Both players were still in hospital as of Saturday morning. They will remain in Perth and not travel with the rest of the Sydney Thunder squad on Saturday while they await results of CT scans to assess any further injuries.

Ollie Davies and Hugh Weibgen were brought into the Thunder side as concussion substitutes. It’s understood that Davies was in hospital at the time of the accident with a virus but checked himself out to make his way to the ground.

The incident happen in the 16th over of Scorchers’ innings, when Cooper Connolly hit Lockie Ferguson aerially on the leg side. Sams sprinted from the infield with eyes on the ball. At the same time, Bancroft also ran in at full speed from the outfield. They crashed into each other, knocking their heads.

The Thunder players quickly ran to the pair, who lay motionless on the ground, and frantically gestured for medical support, which came immediately.

Sams appeared to be knocked out and was stretchered off in a mini-ambulance, while Bancroft managed to walk off the ground with a physio’s support with blood gushing from his nose.

Play was halted for about 20 minutes as Thunder captain David Warner and the team’s coaches were involved in discussions with match officials.

“It was definitely motivation for us. We had a little chat before we went out to bat and it was just [do it] for them.”