Darren Bravo replacement: The West Indian batsman had retired hurt in the first session of the fourth day at Sabina Park.
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During the fourth day of the second Test of the ongoing India’s tour of West Indies in Jamaica, West Indies batsman Darren Bravo became the second cricketer to get a concussion substitute in Test cricket.
It had all happened on the fourth delivery of the 13th over last night when India fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah’s lethal bouncer had hit Bravo in the head. In what was the last over of the innings, Bravo was seen batting and is expected to have undergone concussion Tests after stumps.
On the first delivery of the 17th over today, Bravo elegantly drove Bumrah for a four. However, he was soon seen walking off the field due to concussion-related symptoms.
Darren Bravo replacement
It was later confirmed that Bravo won’t take any further part in the match for he has been replaced by Jermaine Blackwood – making him the second cricketer after Marnus Labuschagne to be included as a concussion substitute.
Labuschagne had replaced Australia batsman Steve Smith after he was hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer during the second Test of the ongoing Ashes series.
The development means that the current West Indian innings will see as many as 12 batsmen batting in the middle – something which is perhaps happening for the first time.
As far as Blackwood is concerned, the last of his 27 Test matches had come against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo. Having made his debut in 2014, Blackwood has scored 1,324 runs at an average of 30.09 and a strike rate of 59.21. Not part of the original squad for this match, the 27-year old cricketer would be looking to make the best of this opportunity.
It is worth mentioning that Blackwood has come in to bat at No. 7 in the 29th over replacing West Indies batsman Shimron Hetmyer (1). Chasing a 468-run target, West Indies still require in vicinity of 350 runs to win the match.
