In an exciting development for domestic first-class cricket, a new trial will begin in October 2025, allowing teams to utilize replacements for players who sustain a “serious injury” during matches. Under this initiative, teams can substitute a player with a “like-for-like” replacement at any point during the game, including the warm-up phase. This six-month trial, endorsed by full members of the International Cricket Council (ICC), marks a significant shift in the current ICC playing regulations for Test matches, which do not permit full substitutes.
Revolutionizing the Game: Trialing Injury Replacements in Domestic First-Class Cricket
