BCCI to discuss implementation of concussion rule in domestic cricket, reveals Saba Karim

Australia's leading batsman Steve Smith became the first-ever player to be assigned a concussion replacement, in the form of Marnus Labuschagne, after the former skipper was diagnosed with the same. Smith was knocked by a bouncer bowled by Jofra Archer that hit his neck on Day 4 of the Lord’s Test against England. In that light, it was known that if Smith's replacement, in this case- Marnus Labuschagne, gets a concussion then he'll be replaced by another concussion substitute. This rule came into effect at the international stage on August 1, 2019.

Following these turn of events, the BCCI has decided to take the matter as an important subject and discuss the possibility of implementing the concussion rule in domestic cricket.

“We will have a discussion on this issue in a day or two, and look at the possibilities of incorporating this rule in the playing conditions for this year’s domestic cricket,” BCCI GM Saba Karim was quoted by The TOI.

Smith wasn’t wearing a neck guard when the bouncer hit his neck that led to debates whether these stem guards should be made mandatory since these incidents pose threats to the life of the batsman. But, BCCI feels that it cannot force players to do so.

“However, we can’t force the players to wear neck guards,” Karim added.

Smith, who failed to recover fully from the concussion, has been ruled out of the third Ashes Test that commences on Thursday, at Headingly.