Concussion substitute rules: How are concussion substitutes decided in Test matches?

Concussion substitute rules: Steve Smith’s injury could have possible seen a concussion substitute used for the first time in Tests.

During the fourth day of the second Test of the ongoing 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia at Lord’s, Australia batsman Steve Smith was hit on the neck by a brutal Jofra Archer bouncer. The blow saw the 30-year old cricketer falling down on the ground immediately.

As an aftermath of the blow, Smith was seen walking off the ground despite receiving medical attention. While Smith underwent concussion Test on the ground, perhaps he was taken off it to give him some rest. It is worth mentioning that Smith had earlier coped a blow on his arm.

The sight of Smith coming out to bat again after Australia fast bowler Peter Siddle (9) got out talked of both relief and bravery. Getting hit on or near the head can have numerous ramifications but thankfully that wasn’t the case in Smith’s case.

Concussion substitute rules

Considering the newly laid concussion rules, Australia could have opted for a concussion substitute for Smith. While it would have been the first-ever case of the same happening, the same would have allowed Australia to only include a like-for-like replacement.

However, a concussion substitute can be called only in certain cases and under the below mentioned rules:

1) The player must be diagnosed with a concussion suffered during the match. The same will be decided by the medical representative of the concerned team. No other type of injury is eligible for calling for a substitute.

2) The request of the substitute will be accepted only within 36 hours of the incident.

3) A team is only allowed to call for a like-for-like replacement. The same will decided by the match referee present during the match. In Smith’s case, Australia had the option of including opening batsman Marcus Harris in place of Smith.

Among the reserve all-rounders, Australia could have included one out of either of Mitchell Marsh or Marnus Labuchagne. However, the all-rounder won’t be allowed to bowl in Smith’s case. It is worth mentioning that the same will again be decided by the match referee.

4) Once a player has been replaced due to concussion, he won’t be allowed to take any further part in the match.

Smith narrowly misses third consecutive century on comeback

Coming in to bat at No. 4 in the 23rd over, Smith took the centrestage in the Australian batting yet again. Securing one end amidst wickets falling at the other, the right-handed batsman hung around against some stern spells of fast bowling by the English bowlers.

Having ended Day 1 at 13*, Smith resumed proceedings in the same manner today. It was on the second delivery of the 62nd over when Smith hit an aerial shot over mid-wicket off England left-arm spinner Jack Leach to reach the 50-run mark.

Middle-order batsman Matthew Wade (6) and captain Tim Paine (23) getting out today didn’t affect the determination of the 30-year old batsman. While Smith was retired hurt on 80*, he came back amidst both a strong round of applause and some booing to complete his innings. Before getting out to England all-rounder Chris Woakes, Smith ended up scoring 92 (161) with the help of 14 fours.