Keeper’s OK after battering
SCANS have cleared Victorian wicketkeeper Sam Harper of any major injury after being taken to hospital following a blow to the head from Jake Lehmann’s bat in the Sheffield Shield match at Adelaide Oval.
Harper underwent scans which did not identify any bleeding or bone damage, but would remain in hospital overnight for observation.
The incident happened just before lunch on yesterday’s second day of the Shield clash between the ladder-leading Bushrangers and secondplaced South Australia.
The Redbacks’ Lehmann pulled a short ball from spinner Jon Holland and, in completing the shot, the bat hit Harper who was standing up at the stumps but wearing a helmet at the time.
The 20-year-old keeper fell to the turf and appeared in some discomfort but was able to walk off the field with help from medical staff.
An extended lunch break was taken after the injury.
It’s the second time this summer a wicketkeeper has been struck by a bat, after the Melbourne Renegades’ gloveman Peter Nevill was hit by a flying bat during the BBL.
Harper will take no further part in the match and, while replacement players are not permitted, Seb Gotch will travel to Adelaide as a substitute fielder.
Meanwhile, Tennant Creek are the men’s Major Centre Division champions of the 2017 Imparja Cup, beating Alice Springs by 48 runs.
Marcus Maher’s impressive 59 not out from 47 balls al- lowed Tennant Creek to triumph over the reigning champions.
Alice Springs could only manage 9-97 from their 20 overs in reply to Tennant Creek’s 5-145. Andrew Baker (2-17), Tim Hordringham (1-19), Andrew Burton (1-15), Thomas Gillett (1-12) and Taki Shioji (3-15) all shone with the ball for the victors.
The Community Men Division final, held under lights on Friday night, saw an enthusiastic crowd support the Red Centre Wranglers (128) to a win over the Brothers in Arms (120).
The Community Women Division final saw six-time defending champions, the Bush Potatoes, beat a spirited Ladeez Cricket Team by seven wickets