South African all-rounder Ryan McLaren has reportedly been forced out of the second Test against Australia in Port Elizabeth by a sickening blow in the helmet from Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson's brutal bowling in the first Test.
McLaren had to spend a night in the hospital after suffering from suspected concussion-related symptoms as he was unable to avoid a Johnson short ball on what became the final day of the first Test at Centurion Park last Saturday.
According to News.com.au, McLaren went down on one knee and the game was held up for some time while he received treatment around a bleeding right ear before being dismissed four balls later.
South African team manager and doctor Mohammed Moosajee stated that McLaren was admitted to a hospital after he started experiencing worsening headaches and nausea approximately 30 hours after the blow to his head, although he added that the player's condition improved overnight after being assessed by experts.
Although McLaren has been discharged, Moosajee said that from a medical protocol point of view, any form of concussion is concerning enough to rule him out of the next Test match and he will be further monitored to decide whether or not he can join up with the squad prior to the third Test in Cape Town.
Moosajee further said that the selectors have not added a player as cover and will make use of the 14 players in the squad, although reports claimed that Wayne Parnell is expected to replace McLaren in the Test squad for the second game.
