Concussions are common in sport but the way they are dealt with differs widely. There are a set of codified rules in contact-sports events such as the Australian Football League, National Rugby League and National Football League.
The Australian Football League for example has a ‘concussion sub’ rule which allows a temporary substitution during evaluation. If the injured player is cleared by doctors, he can return to the game.
In 2012, during the fourth International Conference on Concussion in Sport, held in Zurich, a set of guidelines were adopted. One of the key suggestions was that a player diagnosed with concussion should not be allowed to return on the day of the injury.
However, it is learnt cricket does not have any such codified rules, and it is usually left to the team physio / doctor to decide whether a player can stay on the field.
While during ICC events, there are ambulances, helicopters, mobile clinics and doctors on stand-by at every venue, these rules needn’t apply for bilateral / multilateral events and it is left to the participating nations.
Recently Cricket Australia confirmed that it is trying out a set of guidelines taking into account the protocols adopted at the Zurich conference.
