Concussion subs are possible for Ashes
Cricket authorities are considering introducing concussion substitutes for test matches – and they could be in place by the Ashes, according to reports.
Cricket Australia has led the push for the landmark change in international cricket after a recommendation by the Curtain Review into the death of Phillip Hughes, who was struck in a Sheffield Shield game in 2014. The issue is on the agenda at the International Cricket Council annual conference taking place in London this week, website Cricinfo is reporting, with the aim of having it pushed through in time for the start of the World Test Championship, which begins with the Ashes.
The ICC started a two-year trial of concussion substitutes in domestic cricket in October, 2017.
CA implemented the measure in its domestic one-day and Twenty20 competitions for the 2016/17 season but it was not brought into the Sheffield Shield until the following summer after the ICC amended rules so that games would not lose their firstclass status.
England, Ireland, New Zealand and South Africa are other full member nations that allow concussion subs in their domestic competitions.
There has been growing support in world sport for more stringent protocols regarding concussion.
As a result of CA’s new measures, players must leave the field if directed to by a doctor for further testing or, in the case of a concussion, diagnosis.
Though there are no substitutes in international games, CA has pulled out players mid-match due to concussion, though there have been instances of players from other countries continuing despite possible concussion symptoms.
Not all countries have a doctor in their support staff. Former Australia team doctor Peter Brukner has spoken of a perceived conflict of interest during a test against Pakistan in 2016 when he had to assess Azhar Ali after the batsman was struck on the head.
Sri Lanka duo Kusal Mendis and Dimuth Karunaratne were hospitalised after hits to the head this year in Canberra and later cleared to play.