The diagnosis is in on popular Adelaide Strikers cheapie Jordan Buckingham after he was forced out of the Australia A match earlier this month with injury.
Originally it had been suspected that the $39k fast bowler had suffered a side strain, likely putting at risk his availability for BBL14 after his off-season move to the Strikers from the Brisbane Heat.
But Honeyball understands Buckingham has suffered a small hairline fracture in his rib and will commence a period of rehab at home.
There is no timeline yet for Buckingham, with medical staff to track his rehab over the next few weeks before outlining the next course of action.
BBL|14 starts in just over a month’s time, with Adelaide’s first game on December 17 in Canberra against the Sydney Thunder.
The Strikers, however, are very relevant due to their Round 2 double, followed by a Round 4 double.
Buckingham’s availability for those games will be critical given his price, along with the role being open after the exits of Wes Agar, David Payne and Rashid Khan to Adelaide’s attack.
Based on comments from new coach Tim Paine, it is expected the Strikers will roll with two spinners; Cameron Boyce and the in-form Lloyd Pope, while Henry Thornton, Brendan Doggett and Buckingham appear their front-line quicks.
View our predicted Strikers line-up for Round 1
