunder have flown Sams' wife across to be with him while he recovers. A decision on when Sams returns to Sydney will be made based on medical advice. There is a chance he does not feature again in the tournament.
"Largely, the players are in good spirits," Thunder general manager Trent Copeland told reporters at the SCG. "In the last hour, we've had confirmation that CT scans have come back largely pretty clear.
"Cameron is with family in Perth, he had family with him at the hospital along with team staff. The likelihood is that he's going to be out for the remainder of the BBL. Dan Sams doesn't have that luxury, away from home, so we've flown his wife Dani over there today and we've had some team staff not go on the team flight to Brisbane for the Heat match tomorrow night. It's a monitoring process from here. Hopefully through the next couple of days, we get some good news."
Ollie Davies and Hugh Weibgen were brought into the Thunder side as concussion substitutes with Weibgen going on to hit a crucial six in what became a final-ball victory. Davies was in the team hotel at the time of the accident with a virus and quickly made his way to the ground.
"Sydney Thunder would like to thank medical and other staff on hand following the accident, including those from the Scorchers, Cricket Australia and our own staff," a club statement added. "Cameron and Daniel have received the best care possible and we will support them and their families as they recover from their injuries."
The incident happen in the 16th over of Scorchers' innings, when Cooper Connolly hit Lockie Ferguson aerially on the leg side. Sams sprinted from the infield with eyes on the ball. At the same time, Bancroft also ran in at full speed from the outfield. They crashed into each other, knocking their heads.
The Thunder players quickly ran to the pair, who lay motionless on the ground, and frantically gestured for medical support, which came immediately.
Sams was stretchered off in a mini-ambulance, while Bancroft managed to walk off the ground with a physio's support with blood gushing from his nose.
Play was halted for about 20 minutes as Thunder captain David Warner and the team's coaches were involved in discussions with match officials.
"I'm praying that they can come out soon and be back on the park," said Sherfane Rutherford, who hit a boundary off the last ball to lift Thunder to a four-wicket victory. "I actually saw everything but when I saw the blood, I turned because I'm not a fan of blood. It was pretty tough. It was definitely motivation for us. We had a little chat before we went out to bat and it was just [do it] for them."
The collision took place close to where Hilton Cartwright was stretchered off after suffering a fielding mishap in the BBL season-opener.