It appears to be the end of an historic summer for Brendan Doggett, with the Worimi quick and recent Test debutant suffering a serious hamstring injury in South Australia's latest Sheffield Shield outing.
Doggett, 31, on return to the state red-ball set up after becoming Australia's fifth Indigenous Test cricketer early in the men's Ashes series late last year, left the field after diving attempting to save a boundary in the deep late on day three of the contest against New South Wales at the SCG on Saturday.
His absence will prove a major blow in South Australia's hopes of defending their drought-breaking Shield title win last summer.
It would also dampen his hopes of earning a recall into the Test XI for Australia's next red ball fixtures against Bangladesh in Darwin and Mackay.
Doggett immediately reached for his leg after stretching along the ropes before exiting play and making an uncomfortable walk up the members stands into the dressing rooms.
South Australian coach Ryan Harris later confirmed fears following the rain-influenced draw against NSW.
Harris told ESPNcricinfo scans confirmed a "pretty bay" injury for Doggett, with tendon issues involved.
"So he'll miss the rest of the season. I think the focus now for him will be on getting himself right for the Test matches in August to make sure he's in and around that," the coach said on Sunday.
Harris went on to say it's a disappointing setback, caused by an "innocuous" attempt to save four runs, after an exciting few months for the seamer - including helping Australia to a 2-nil lead early in the Ashes.
"The reason we probably didn't bowl him in that back end of the session yesterday was to try and just give him a break and not have to worry about hamstrings. He chased the ball, which we tell him not to... he's always going to do, and he did it. So really disappointing. A big loss obviously for us."
Doggett had six wickets for the match before going down early in what proved a frustrating weekend for the home opposition.
Bang. Bang. Brendan Doggett strikes twice in the over 💥💥 pic.twitter.com/cqtEnCNrbx
— South Australia Cricket Teams (@SACricketTeams) February 7, 2026
Both sides posted around the 200-run mark before NSW declared at 8/440 on Saturday.
The match ended with South Australia 2/118 after major rain delays.
The draw keeps slim hopes alive for Doggett's side to go back-to-back in the Shield. Sitting fourth with two wins from seven matches and one win (with bonus points) short of second-placed Queensland, a string of outcomes going their way could seal their spot in March's final.
Victoria sits clear on top with five wins, Queensland and Tasmania with three wins each.
South Australia's three remaining games hold hopes of leapfrogging up the ladder with fixtures against Victoria, Queensland and a home match against New South Wales rounding out the season.
The top two on the ladder qualify for the final.
Doggett propelled his side to their first title in 29 years with a devastating 11 wickets taken against Queensland in last year's final.
With six months before Australia hosts Bangladesh for a two match series, concerns remain over its fast bowling stocks.
After missing all but one Test this summer, skipper Pat Cummins was a late withdrawal from the recently-started T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka with Josh Hazlewood still yet to arrive with the squad.
