Joe Mennie, the 29-year-old Australian paceman, had to be substituted under the new concussion guidelines on Thursday June 21, becoming the first player to leave the field under the circumstances in the United Kingdom.
Mennie, playing for Lancashire as their overseas player, was struck on the right side of his head while bowling against Worcestershire in a County Championship match at New Road when Martin Guptill, the New Zealand batsman, drove the ball. It hit Mennie, who was in his follow through, on the bounce.
Though bowlers getting hit isn’t a very common occurrence, this wasn’t Mennie’s first time taking a blow to the head. During a Sydney Sixers net session during the Big Bash League in January 2017, Michael Lumb slammed the ball back and hit Mennie, who suffered a fractured skull and minor bleeding in the brain.
“We were aware of what happened to him last year but there would have been the same concerns irrespective of that,” said Chilton. “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.”
Mennie played one Test for Australia in 2016 against South Africa, picking up one wicket, and has also been a part of two one-day internationals, in which he has three wickets. He has 24 wickets in six Division One matches for Lancashire so far this season.
