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CA, player's union welcome concussion subs

Leading officials in Australia welcome the ICC's introduction of concussion substitutes to international cricket

Cricket Australia has welcomed the introduction of concussion substitutes to international cricket after the ICC approved the rule change in time for next month's men's Ashes series.

CA have trialled concussion substitutes in domestic competitions for almost three years and have lobbied the international body to adopt the policy at the highest level.

Given cricket has previously disallowed substitute players in the case of all injuries, there have been concerns that players who suffer a concussion during a match will opt to play on given they don't want to disadvantage their team by leaving them with just 10 players.

Alex Kountouris, Cricket Australia's Sports Science and Sports Medicine Manager, said introducing concussion substitutes means players are more willing to remove themselves from the game on the advice of medical staff.

"(Substitutes) have allowed medical staff to assess players with suspected concussion during matches free of the pressures of leaving a team one player short," Kountouris said.

"Additionally, the rule will also allow players to declare symptoms of concussion (that can sometimes occur well after the incident), knowing that their team will not be disadvantaged."

Kountouris added that concussions substitutes have been welcomed by players, coaches and medical staff in Australia's domestic competitions.

In October 2016, NSW batsman Daniel Hughes became the first player to be substituted out of a senior game due to concussion after he was struck on the head during a one-day cup game in Sydney.

Twelve months later, Tasmania's Jordan Silk was replaced during a Sheffield Shield game, becoming the first player subbed out due to concussion in first-class cricket.

From August 1, concussion substitutes will be permitted in all forms of international men's and women's cricket and first-class competitions. The medical staff on each team will make the call on concussion replacements, which must be a like-for-like replacement that is approved by the match referee.

Replacements for other injuries will not be allowed.

"It's something we're proud to have been at the forefront of and we're delighted the ICC has agreed to not only introduce it, but also to ensure it is in place for the start of the men's Ashes series,” said Belinda Clark, Cricket Australia's Interim Executive General Manager Team Performance.

"The measure places player welfare front and centre and anything that does that has to be applauded."

The Australian Cricketers’ Association has also welcomed the news, saying it puts player welfare first.

"Creating an environment where players feel comfortable in dealing with concussion symptoms, and are able to be appropriately accessed, is vital for their long-term health and wellbeing," said ACA chief Alistair Nicholson.

"(The rule allows) medical staff to make decisions solely in the interest of players, without the real or perceived pressure of impacting a team and the game."

2019 Qantas Ashes Tour of England

Tour match: Australia v Australia A, July 23-26

First Test: Edgbaston, August 1-5

Tour match: Australians v Worcestershire, August 7-9

Second Test: Lord's, August 14-18

Third Test: Headingley, August 22-26

Tour match: Australians v Derbyshire, August 29-31

Fourth Test: Old Trafford, September 4-8

Fifth Test: The Oval, September 12-16