29-year-old Joe Mennie becomes the first cricketer to be replaced during an English County Cricket match. The right-arm fast bowler got a hit on his head during a first division match between Worcestershire and Lancashire at Worcestershire on Thursday.

During the day 2 of the game, Worcestershire opener Martin Guptill’s one shot hit on the head of Lancashire pacer Mennie during the follow through of his bowling. In result, he fell on the ground and was motionless for some time before receiving treatment on the field. Later, he returned to the dressing without any help but the team management decided that he will not come back on the field in the remainder of the match.

All-rounder Danny Lamb replaced Mennie who can bat and bowl in the absence of Mennie. Though, previously a replaced player can’t bat or bowl, only was allowed to field, it is now possible after England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has introduced new concussion substitute rule that allows teams to name a like-for-like replacement. However, to implement the new like-for-like replacement, it needs medical examination and approval of the CLO.

Mennie is an Australian pacer who has played only Test and two ODIs after making an international debut in 2016.

Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s assistant coach, said about Mennie’s present injury status, “We do not know for sure whether he has concussion until he undergoes further tests later but it was not a glancing blow. Although the ball was hit into the ground and Joe stuck out his hand to stop it, the ball deflects into the side of his head with enough impact that it has left an impression of the seam.

“Obviously that caused immediate concern for everybody and although he was conscious at all times he was pretty shaken and has a sore head. We were aware of what happened to him last year but there would have been the same concerns irrespective of that.

“Accordingly, we expressed our concern to Richard Ellison, the CLO, and told him that we were not confident of Joe’s fitness to complete the game and he agreed to the use of a substitute. We have Saqib Mahmood here and Toby Lester as the reserve seamer in the squad but Saq is not fully fit and Toby is an opening bowler who bats number 11.

“Joe, of course, bats at number eight and we are able to use a like for like player. Danny fits the bill because he bats a bit as well as well as bowling and he will join us once he can travel down here from Manchester. Joe will have further tests this evening to assess whether he has suffered concussion but already seems much better and hopefully there is no lasting damage.”