Fielding substitutes
In many competitions a substitute can field in place of an injured player. The substitute cannot bat or bowl unless the playing conditions say so. The scorer records the substitution and the over it happened.
Concussion replacements
Where allowed, a concussion replacement can take the place of a player who has been concussed. The replacement takes that player's role, which can include batting and bowling. The scorer writes the reason and the time.
What the scorer records
- The player who came off and the player who came on.
- The reason for the change, in the words the umpires use.
- The over and ball at which the change happened.
Common mistakes
- Recording a substitute as a player who bowled the earlier overs.
- Forgetting the substitute's name on the fielding record.
- Letting a substitute bat when the playing conditions do not allow it.
Citations
Playing conditions for the competition and the MCC Laws for the general rule.
Match questions
Questions scorers actually ask
- 01 Can a substitute bat?
- Only where the playing conditions allow it, usually for a concussion replacement. A fielding substitute normally cannot bat or bowl.
- 02 Does a substitute appear in the bowling analysis?
- Only if they bowled. A fielding substitute who does not bowl has no analysis.
- 03 Who decides a concussion replacement?
- The umpires, under the playing conditions. The scorer records the decision.
