Daniel Hughes, an experienced batter, will miss the rest of the Big Bash League (BBL) season due to a pre-existing right elbow injury, which is a crushing blow for the Sydney Sixers.
When the injury happened during the Sixers’ season opener at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) against the Melbourne Renegades, the team had to look at other options for their top-order batting lineup.
After a successful season in England, the 35-year-old had high expectations going into the season. He had recovered well from a fractured elbow sustained in an October grade cricket match and was cleared to resume play.
However, Daniel Hughes hurt his elbow again during Monday’s game as he jumped to try to snag Tim Seifert’s bat.
Hughes was essentially out of commission for the rest of the season when the dive failed and left him in too much pain to continue.
In the coming weeks, we’ll embrace him closely: Rachael Haynes
There is now no need for surgery for Hughes’ injury, despite the setback. Hughes has smashed 15 half-centuries in 106 BBL contests. The absence of Hughes allows other players to take his place. “I’m disappointed by the news,” said General Manager Rachael Haynes.
Daniel’s news is not what we had hoped for, and we are clearly devastated to lose him for the rest of this season, but we also know that he will dedicate himself to his rehabilitation in the upcoming months, just as he did earlier in the year. We know that whoever enters the team will be ready to perform their part, and we have guys ready to step up at any time. This is a gratifying feature of our group. Whether he’s on the pitch or not, Daniel is still an important member of our team, and we’ll support him in the coming weeks’, she added in a statement.
Kurtis Patterson, who did not make the first team despite his excellent Sheffield Shield form, may get opportunities as a result of the injury. Lachie Shaw is another possible contender. He was initially selected to replace Steven Smith, but he is only available for a portion of the competition.
Despite Hughes’ early dismissal in the first game, the Sixers defeated the Renegades by a commanding five wickets. Leading from the front, captain Moises Henriques reached the objective of 170 with nine balls remaining after scoring an undefeated 53 off 27 balls.
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