Marnus Labuschagne officially approved as 'concussion substitute' for Steve Smith

Yesterday, a Jofra Archer bouncer hit Steve Smith on his neck and the latter was instantly floored after taking the hit. Although the Cricket Australia medical staff advised him to leave the field, the former Aussie skipper returned to bat again, which Justin Langer later revealed that, in the intention to "find his name on the honours board." However, a second medical check ensured that the former Aussie skipper was ruled out of the remainder of the Lord's Test under concussion rules. 

"Steve has been closely monitored by medical staff overnight and this morning reported that after sleeping well, he woke with "a bit of a headache and a feeling of grogginess." Steve reported that his left arm which was also struck during his innings yesterday was "much better"," Cricket Australia said in a statement.

"As part of the Cricket Australia concussion protocol, repeat concussion testing of Steve Smith was also performed this morning and demonstrated some deterioration from his testing which is consistent with the emergence of the symptoms he was reporting. On that basis Steve has been withdrawn from the match by team doctor Richard Saw and the Australia team will lodge an application for a concussion substitute with the ICC match referee in line with the ICC protocol."

Cricket Australia are one of the pioneers of the rules as they were the first board to decide to have Concussion Substitute rule in Sheffield Shield Cricket in 2017 before the International Cricket Council (ICC) decide to have it in international cricket as well. Now, Marnus Labuschagne has become the first player to be officially approved as "concussion substitute" in an international game.

"Cricket Australia statistics show that 30 per cent of concussions in Australian cricket are delayed. It is not uncommon for players to pass their tests and feel well on the day of an injury and then display symptoms 24 - 48 hours later. In terms of Steve's availability for the third Test, this will be considered over the coming days but the short turnaround to the next Test is not in his favour. Steve's fitness will be assessed on an ongoing basis.

"Steve will undergo a precautionary scan on his neck on Sunday. Despite the unfortunate nature of what has happened, the positive is that the concussion protocol, including the availability of the concussion substitute, which has been recently brought in has served its purpose. A player is no longer under pressure to take the field when he or she displays symptoms of concussion and a side is not disadvantaged having lost a player to a blow to the head or neck.

"Cricket Australia is proud to have been leaders in this area, having introduced concussion substitutes in domestic cricket and worked with the ICC to introduce them in international cricket," the CA statement added.

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