The Sydney Sixers have been dealt another frustrating injury blow on the eve of the Women’s Big Bash League with New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr damaging her left quad.
The 24-year-old leg-spinner, who helped New Zealand win its maiden T20 World Cup title earlier this month, sustained a grade one quadricep tear during Thursday’s first ODI against India in Ahmedabad.
New Zealand Cricket confirmed she would return home on Sunday to begin her rehabilitation, which is expected to take at least three weeks. It is currently unclear whether Kerr will be available for this season’s WBBL, which commences on Sunday.
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“We’re really gutted for Melie,” White Ferns coach Ben Sawyer said in a statement.
“Injuries are always a challenging time for a player and we know how disappointed she is to not be able to play these games.
“Everyone knows how much of an integral part of this team Melie is so we’ll certainly miss her but we’re wishing her a speedy recovery.”
Kerr was the leading wicket-taker during this month’s T20 World Cup campaign in the United Arab Emirates, snaring 15 scalps at 7.33 and scoring 135 runs at 27.00 to earn player of the tournament honours.
The Kiwi superstar, No. 2 on the ICC Women’s T20 all-rounder rankings, penned a three-year deal with the Sixers ahead of this season’s WBBL in a pre-daft signing. She represented the Brisbane Heat for four seasons following her WBBL debut in 2019, winning the club’s MVP award on three occasions.
Kerr becomes the latest casualty within the Sixers squad, which has been dealt several injury setbacks ahead of their season opener against the Melbourne Renegades at Adelaide Oval on Sunday.
Wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy will miss the club’s opening two matches after sustaining a plantar fascia injury in her right foot during the T20 World Cup, while veteran batter Erin Burins has been ruled out of the opening stage of the tournament due to a heel issue.
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Meanwhile, seamer Maitlan Brown is unavailable for Sunday’s match in Adelaide with a calf complaint.
The Sixers, who have not won a WBBL title in seven years, have named an inexperienced squad for their season opener against the Renegades, which includes Scottish wicketkeeper Sarah Bryce and uncapped pair Elsa Hunter and Frankie Nicklin.
Meanwhile, 15-year-old all-rounder Caoimhe Bray could potentially make her WBBL debut this weekend courtesy of the injury setbacks.
The Sixers will face the Renegades at Adelaide Oval on Sunday from 5.10pm AEDT.
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