Adelaide Strikers sweat over recurrence of Suzie Bates' shoulder injury

The New Zealander made her first appearance of the Women's Big Bash League against Melbourne Stars but was forced to leave the field

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Suzie Bates' grand return for Adelaide Strikers ended with what appeared to be a recurrence of a shoulder injury which threatens her involvement in the rest of the Women's Big Bash League.

The New Zealander was making her first WBBL outing of the season after missing the first seven matches due to the issue.

She opened the batting after Strikers were put in, making 28 from 23 balls before being dismissed by Sophie Day.

But come the Melbourne Stars chase, she succumbed to the familiar problem, re-injuring the joint after throwing the ball in from the deep as the innings approached the mid-way point.

Bates was forced to leave the field and did not return as Stars secured victory by five wickets.

News of the injury was compounded by Stafanie Taylor, who was absent during the start of the competition due to having to quarantine, missing the game with a thigh niggle.