Cautious bosses thinking ahead

Fundamental rule change could see players felled by head knocks able to get an in- game substitution

Now we’ve had a few incidents, everyone is starting to talk about it a bit more. I imagine it will be on the table in the next few weeks. NZC CEO David White

New Zealand could be about to follow Cricket Australia’s lead in allowing a concussion substitution in their domestic one- day competitions.

But the changes might not stop there. A groundswell of opinion i s building that it’s time to consider rewriting one of cricket’s oldest rules, that first- class cricket has to be 11 vs 11 players.

CA has introduced a change allowing for a replacement in one- day domestic cricket in the case of a significant head injury this season, and New Zealand Cricket i s considering the same.

Cricket’s rules meant CA could not extend the change to cover firstclass cricket.

New Zealand’s T20 competition, the McDonald’s Super Smash, starts on December 4. The Ford Trophy 50- over series starts on January 15.

Before the T20 starts, NZC will make a decision on whether to follow CA’s move.

“There was some discussion over the winter but I think at that point no decision was made,” NZC chief executive David White said.

“Now we’ve had a few incidents, everyone is starting to talk about it a bit more. I imagine it will be on the table in the next few weeks.”

In the first t wo rounds of the Plunket Shield, three batsmen — Canterbury opener Chad Bowes, Otago’s Ryan Duffy and Central Districts’ Ben Wheeler — have sustained heavy blows on the helmet.

Bowe was ruled out of the Canterbury team for the second round of matches last week still feeling the effects of his blow from Northern Districts’ Scott Kuggeleijn.

In Duffy’s case, clunked hard by Auckland’s lively Lockie Ferguson, the ball bounced on to his stumps and he was out, while lying flat beside the pitch. The incident happened in Otago’s first innings and medical advice ruled him out of the rest of the match.

Wheeler was struck against Canterbury and is out of CD’s third round match starting today.

White, a member of the International Cricket Council’s influential cricket committee, said support is growing for the introduction of a replacement in the case of serious head injuries in first- class cricket.

“The bigger issue is around firstclass and the test game,” White said.

“Generally you get more short pitched bowling in those formats. It i s something we will actively be bringing up with the ICC at the conclusion of the season. I think there could be a change in the foreseeable future.”

Recent serious injuries, and the tragic death of Australian Phil Hughes, have thrown sharp light on the issue.

New South Wales opener Daniel Hughes ( no relation) was the first player substituted out of an Australian game last month when struck on the helmet by Victoria’s Peter Siddle. His replacement came in midway through the innings and did not have to face a ball in the win.

NZC have helmet protocols in place this summer.

It i s mandatory for batsmen to wear a British- standard helmet when facing fast and medium pace bowling.

Match referees check helmets before a match to ensure they comply. If a batsman wants to wear a different type of helmet for whatever reason, he needs a dispensation.

If an incident occurs during a game — for example, a player’s head hitting the outfield hard in attempting a catch, or a batsman being struck on the helmet — a decision can be taken to stop the game while an official conducts an initial cognitive test and makes a determination whether a player can continue.

If not, they leave the field for further assessment.