Australia pacer Joe Mennie hospitalised with brain bleed
Australia pacer Joe Mennie was hospitalised after a blow on the head during a Sydney Sixers training session on Jan 23 caused a small fracture and brain bleed. Cricket Australia said in a statement that Mennie did not require surgery and was recovering well.
Mennie was struck by a ball hit by teammate Michael Lumb at nets ahead of the Big Bash semi-final against Brisbane Heat.
“After being struck on the head by a ball at training on Monday, Joe was transported to a hospital in Brisbane where he underwent a series of check-ups before being discharged later that evening,” CA's Chief Medical Officer John Orchard said in a media statement.
“Joe was reviewed by a Cricket Australia doctor on Tuesday and had some scans performed that revealed a small fracture and associated minor brain bleed.Whilst this is a serious injury, Joe is feeling well. We believe that this is a stable injury and will not require surgery.
“As a precautionary measure, Joe has been admitted to hospital for observation and will continue to be assessed by a neurosurgeon to determine
Former Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Brad Haddin, who is a part of the Sixers squad, described the incident as “scary.”
“It was a bit of a scary incident actually. He was bowling in the nets and Michael Lumb got hold of one straight back and he's followed through and got him in the head. It was a bit uncomfortable for a couple of minutes,” Haddin told Sky Sports Radio.
Mennie played two matches for Sixers in the Big Bash League this season. Earlier in the summer, he made his Test debut in Hobart against South Africa and his ODI debut on the tour of South Africa in October.