January 16, 2024

‘A lot of emotions’: BBL Star Reveals ‘Traumatic’ Training Accident That Shook Teammates

Sam Harper, the wicketkeeper for the Melbourne Stars, has talked candidly about the upsetting few days that followed a serious incident that occurred during a training session. The incident in the nets resulted in Harper’s hospitalization and left his teammates deeply shaken. Harper described the experience as “grim” and “concerning,” highlighting its significant emotional and physical impact on him and his team.

Marcus Stoinis Describes the Incident as ‘Traumatic’ Teammates Worried Due to Harper’s History of Concussions, Including a 2017 Hospitalization

Marcus Stoinis has called the training accident a “traumatic” event, underscoring the intense shock it caused within the Melbourne Stars’ camp. The seriousness of the situation was amplified by Harper’s past struggles with concussion issues. 

In 2017, Harper experienced a severe concussion that led to a three-week hospitalization in Adelaide, during which he faced significant mobility challenges. This history of concussion has heightened the concern among his teammates, intensifying their anxiety over his current condition.

A day before the pivotal game against the Sixers on January 5, Sam Harper tried a lap shot during a nets practice at Junction Oval.Unfortunately, the attempt went awry as he top-edged the ball into his chin, causing him to lose consciousness immediately.

An ambulance was quickly called to the scene in response to the severe accident. While waiting for medical assistance, the Stars’ staff and teammates were visibly anxious and deeply concerned about Harper’s condition. He didn’t regain consciousness until he was in the ambulance.

After the incident, Marcus Stoinis shared that the players had an open and honest discussion about what had transpired. He noted that the incident affected team members differently, highlighting the range of emotional responses within the group. The event served as a sobering reminder of the risks associated with the sport and left a lasting impact on the team.

“I mean, it brought up a lot of emotions for different people who had been through different things,” he said.

“There was a lot of emotions going on and it was quite a traumatic sort of afternoon, really.

“We’ve had people come in to speak to the group as well, which has been good.”

Harper, who has experienced significant concussion issues in the past, much like his close friend Will Pucovski, has shared that he is beginning to feel more like himself nearly 10 days after the incident. Despite this positive progress, there is still uncertainty surrounding his return to cricket. The recovery process remains ongoing, and his participation in upcoming matches will depend on further medical assessments and his overall well-being.

“I think I scared a few people more that I did myself,” he told Fox Cricket.

“I was pretty unlucky, I went down the catch up with the ball and ended up top-edging it into my chin. That knocked me out and I woke up in hospital.

“Understandably when the head is involved it gives everyone a fright, and no doubt friends and family close to me as well.

“For all us of it’s nice to get through the backs end and start feeling a bit better.

“It was a bit grim and pretty rough the first three or four day to be honest, it was a tough few days and not something I want to go through again.

“I’ve had a few now so I knew potentially what some of the symptoms would be. The dizziness and the constant head spins, it was pretty bad.

“It was distressing for me and my family.

“But towards the back end of last week and over this weekend I have seen some positive signs.

“I’m looking forward to getting back in to it and feeling pretty good.”

The Melbourne Stars fell short of reaching the BBL finals this season, leaving them out of the postseason and ending their campaign earlier than hoped. This setback means the team will not have the chance to compete for the championship this year, focusing instead on evaluating their performance and planning for the future.

Sam Harper’s next potential milestone in his cricket career could be a Sheffield Shield match with Victoria, scheduled to start on February 3. This upcoming game presents a promising opportunity for Harper to return to competitive play. However, his participation will depend on his complete recovery from the recent injury and a thorough fitness assessment to ensure he is ready to perform at his best.

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