Dwayne Bravo needs surgery on his injured hamstring and will miss the rest of the Big Bash League season, leaving the Melbourne Renegades on the hunt for a new import.
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The worst news was confirmed for the Renegades on Friday after the West Indies star was taken from the field on a stretcher, his left leg having buckled as he moved at full pace along the boundary rope during Thursday night's last-ball loss to Perth Scorchers at Etihad Stadium.
Defending just 8-148 from their 20 overs, the Renegades' bowling options were limited in the 11th over when Bravo got his left foot caught in the turf and tumbled heavily.
At that point Bravo had bowled just one over. Renegades captain Aaron Finch ended up bowling two overs - including the final over that featured two wickets, one a brilliant run-out by the bowler himself.
The skipper's heroics weren't quite enough as Ashton Agar sent the final ball - a loose full toss from Finch - sailing high over the rope for six.
The Renegades have one win and one loss ahead of the derby against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Sunday.
"Unfortunately my Big Bash season is over, which is very disappointing," Bravo said. "I'll now have surgery and the rehabilitation to get me fit and playing at my best again. I want to thank all the Renegades fans for their support for me and I hope to see them again next season."
Coach Andrew McDonald said Bravo's injury was a significant blow for the Renegades.
"We'll definitely feel it. Dwayne is one of the best T20 players in the world and that's not something you can easily just go out and replace. We wish him the very best in his treatment and recovery and hope we see him back in action for us in the BBL next season," he said.
Finch admitted the decision to bowl himself in the final over was a punt with Perth needing nine runs to win.
"Two right-handers were in at the time. I thought it was a safer option that a right-armer spinning into them. It was either myself, Tommy Cooper or Cameron White and Cam wasn't putting his hand up. I just went with my gut," he said.
While Finch, who normally gets the headlines for his destructive batting, got one wicket and a run-out in the final over, he missed his mark with the final ball as Agar needed three runs for a Perth win.
"I should have just hit the pitch, shouldn't I? I tried to get a yorker in there but unfortunately missed it and I paid the price," Finch said.
