A recommendation for a concussion substitute trial suggested by Cricket Australia has been rejected by the International Cricket Council's cricket committee.
The recommendation came out of a review into the November 2014 death of Australian Test cricketer Phillip Hughes from a short-pitched delivery during a first-class match in Sydney.
It suggested trialing short-term concussion substitutes for two seasons in the Sheffield Shield so that batters or bowlers hurt during a match can be replaced while they're being medically assessed.
While it acknowledged the seriousness of the issue, the ICC's cricket committee said after a two-day meeting in London that the existing laws and playing conditions allowed players to receive the "best possible medical treatment," and further change to the regulations were not required "at this time."
Meanwhile the ICC said Test teams are excessively exploiting 'home advantage' by preparing pitches that favour the strengths of the host nation.
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India manipulated conditions to thump South Africa 3-0 last year amid dissatisfaction over the nature of the turning tracks used in the series, including the strip in Nagpur which was rated 'poor' by match referee Jeff Crowe.
The ICC Cricket Committee, headed by former India captain Anil Kumble, is unhappy with the quality of test pitches "and in particular the common practice of home countries overtly preparing surfaces to suit their own teams".
The panel was also worried about the growing imbalance between bat and ball and has requested the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodians of the game's laws, to curb the use of oversized bats.
"The Committee received a research paper from MCC citing a wealth of scientific and statistical evidence showing bats have become more powerful in recent years, primarily due to having larger 'sweet-spots'.
"The committee's view was that MCC should strongly consider limiting the dimensions of cricket bats to help achieve a better balance between bat and ball."
