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Scans reveal ‘serious’ injury for Mennie

Paceman diagnosed with a ‘small fracture’ and ‘brain bleed’ after training incident

Joe Mennie has been readmitted to hospital as a precaution after scans revealed he suffered a minor fracture and brain bleed following an incident at training on Monday.

A straight drive from hard-hitting Sydney Sixers’ English import Michael Lumb struck the 28-year-old in the side of the head as the KFC Big Bash League outfit prepared for tonight’s semi-final against the Brisbane Heat.

Mennie was given a concussion test and was taken to hospital in Brisbane for observation before being released.

However, scans yesterday showed the paceman’s injury is more serious than first thought.

Mennie celebrates his first Test wicket

“After being struck on the head by a ball at training on Monday, Joe was transported to a hospital in Brisbane where he underwent a series of check-ups before being discharged later that evening,” Cricket Australia chief medical officer John Orchard said.

“Joe was reviewed by a Cricket Australia doctor on Tuesday and had some scans performed that revealed a small fracture and associated minor brain bleed.

“Whilst this is a serious injury, Joe is feeling well. We believe that this is a stable injury and will not require surgery.

“As a precautionary measure, Joe has been admitted to hospital for observation and will continue to be assessed by a neurosurgeon to determine best course of action.”

Sixers veteran and former Australia wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, speaking on Sky Sports radio yesterday, described the incident as “pretty scary”.

"He was bowling in the nets and Michael Lumb got hold of one straight back and he's followed through and got him in the head," Haddin said.

"It was a bit uncomfortable for a couple of minutes.”

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Mennie, who made his Test debut for Australia in November, joined the Sixers in April following three summers with the Hurricanes.

He was last summer’s leading Sheffield Shield wicket-taker and made his Test debut against South Africa in Hobart in November.

But Mennie was one of the players to pay the price for Australia’s innings an 80-run defeat and was dropped after returning 1-85 from 28 overs in South Africa’s only innings.

"After a loss like that you knew there was always going to be changes and I didn’t really want to guess too much," Mennie told cricket.com.au last month.

"As the (selector’s) call came through you understood, that’s the way the world is. 

"It was very disappointing, I would’ve loved another crack but the way it is you talk to anyone that’s been dropped and they would’ve loved another shot. 

"That’s the same for most. 

"There’s always going to be changes and that’s the way it is."

Mennie has made two appearances for the Sixers, who secured a finals berth with a thrilling victory over the Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Saturday night, and has collected two wickets.

He has claimed 15 wickets at 25.20 from four Sheffield Shield matches for South Australia in 2016-17.