Cricket-Match-Special ... A forum for discussion

New ball v the tail. Should finish this off soon.

7 down but Harris has retired hurt with concussion and Martin Emmerson days there's an onfield discussion between the captains and umpires over whether Middlesex can use a substitute.

Play suspended now while they try to reach agreement over whether a sub is allowed.

Jon Lewis the @DurhamCricket coach has come on to the pitch to talk to his skipper Paul Collingwood. Clearly Colly feels Rayner, as a spinner on a deteriorating pitch is an advantage to @Middlesex_CCC compared to replacing Harris - a quick - with another quick. #bbccricket

Umpires are phoning FTECB HQ to get the rules clarified! Why are Middlesex making a fuss over it? There's nothing riding on the result and in any case it'd be ludicrous to draft in a spinner for the last innings of the game.

Rayner is replacing Harris and will be allowed to bowl!

captaincolly wrote:7 down but Harris has retired hurt with concussion and Martin Emmerson days there's an onfield discussion between the captains and umpires over whether Middlesex can use a substitute.

I missed that rule change! A sub bat?

Arthur Crabtree wrote:

captaincolly wrote:7 down but Harris has retired hurt with concussion and Martin Emmerson days there's an onfield discussion between the captains and umpires over whether Middlesex can use a substitute.

I missed that rule change! A sub bat?

You can replace with a like for like replacement in a case of concussion. Raynor,an off spinner, replacing a seamer?

westoelad wrote:

Arthur Crabtree wrote:

captaincolly wrote:7 down but Harris has retired hurt with concussion and Martin Emmerson days there's an onfield discussion between the captains and umpires over whether Middlesex can use a substitute.

I missed that rule change! A sub bat?

You can replace with a like for like replacement in a case of concussion. Raynor,an off spinner, replacing a seamer?

And for the 4th innings on a deteriorating pitch.

Someone responding to Martin Emmerson's tweets suggests it's a like-for-like replacement but there is a reference to except in exceptional circumstances. Think the other options as sub were batsmen.
If that is the case I think the rule should be a sub is only available if he is a like-for-like replacement. Even that would leave some grey areas.
Sounds to me like a rule that might seem sensible in theory but doesn't work in practice.

According to Matty Wilson from Durham CCC the umpires couldn't get through to FTECB so made the decision themselves! According to Matty the rules prohibit replacing a fast bowler with a spinner so the umpires have got it wrong.

Latest (I think) is the umpires are now not sure if Rayner can bowl and are hoping for clarification once someone gets in touch with FTECB!

According to Kevin Hand ( BBC co-commentator) Rayner is apparently not allowed to bowl but he hasn't got confirmation.

We've had 15 overs and it feels as if Steel has been on 2* for about 14 of them! 31/1.

Rayner able to bowl? Or still not cleared up?