Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh has suggested International Cricket Council (ICC) consider appointing a neutral doctor to assess players hit on the head and make a concussion decision during the international fixtures.
His suggestion came after a huge controversy erupted around the latest concussion incident in Canberra.
In the first T20I of the three-match T20I series between Australia and India, Yuzvendra Chahal came into the bowl as a “concussion substitute” for the injured all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja that didn’t go down well with former cricketers with many believed the tourists didn’t follow concussion substitute protocols.
Later, Chahal went on to play a match-winning role in India's 11-run win over the hosts with figures of 3/25 and the hosts questioned the replacement since Jadeja was an all-rounder and he had already played his part in the first innings in the Canberra T20I game.
Waugh said on Fox Cricket on Sunday: “I think something the ICC has to look at is whether you need a neutral appointed doctor to make the concussion decision.”
The Aussie further explained, “Obviously the team doctor of the Indian team made that ruling. I'm not saying he did anything wrong, but I think the ICC needs to look at employing a medical officer or doctor who is neutral to make the decision.”
Meanwhile, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar supported the tourists’ call while former Australia captain Mark Taylor cautioned against abusing the concussion substitute rule. Taylor has stressed the need that the rule must be used fairly and responsibly.
Following India’s move, Australia head coach Justin Langer was seen having an animated conversation with match referee David Boon in Canberra.
(With PTI Inputs)
