Oz keeper Matthew Wade calls on ICC to review concussion substitute rule

Australian wicketkeeper-batsman Matthew Wade has called on the International Cricket Council (ICC) and other administrators of the sport to undertake a review of the current concussion-related substitution rule.

Wade said there is a need for the ICC to look into this after Victoria wicketkeeper Sam Harper was struck on the helmet by a bat during a recent Sheffield Shield game. Harper had to be rushed to hospital for treatment.

Cricket Australia (CA) introduced a concussion substitute law for domestic one-day and Twenty20 cricket this summer, but the ICC blocked attempts to roll it out at the first-class level.

CA officials continue to lobby the ICC, while its players are becoming increasingly vocal about the topic.

Wade, who is part of the Australian squad touring India for a four-test series, was quoted by The Guardian, as saying that players are discussing the substitution clause more frequently than in the past, as it did not make sense to get on the field with just ten players after a 11th player is struck with a bat or ball during the course of a game.

Australia's current Twenty20 squad coach Justin Langer is of the view that cricket administrators need to look at the whole concept of substituting a player through injury and not just in the case of concussions. He said players and administrators need to be consistent on this issue.