The International Cricket Council (ICC) has finally sanctioned the use of concussion fielders in the upcoming season of Sheffield Shield.
The rule would allow the injured players to be substituted by a fit player who can also bat or bowl. The current rules and regulations only allow the replacements to field in place of the injured players.
Australia’s premier domestic tournament will be the first first-class competition to introduce the rule. Meanwhile, a successful trial for the next two seasons will pave the way for the policy to be introduced at the Test level for the 2019-20 summer.
Cricket Australia (CA) wanted the rule to be introduced since the tragic death of Phillip Hughes in November 2014. The left-handed batsman died after being hit by a Sean Abbott bouncer during a Shield game. And while the teams were allowed to field substitute fielders, they suffered when the injured players were ruled out of the game.
During the last season’s Shield clash between Victoria and South Australia, the former had to play the game with ten men after wicketkeeper Sam Harper was ruled out after being hit on the head by Jake Lehmann’s bat.
However, the governing body of the game has given the green light, and CA is all set to introduce it the 2017-18 summer.
“Cricket Australia has been a strong advocate for concussion substitutes and we have successfully introduced this into our other competitions,” a CA spokesperson0 said. “We look forward to formalising the introduction of this rule into the Sheffield Shield ahead of this season.
Recently, Australia opener and vice-captain David Warner was also struck on the side of his neck by Josh Hazlewood during an intra-squad game. He had immediately walked off the ground and was later, cleared of any serious injury.
Head coach Darren Lehmann had said that the batsman was alright but admitted that the blow was scary.
“He seems alright, walking around the ground today, so fingers crossed he’ll be okay, and we’ll get an update in the next day or two. It’s always a scare when that happens, isn’t it? Hopefully, he’s going to be OK,” Lehmann had told reporters.