Adam Newcombe could miss the rest of the season after breaking his thumb in a warm-up mishap.
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The Lake Albert batsman was going through a fielding drill on Sunday morning when a regulation catch went array.
After making 20 in Lake Albert’s innings on Saturday, scans revealed significant damage to his right thumb.
The 32-year-old under went surgery on Monday and is expected to miss the next six weeks.
However he’s hopeful he can come back early and still play a role in finals cricket.
“They are saying six weeks in the cast, which puts me out for the season,” Newcombe said.
“But I’m going to try and get back for the finals.”
It’s the same thumb that cost him a place in Lake Albert’s grand final success in 2016.
He was struck by the bowling of Angus Le Lievre on that occasion, but this time the damage is much more extensive.
“It’s the same thumb I broke last time in the finals,” Newcombe said.
“Last time I only had a break up the top near where my finger nail is but this time I’ve broken it right down the bottom to where the joint is to my hand.”
Newcombe has had a plate and a couple of screws inserted to stabilise the joint.
In a cruel twist, Newcombe’s father Graeme hit the ball the caused the damage
“We were just doing a bit of light fielding and it hit me on the end of the thumb,” he said.
“I went to talk a low catch and my old man, who is the coach, was just hitting it to everyone.
“It wasn’t hard or anything but I just went to take it low, went down and it hit right on the end of my thumb and pushed it into the other bone.”
Newcombe has been one of the best Bulls batsmen this season.
He’s scored 253 runs at 21.10 this season and sat 11th in the competition’s standings heading into last weekend.
The premiers are currently third on the ladder and take on last-placed Wagga RSL on Saturday.
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