Flying bat hits Australian wicketkeeper Peter Nevill on face during Big Bash League

Melbourne: In a freak incident, Australian wicketkeeper Peter Nevill suffered a suspected broken jaw after being hit with a bat during a Big Bash League (BBL) fixture between Melbourne Renegades and Adelaide Strikers.

The incident took place during Monday's BBL match when Nevill, who was standing back to the bowling of Sri Lankan seamer Thisara Perera, was struck by the handle of the bat of Adelaide Strikers captain Brad Hodge, who accidently lost his grip on the bat while playing a shot on the leg side.

Watching the ball, Nevill was unaware of the bat flying towards him and the handle caught him flush in the face, leaving him in a heap on the turf, reports cricket.com.au.

The Melbourne Renegades wicketkeeper was immediately taken to the hospital before being treated on the outfield but took no further part in the match before being sent to hospital for x-rays.

While leaving the ground, considerable swelling was already visible on his face.

Nevill suffered a swollen cheek as result of a burst blood vessel in his face and it was expected that he would miss the remainder of the regular season, with the Renegades still with one game to play against the Heat on Friday night, a report on the Big Bash League website said.

“Peter is doing well. Initial scans were inconclusive as to whether there is a hairline fracture or whether swelling was due to a burst blood vessel," the report quoted Renegades physio Nick Adcock as saying. Nevill has returned to Sydney to continue follow-ups with Cricket NSW medical staff, added the report.

“Peter will have further reviews with specialists and scans in Sydney this week and pending these follow-ups, we expect he will make a quick recovery," concluded the report.