Joe Mennie Makes a Unique Record in the County Championship

Lancashire fast bowler, Joe Mennie became the first player to get substituted in the County Championship.

Mennie got replaced by all-rounder Danny Lamb under the new County concussion rules.

The pacer was hit on the head on Day 2 in the match against Worcestershire. Meanwhile, Mennie was trying to protect himself from a straight hit by New Zealand batsman, Martin Guptill. However, the Lancashire quickie ended up ricocheting the ball on his head.

Mennie Writes his name in the history books of County Championship.

He fell on the ground after getting a blow to his head. Consequently, Mennie also lost his consciousness for some time. However, he gained his response after the doctors came to attend him. In fact, he was able to walk off the field by himself.

Meanwhile, Lancashire’s think-tank decided not to field him for the rest of the match. Instead, they sent in the all-rounder Danny Lamb who can bat and bowl like Joe Mennie under the new concussion rules of the County Cricket.

When the new amendments were added to MCC rulebook, ECB chief medical officer, Dr Nick Peirce had said, 

“This is a change made in the interests of player safety and health. While concussion is not as common in cricket as in contact sports such as rugby, our research has shown an average of around 15-20 incidents in first and second team cricket during each of the last few seasons.”

Meanwhile, Lancashire assistant head coach, Mark Chilton said about Mennie’s injury,

“We do not know for sure whether he has a concussion until he undergoes further tests later but it was not a glancing blow. Although the ball was hit into the ground and Joe stuck out his hand to stop it, the ball deflects into the side of his head with enough impact that it has left an impression of the seam”.

It makes all the sense to replace an injured player with a substitute player. In fact, the ICC should also ponder on the same to make the contest even in case of any mishappening.