ECB makes changes to injury replacement role in county games after consultation

The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) has made two significant alterations to the injury substitutes rule that was under trial in the 2026 County Championship season, after input from the Professional County Clubs (PCCs) and Professional Cricketers’ Association (PCA).

Injury and illness replacements will now only be available to teams in their respective first innings, unless the referee has been informed that a player is being evaluated for an illness or injury, and the replacement must be like-for-like based on skill set and not ability or experience.

“Having taken on board this feedback from the first nine rounds of the Rothesay County Championship, the change from an injury or illness replacement being available throughout the match required, and has received, ECB board approval. Both the Cricket Advisory Group (CAG) and Professional Game Committee (PGC) were supportive of that change, which is designed to address any concerns that a team could gain advantage by being able to bring on a fresh bowler for their second bowling innings,” the ECB said in an official statement.

“The CAG and PGC also recommended the basis on which the match referee would approve a replacement player. This will not take into account the relative quality, experience or record of the player being replaced and the replacement player. It will be based on skillset only, for example a quick bowler for a quick bowler or a batter for a batter,” the statement added.

Complaints were raised during the first half of the season with teams trying to use the rules to bring fresh bowlers late into the game and gain an advantage. The process for approval of replacements also faced criticism, with Lancashire unable to introduce Tom Bailey for Ajeet Singh Dale due to Bailey supposedly being a better batter.

The changes have been announced for the final six rounds of the County Championship, following approval from the PCC and PCA. The changers were also backed by the Cricket Advisory Group (CAG) and Professional Game Committee (PGC).

“It was also concluded that mid-season changes would not compromise the integrity of the Rothesay County Championship, given all teams have played the same number of matches until now and will be playing in all the remaining rounds still to come from the competition’s resumption in August. The ECB will assess the full results of the trial at the end of the season, including seeking further feedback from stakeholders including professional counties and the PCA, before considering next steps,” the statement concluded.

The rules for the concussion substitutes and for players experiencing significant life events will remain the same throughout the season and will be available throughout matches.