KOLKATA, Nov 22, 2019 (BSS)-Mehidy Hasan Miraz became the first Bangladesh player for the concussion replacement in Test cricket.
In Bangladesh’s first ever day-night Test against India, the all-rounder replaced Liton Das, who had to withdraw him from batting following two blows on his head and forehead in consecutive overs.
Miraz however can only bat as a substitute player would have to be like to like replacement, as per the rules.
In the penultimate over before the lunch break, Liton was struck by an Ishant Sharma delivery, which needed medical attention. Later in the last over before the supper break, a Mohammed Shami bouncer hit his forehead and this time he had to return to dressing after feeling dizzy.
A BCB media release later said, “Liton Das will undergo a scan and will not be coming out to bat after lunch on day one of the second Test.”
Liton indeed is the third batsman to be replaced by a substitute after being hit on the ground.
The first use of such a substitute was during the Second Test at Lord’s in the 2019 Ashes series between England and Australia, when Steve Smith was hit on the neck by a bouncer by Jofra Archer in the first innings. He was later diagnosed as having suffered concussion and was ruled out of the remainder of the Test. Marnus Labuschagne was named as the official replacement for Smith and came to bat on the final day of the Test.
In the second Test between India and West Indies, Jermaine Blackwood was named replacement for an injured Darren Bravo and batted in the same innings. At the end of that innings Shannon Gabriel became the first person in test cricket to bat at number 12 in the batting order.