By Zainab Shafiq 
In a concerning turn of events for the Melbourne Stars, wicketkeeping batter Sam Harper has been rushed to the hospital after suffering a nasty blow to the head during a practice session. The incident has left the team without a wicketkeeping replacement, leading to a reported swift decision to draft in Victoria’s limited-overs captain, Peter Handscomb, on short notice.
However, the move is not without its complexities, as Handscomb does not currently hold a Big Bash League (BBL) contract. Originally slated to play grade cricket for his club side, the experienced wicketkeeper-batsman has history with the Stars, having represented them from 2012 to 2020 before moving to the Hobart Hurricanes. Handscomb has also showcased his wicketkeeping skills in T20 Internationals and played three games for the Renegades as a replacement player last year.
Harper’s unfortunate incident occurred during a training session ahead of the Stars’ clash with the Sydney Sixers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Friday. The young batter, who is conscious, suffered a severe blow to the head while batting in the nets. The impact resulted in a ball lodging under the grill of his helmet, causing a severe cut on his throat.
The medical team promptly attended to Harper to stop the bleeding, and he was subsequently taken to the hospital via an ambulance. Harper is set to undergo scans to determine the extent of the concussion and any other potential injuries resulting from the incident.
The Stars, now grappling with an unforeseen absence in their lineup, will be closely monitoring Harper’s condition while welcoming Handscomb into the squad. Yet, uncertainty looms as Handscomb was scheduled to play grade cricket for his club.
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