Adam Voges vouches for concussion substitutes

36-year old Australian batsman Adam Voges has come out in favor of the ICC’s proposal to introduce concussion substitutes into the field of play during the match. Recently, Voges had suffered a head injury in the county championship while playing for his county Essex. Voges’ freak injury occurred during the game against Hampshire when a ball thrown towards the keeper hit him on the back of his head.

Voges stated that he understood that concussions certainly do happen during the match. “I understand the argument that, if you allow a sub for a concussion, why wouldn’t you allow a sub for other injuries. It could be a bit of a grey area. I understand that. But I am in favour of the sub rule.”

“I was standing at slip, just contemplating a fielding change, or a bowling change, I can’t quite remember,” he said, speaking of the incident. “I didn’t really pay attention to where the ball had gone or when it was coming back. It wasn’t until very late that the keeper realised the ball was going over his head and it hit me straight in the back of the head. It was just a freak accident really.”

In spite of being hospitalized rather immediately, Voges added that it took him a slightly longer time to get his bearings back. “I was a bit groggy for a week, week and a half after that and missed the next game,” Voges said. “It was probably my first experience with it. It felt like I was waking up with a hangover. It wasn’t until 10 days after it that I started to feel right again.”

“It was probably more frightening for my friends and family who were, obviously, back here at home and weren’t sure what was going on. We were playing down in Hampshire and my wife and kids were up in London,” he said, admitting that it was probably harder for his family.

“I managed to get up to them the next day and stay in bed. They were all a bit concerned and, obviously, my parents were a bit concerned, but, like I said, I was groggy for a little while. Once I came good, I felt fine,” Voges said.

Also, check out – Cricket Australia to introduce ‘concussion substitutes’