Bec Allen's stunning reveal after Opals star's brutal World Cup injury

Opals star Ben Allen has been revealed to have suffered two fractured ribs and a partially collapsed lung during the team's World Cup match against Serbia last month.

Allen had been a crucial part of the Opals' convincing run through the group stages of the tournament, but it was in the physical contest against unlikely rivals Serbia that she suffered a crushing blow.

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Having already come from the court in the fourth quarter to seek treatment on her ankle, Allen came back into the game only to be collected with a brutal bump while fighting for a loose ball.

The 29-year-old looked to be in serious pain and needed a wheelchair to be taken from the court, appearing to struggle to breathe.

Allen was treated by paramedics for a suspected rib injury, but left the game having still led the scoring for Australia with 16 points.

Despite the pain, Allen remained determined to get on the court in Australia's semi-final against China, but simply couldn't stay on the floor.

A month later and it's clear how gutsy it was for her to play any minutes at all, with Basketball Australia revealing the full extent of her injuries had been discovered upon her return to Melbourne after the Opals' bronze medal-winning effort.

“I think everyone who witnessed the impact of that collision saw how much pain I was in," Allen said.

"Further scans have indicated that the injuries were more substantial than first diagnosed. Based on the initial diagnosis, I attempted to play in the Semi Final against China but the injuries prevented me from continuing.

“I’ve had my fair share of injuries during my career. I know my body and I will do the work to recover and return to the court as soon as I can.

"I am also really grateful for all the good wishes and kindness I received from everyone and will forever be super proud of my amazing teammates and the Bronze medal we achieved in Sydney."

Scans initially revealed no structural damage, paving the way for Allen to return in the quarter-finals and semi-finals.

Coach Sandy Brondello made the decision to rest her for Australia's last match of the tournament, a win over Canada that secured the Opals' fourth World Cup bronze medal.

Allen will recover in Melbourne before returning to Europe to play with Spanish side Valencia Basket.

Opals claim World Cup bronze in fitting Lauren Jackson farewell

Lauren Jackson saved the best game of her Opals comeback for last, starring for Australia as they clinched World Cup bronze with a 95-65 defeat of Canada.

Jackson confirmed just hours before tip-off at Sydney's Qudos Bank Arena her Opals comeback would conclude after the World Cup, where she played in all eight games following an absence of nine years from the national team.

A second-half rampage left Jackson with 30 points - the second-highest tally for anyone in a single game this tournament and the second-highest by anyone in World Cup medal match - and confirmed a fairytale finish for the Australian great.

"This journey has been the most humbling and most incredible 10 months of my life," Jackson said.

"It's given me an opportunity to play the sport I love in front of Australians again. To say goodbye this way, I couldn't have imagined it."

Coach Sandy Brondello had alluded to the fact Australia's bench would play a big role in the bronze-medal contest, which took place just 16 hours after their semi-final defeat.

But even the coach could not have been able to foresee just how pivotal her 41-year-old former teammate would be.

"Who scores 30 points in a game?" Brondello asked reporters.

"Lauren changed the game with her presence inside."

Jackson's first points, a jump shot, sparked an 8-0 run that helped the home side quash Canada's early dominance.

Across the board, Australia shook off the shooting woes that thwarted them in the tight loss to China.

Jackson's points this tournament have come almost exclusively from beyond the arc.

But in the third quarter, she came alive in the paint and finished the third quarter with 13 points as Australia stretched out to what was ultimately a game-winning lead.

Her seven rebounds and two steals were personal bests for the tournament and when she kept her hot form up in the final term, the Australians were home.

Jackson's points this tournament have come almost exclusively from beyond the arc.

But in the third quarter, she came alive in the paint and finished the third quarter with 13 points as Australia stretched out to what was ultimately a game-winning lead.

Her seven rebounds and two steals were personal bests for the tournament and when she kept her hot form up in the final term, the Australians were home.

With AAP

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