Gleeson, the leading run scorer in the Grassmere Cricket Association’s (GCA) A grade competition, missed Sunday’s one-day grand final after the mishap the previous day.

Coach Dan Oakley opted to shuffle the opener down the order in Saturday’s match against Purnim. But after losing 3-20, Oakley said Gleeson batted at number seven as his side looked to post a competitive score.

“We were batting together and went for a quick single and I saw him grab his leg,” Oakley said. 

“It wasn’t sore before the game but we thought we would play it safe.”

Gleeson was forced to retire hurt.

Oakley said the player he used in place of Gleeson at the top of the order, Shaun Peterson, had also been injured while batting. He went to duck a short ball and suffered an adductor/groin injury and was also ruled out of the one-day grand final loss.

Oakley said Yambuk would not risk the batsmen’s fitness in rushing them back and predicted both would be sidelined until February to ensure they were fit for the business end of the season.

Oakley will be forced to dip into the club’s depth on Saturday when play resumes in the match against Purnim. Oakley said Yambuk would field two substitutes as it defended 132. 

Purnim resumes needing a further 120 runs with nine wickets in hand.