Melbourne Renegades batsman Harry Dixon was rushed to hospital for assessment on Thursday night after suffering a frightening blow to the neck from a 136km/h bouncer during his side's Big Bash League loss to the Perth Scorchers.
Scary Moment Mars Marvel Stadium Clash
The incident occurred at Marvel Stadium when Scorchers paceman Mahli Beardman fired in a rapid short ball that struck the 20-year-old Dixon in an awkward area. Beardman, who was a teammate of Dixon's in Australia's victorious 2024 Under-19 World Cup squad, immediately rushed to the batsman's side to offer his support and apologies.
Medical staff hurried onto the field and assisted a visibly distressed Dixon from the ground. He was later taken to hospital as a precautionary measure, with Channel 7 confirming an ambulance had been called.
"He has said he's feeling a bit better but they would just like to be super cautious with him," reported Channel 7's Theo Doropoulos from the ground. Commentary great Ricky Ponting noted the immediate sportsmanship, saying, "We just saw the last bloke to walk over to him then was Mahli Beardman. Tapped him on the back and said 'I'm sorry mate.'"
Allen's Masterclass Powers Scorchers to Finals
The concerning injury overshadowed a dominant performance from the Perth Scorchers, whose victory secured their place in the BBL finals. The win was set up by a blistering, match-winning century from New Zealand opener Finn Allen.
Sent in to bat at a venue where chasing teams had won 14 of the previous 16 matches, Allen smashed 101 runs from just 53 balls, including eight sixes and five fours. His innings propelled the Scorchers to a formidable total of 7-219, just four runs shy of the highest-ever T20 score at Docklands.
Allen's century was the second-fastest in Scorchers franchise history, with his second fifty coming from a mere 17 deliveries. He was given two lifelines during his knock; dropped on eight by Harry Dixon on the boundary, and then again on 37 when Gurinder Sandhu put down a tough chance at cover.
Allen made the Renegades pay dearly, particularly targeting Sandhu during the power surge by hitting the quick for three consecutive sixes. One monstrous strike sailed into the second tier of the grandstand.
Renegades' Chase Falls Short Despite Brief Flourishes
In reply, the Melbourne Renegades' chase of 220 always looked challenging. A blistering 42 from 18 balls by Jake Fraser-McGurk, featuring five sixes, provided a brief spark. Wicketkeeper Tim Seifert offered stubborn resistance with 66 from 43 deliveries, but the home side ultimately fell well short, finishing at 7-169.
Sam Elliott was the pick of the Renegades bowlers with impressive figures of 4-28 from his three overs, while captain Adam Zampa was the most economical with 1-31 from his four.
The Scorchers did not escape unscathed, with Allen suffering cramp in his troublesome hamstring and Mitch Marsh struck on the heel by a ball. Neither took the field during the second innings, though Marsh is expected to be fit for the Scorchers' crucial next match.
Final's Race Heats Up as Tye Calls Time
The result sets up a blockbuster clash on Saturday, with the Scorchers (6-3) hosting the Melbourne Stars (6-3) in what is effectively a playoff for a top-two finals spot.
Before Thursday's match began, former Scorchers star and current Renegades squad member AJ Tye announced his retirement from the BBL. The 39-year-old, a four-time title winner with Perth, leaves as the competition's second-highest wicket-taker with 162 dismissals. He will take up a two-year deal with Yorkshire as a local player, qualifying through his English parents.
The Scorchers' comprehensive 50-run victory was ultimately clouded by the worrying sight of a young player being stretchered from the field, a sobering reminder of the dangers inherent in the sport.
