ADELAIDE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 16: Peter Nevill of the Melbourne Renegades walks from the field after being struck in the head by the bat of Brad Hodge of the Adelaide Strikers during the Big Bash League match between the Adelaide Strikers and the Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval on January 16, 2017 in Adelaide, Australia. (Photo by Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images)
Peter Nevill won't play for the Melbourne Renegades again this season after a shocking incident in their BBL fixture against the Adelaide Strikers on Monday night saw the former Test wicketkeeper bursting a blood vessel in his cheek.
Nevill was in his usual position behind the stumps as Thisara Perera was steaming in to bowl, and when Brad Hodge played a shot to the leg side everything was normal.
Hodge lost the grip on the bat and it flew towards Nevill, striking the wicketkeeper in the cheek with the handle.
His cheek swelled up instantly as a result of the burst blood vessel, and Nevill was soon taken from the field to seek further medical treatment.
“Never seen anything like it,” Nevill’s Renegades teammate Callum Ferguson said after the match.
“That was staggering, hopefully he’s okay.
“Normally when you’re up to the stumps you’ve got the helmet on.
“You don’t usually think you’re in too much trouble getting hit by the bat when you’re standing back to the quicks.”
“That’s just a freak accident.”
Hodge admitted the incident may have been caused by his new gloves, and said that because they hadn't been worn in they may not have been able to provide the level of grip that he needed while playing the shot he played.
“I tried to grab it and hang on to it, and if I had of let it go it probably would have just gone out to square leg,” Hodge said.
“But I just tugged it round and it hit him right in the side of the jaw.
“Never seen anything like it at all.
“I’ve seen things where bats have gone flying, but never hit anyone.”