Harper hurt after heavy collision in BBL match

Sam Harper has become the first player substituted out of a KFC BBL game due to concussion, with a nasty collision at Marvel Stadium another serious head injury for the young wicketkeeper.

Harper was sent to hospital for precautionary scans on Tuesday evening following a frightening but accidental run-in with Hobart Hurricanes paceman Nathan Ellis that left him clutching his head in pain.

The diminutive 23-year-old was watching the ball as he raced at full speed to complete a single, noticing at the last moment he was on a collision course with Ellis.

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As the bowler bent down to field a shy at the stumps, Harper instinctively leapt to go over him, instead flipping over his back and landing awkwardly as the helmet covering the back of his head hit the ground.

"I've never seen a concussion in a cricket game like that, it's more football or rugby where you get taken out from underneath," said Renegades coach Michael Klinger.

Harper, who initially struggled to get back to his feet, was eventually taken from the ground by Doctor Trefor James.

The Renegades' night was soured further when Shaun Marsh suffered a right hamstring injury while batting. The 36-year-old will have scans on Wednesday but Klinger was pessimistic of his chances of being available to face the Sydney Sixers on Saturday.

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Harper appeared to attempt to initially brush off concerns over his well-being from Dr James and physio Nick Adcock, going back to take his place at the batting crease after a lengthy delay in play.

But James spoke with umpires and then escorted Harper from the field during the fourth over of the hosts' innings, before being taken to a local hospital for further observation.

"It was a really strange one," Ellis said after his clutch final over ensured a thrilling four-run win for the visitors.

"It was quite theatrical, he went right over the back of me and he hit the ground pretty hard. I haven't heard how he's going but I hope he's okay. You never want to see that on the field.

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"It wasn't great at first. At first, he stayed down and clutched his head and he was bit a wobbly-legged, but after the doctors spoke to him and the umpires spoke to him he seemed okay. Hopefully he's all right."

Tom Cooper was confirmed as Harper's replacement but did not have any involvement in the match.

Harper spent months recovering from a severe concussion he suffered in a 2017 Sheffield Shield game at Adelaide Oval when South Australia batter Jake Lehmann accidentally struck him in the helmet with his bat.

Klinger confirmed Harper failed his first concussion test but was hopeful the head knock was not too severe.

"It's no one's fault obviously," said Klinger. "You don't like seeing anyone getting hurt. He didn't look that bad when he came off the field.

"I think the medical guys made the right call with him not passing the initial test."

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The Renegades, bottom of the ladder and out of finals contention after winning just two of their first 12 games, suffered a further blow after Marsh was significantly hobbled during his innings.

The left-hander batted on to score 56 off 30 balls, with his injury prompting him into a succession of lusty swings that brought him four sixes and initially looked to have the hosts on track to reel in the Hurricanes' 3-190.

Klinger said the returns of captain Aaron Finch and ace quick Kane Richardson will help to offset the likely loss of Marsh and the potential absence of Harper.

"We'll get them (Finch and Richardson) back and most likely Shaun will miss if we get what we expect," Klinger added. "Sam will obviously be monitored throughout the next few days."