Star batter Daniel Hughes has been ruled out of the BBL 2024-25 season after suffering a recurrent ligament injury to his right elbow in his side’s season opener on Monday.
He sustained the injury during an attempt while fielding during Sydney Sixers’ five-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades at the SCG.
It was the same elbow injured a grade cricket match in October, although Hughes was cleared by medical staff to return for the Sixers and had played practice games.
In positive news for the experienced campaigner who has 15 fifties across 106 BBL games, he is not expected to undergo surgery at this stage.
The Sixers have lost a key batter for the season #BBL14
MORE: https://t.co/PgKcURQR50 pic.twitter.com/ujnjZ8BIc8
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 19, 2024
General Manager Rachael Haynes said that she was disappointed to lost Hughes for the season.
“While the news is not what we had hoped for Daniel, and we’re obviously incredibly disappointed to lose him for the remainder of this season, we know that he’ll commit himself to his rehab over the coming months, just as he did earlier in the year,” she said.
“A pleasing aspect of our group is that we have players ready to step up at any time and we know that whoever comes into the side will be prepared to play their role.
“Regardless of if he’s on the field or not, Daniel remains a core part of our group, and we’ll wrap our arms around him in the weeks ahead.”
Sixers began their campaign in fine form on Monday, chasing down the Renegades’ total of 7/169 with nine balls to spar despite having Hughes go down the order and all-rounder Hayden Kerr came off due to cramps late in the run chase.
Sixers are placed in the third position of the points table respective to net run rate and will be playing their next match against Adelaide Strikers on December 20 at Adelaide Oval.
