Smith pleased with cricket concussion sub

Australia skipper Steve Smith says safety has to be cricket's biggest priority and as such the new concussion substitute makes sense.

Australia's Steve Smith

Steve Smith has given Cricket Australia's new concussion substitute rule his tick of approval. (AAP)

Steve Smith has given Cricket Australia's new concussion substitute rule his tick of approval.

CA introduced a concussion sub for the 2016-17 Big Bash League and domestic one-day competition, as per a recommendation from the independent review into Phillip Hughes' shock death.

Hughes died in 2014 after being struck on the neck by a bouncer during a Sheffield Shield match at the SCG.

There will be no concussion subs in Shield games this summer as the International Cricket Council rejected CA's request to tweak the guidelines that govern first-class matches.

The law was used for the first time last Friday night at Drummoyne Oval, where opener Daniel Hughes was replaced in NSW's XI after being struck on the helmet during their successful run-chase.

"It's a great thing to come into the game," Australia skipper Smith said on Monday, when asked if he'd like to see the concussion sub used at international level.

"Obviously quite a few of us have had a big loss in recent times.

"You want to care for people out on the field and safety is the biggest priority, so we don't want to see something like that happen again.

"You have to take the word of the doctor and what they say .. and someone being able to be replaced (if the doctor deems they are concussed), it's a good rule."

Usman Khawaja, Ed Cowan and Matthew Wade have also praised the new rule in recent days.

CA's chief medical officer John Orchard, who treated Phillip Hughes when he was struck at the SCG two years ago, has been lobbying for stricter concussion protocols for many years.

Orchard on Monday ruled NSW batsmen Daniel Hughes and Nic Maddinson out of this week's Shield clash because of concussion.

Maddinson also copped a blow to the helmet last Friday but batted on then took part in the Blues' six-wicket win over Queensland on Sunday.

"Nic began feeling unwell during the latter part of the final and subsequently failed a further concussion test after the match," NSW team doctor Orchard said.

"As a result, he has been withdrawn from the Sheffield Shield squad.

"Cricket Australia's concussion policy requires that players are monitored, including follow-up tests for signs of concussion in the days after a knock to the head."


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Source: AAP



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