Marnus Labuschagne Becomes First Concussion Substitute In International Cricket After Replacing Steve Smith

Australia batsman Marnus Labuschagne, on Sunday, became the first cricketer in international cricket to be used as a concussion substitute. Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith on day five of the ongoing second Ashes Test at Lord’s after the latter was ruled out of action. Smith had copped a severe blow to his neck on day four of the Test from a vicious Jofra Archer bouncer.

The former Australia batsman was batting on 80 when the bouncer hit him on his neck. Smith fell on the ground straightaway as the players and the team doctor rushed to his help. But fortunately, Smith stood up and walked off the field without any help. He remarkably came out to bat again after a while and scored 12 more runs before being dismissed.

But he has now been ruled out of the rest of the ongoing Test due to concussion. As per report, he had a good night’s sleep but woke with a headache and feeling of grogginess. Smith will undergo a precautionary scan on his neck on Sunday.

“It will be considered over the coming days but the short turnaround is not in his favour,” a Cricket Australia statement read.

“He will be assessed on an ongoing basis and will have a precautionary scan on his neck on Sunday,” it added.

Also Read: Concussion Rules Steve Smith Out Of Day Five And Third Ashes Test

Marnus Labuschagne, nonetheless, became the first concussion substitute in international cricket while Smith became the first player to be substituted out. Last month, the International Cricket Council had approved the use of concussion substitutes in the game.

Under the new guidelines, which come into effect on August 1, concussed players can be withdrawn from games and their place taken by a like-for-like replacement subject to approval by the match referee.

For the ongoing game, match referee Ranjan Madugalle approved Australia’s application for Labuschagne to serve as a like-for-like replacement for Smith.

Also Read: Shoaib Akhtar Slams Jofra Archer For His Behaviour Towards Steve Smith