Harper was training with the Stars squad at the MCG on Friday ahead of Saturday’s clash against Sydney Sixers when he was struck in the head while batting in the nets.
While attempting to play a ramp shot he was hit on the chin with the ball lodging under the grill of his helmet, causing a severe laceration near his throat. Harper was immediately attended to by the Stars medical team to control the bleeding.
An ambulance was called but he was conscious, breathing and stable when he was taken to hospital for further treatment. He remained there overnight and will be monitored in the coming days despite scans clearing him of any fracture or soft tissue damage to his jaw or neck.
He had been named captain of the Cricket Australia XI that is set to play a three-day game against West Indies in Adelaide starting on Tuesday but may need to be replaced for that game as Stars made him for all of the remaining three games of the home and away season and possibly finals, depending on Harper’s recovery.
Handscomb has kept for Australia in T20Is and he played 51 BBL matches for Stars between 2012 and 2020 before playing two seasons at Hobart Hurricanes. He played three games for Melbourne Renegades last season as a replacement player, having not been contracted.
