The trend of international pacers being ruled out of the Indian Premier League (IPL) through injury continued on Tuesday with Sunrisers Hyderabad pacer Billy Stanlake becoming the latest victim.
The Australian quick will miss the remainder of the season with a fractured finger. The franchise confirmed the news on Tuesday evening, on the eve of their clash with Mumbai Indians.
Pacers like Mitchell Starc, Kagiso Rabada and Pat Cummins are among several players who have had to pull out due to injuries.
Stanlake has so far played four matches for the Hyderabad franchise and has managed to pick up five wickets.
Billy Stanlake has been ruled out of the remainder of IPL 2018 owing to a fractured finger. The #OrangeArmy wishes him a speedy recovery.
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) April 24, 2018
The 23-year-old’s injury will come as a huge blow to Kane Williamson’s men who are already grappling with the absence of pace spearhead Bhuvneshwar Kumar for the clash against Mumbai due to a niggling back injury.
Stanlake’s place in the squad for Tuesday’s clash was taken by Basil Thampi. This was the Australian’s second stint in the IPL The tall pacer had been a part of the Royal Challengers Bangalore franchise in 2017 before being purchased by the Sunrisers during the auctions earlier this year.
It remains to be seen which bowler the Hyderabad franchise will sign as a replacement, if any. Given the recent injury troubles though, one would fully expect them to bring a fresh face in to shore up the bowling attack.
