Australian Mennie suffers fractured skull

(Photo: Getty Images)

By Harvey Burgess

The Australian bowler Joe Mennie has suffered a fractured skull and a bleed to his brain during a net session with the Sydney Sixers.

The 28-year-old was struck by a ball hit by England batsman Michael Lumb while his side were training for the Big Bash League semi-final against Brisbane Heat.

Mennie returned to hospital yesterday for further scans. However, Cricket Australia confirmed that the right-arm bowler, who has played one Test for Australia in his career to date, will require no surgery for the injury.

The chief medical officer of Cricket Australia, John Orchard, said “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.”

Orchard added that Mennie’s readmission to hospital came as a “precautionary measure” and the bowler will be assessed by a neurosurgeon for the foreseeable future.

Mennie joined the Sydney Sixers in April of last year after spending three seasons with the Hobart Hurricanes. His last performance came on December 23rd against his old side, as the Sixers lost by 60 runs.