In less than a month after the law of using concussion substitute in Test cricket was approved by ICC, the world saw the first concussion substitute used in Test Cricket today (18) at Lord’s.
Australian Marnus Labuschagne was the player to go down in the history books as the first as he was appointed as the concussion substitute for former Australian skipper Steve Smith who was dealt a vicious blow from English pacer Jofra Archer in the 77th over of the 2nd innings of 2nd Test in Ashes 2019 series.
Read More: Concussion substitutes to be introduced at Ashes
Smith was hit on the back of his head, in the neck area and initially was taken out from the field as a precautionary action to go through the mandatory concussion tests. Later in the innings, he returned and was dismissed for a fighting 92.
But on the next day (today), Cricket Australia announced that Smith has suffered a delayed concussion response to the blow and match referee Ranjan Madugalle approved Australia’s application for a substitute.
This means Marnus Labuschagne who was nominated as the like-for-like substitute for Smith, can bat and bowl in the ongoing Test match according to the new rule.
From 1st of August 2019, the rule was added to the playing conditions in men’s and women’s international and first-class cricket worldwide. This decision had been in consideration since the tragic death of Australian cricketer Phil Hughes in 2014 and the rule was approved for Sheffield Shield in Australia in May 2017.
It’s been more than 14 years since a Cricket match saw a much contrasting option for substitute fielder when Vikram Solanki became the first ‘super-sub’ of cricket against Australia at Leeds. The super-sub rule was later scrapped due to its imperfections.
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