The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Thursday (July 18) historically approved the usage of concussion substitutes across all formats at both the highest and domestic level. 

The idea was finally green signalled at the ICC Annual Conference held in London after longstanding deliberation and successful trials were conducted for two years in first-class cricket. 

The upcoming Ashes, beginning August 1, will see the concussion substitutes come into effect for the very first time. 

The main aim is to safeguard cricketers from the negative effects of carrying on playing after having received a blow to their head, especially in our sport where pace and hostility is used as one of the tactics to disturb the focus and rhythm of the batsman. And where the ball is often ferociously hit back towards the bowler into his delivery stride. 

"Decisions on replacements will continue to be made by the team medical representative and the player should be a like-for-like replacement who will need to be approved by the Match Referee," the ICC said in a statement.

Ever since the tragic death of Australia batsman Philip Hughes in November 2014 after being hit on head during a Sheffield Shield game, the discussions and opinions surrounding the need to use concussion substitutes actually grew in number. 

Learning a harsh lesson and two from Hughes' death, Cricket Australia (CA) introduced concussion substitutes to men's and women's domestic one-day cups and the BBL as well as WBBL for the 2016-17 season.

However, CA had to wait until May 2017 for an ICC approval regarding the same to employ the playing condition in the Sheffield Shield. 

The sport governing body then became quite serious over the matter and conducted trials following use of research carried out by CA into cricket-specific effects of concussion. 

ICC, meanwhile, has also brought in a few defining changes to solve the poor over-rate issue and speed-up the actual proceedings after recommendations from the Cricket Committee.

Unlike in the past, all players from now on will be paying off equal fines as the captain in case of an over-rate breach. 

During the inaugural World Test Championship cycle, a team that is behind the required over rate at the end of a match will have two competition points deducted for each over it is behind.