ICC in hot water over concussion control during Manuka Test

The ICC’s lack of action on concussion has reared its head again after it emerged an unfit Sri Lankan batsman was allowed to defy doctor’s orders and face the Australian attack in Canberra earlier this week.

Kusal Perera was struck on the helmet by a delivery from Jhye Richardson in Canberra. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

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The International Cricket Council’s lack of action on concussion has reared its head again after it emerged an unfit Sri Lankan batsman was allowed to defy doctor’s orders and face the blazing Australian attack in Canberra earlier this week.

The Daily Telegraph understands Sri Lankan batsman Kusal Perera was theoretically ruled out of the second Test with concussion when, in the absence of a Sri Lankan team doctor, he was assessed by Australian doctor Richard Saw. The assessment came after a bouncer from Jhye Richardson had forced Perera to retire hurt during the first innings.

Kusal Perera was struck on the helmet by a delivery from Jhye Richardson in Canberra. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)

However, in an embarrassing look for the game, Perera was permitted to bat again because umpires were powerless to go against the wishes of Sri Lankan team management who wanted him to return, despite the advice that was given.

Sri Lanka, like many struggling cricket nations don’t travel with their own doctor on tour and with no provisions for rulings by an independent medical professional or support in the rule book for concussion substitutes, the health and safety of its cricketers is badly compromised.

WHACK! The Sri Lankan batsmen have copped another knock to the head after this Jhye Richardson bullet crashed into Kusal Perera. The batsman is thankfully OK.
LIVE: https://t.co/wIT6P4NfeT pic.twitter.com/OpNJWbMuSa

— Telegraph Sport (@telegraph_sport) February 3, 2019

In the end, Perera was out for a first-ball duck to Mitchell Starc in the second innings, but an Australian cricketer would never have been put in that position.

When umpires were told of Dr Saw’s assessment, they replied that their hands were tied if Sri Lanka wanted Perera to return.

Perera’s condition was the talk of the Australian dressing room, who were stunned that he was permitted to bat again.

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It’s understood that the ICC’s medical committee are currently examining the concussion issue closely and are likely to issue some guidance for how the issue will be handled in the future at a meeting later this year.

It’s too early to say whether or not it will introduce binding policies.

The ICC has recently completed a two-year concussion substitute trial for member nations, but signing up was on a voluntary basis.

Cricket Australia’s strict concussion guidelines and provisions for concussion substitutes across all top class men’s and women’s competitions has shone a light on the lack of urgency that’s been shown by the international game, which continues to leave cash-poor nations to make medical decisions without the authority of medical professionals.

Perera retired hurt from the incident. (AP Photo/Rick Rycroft)

Australian women’s star Ash Gardner was ruled out of a recent WNCL game – after the toss had taken place and teams had been finalised – when she was hit in the head by a stray ball in warm-ups.

Due to her history of head knocks, she was subbed out under Cricket Australia’s concussion policy.

Meanwhile, in a men’s Test match, a concussed player is allowed to play on.

Australian women’s coach Matthew Mott spoke out about how far behind the times the ICC are when Alyssa Healy was concussed and ruled out of a match at the recent World Cup.

“In Australia we’re leading the way with concussion in cricket and from our point of view it’s probably something the ICC needs to look at as well, whether they follow what we’re doing in Australia,” Mott said late last year.

Perera was dismissed first ball in the second innings after defying doctor’s orders to bat. (Photo by ISHARA S. KODIKARA / AFP)

“Through no fault of our own we lost a key player and if we take head injuries seriously, that’s something we need to look at from a global point of view.”

Australian young gun Will Pucovski has been ruled out of domestic matches with concussion, Matthew Renshaw was ruled out of an Australian tour match against Pakistan last year, and former Test opener Chris Rogers twice missed Test matches due to Australia’s strict attitudes towards concussion.

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