CA to trial injury subs with tactical twist in Sheffield Shield with eye to Test cricket use
Key Takeaways
- Cricket Australia is trialing a new injury replacement rule in the first five rounds of the Sheffield Shield.
- The rule allows for like-for-like injury substitutions (e.g., fast bowler for fast bowler) up until stumps on day two.
- The opposition team is granted the right to make a corresponding 'tactical substitute' of the same player type.
- The injured player must undergo a mandatory 12-day non-playing period starting from the second day of the match.
- The findings from this trial will be communicated to the ICC for potential adoption in Test cricket.
Cricket Australia announced a trial for an injury replacement rule across the initial five rounds of the Sheffield Shield season, intending to pass the results to the ICC for ongoing Test cricket discussions. The rule permits teams to replace any player with another of the same skill set following any injury or illness after the toss, up until the close of day two, differing from the BCCI's more restrictive domestic rule. To maintain competitive balance, if a team uses this substitution, the opposition gains the right to introduce a 'tactical substitute' of the corresponding player type by the end of day two. Match referees will approve replacements and can restrict the involvement of the substitute player, who also inherits any existing player warnings. Furthermore, the injured player is subject to a mandatory 12-day non-playing period starting from the second day of the match they were subbed out of, which presents a logistical challenge for states accustomed to traveling with only 12 players.
