Sydney Thunder captain Jason Sangha is set to miss the rest of the BBL after breaking his collarbone, likely joining Joe Burns on the sidelines after the Melbourne Stars batter tore a hamstring.
Sangha sustained his injury diving stop a boundary late in Sunday's tight loss to the Melbourne Renegades and appeared in extreme discomfort as he left the pitch with the assistance of a trainer.
The 23-year-old played no further part at Marvel Stadium, replaced in the field by Toby Gray.
Sangha won't know his exact return-to-play timeline until consulting with a specialist on Tuesday but said he was not holding out hope of playing BBL again this summer, given collarbone fractures usually take at least six weeks to heal.
"It's been pretty grim, to be honest, but I guess it is what it is," Sangha told AAP of his injury.
"If there's any chance of me being able to get back on the park, then obviously we need to make sure that's my first priority.
"But at the same time I want to make sure if I'm coming back, I'm coming back healthy and ready to play."
Sangha has flown back to Sydney to begin his recovery, leaving Chris Green to assume the captaincy, but hopes to reunite with the Thunder shortly.
"Ideally I still want to be around the group and travel with them as much as I can," he said.
"If there are opportunities for me to impart some sort of wisdom, or help the coaches out in some sort of way or just make sure the guys are going okay, ideally I want to be involved."
Sangha will watch on as the Thunder face the Adelaide Strikers on Tuesday, when they'll have a chance to avenge Friday's record-breaking loss. The Strikers bowled the Thunder out for 15 runs, the lowest total in BBL history.
The Thunder have not yet confirmed whether they will go to market to replace Sangha.
Burns will miss the remainder of the BBL with the hamstring tear he suffered in the tournament opener against the Thunder last Tuesday.
After testing positive for COVID-19 that day - and being allowed to play under the latest pandemic protocols - Burns was injured running between wickets. He attempted to play through the pain but eventually retired hurt.
Scans confirmed a hamstring tear and while Burns will not require surgery, he has travelled to Brisbane to rehabilitate.
The Stars have already signed James Seymour as his replacement.
