Worcester: Concussion Legacy Foundation chief executive Chris Nowinski has urged cricketers to consider pledging to donate their brain as the sport starts a landmark shift regarding head knocks.
The Ashes opener at Edgbaston was the first international cricket match to feature concussion substitutes.
It is a break with tradition that Cricket Australia lobbied for, having introduced concussion subs domestically in 2016 as per a recommendation from the independent review into Phillip Hughes' death.
Nowinski, who has played a leading role in shining a light on the long-term effects of head trauma in the NFL and other codes, is encouraged by the International Cricket Council's stance in a sport rife with traditionalists.
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"I've been fighting this battle for 15 years, so I'm no longer surprised when it takes much longer than it should to provide safety for athletes," Nowinski said.
"But I still celebrate when it happens. It's a good start."
Nowinski's Boston-based group is behind the Global Brain Bank initiative accelerating research into chronic traumatic encephalopathy.
CTE, only diagnosable via autopsy, is a degenerative brain disease associated with mood and personality changes, depression, anxiety and memory loss.
The Australian branch of the bank recently rocked the NRL by finding evidence of CTE, which could be caused by non-concussive impacts, in Canterbury great Steve Folkes and another former rugby league player.
Nowinski, who described the recent spike in Australian pledges as "incredible", and CA are unaware of any cricketers to have pledged their brain.
Head knocks are rare in cricket, relative to football codes, but the same is true of baseball.
Man down: Sri Lankan batsman Dimuth Karunaratne on the ground after being hit in the head against Australia at Manuka Oval in February.Credit:AAP
"We were surprised when the first Major League Baseball [MLB] player we studied did have CTE," Nowinski said.
"I'm hoping it's not a widespread issue in cricket.
"We'd welcome [pledges from cricketers] … I'd encourage anybody who wasn't planning to do anything with their brain after they pass away to pledge it. AlRead More – Source
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