Cricket Australia backs Sheffield Shield injury substitute rule for international cricket

Cricket Australia (CA) has expressed confidence that the injury substitution rule used in the Sheffield Shield could work successfully in international cricket as the International Cricket Council (ICC) continues evaluating the proposal.

The ICC is expected to take a final call on the matter after the conclusion of the ongoing English domestic season, where a separate version of the rule is currently being trialled in county cricket.

Ahead of the 2025-26 Sheffield Shield season, Cricket Australia introduced a new playing condition allowing teams to bring in a like-for-like replacement for an injured player within the first two days of a match. The time limit was extended to three days for the Sheffield Shield final.

Under the rule, the opposition is also allowed to make a substitute if they choose to respond in kind. The regulation is expected to remain in place for the upcoming 2026-27 Sheffield Shield season. However, the ICC’s approval is required for the competition to retain its first-class status if the rule continues.

CA’s Head of Scheduling and Domestic Cricket, Peter Roach, said the board is waiting for the ICC’s final decision before determining whether any changes will be needed.

“They’ll make that decision at the end of the English summer and advise us again. We would assume that they would allow it to continue, but nothing’s a given,” Peter Roach was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

He also stated that Cricket Australia would review its own regulations if the ICC introduces a different version of the rule for international cricket.

“So if they allow us to continue, I guess the questions we’ve got are: are they going to bring in something to international cricket that’s either the same as ours or different, and then we would have a choice to make whether we adjust ours to suit international cricket or if we’re allowed to stay where we are,” he continued.

The injury substitution rule was used on eight occasions during the previous Sheffield Shield season. The reciprocal substitution option was exercised only once, when Tasmania opted to bring in a fresh fast bowler.

According to Roach, the overall response from the state teams was encouraging, with Cricket Australia receiving largely positive feedback regarding the new regulation.

However, not everyone supported the rule. South Australia head coach Ryan Harris voiced his frustration after Victoria replaced Sam Elliott with Mitch Perry during the Sheffield Shield final.

“It’s always frustrating when it’s against you. It’s a s*** rule unless you make the most of it. In saying that, we could do the same. We’re allowed to do the same until the end of play,” Harris said at the time.

The 2026-27 Australian domestic season will get underway on September 18 with the One-Day Cup, while the opening round of the Sheffield Shield is scheduled to begin on October 7.