BBL 2023: Sam Harper rushed to hospital after suffering injury to his head

Sam Harper who is the only wicketkeeper for the Melbourne Stars side was taken to the hospital on Friday. The 27-year-old was batting in the nets when a vicious bouncer struck him on the head.

The Nature of the injury was pretty gruesome as many of the people who witnessed were shocked. The youngster went to play a cross-batted shot and the ball hit the chin and caused a cut near the throat area.

The medical staff made their way immediately as there was massive amounts of bleeding. An ambulance was summoned and the player was taken away for more check-ups. Stunned players of Melbourne Stars immediately stopped their practice. 

Peter Handscomb replaces Sam Harper - 

Melbourne Stars are set to take on Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League 2023 game on Saturday. The Glenn Maxwell-led side are currently fourth in the table as they face off the Sixers side who are in third place.

Peter Handscomb who doesn’t have a Big Bash League contract this year has been called up as the replacement player. The 32-year-old has played in 119 T20 Games and scored one century and six half-centuries with a strike around 119.

Tom Morris who is working for the Nine News put out a tweet that read “Concerning News at the Stars BBL training. Sam Harper was hit in the head while batting in the MCG nets. The good news is that he is breathing, in a stable condition, and was conscious when he was taken to the hospital in an ambulance”

Concerning scenes at @StarsBBL training.

Sam Harper was hit in the head while batting in the MCG nets. The good news is he’s breathing, in a stable condition and was conscious when he was taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Those who saw the incident were visibly shaken and…

— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) January 5, 2024

The incident which took place on Friday, reminded fans of the terrible incident which cost young batter Phil Hughes his life. While batting for his state side, Phil Hughes batting on 63, was hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer. The left-handed batter battled valiantly but lost his life just a few days after his birthday.

Journalist Tom Morris also wrote “This is a haunting quote from Harper in late 2020 ‘Hopefully I can wrap the halo angel around my head for the next few years, and touchwood, there are no more incidents”’ while tagging the Age Sports Twitter handle, the journalist also wrote “Friends and teammates tonight are just thankful that he is okay and in safe hands”

Club Statement: Sam Harper was struck in the head whilst batting at training this evening at the MCG and subsequently taken to hospital in a stable condition. We ask that you respect his privacy at this time. The club will provide further updates when they come to hand.

— Melbourne Stars (@StarsBBL) January 5, 2024

Meanwhile, the official Twitter of the Melbourne Stars posted “Club Statement: Sam Harper was struck in the head whilst batting at training this evening at the MCG and was subsequently taken to the hospital in a stable condition. We ask that you respect his privacy at this time. The club will provide further updates when they come to hand”