Former Test batsman Chris Rogers defends Australia's concussion protocols
Chris Rogers, the first test case of Cricket Australia's concussion reforms, believes the governing body deserves kudos rather than condemnation for their handling of head knocks.
The technique of Australia's team doctor Richard Saw has been scrutinised more than that of any player since Steve Smith hit the deck after being struck on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer.
The reality is Smith may never have retired hurt and could be playing the third Ashes Test if this series took place five years ago, when CA had yet to introduce its formal policy that handed unprecedented power to medicos.
If not for the recent concussion substitute rule, which CA repeatedly lobbied the International Cricket Council for after initially hitting a brick wall, he may have been less likely to report symptoms on Sunday morning.
Rogers praised Cricket Australia for being ahead of the curve in terms of concussion protocol and awareness AAP
Rogers suffered a delayed concussion in 2015, when Australia's former team doctor Peter Brukner used recently-gained powers to declare him unavailable in the West Indies.
Like Smith, Rogers initially felt fine and kept on batting.
The former opener woke up the following morning feeling tired and, after being ruled out, experienced more alarming symptoms like blurred vision.
"I was pretty grateful the doctor ruled me out. Because I didn't realise how bad it was," Rogers told AAP.
"So I'm a bit sympathetic to what's happening over there now.
"Hindsight is a wonderful thing. It's pretty easy for people to come out a few days later and say 'this is what should have happened'.
Smith was ruled out of the third Test after a chat with team doctor Richard Saw AAP
"Steve would have had to pass a lot of tests to come back out. The medical staff at CA are of high quality, they are almost trailblazers in terms of concussion testing and protocols in cricket."
Rogers didn't complete a CogState test, the computerised program which compares results with a baseline performance and was responsible for one of Smith's red flags at Lord's on Sunday.
It is one example of how the governing body has improved its approach to concussion, especially since Phillip Hughes' tragic death in 2014.
Saw has earned praise from players, coach Justin Langer and boss Alex Kountouris for his response to Smith's scare.
Australian team doctor Richard Saw attends to Smith after he was hit by Jofra Archer's bouncer AAP
Some pundits have questioned why Smith, who showed no symptoms immediately after the hit and after stumps on Saturday, returned to the fray.
"I am 100 per cent confident the decision made was right," Langer reiterated in Leeds.
Research into delayed concussion is ongoing.
"It's really hard to know. I've been hit on the head far worse than my one in the West Indies and didn't get a delayed concussion," said Rogers, currently coaching a CA develop squad in India.
"CA is trying to do the right thing. They take this seriously ... they have provided some strong guidelines."
