Adelaide Strikers wicketkeeper Bridget Patterson endured a harrowing moment on Tuesday during the WBBL clash against the Sydney Sixers at North Sydney Oval when she was struck in the face by a blistering 119km/h delivery.
In the fourth over of the run chase, Strikers seamer Darcie Brown unleashed a cross-seam delivery that deceptively beat the outside edge of Sixers captain Ellyse Perry, causing the ball to bounce awkwardly just in front of Patterson.
Immediately after the impact near her right eye socket, the 30-year-old collapsed to the ground, writhing in pain, prompting medical personnel to rush onto the field to assess her condition. Blood was visibly present near the injury, necessitating her departure for further medical evaluation as reserve wicketkeeper Ellie Johnston stepped in to take her place behind the stumps.
The Strikers later provided an update, stating that preliminary examinations of Patterson’s injury were encouraging, although additional tests would be necessary to ensure her health.
“It was a nasty injury,” Strikers coach Luke Williams addressed the media following the match, reflecting the concern surrounding Patterson’s well-being. “Obviously we were all worried about her, but it looks like she’s escaped major injury. It certainly was nasty at the time with the cut.”
Patterson, who stepped in as the Strikers’ wicketkeeper last summer, excelled during the previous season, amassing nine catches and 12 stumpings, playing a crucial role in the Adelaide-based club’s triumph for a second consecutive WBBL title.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Strikers were bowled out for a total of 171 runs after the Sixers, winning the toss, opted to bowl first in Sydney. Patterson was a standout performer for her team, top-scoring with a brisk knock of 44 runs off 32 balls, while Sixers’ spinner Ash Gardner wreaked havoc with four wickets to her name.
The Sixers, however, fell short by a mere 11 runs in their pursuit of the 172-run target, despite an impressive innings from Perry, who scored 54 runs from just 28 balls, and a maiden WBBL half-century from Scottish wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce, who led the scorecards with 62 runs off 44 deliveries. Strikers’ leg-spinner Anesu Mushangwe was in fine form, claiming the best bowler’s figures of 3-27 across four overs.
The Strikers will be eyeing a comeback as they prepare to face the Sydney Thunder at North Sydney Oval this Friday, with the first ball scheduled for 3.45pm AEDT.
