Bellerive Oval played host to a highly anticipated top-of-the-table Big Bash League clash on Friday, as the Sydney Thunder faced the Hobart Hurricanes. With a win nearly guaranteeing a playoff spot for either team, the match was crucial.
The Hurricanes won the toss and chose to chase, with the dynamic opening pair of captain David Warner and newly minted Baggy Green Sam Konstas walking to the crease.
However, their partnership didn’t last through the powerplay, as Konstas fell to Riley Meredith on the penultimate ball of the over. The pair nearly faced a far more dramatic split just four balls earlier.
Meredith began the fourth over by angling the ball across the stumps, and Warner drove it hard, only for the ball to travel straight to mid-off.
In a bizarre twist, as Warner completed his follow-through, the handle of his bat snapped above the shoulder, sending the broken piece flailing directly into Warner’s head. The veteran crumpled in pain and stared in disbelief at the shattered bat.
David Warner's bat broke and he's hit himself in the head with it 🤣#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/6g4lp47CSu
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 10, 2025
Despite the mishap, Warner couldn’t help but flash a cheeky grin before quickly requesting a new bat. He went on to register his third half-century of the season with his new willow.