BATHURST cricketer Trent Copeland had planned to be in Adelaide this week for New South Wales’ round five Sheffield Shield match, but a finger injury has ruled him out.
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Last week as the Blues drew with Tasmania in Hobart, Copeland produced one of the best performances of his first class career as he finished with match figures of 8-119.
But instead of being at Bellerive Oval at the end of the match to shake hands, Copeland was in hospital having surgery on his right index finger as it was damaged when fielding in the slips.
“I had surgery on it down in Hobart. It was pretty crooked when it first happened and I had surgery on it that night,” Copeland said.
“It was a compound fracture, so it had come out of the skin and was pretty gruesome. But everyone was pretty good, I went straight into the rooms and a physio had organised an ambulance to take me to private hospital.
“I had x-rays and it was all sorted out pretty quickly. The operation went well and the surgeon was happy, it’s not an ideal situation, but it’s life.”
Copeland had intended to take a break from playing during the Big Bash League period, but had been looking forward to taking on South Australia.
The Redbacks are currently in second position, three points ahead of Copeland’s Blues in third.
With fourth-placed Queensland only 0.2 points further back, the Blues know the result in Adelaide is important.
“I bowled really well [against Tasmania] and I felt like I’ve bowled well the rest of the season as well. I was really looking forward to playing in Adelaide,” Copeland said.
“Given we missed out on points against Tassie, it makes the game against South Australia a really important fixture.
“Day night games are always really fun to play in as well – it’s obviously pretty devastating not to be playing, but hopefully the boys will do really well and I’ll be watching, that’s for sure.”
Copeland’s focus is now on keeping fit and ensuring his finger heals properly so he can take part in NSW’s first game in the new year against Victoria.
“It’s only my finger, so physical-wise I can still be running and staying ready to go cricket-wise, I just won’t be able to practice skills for a little bit,” he said.
“It’s my right index finger as well, so it’s kind of important to what I do as a bowler. So it’s important that I leave no stone unturned in terms of my rehab.
“When you field in the slips you are never going to catch everything perfectly. It didn’t go in right and I am going to miss some time, but there are worse things in life.”
