Joe Mennie becomes first ever to be 'subbed out' of County Championship

Joe Mennie becomes the first ever cricketer to be substituted out of a county championship match. Recently, he played for Lancashire in their Division One match versus Worcestershire. The incident panned out during Worcestershire’s second innings. He was hit on the head on his follow-through. A solid drive from Martin Guptill, the New Zealand cricketer, bounced awkwardly from the turf.

Mennie was unable to move out of its way and was smacked flush on the head. Thereafter, he was treated with medical attention before he walked off the park at New Road on Day 2 of the encounter. Lancashire cricket immediately informed Richard Ellison, the liaison officer, with a plea to withdraw the Australian fast-bowler from the match. Danny Lamb, who was travelling from Manchester, replaced him.

“He is much better now”- Chilton on Mennie

Substitutes are traditionally allowed to only field and not bat or bowl. This is the first of such instances when a player has been withdrawn midway from the rest of the match. In the meantime, Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s assistant coach, sounded extremely concerned about the pacer’s condition. Nevertheless, he also has said that the cricketer is in much better shape presently.

“Joe has taken quite a nasty impact on the side of the head just above the temple, quite a heavy blow. That causes an immediate concern for everyone. At some point tonight (Thursday) he will undergo his concussion tests but at this minute it is just being considered as a head injury,” Mark Chilton, was quoted as saying by Sportstar.

“He was conscious all the time but clearly not very well and pretty dazed by it and his head is sore. He is much better now and has shown signs of significant improvement. We took an early view because of the severity of the impact that we have to withdraw Joe from the game. There is very clear protocol to follow,” the former player of the county added.

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