Concussion Substitute in Cricket Explained — When and How It Works
Everything about the cricket concussion substitute rule: when a substitute is permitted, what 'like-for-like' means, how the DRS applies, and the ICC's reasons for introducing it.
The concussion substitute rule was introduced by the ICC in 2019, allowing a player who suffers a confirmed concussion during a match to be replaced by a substitute who can fully participate — bat, bowl, and field — unlike a normal substitute fielder who is restricted to fielding only.
When Is a Concussion Substitute Permitted?
A concussion substitute is permitted when: a player suffers a confirmed concussion during a match (diagnosed by an independent team doctor, not the team's own doctor), and a 'like-for-like' replacement is available from the touring squad. The replacement must be assessed as not posing a competitive advantage over the player they are replacing.
What Does 'Like-for-Like' Mean?
A like-for-like substitute must have similar skills to the injured player. A specialist batsman who suffers a concussion should be replaced by another specialist batsman — the fielding captain would object, and rightly so, if the injury allowed the batting team to bring in a bowling all-rounder as replacement for a batting specialist. The match referee makes the final decision on whether the proposed substitute is genuinely like-for-like.
DRS and the Concussion Substitute
The concussion substitute inherits any DRS reviews that the replaced player had used or retained. If the injured player had used one review, the substitute also has only the remaining reviews. This prevents a team from resetting its DRS count through a strategic concussion substitute claim.
Notable Uses of the Rule
The concussion substitute rule was first applied in an Ashes Test at Lord's in August 2019. Marnus Labuschagne replaced Steve Smith after Smith was struck on the neck by a Jofra Archer bouncer. Labuschagne went on to score a half-century in his replacement role — the rule's first test proved it worked exactly as intended, protecting player safety without disrupting the match significantly.
Frequently asked questions
Can a concussion substitute bat higher in the order than the player they replaced?
No — the concussion substitute bats in the same position as the player they replaced. They do not get to renegotiate the batting order. If the replaced player was at number 7, the substitute enters at number 7 and inherits the match situation as they find it.
Who decides if a concussion substitute is allowed?
The match referee makes the final decision, after assessing the medical diagnosis from the team doctor and evaluating whether the proposed replacement is genuinely like-for-like. The opposing captain can challenge the proposed substitute if they believe it is not a fair replacement.
Does the concussion substitute rule apply in T20 cricket?
Yes — the concussion substitute rule applies across all formats of international cricket: Tests, ODIs, and T20 Internationals. The same criteria apply regardless of format: confirmed concussion, like-for-like replacement, match referee approval.