In a tense moment during Monday’s Big Bash League (BBL) showdown between Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars, Nathan Ellis faced an unexpected setback when a diving catch attempt left him nursing injured ribs. The incident unfolded early in the Melbourne Stars’ run-chase, with Riley Meredith delivering a well-pitched ball just outside the off stump.
The pivotal moment came when Dan Lawrence, eyeing a boundary, attempted to loft the ball over the mid-off fielder. However, his execution fell short, sending the ball soaring high instead. In a courageous display of athleticism, Ellis sprinted from mid-off towards long-off, determined to secure the crucial catch. Despite his valiant effort, a split-second delay in his dive resulted in a painful collision with the ball.
The impact left Ellis visibly in discomfort, clutching his ribs as the crowd held its breath. The injury scare added a dramatic twist to the game, with fans anxiously awaiting updates on Ellis’s condition. As the match unfolded, the incident served as a testament to the physical toll and unpredictable nature of professional cricket, where split-second decisions can have both exhilarating and challenging consequences for players on the field.
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The on-air commentator provided a detailed account of Nathan Ellis’s injury during the game. As Ellis threw himself at the ball in a whole-hearted effort to make a crucial catch, the commentator immediately noted the potential injury, expressing concern for the player. The initial fear was a shoulder injury, but the commentator quickly reassured the audience that the impact had landed on Ellis’s rib, which, in their assessment, was preferable to a knee or shoulder injury.
The commentator continued by describing the near miss, emphasizing that Ellis almost reached the ball but ended up landing on it, causing the injury. Despite the initial worry, there was a sense of relief conveyed as the commentator confirmed that Ellis was up and seemingly okay. The commentator provided a quick assessment, stating that while it might look terrible at first glance, the shoulder and knee were both okay, indicating that Nathan Ellis appeared to have escaped more serious injuries.
The commentary concluded on a lighter note, acknowledging that Ellis might have a significant bruise the next day due to the impact on his rib. Overall, the commentator’s words provided a vivid and real-time narrative of the unfolding events, capturing the intensity and concern surrounding Nathan Ellis’s injury during the game.
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The on-air commentators said: “Ellis has hurt himself. He’s hurt himself throwing himself at the ball. It was a whole-hearted effort by the skipper. Hopefully, it’s not a shoulder. That landed on his rib. That is better than a knee or shoulder, which is my first fear…He nearly got there, but he lands on the ball…He’s up though. It looked terrible at first sight but the shoulder is okay, the knee is okay, looks like Nathan is okay. Oh, that’s gonna be a bruise and a half tomorrow.”
That looked nasty, but Nathan Ellis seems to be alright 🙏 #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/56W89vMXMj
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 15, 2024
