A promising cricket match for Newcastle's Wests club took a shocking turn when all-rounder Zac McGuigan suffered a gruesome finger injury that he says nearly tore the tip of his digit clean off.
A Routine Delivery Turns Painful
The incident occurred on Sunday, December 14, at Harker Oval in New Lambton. McGuigan, a 26-year-old right-arm seamer, was bowling during a second T20 innings when a Waratahs-Mayfield opponent smashed the ball back down the ground.
In a pure reflex action, McGuigan thrust out his right hand in an attempt to catch the powerful shot. The ball struck the ring finger on his bowling hand with immense force, causing immediate and severe damage.
"It nearly took the end of my finger off," McGuigan told the Newcastle Herald. "It completely dislocated the tip of my finger and the bottom bone came up through the top of it." To add insult to injury, the courageous attempt was unsuccessful. "And I dropped it, so it wasn't even worth it," he lamented.
Hospital Visit and Surgery Follow Freak Accident
McGuigan knew instantly he was in serious trouble. "You know when you get an injury that bad you can't feel it but you know you should be feeling it? It was one of those," he described. After walking from the field, he checked the injury and could see the bone protruding.
He was rushed to John Hunter Hospital, where doctors administered paracetamol and attempted to reset the dislocation. While they were eventually successful, the process was excruciating, and it was discovered that ligaments were wedged in the joint, necessitating surgery.
After a two-night hospital stay, McGuigan underwent an operation on Tuesday, December 16. Surgeons reported the procedure went well, noting the ligaments had held up strongly despite the trauma. He was discharged home that afternoon with his arm in a sling.
Long Road to Recovery and a Season in Doubt
McGuigan's recovery plan is extensive. He has a follow-up appointment scheduled for Christmas Eve, where the plaster cast may be replaced with a metal splint. Doctors have recommended a month of rest and limited movement before the protective gear can be removed and gentle rehabilitation can begin.
This timeline puts his entire 2025-2026 cricket season in serious jeopardy. The earliest he could potentially return to the pitch is mid-February, a blow for both the player and his club during its centenary season.
Outside of cricket, McGuigan is about to start a greenkeeping apprenticeship with Port Stephens Council, an endeavour that will now also be navigated around his injury.
Despite the setback for McGuigan, Wests enjoyed a successful day on the field, winning both of their T20 Summer Bash fixtures against The Flood (Maitland) and Waratahs-Mayfield.
The Newcastle first-grade competition continues, with several matches poised for intriguing second days. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia's Under-19 Female National Championships saw standout performances, including a century from Lucy Finn and a strong all-round game from Olivia Callaghan.
