ICC likely to introduce concussion substitutes in Test Cricket beginning from The Ashes in August

ICC likely to introduce concussion substitutes in Test Cricket; likely to be brought into effect beginning The Ashes series in early August

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is pondering upon an introduction in concussion substitutes in Test Cricket, and which might well be commenced in the upcoming Ashes series starting August 1.

As per a report by ESPNCricinfo, the concussion substitute issue is on the agenda in the ongoing International Cricket Council (ICC) annual conference taking place in London this week and the changes to playing conditions will almost certainly be approved and implemented quickly, so that all matches played in the World Test Championship, beginning Ashes series, will have the same safety protocols in place.

Not a fresh concept

However, it is not a fresh concept as the alarming issue has been in discourse since the unfortunate death of former Australian International- Philip Hughes who was struck by a bouncer bowled by Sean Abott during a List-A match in the year 2014.

Post the excruciating loss, Cricket Australia (CA) had introduced the concept of concussion substitutes in both Men and Women domestic tournaments and during the 2016-17 season of the Big Bash League (BBL).

Concussion substitutes set to debut in Ashes: The issue is on the agenda at the ongoing ICC annual conference, and ESPNcricinfo understands the changes to playing conditions will almost certainly be approved pic.twitter.com/bpihzKLGWa

— Muhammad Usman Ahmad (@UsmanSwift) July 16, 2019

However, it was not brought into the Sheffield Shield until the following summer after the ICC amended rules so that games would not lose their first-class status. In October 2017, the ICC had started a two-year trial of concussion substitutes in domestic cricket.

In the recent times, many voices have come in support for more strict protocols regarding concussion. After CA’s measures, players must leave the field if directed to by a doctor for further testing or in the case of a concussion diagnosis.

Every team had a nominated Team Medical Representative during the 2019 World Cup

During the 2019 World Cup, there was a whole-hearted effort to increase education about recognising the symptoms of concussion. Every team had a nominated Team Medical Representative and there was an independent match-day doctor at every game to provide support.

However, it is yet to be decided if the introduction of concussion substitutes ropes in an independent match-day doctor at every game, or will there be a certain level of medical staff in place for the five-day long matches.