Cricket star Jack Clayton was forced to retire early from Queensland’s Sheffield Shield match against New South Wales on Sunday after the batsman was struck by two deliveries in the groin.
The match also saw returning Aussie star Sam Konstas open the batting for New South Wales after he had been sent home by Baggy Greens’ selectors mid-way through their tour of Sri Lanka.
Queensland would bat first at the Gabba, with Clayton starring in their opening innings.
The left-hander struck 134 off 258 deliveries to spur The Bulls on to a commanding first-innings score of 387.
New South Wales were unable to match their feats, with Konstas leaving his crease for three runs after he was dismissed by Xavier Bartlett who took a fifer during the second innings.
Despite that, an impressive captain’s knock from Jack Edwards, who struck a quickfire ton, kept the visitors in the match, with New South Wales posting a score of 259.
Jack Clayton struck an impressive 134 off 258 runs to spur Queensland to a commanding lead in their Shield match against New South Wales this weekend
But during his second innings, the left-handed batter was forced to retire after he was struck twice in the groin by two separate deliveries
Queensland smelled blood and looked to kick on in the second innings with left-hander Clayton arriving at the crease after opener Angus Lovell had been dismissed by Hanno Jacobs.
He’d amass another impressive score of 76 but as he attempted to bash away a fast delivery from right-arm quick Ross Pawson but Clayton mistimed his shot, with the ball flying into his groin.
He sunk to his haunches on the wicket, looking back at the bowler who had appealed for an lbw but halted his appeal after seeing his opponent was injuryed.
After taking his helmet off and spending a few moments on the ground, Clayton appeared fine to continue.
But unluckily, Clayton soon found himself hunched over on the wicket once again. This time he clipped a pacy delivery from Liam Hatcher into his groin with his own bat and appeared in even more pain.
He reeled on the floor as he took off his helmet and gloves as physios ran onto the pitch to make sure he was OK.
‘He’s in agony,’ one commentator said before the 25-year-old batsman retired.
Despite that painful moment, it was an impressive knock for the young star who produced his biggest score in his last five First Class matches and his fourth century in the format.
Clayton had first appeared to play at Ross Pawson’s pacey in-swinger which flew straight into his groin
Clayton later struck Liam Hatcher’s delivery into his groin this time, dropping to the floor in agony
Sam Konstas returned for New South Wales after he had been sent home by Australia’s selectors from their tour of Sri Lanka but struggled to find runs
Matt Renshaw also starred in Queensland’s second innings, hitting 125 off 174 balls, with the side eventually retiring with a score of 289 in the second innings.
It left New South Wales with a huge target of 418 at the end of day three, with Nic Maddinson being bowled by Michael Neser for a duck just before the close of play.
Konstas, meanwhile, will be hoping to respond on the final day of the match on Tuesday and spur a comeback from New South Wales, who currently sit at 11-1.
The young Aussie star had admitted that he was ‘very excited’ to play at the Gabba after arriving in Brisbane.
Though he warned fans not to expect the same fireworks they saw at the MCG on his debut in December.
