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After BCCI, Cricket Australia introduces injury substitution rule in Sheffield Shield on trial

Akshita Patel

CA to allow injury substitution in domestic cricket [Source: @cricketcomau/X.com]CA to allow injury substitution in domestic cricket [Source: @cricketcomau/X.com]

Cricket Australia has shockingly announced a trial of injury substitutes in the upcoming season of Sheffield Shield. If successful, the rule could one day be used in Test cricket, changing the way the sport is played forever.

The trial will be used in the first 5 rounds of the Shield, and if all goes well, it might continue for the full season. For now, the rule says that if a player gets injured, whether on the field or off it, until the end of day two, the team can bring in a substitute from outside the original XI. 

Importantly, the replacement has to be like-for-like. For example, if a spinner is injured, only another spinner can come in.

Australia lay the foundation of the injury substitution rule

According to Cricke.com.au, the injury substitution move is mainly designed to help teams avoid being handicapped when a player goes down. Injuries often force bowlers to take on extra overs, which increases fatigue and risk of further injuries. With substitutes, the balance could be maintained. 

However, there are strict safeguards to stop teams from abusing the rule. The match referee will check the legitimacy of the injury and can even place restrictions on what the substitute can do. 

For instance, not allowing a batter to bowl. Plus, the injured player will be forced to miss 12 days of cricket after being substituted.

In another twist, the opposition will also be allowed to make one tactical substitution if the other side uses an injury replacement. That means one team can’t gain an unfair edge.

This rule is different from concussion substitutes, which already exist and can be made anytime in the match. Here, the substitutes are limited to injuries declared by day two.

What does the world think of the substitution rule?

Notably, the debate around the injury substitution rule began during the Anderson-Tendulkar trophy between India and England, where Rishabh Pant and Chris Woakes missed significant time with grievous injuries. 

Some former cricketers, like Michael Vaughan, argue that cricket is the only sport that punishes a team so harshly when a player gets injured, and substitutions should be allowed. India coach Gautam Gambhir also supports the idea. 

But England captain Ben Stokes strongly disagrees, warning that “too many loopholes” could let teams exploit the rule.