Canberra: Former Australian all-rounder and coach, Tom Moody said the biggest issue in the ongoing debate of concussion substitute was the fact that all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja wasn’t given a check-up by medical staff as per protocols after he was struck on the head.
On the first T20I Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja sustained a concussion after being hit on the left side of his forehead in the final over of the first innings of the first T20I against Australia in Canberra on Friday (December 4).
“My issue is more related to the protocols once the player is hit on the head. This is obviously posting the tragedy of Phil Hughes, who lost his life. The protocol is very clear on this,” Moody was quoted as saying to ESPNCricinfo.
“Once a batsman gets hit in the head, the medical team comes to the ground – to make sure the player is clear and okay to continue. And two, the helmet is okay – and more often than not, they replace the helmet. The manufacturers of the helmet cannot guarantee that there are no fractures in the helmet itself. None of that took place. That is, for me, the no. 1 concern. This is not Jadeja’s fault. We don’t know this – he may have a delayed concussion. Which is absolutely possible – I have no issues with Chahal replacing him as a concussion substitute,” Moody said.
“Yes, they are different kinds of spinners – one’s better than the other – but on the other hand, Jadeja was selected in the side to bowl four overs. So, I have the right to replace him with a specialist spinner. I have no issues with that either. My issue is more around the process that was not taken at the point when Jadeja was hit in the helmet. If that was done, like the way it should have been done, we would not be sitting here and having this discussion, we would understand that he possibly had a delayed concussion – and it is a coincidence that he has a hamstring niggle as well. But we need to worry about the player,” he further explained.
