Sam Whiteman likely of missing the 2017-18 Australian summer

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Whiteman is likely to miss the 2017-18 domestic season due to injury concerns. The injury matters, however, were raised when Whiteman got his right index finger fractured during the final of the sixth edition of the Big Bash League (BBL). It was the second instance when the wicketkeeper had sustained a finger injury in his cricketing career.

Recently, the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) stated that the condition of Whiteman’s index finger is not good and the cricketer is experiencing a lot of pain. The association further added that the injury will take sufficient amount of time before it reaches a satisfactory level. Earlier, the gloveman also suffered a finger injury during the Sheffield Shield season last year.

“Sam Whiteman is continuing to experience ongoing pain and swelling in his left index finger related to the complex intra-articular fracture he sustained in the BBL|06 final. To date, surgical intervention and targeted rehabilitation has been unable to reduce the pain he is experiencing to a satisfactory level for state level wicketkeeping,” stated the statement released by the WA Cricket Association(WACA), as quoted by the Indian Express.

“WACA Sports Medicine Staff and Sam are consulting further with hand specialists in the coming week and will soon be in a position to make a decision on the future direction of Sam’s management. At this stage a timeframe for his return to play is unknown although further surgical intervention is being considered,” the association further added.

It is really unfortunate

Former Australian batsman and the coach of the BBL franchise Perth Scorchers, Justin Langer was also concerned about the wicketkeeper’s injury and considered it as an unfortunate incident in the talented cricketer’s career. “It’s really unfortunate, he’s had two surgeries now on his finger. He’s seeing another surgeon in a week’s time to maybe have a look at having another operation. So he could be having extended period out,” said Langer.

“For such a talented kid, who’s played in three Scorchers finals for us, he’s been part of Shield finals and (WA’s 2014-15) Matador Cup win, we’re going to look at the bigger picture for him,” Langer concluded.