Substitute Pinned As Well

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Unlucky as the ball shows it missing the helmet and hitting his neck. I have seen helmets with the extra guard that wraps around the neck.

Yesterday in The 2nd ashes test Steve Smith was hit on the side of the head by a Joffra Archer bouncer. He went off the field and came back later at the fall of another wicket. He had passed the concussion test immediately after and was cleared to play.

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Helmet showing the add on protection padding for the neck. Smith wasn't wearing one.

This morning he woke up showing delayed concussion which is common in many cases. Under the new regulations with the ICC a player can be substituted if concussed and replaced with another player. A head injury is treated and seen differently to any other type of injury which is good to see. If a player pulls a muscle no one can actually take his place unless the team is fielding.

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Labuschagne being pinned and was lucky he had the grill. This was the second ball he faced as the first one was a wide.

So Smith was pulled out this morning and replaced by Labuschagne who is the first ever substitute player to be used in a Test match. What I find ironic is he was hit on the head by Joffra Archer as well, but it was more on the face grill than the helmet. The medical team did a check on him for concussion, but found no ill effects.

The trick is to watch the ball and as soon as you don't you will be in trouble. Using ones reflexes against a moving ball is difficult if you aren't used to balls rising off a decent length. Helmets have improved so much over the last few years and are designed to protect you for one impact only. The problem for the batsmen is that Archers natural delivery will cut back in following the right handed batsmen. If a batsmen moves away the ball will just follow you so ducking is the answer and not swaying.

I know in rugby they take players off for a head test also known as the "ding dong" test and it would be interesting to see how many of those actually have delayed concussion. I have seen players knocked out and revived with smelling salts and still pass the test as they don't want them to leave the field. I am sure the tests have improved and they use an independent doctor rather than the team doctor to do these tests today.