Counties to be allowed to field replacement players for injury, illness & life events
02.04.26, 15:51 Updated 02.04.26, 15:51
Jeremy Blackmore
Northamptonshire’s opening Championship game against Lancashire tomorrow marks the start of a new season-long trial which will allow like-for-like replacement players to cover not only injuries, but also illness and significant life events.
Speaking to journalists this week, Northamptonshire’s 1992 One Day Cup hero Alan Fordham, now the ECB's head of cricket operations, outlined how the trial will work across all rounds of the County Championship.
It has been introduced at the behest of International Cricket Council (ICC) who have asked all boards to extend the use of replacement players, as opposed to substitutes, who are only permitted to field.
Replacement players will be able to fully participate in the game, either with bat or ball. This is over and above replacements for international call-ups and for concussion, which have been in place for a number of years.
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