Harper returns in style to pip SA
Just a month after being sent to hospital following a shocking nets accident that rocked his teammates, Sam Harper slogged his way to a crucial Sheffield Shield win for Victoria over South Australia on Tuesday after an early day-four batting collapse.
Redbacks captain Jake Lehmann labelled the pitch at Melbourne’s Junction Oval “horrendous” after a final-day rally left them three wickets short of victory.
Harper was knocked unconscious and left severely concussed when he hit a ball into his chin while practising a ramp shot during the Big Bash on January 5, with the effects so serious he missed the remainder of the competition.
Having spent time in a darkened room and being driven around by his wife, the 27-yearold, who has a history of concussions and once spent weeks in an Adelaide hospital after a heavy blow, returned to training late last month.
This Shield match was Harper’s first since the incident and he brought all his Big Bash skills to a small but tricky run chase for the home team. He scored 34 off 28 balls, with two sixes. Starting the final day on 2-56 in Victoria’s pursuit of 157 for victory, SA’s bowlers made significant early impact.
And at 6-101, the result was in the balance on a wearing wicket proving ample help for the visiting attack.
Rising star Campbell Kellaway proved his team’s rock, unbeaten on 35 while lasting 101 balls in a matchwinning effort as Victoria reached the target seven wickets down.
The Redbacks were not helped when bowler Liam Scott rolled his ankle on the boundary rope as he watched one of Harper’s sixes go over.
The win was Victoria’s fourth from seven games.