By Marcus Uhe
Casey South-Melbourne’s charge into the final eight in Premier Cricket has been dealt a critical blow, with captain Michael Wallace expected to miss the remainder of the home-and-away season due to injury.
Wallace, who made a crucial 140 in his last innings during his side’s win over Melbourne in round 12, sustained two facial fractures when he was struck on the jaw at training last week while batting.
He is expected to miss six weeks, ruling him out of their remaining fixtures against Footscray at home and Geelong away.
“He raised his head at the wrong angle and the ball collected him on the side of the face at the top of the jaw,” Casey-South Melbourne coach Will Carr said.
“Depending on where we end-up and how far we go will depend on whether we see him again this season.
“He was coming into good touch with a couple of good knocks in a row.
“It’s unfortunate but that’s the way it goes.”
Wicket-keeper Devin Pollock is captaining the side in Wallace’s absence.
The Swans sit 10th on the table on 38 points, but are only five points behind Richmond in fourth, on 43, in what is shaping up to be an exciting finish to the Premier Cricket Season.
The Swans will need to bowl well when they try to defend a score of 245 against Footscray when play resumes at Casey Fields this Saturday.
