Mark Waugh, former batsman and brother of former Australian captain Steve Waugh feels cricket’s governing body International Cricket Council should consider appointing a neutral team doctor in assessing players hit on the head by bouncers and decide on concussion substitute.
All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja who scored an unbeaten brisk 44 in first T20I was hit on the head by pacer Mitchell Starc’s bouncer, and spinner Yuzvendra Chahal came to the field as a like to like concussion substitute as Ravindra Jadeja was advised not to take part anymore in the match by an Indian team doctor.
Mark Waugh: ICC May Appoint A Neutral Doctor To Make Concussion Decision
Yuzvendra Chahal went on to play a major role in India’s 11-run resounding win and was even awarded Man of Match for taking 3 wickets conceding only 25 runs in 4 overs.
“I think something the ICC has to look at is whether you need a neutral appointed doctor to make the concussion decision,” Waugh said on Fox Cricket.
“Obviously the team doctor of the Indian team made that ruling. I’m not saying he did anything wrong, but I think the ICC need to look at employing a medical officer or doctor who is neutral to make the decision.”
The decision and incident wasn’t the first one when a concussion substitute came fielding as it is within the new rules. Still, it ignited controversy with former Australian captain Mark Taylor cautioning against abusing the concussion substitute rule, saying it is beneficial and is also for the protection of players and needs to be used responsibly and fairly.
Mark Waugh represented Australia from 1988 to 2002. Mark Waugh is an Australian cricket commentator and former international cricketer who scored over 8000 runs in both test and ODIs.
Sunil Gavaskar Didn’t Find Anything Wrong With Concussion Substitute
Former India captain and legendary opener Sunil Gavaskar, however, didn’t find anything to be wrong and acknowledged the decision of Yuzvendra Chahal coming on as a “concussion substitute” for injury-hit Ravindra Jadeja.
After the decision was made known and approved by match referee David Boon, Australia head coach Justin Langer was seen having an animated conversation with him on the sidelines of the match, but it was not known whether the conversation was regarding Yuzvendra Chahal being allowed as a concussion substitute for the injury-hit Ravindra Jadeja who was also ruled out of remaining 2 T20Is.
Moises Henriques, the all-rounder of Australia, however, did question the decision whether it was a like-for-like replacement as Yuzvendra Chahal is a specialist spinner and Ravindra Jadeja is an all-rounder.