Hughes assessed after helmet blow

NSW Blues batsman Daniel Hughes is being assessed for mild concussion after he was struck on the helmet while fielding at short leg on day two of the Sheffield Shield clash with Queensland at the SCG.

Hughes turned his back in an effort to evade a well-struck pull shot from Bulls opener Peter Forrest, only to be hit hard on the back of the helmet.

He was immediately seen to by medical staff and was able to walk off the field unassisted, with Nick Larkin taking his place beneath the lid.

Earlier this summer, Hughes became the first player in Australian cricket to be replaced by a concussion substitute when he was hit during the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup elimination final at Drummoyne Oval.

Hughes was struck on the helmet while batting against Victoria and was later diagnosed with concussion.

He subsequently missed the Matador Cup final and the opening round of the Shield season as he recovered from the concussion.

Quick Single: Hughes subbed out after helmet blow

While concussion substitutes are permitted in domestic one-day and Twenty20 matches under Cricket Australia's new Concussion and Head Trauma Policy, the same rule does not apply to the Sheffield Shield after the International Cricket Council announced in June they had rejected the new rule for first-class and international cricket.

Earlier on Saturday, Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper was taken to hospital for scans after being struck on the head by Jake Lehmann’s bat during the Bushrangers’ clash with South Australia at Adelaide Oval.

Harper was standing up to the stumps to the bowling of spinner Jon Holland shortly before lunch when Lehmann looked to whip away a shorter ball on the leg side, striking Harper on the head during his follow through.

The 20-year-old, who was wearing a helmet at the time, immediately tumbled to the ground as players and medical staff quickly rushed to his aid.

Quick Single: Harper gets scans after helmet blow

There was a delay in play while Harper was helped from the ground, with umpires then electing to take lunch.

An update from the ground later confirmed Harper was conscious and talking, but was being taken to hospital for scans.