Concussion sub on way

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

CA will lobby the ICC to fast-track the rule 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, though 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. We all love the game and the traditions of it, but every game evolves.

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

“This was the last season of the trial so the ICC will have to make a decision on what we do with concussion subs.”

CA has evolved its concussion policy every year for the past five years as it collects a wealth of 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 con- cussions each year, though 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.

“About 80 per cent miss a week, seven to 10 days is the range,” he said.

The AFL records about 80 concussions each season (about four or five per club) while a recent medical conference stated the NFL suffered around 900. While CA has a 15-page 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.

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

“Cricket’s a sport with no subs at all so everyone was a bit nervous about the rule.

“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.”