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Time for concussion replacements: Cowan

Former Test batsman supports rule change following Daniel Hughes helmet knock in Matador Cup elimination final

Former Test opener Ed Cowan has backed the introduction of concussion substitutes at first-class and international level, saying the game has changed since the passing of Phillip Hughes almost two years ago.


Cowan was batting when his NSW opening partner Daniel Hughes, no relation to Phillip, was struck on the helmet during a Matador BBQs One-Day Cup clash on Friday night and later ruled out of the match due to concussion.

Under Cricket Australia's new Concussion and Head Trauma Policy, introduced this season after an independent review into Phillip Hughes's death, the Blues were allowed to bring in a "like-for-like" substitute for the concussed player - in this case, young batsman Nick Larkin replaced the injured Daniel Hughes - who can bat, bowl and field as if they were part of the starting XI.

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The new rules are in place for all Australian domestic men's and women's one-day and Twenty20 matches this summer, but not in the Sheffield Shield after the International Cricket Council announced in June they had rejected the new rule for first-class and international cricket.

Cowan, a former NSW teammate of Phillip Hughes who played eight of his 18 Tests alongside the late batsman, said the use of a concussion sub "worked seamlessly" on Friday night.

"I certainly think any playing condition that helps to improve the safety of players, and takes concussion out of the players' hands and into the medical experts' hands, I think is a good thing," Cowan said.

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"The game, unfortunately, has changed in the last few years.

"We play a sport where the danger of the sport is now in the forefront of everybody's mind.

"As long as the game is looking to progress in its playing conditions to ensure the safety of its players, then everyone is happy."

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Cowan says taking any decision regarding concussion out of the hands of the players is crucial for their safety, and one that has the full support of the playing group.

"Players always want to play," he said. "Players play through all kinds of injuries; soft tissue injuries, broken bones and traditionally would have played through concussion.

"But we've gone past that and I think the players are certainly in favour of the game progressing."

Test batsman Usman Khawaja, another long-time former teammate of Phillip Hughes, said concussion substitutes should be made available at international level as well, adding the death of Hughes won't change the way the game is played.

"I think it's a sensible rule so I would like to see it introduced," he said.

"It won't change the aggression in the game. I'm sure 'Sidds' (fast bowler Peter Siddle, whose delivery struck Daniel Hughes on Friday night) is never going to stop bowling bouncers ... and no-one would ever tell him to (stop). It's part of the game.

"But you never want to see someone get hit and you never want to see someone get hurt. That's the case with every single player on the field."

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Cowan knows all too well the seriousness of a blow to the head having been forced to retire hurt during a Sheffield Shield match last summer when he was struck on the helmet.

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The left-hander was ruled out for the rest of the game, and while opposing skipper Adam Voges offered NSW the option of bringing in a substitute player, the move was disallowed by match officials as CA's new concussion policy had yet to be introduced.

Cowan was still suffering from headaches up to 10 days later and was forced to sit out NSW's next match, and he says the effects of the blow continued for the rest of the season.

But the 34-year-old has returned to his best form in the Matador Cup with four half-centuries from his past five matches and he is looking to go even bigger in Sunday's final against Queensland at North Sydney Oval.

"The donk on the head slowed me down physically, mentally and emotionally and that took its toll at the back-end (of last season)," he said.

"I didn't finish the season as I would have liked.

"(But) it feels as though my game is in a really good place at the moment.

"After the first two (Matador Cup) games, I wasn't really giving much at the top and that was hurting the team so I think four half-centuries is certainly a contribution.

"I'm still looking for that match-winning innings and hopefully that comes on Sunday."