Cricket-Australia's Mennie suffers fractured skull, brain bleed

SYDNEY, Jan 25 (Reuters) - Pace bowler Joe Mennie has suffered a fractured skull and some bleeding into his brain after being hit on the head by a ball during training but he does not require surgery, Cricket Australia (CA) said on Wednesday. The 28-year-old was struck by a ball hit by Sydney Sixers team mate Michael Lumb in the nets on Monday ahead of their Big Bash semi-final against Brisbane, which takes place later on Wednesday. "After being struck on the head by a ball at training on Monday, Joe was transported to a hospital in Brisbane where he underwent a series of check-ups before being discharged later that evening," CA's Chief Medical Officer John Orchard said in a statement. "Joe was reviewed by a Cricket Australia doctor on Tuesday and had some scans performed that revealed a small fracture and associated minor brain bleed. "Whilst this is a serious injury, Joe is feeling well. We believe that this is a stable injury and will not require surgery." Mennie, who made his test debut for Australia against South Africa last November, remained in hospital under the care of a neurosurgeon for observation, Orchard added. (Writing by Greg Stutchbury in Wellington; Editing by Peter Rutherford)