Whiteman replaced after concussion

Perth Scorchers wicketkeeper-batsman Sam Whiteman has been ruled out of the remainder of his side’s KFC Big Bash clash with Brisbane Heat due to concussion.

Whiteman was struck on the side of the helmet by a 143kph short ball from English quick Tymal Mills, who is debuting for the Heat.

The 24-year-old shook the blow off and continued batting, making 12 in the Scorchers’ total of 5-156.

However he was assessed after his dismissal, with Scorchers medical staff opting to rule him out of the match after re-testing him for concussion, as per the CA concussion guidelines. 

Twelfth man Cameron Bancroft, who last year played for Australia as a wicketkeeper in a T20 international, took the gloves as a concussion substitute.

Whiteman’s concussion is the third such notable incident in Australian cricket already this year, after Test opener Matt Renshaw missed two days of the Sydney Test against Pakistan due to two separate head knocks and the resultant concussion.

On Monday night, Renegades ‘keeper Peter Nevill was struck on the head by a stray bounce from the outfield, and was required to leave the field to be assessed before returning to action a short time later.

Australia captain Steve Smith was in the commentary box at the time of the Nevill incident, and explained the ‘concussion test’ players who had been hit had to undergo.

"We've been told that if the doctor wants you to come off and do the test, you have to do it," Smith said.

"It's a sort of memory test - you have these playing cards come up on the computer screen ... it can be a difficult test to do at the best of times. 

"Each of us do a baseline test so they know our reaction times and things like that."