The Volts became the first team in the history of New Zealand cricket to use a concussion replacement when batsman Shawn Hicks was struck on the helmet while fielding in close on the opening day of a Plunket Shield match against Wellington at the University Oval.
In accordance with the playing conditions, Hicks had to be replaced by the designated 12th man who was pace bowler Michael Rae.
It was seemingly a disadvantage at the time but Rae made a major impact with a devastating bowling spell on day three.
However, Otago could have done with Hicks on the final day when the Volts were dismissed for 196 chasing a modest target of 215 for victory.
''They are trialling this idea of a concussion substitute and obviously it is happening here and Australia to see how that impacts the game,'' Walter said.
''I think it is a valid reason to have a replacement. I know in Australia they have a like-for-like replacement but here it is just your 12th man.
''I still think the idea of it is good. There is obviously some fine-tuning to do.
''In an ideal world you would want to have a like-for-like substitution.''
The concussion protocols allow for one player to replaced and only if there is a suspected concussion, so when batsman Neil Broom was struck in the neck and spent a night in hospital, Otago was unable to replace him in the batting line-up.
New Zealand Cricket's general manager of cricket operations, Catherine Campbell, said the national body introduced concussion replacements for white-ball cricket last season and was trialling it at first-class level this season after getting dispensation from the International Cricket Council.
Otago was the first team to make use of the rule.
''Previously, if it had taken place in first-class cricket, the game would have lost its first-class status,'' Campbell said.
''The ICC gave approval and Cricket Australia have trialled it all summer and we have trialled it for the last five rounds of the Plunket Shield.''
Campbell said it removed the pressure from the player to feel they should carry on. The team physiotherapist is called on to make an initial concussion assessment before a doctor makes the final call. At that point the player can be replaced.
On the issue of a like-for-like replacement, Campbell said it came down to budget and fairness.
''It is a budget decision. Teams travel with only 12 players, so while the home team might have 13 sitting there, it would be unfair for one team to pull from 13 and the other to pull from 12.
''So our playing conditions stipulate it must be the designated 12th man.''
Campbell speculated the playing conditions may evolve to a point where teams are allowed to make a like-for-like replacement, and perhaps in the future players will be allowed to be replaced for other legitimate medical reasons.
