Concussion rule is not the best thing for Cricket, here is WHY?
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On 1st August 2019, International Cricket Council (ICC) introduced concussion rule under which a player can be replaced with a like-for-like substitute in between of a match. The rule was applicable to both men’s and women’s cricket. The rule comes in effect when one of the players suffers from a concussion during an ongoing match.
The replacement has to be approved by the match referee. In medical term, the concussion is a head injury that affects the brain function (source: Wikipedia). Such injuries are fatal in nature and can put anyone’s life at risk.
Why Smith is being replaced?
England and Australia are playing Ashes series in England. During the 2nd test at Lord’s, one of the 148 kmph bouncer from Jofra Archer hit Steve Smith on his neck. Which forced him to leave the ground immediately due to the concussion. Steve Smith is doubtful for the 3rd test also. As reported by Cricket Australia, “Steve Smith complained of headache and a feeling of grogginess this morning.” This led to South Africa born all-rounder Marnus Labuschagne replacing Steve Smith under concussion rule. It also makes Labuschagne 1st player to play as a like-for-like substitution for concussion.
Concussion in Cricket
Cricket has a history of Concussion since the very beginning. But most fatal one was Phillip Hughes’s death in 2014. This incident forced ICC to take serious note of concussion and other head injuries. And almost after 5 years, finally, ICC implemented Concussion rule. Though this rule is beneficial for the suffering team as now they can bring a replacement, this rule is not going to help the sport.
While writing this article, Marnus Labuschagne was hit on the helmet by another nasty bouncer from Jofra Archer. Time is to look into the height and direction of bouncers to avoid any fatal injury in the future.
Fatal concussion injuries in Cricket
Due to the nature of the sport, cricket has witnessed many fatal injuries. Though ICC has implemented many restrictions, still the game is not safe for the players. Every now and then we witness players are getting injured. Here is the list of other fatal concussion injuries in cricket.
1. Steve Smith (2019)
During the 2nd Ashes Test at Lord’s, Smith was batting rock solid as always. He was batting at 80 when he got hit on his neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer. After getting retired hurt, he resumed batting and finally got out at 92. But next day morning he complained of symptoms which were in the line of concussion. Currently, Smith is recovering from the injury and is doubtful for the next test also.
2. Hashim Amla (2019 World Cup)
In the opening match of World Cup 2019, Hashim Amla got hit by a Jofra Archer bouncer. The impact was so hard that Amla has to leave the field. The impact was enough to get Amla off the field.
3. Phillip Hughes (2014), Death
Most fatal one was the death of Phillip Hughes when he was hit by a bouncer from Sean Abbott. Phillip Huges one of the brightest cricketer from Australia having many records under his belly.
4. Darryn Randall (2013), Death
Darryn was a first-class cricketer from South Africa. During a Premier League match between Fort Hare University and Old Selbornians, Randall ball hit him on his head. He died en-route to hospital.
5. Raman Lamba (1998), Death
Raman Lamba was a first-class cricketer from India. He played for many domestic teams including Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and North Zone. Many times he played from Ireland cricket team also. During one of the league match of Bangladesh, while fielding, he was hit on the head. This resulted in internal hemorrhage. He slipped into a coma. He couldn’t survive and died due to the fatal injury.
