CA set for headway on concussion rule

A CONCUSSION substitute is on its way to Test cricket, according to Cricket Australia.

CA will lobby the ICC to launch the rule in 2019 in what would be a radical change to the game’s traditions.

Sports science and sports medicine manager Alex Kountouris is set to give the twoyear domestic trial a tick although the grey rule still has bugs, particularly finding fair replacements during games.

“I think it’s realistic to think we could see it (at Test level) soon,” Kountouris said. “We’re hopeful it’ll happen and there’s not a lot of downside to it.”

“You’re not going to rort a concussion sub. You have to actually get hit in the head and be diagnosed with concussion.”

CA has evolved its concussion policy every year for the past five years as it collects data, including how many head impacts result in concussions. The Sheffield Shield records about six to eight concussions per season.

Male and female cricketers both suffer between 10-20 concussions each year, although it varies along with the number of games played. Given helmets absorb a lot of the impact, Kountouris said cricket usually deals with mild cases.

The AFL records about 80 concussions each season (about four or five per club) while the NFL reportedly suffers about 900.

While CA has a concussion and head trauma policy, the ICC only has guidelines.

Sri Lanka batsman Kusal Perera retired hurt after suffering suspected concussion from a Jhye Richardson bouncer in Canberra but was permitted to bat in the second innings.

CA doctor Richard Saw helped diagnose Perera because Sri Lanka chose not to tour with a doctor.

“(Dr Saw) then leaves Sri Lanka to make the decision as a team,” Kountouris said.

“It is tricky, he’s our team doctor. Hawthorn wouldn’t be happy with Collingwood’s doctor making a decision on their player so we do offer external doctors as well.

“That was 100 per cent Sri Lanka’s decision whether he played or didn’t play.”

CA’S policy has included re- cent revisions from AFL chief medical officer Peter Harcourt, Saw and Kountouris. Hawthorn doctor Michael Makdissi helped form the policy.

“Cricket’s a sport with no subs at all so everyone was a bit nervous about the rule,” Kountouris said. “But if you get hit in the head sometimes the way you think is altered, so trying to get a player to make a rational decision is a bit hard.

“It’s worked well. We haven’t had any major controversies or issues.

“People have accepted the doctor’s decision.”