WORKERS Gol Gol are hopeful star batsman Wade Hancock can recover from thumb surgery in time for this year’s finals series.
The prolific run scorer injured his thumb while fielding, chipping the bone and tendons, and is expected to miss between six to 12 weeks.
The best-case scenario for top-of-the-table Workers Gol Gol is that he can make it back for the semi-finals, but he remains in serious doubt to take any further part in the season.
Hancock may not risk a rushed comeback given he is also the senior football coach and gun forward for Wentworth.
Workers Gol Gol coach Adam Thomson said it was a blow to his team, which will also be missing Lachy Wade for between three to four weeks after suffering a side strain last weekend.
The absence of Hancock will leave Shac Thomas with a bigger load to shoulder in the run to the finals, but the West Indian import has been a model of consistency this season, with 573 runs at an average of 47.75.
“He has taken ownership to bat deep into the innings and without Hancock, having him is a massive bonus for us,” Thomson said of the hard-hitting right-hander.
In positive news, allrounder Jake Albrecht is set to return to the team. Albrecht, who lives in Loxton in South Australia, had been previously unable to play due to border restrictions.
Workers Gol Gol moved back into top spot last round after Irymple suffered a shock loss to Coomealla Wentworth.
The teams were set to clash today before the Victorian Government made a shock announcement yesterday to lock down the entire state on the back of a number of COVID-19 cases in Melbourne.
