R Ashwin's Withdrawal Leaves India With 10 Players For 3rd Test Against England: Navigating ICC Rules On Substitute Fielder
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Following his historic feat in the longest format of the game, experienced spinner Ravichandran Ashwin had to abruptly depart from Team India's Test squad during the third encounter with England. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) secretary, Jay Shah, affirmed Ashwin's immediate withdrawal from the Test squad, citing a family medical emergency.
While the BCCI refrained from disclosing the precise cause for Ashwin's departure, the cricket board expressed its sincere solidarity with the accomplished cricketer and his family during these challenging circumstances. It is anticipated that Ashwin will continue to be absent for the 4th and 5th Tests of the England series. The prolific spinner achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets on Day 2 of the Rajkot match, following in the footsteps of the legendary Anil Kumble.
ICC Rules on Substitute Fielder
With Ashwin's absence in the Rajkot Test, India was compelled to play the entire match with 10 players and four specialised bowlers. As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules and those of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which oversees the Laws of the game, umpires can permit a substitute fielder if satisfied that a player has suffered an injury or fallen ill during the contest.
Rule No. 24.1.1.2 of the MCC states that a team can introduce a substitute fielder for a 'wholly acceptable reason'. However, the substitute cannot bowl or serve as a captain but can act as a wicketkeeper with the consent of the umpires. As Ashwin did not incur an injury or illness during the game, India can only field a substitute with the approval of opposition captain Ben Stokes in Rajkot.
Is it not possible for India to substitute Ashwin with a player in the XI who possesses both batting and bowling skills?
No, that's not an option. According to the playing conditions, a full replacement for a player is permitted only when the player is ruled out of the match due to a concussion injury sustained on the field. Even if Ashwin had been ruled out due to any other injury, India wouldn't have been permitted to select a replacement. Only concussion substitutes are allowed to bat and bowl.
Nevertheless, if India officially requests England and Stokes consents, there is a small possibility of substituting Ashwin with either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel, both of whom are capable of bowling and batting in the second innings.
Ashwin Footsteps Kumble in Elite 500 Club
Ashwin delivered seven overs and claimed the pivotal wicket of England opener Zak Crawley in the 13th over during Day 2 of the 3rd Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. By dismissing opener Crawley, the spin maestro Ashwin became just the third off-spinner to achieve the milestone of 500 Test wickets. Ashwin holds the position of the second-highest wicket-taker for Team India, trailing only behind the legendary spinner Anil Kumble, who concluded his illustrious Test career with 619 scalps.
The 37-year-old Ashwin achieved the remarkable feat of 500 Test wickets, becoming the second-fastest player to reach this milestone after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan. Ashwin accomplished the feat in 25,714 balls, with only Australia's Glenn McGrath achieving it at a slightly faster pace in 25,528 balls. Additionally, Ashwin is the second-oldest player to enter the prestigious 500 club in Test cricket.
Replacement For Ashwin
If Ashwin is unavailable for the 4th Test, India has the option to include all-rounder Washington Sundar as a suitable replacement. Additionally, Jayant Yadav, Jalaj Saxena, and Pulkit Narang are alternative spin-bowling choices for India beyond its current Test squad. The upcoming Tests against England are scheduled to take place in Ranchi from February 25-29 and in Dharamsala from March 7-11.
While the BCCI refrained from disclosing the precise cause for Ashwin's departure, the cricket board expressed its sincere solidarity with the accomplished cricketer and his family during these challenging circumstances. It is anticipated that Ashwin will continue to be absent for the 4th and 5th Tests of the England series. The prolific spinner achieved the milestone of 500 Test wickets on Day 2 of the Rajkot match, following in the footsteps of the legendary Anil Kumble.
ICC Rules on Substitute Fielder
With Ashwin's absence in the Rajkot Test, India was compelled to play the entire match with 10 players and four specialised bowlers. As per the International Cricket Council (ICC) rules and those of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), which oversees the Laws of the game, umpires can permit a substitute fielder if satisfied that a player has suffered an injury or fallen ill during the contest.
Rule No. 24.1.1.2 of the MCC states that a team can introduce a substitute fielder for a 'wholly acceptable reason'. However, the substitute cannot bowl or serve as a captain but can act as a wicketkeeper with the consent of the umpires. As Ashwin did not incur an injury or illness during the game, India can only field a substitute with the approval of opposition captain Ben Stokes in Rajkot.
Is it not possible for India to substitute Ashwin with a player in the XI who possesses both batting and bowling skills?
No, that's not an option. According to the playing conditions, a full replacement for a player is permitted only when the player is ruled out of the match due to a concussion injury sustained on the field. Even if Ashwin had been ruled out due to any other injury, India wouldn't have been permitted to select a replacement. Only concussion substitutes are allowed to bat and bowl.
Nevertheless, if India officially requests England and Stokes consents, there is a small possibility of substituting Ashwin with either Washington Sundar or Axar Patel, both of whom are capable of bowling and batting in the second innings.
Ashwin Footsteps Kumble in Elite 500 Club
Ashwin delivered seven overs and claimed the pivotal wicket of England opener Zak Crawley in the 13th over during Day 2 of the 3rd Test at the Saurashtra Cricket Association Stadium. By dismissing opener Crawley, the spin maestro Ashwin became just the third off-spinner to achieve the milestone of 500 Test wickets. Ashwin holds the position of the second-highest wicket-taker for Team India, trailing only behind the legendary spinner Anil Kumble, who concluded his illustrious Test career with 619 scalps.
The 37-year-old Ashwin achieved the remarkable feat of 500 Test wickets, becoming the second-fastest player to reach this milestone after Sri Lanka's Muttiah Muralitharan. Ashwin accomplished the feat in 25,714 balls, with only Australia's Glenn McGrath achieving it at a slightly faster pace in 25,528 balls. Additionally, Ashwin is the second-oldest player to enter the prestigious 500 club in Test cricket.
Replacement For Ashwin
If Ashwin is unavailable for the 4th Test, India has the option to include all-rounder Washington Sundar as a suitable replacement. Additionally, Jayant Yadav, Jalaj Saxena, and Pulkit Narang are alternative spin-bowling choices for India beyond its current Test squad. The upcoming Tests against England are scheduled to take place in Ranchi from February 25-29 and in Dharamsala from March 7-11.
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