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Whiteman cleared for Big Bash return

Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper recovers from concussion and looking to help spark Perth to win in Hobart to claim home semi-final

Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Whiteman is in line to return for his team's KFC Big Bash League clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night.

Whiteman was struck on the side of the helmet by a 143kph short ball from English quick Tymal Mills against the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba on January 11.

He continued batting and made 12 before he was assessed following his dismissal and subsequently ruled out of the remainder of the match under CA's concussion guidelines.

The 24-year-old was sidelined for the Scorchers match against the Melbourne Stars three days later and told reporters today he suffered from headaches and struggled to sleep following the incident.

"I felt fine after I got hit and then once I got out I sat in the sheds for a bit and started feeling a bit sick and had a good headache," Whiteman explained.

"I did a concussion test and failed it and then got ruled out of that game and it was too quick a turnaround to play the next game (against the Stars), so unfortunately I missed that as well.

"It's been a good week or so now and I feel fine and I've been training the last few days so good to go."

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Whiteman revealed his first started to feel "normal" again on January 14 – the same day as the Scorchers fixture against the Stars.

"That was the frustrating thing because you had to have the squads in the day before," he said.

"To miss the Stars game really hurt. Running drinks killed me a bit, so I can't wait to get back into it."

But Whiteman conceded he was "no guarantee to play" against the Hurricanes with Cameron Bancroft, who last year played for Australia as a wicketkeeper in a T20 international, taking the gloves as a concussion substitute against the Heat.

Bancroft also took to the field against the Stars but was dismissed for a duck.

The Scorchers sit in third spot on the BBL ladder, equal on points with the Stars (second) and Sydney Sixers (fourth) with one group game remaining.

But Whiteman said he and his teammates were not looking at the congested table and were keen to rebound from their loss to the Stars.

"We probably played a bit of scared cricket I guess," Whiteman said.

"We didn't go out and back ourselves and play our shots, sort of hesitated a bit, and that probably cost us.

"The clear message is to go out and play fearless cricket.

"We've been told to steer clear of those (finals) calculations. Focus on winning and we'll be in the finals."