Changes will not be made to the County Championship’s replacement regulations ahead of the next block of fixtures — and are unlikely this season — despite disquiet within the game. The opening seven rounds of fixtures threw up multiple contentious incidents, including angst that bowling attacks could be freshened up in second innings, fears the system could be ‘played’, and the blocking of clubs’ requests for like-for-like changes.
No Immediate Changes Planned
However, even if alterations to the current parameters for the use of substitutes for injury, illness, or life events were proposed by the cricket advisory group, they would still require ratifying by the Professional Game Committee (PGC). Daily Mail Sport understands the next meeting of the advisory group — comprising people on the county scene such as directors of cricket (DOCs), coaches, and players — is not scheduled until the second week of June, while the PGC sits at the end of the month.
As the ECB effectively runs competitions on behalf of its 18 first-class members, any tinkering would only be considered after the next two rounds of matches conclude on June 22 and therefore not come into force until the Championship’s big finale — a block of six rounds in just 39 days beginning on August 20.
Governing Body Advocates Reflection
While the season-long trial encouraged by the ICC continues to be debated — the ECB’s head of cricket operations Alan Fordham even wrote to counties earlier this month, openly inviting team management to discuss the process and its implementation with match referees during rounds six and seven — the governing body is advocating reflection taking place over a longer period of time.
Under the new regulations, 24 players have been subbed into four-day games this season, in addition to three instances of concussion under previously established protocols.
Jimmy Anderson Among Vocal Critics
One of the major issues so far has been the implementation of the rules, with Lancashire captain Jimmy Anderson branding them ‘daft’ and ‘nonsensical’ after his side were denied drafting in Tom Bailey and Tom Hartley against Gloucestershire and Durham respectively, as they were viewed as disproportionately improving the side in replacing Ajeet Singh Dale and Arav Shetty.
Aside from such judgment calls, another hurdle for the counties to overcome would be reaching a consensus on what is fair. Some DOCs are known to want replacements only for the most serious injuries and would therefore like to extend the current sit-out period for players replaced from eight days to 21. A general feeling remains that a cut-off should be introduced, outlawing players coming in to influence the back end of games.
Comparisons with Sheffield Shield
Last winter, Australia’s Sheffield Shield set a deadline of the end of day two, and some here believe that no replacements should be authorised from the beginning of the second innings. After Saif Zaib failed a concussion check this week, Louis Kimber raced Northamptonshire to victory over Gloucestershire with a rapid unbeaten half century from down the order — under the recently-introduced regulations, Zaib could also have been replaced if he had broken a finger or damaged ankle ligaments.
But some within the coaching fraternity believe that should not be the case and are particularly concerned that bowlers can enter the business end of matches.
ECB’s Stance
Ideally, the ECB want to stress-test the regulations over a longer period of time, rather than make changes in mid-competition that challenge its integrity, and are wary that injuries are likely to be prevalent with only two rest days between matches during a frantic season finale.
