Concussion subs are common sense: Langer
Concussion substitute convert Justin Langer, a legend in cricket's school of head knocks, is glad administrators have broken with tradition.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) recently adopted a landmark rule change that will allow concussed players to be withdrawn from games and replaced during matches.
The use of concussion substitutions in international cricket will start on August 1, when the Ashes begin in Birmingham, but they've already been embraced at domestic level in Australia.
Cricket Australia became the first governing body to introduce concussion subs in 2016, as per a recommendation from the independent review into the shock death of Phillip Hughes, and continued to lobby the ICC regarding the issue.
Langer, well versed in the serious risks associated with head knocks after suffering multiple concussions during a 105-Test career, expressed some reservations about the rule in 2016.
But speaking in Southampton as Australia prepared for their intra-squad Ashes tune-up, Langer described the ICC's recent concussion edict as "common sense".
"I'm glad it's come in," the national coach told reporters.
"I've been through the full spectrum of emotions of it, having been a person who was concussed or hit a lot through to a coach and seeing how it can affect games of cricket.
"It's a good ruling."
The rule intends to encourage players to declare concussion symptoms - and for medicos to assess them free of pressure - knowing that removal from play will not leave their side one short.
Replacements must be like for like and are subject to the match referee's approval.
Team doctors have been empowered to make the call on whether a cricketer is concussed or not during a Test.
One practical concern is that finding a true like-for-like replacement while on tour could be incredibly difficult, while some argue concussion should fall under the same umbrella as other injuries.
"You'll be hard pressed to make guys pull out of a Test match," Australia Test captain Tim Paine said.
"We're all for player safety and improving that space.
"But it'll be interesting to see how it's worked and how it's policed ... we'll wait and see.
"I find it quite fascinating that you can replace a guy halfway through a game."
Not all international teams travel with a doctor but Australia and England both do and take concussion more seriously than any other cricketing boards.
The issue of head knocks in cricket was cast back into the spotlight during the World Cup, when Afghanistan's Hashmatullah Shahidi ignored medical advice and continued to bat after being hit on the helmet by a bouncer.
