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July 5, 2024
Australian all-rounder Daniel Sams, who holds the title of Sydney Thunder’s all-time leading wicket-taker in Big Bash League (BBL) history, is facing the possibility of missing the start of the upcoming BBL season due to a knee injury. This news is a significant blow for the Thunder, who have relied heavily on Sams’ bowling and all-round skills over the past few years.
The 31-year-old, who has represented Australia in ten T20 Internationals since making his debut in 2020, sustained the injury last month while playing for Essex in England’s T20 Blast. Unfortunately, the injury forced Sams to cut his season short, leaving Essex without one of their star performers.
Sams had been in exceptional form before the injury. In last year’s T20 Blast, he was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) after an outstanding campaign with Sussex. He showcased his all-round abilities, scoring 419 runs and taking 25 wickets in 17 matches, proving to be a game-changer for his team.
The left-arm seamer has since been replaced in the Essex squad by South African fast bowler Eathan Bosch. Sams has returned to Australia to undergo surgery, hoping to recover for the BBL season. His potential absence would be a setback for the Sydney Thunder as they look to build on past successes and challenge for the title.
“It’s not ideal obviously,” Sams said.
“I can’t really run around properly and bowl.
“It is what it is. Injuries are part of the game, so we’ll just take each day.
“I’ve been pretty lucky, I haven’t really had much time out the game with injuries through my career so far.
“Hopefully we’re back here next year.”
Sams revealed that recovery could take “four to six months”, putting him in doubt for the start of the next edition of the Big Bash League, which gets underway in December.
“It’ll be looking to try and get back for Big Bash, whether it’s at the start or whenever my knee is right, basically,” he continued.
“With a long-term recovery like that, I’ve just got to try and think about the next day.”
Daniel Sams, currently contracted with the Sydney Thunder until 2026, has been a critical player for the franchise since his debut in 2018. Over the years, he has consistently delivered impressive performances, amassing 105 wickets at an average of 20.72. His ability to take crucial wickets at vital moments has made him one of the most reliable all-rounders in the Big Bash League.
Sams’ most notable season came during the 2019/20 summer, where he set a BBL record by taking 30 wickets, the highest in a single campaign. This exceptional achievement cemented his reputation as a leading wicket-taker and played a pivotal role in the Thunder’s strong performance that season.
Cricket Australia is certain that all of the problems with the Kardinia Park pitch, which caused a Big Bash League (BBL) game to be canceled last summer, have been resolved. The venue, known as GMHBA Stadium, will host another Melbourne Renegades home game this season, with assurances that the previous problems will not recur.
Last December, a match between the Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers was called off after just 41 deliveries due to the pitch’s unpredictable bounce, which posed safety concerns. Despite attempts to continue, the game was abandoned, leaving fans and teams disappointed.
Ahead of the 2024/25 season, Cricket Australia has implemented measures to prevent similar disruptions. Kardinia Park, which successfully hosted the 2022 T20 World Cup, is expected to be in excellent condition for upcoming BBL matches, with improved pitch maintenance and protection protocols.
“I’m going to say it, I think that’s a bit ridiculous,” former Australian captain Ricky Ponting said in commentary.
“If that’s straight, where is it going to go? Straight up under your grill.”
The pitch covers failed to properly shield the surface from heavy rain before the match, abandoning Geelong’s only Big Bash fixture for the 2023/24 season.
The match was not rescheduled, and competition points were split between the two teams. As a result, the Scorchers narrowly missed qualifying for The Qualifier by a single point, ending their hopes for a title three-peat after losing the January Knockout to the Adelaide Strikers in Perth.
Following a review into the cause of the unsafe pitch, Cricket Australia is confident that Kardinia Park, which successfully hosted several T20 World Cup matches in 2022, has addressed the issue in time for the 2024/25 season.
“Geelong’s a really big second home for the Renegades, they’ve got a big fanbase there,” CA’s Head of Big Bash Leagues Alastair Dobson told Fox Cricket this week.
“It’s a great venue that has a long history of elite cricket.
“We’ve worked really closely with the venue, the Renegades and the cricket (operations) department within Cricket Australia to understand the situation last year, but more importantly make sure that the right actions and processes are in place to ensure this year’s event is huge.”
Geelong is set to host the Renegades’ first home match of the 2024/25 season as they take on the Hobart Hurricanes on Thursday, December 19.
“We love playing in Geelong,” Melbourne Renegades general manager James Rosengarten said in a statement.
“Our efforts to establish a second home at Kardinia Park, showcase Big Bash cricket and build stronger connection with the grassroots cricket within the area is central to the Renegades’ mission.
“We pushed hard to host our first home game of the new season in Geelong and play in front of our passionate fan base.”
Kardinia Park Stadium Trust chief executive Gerard Griffin continued: “Kardinia Park Stadium Trust looks forward to hosting the Renegades to kick-off their season and make up for the disappointment of last year.”
This Friday, Cricket Australia will release the complete schedule for the 14th season of the Big Bash League (BBL). As excitement builds for one of Australia’s most anticipated domestic cricket tournaments, fans can expect key matchups, venue details, and scheduling for the upcoming season.
The team schedule, including home and away games, will be made clear in the announcement. It will likely highlight major clashes and holiday season showdowns that have become a staple of the BBL.
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Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for Top Cricket News, she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.
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