ACS Overseas First-Class Annual 2019

5 of the Lord’s Ashes Test, Steve Smith of Australia, who had been struck on the head by a delivery from Jofra Archer, was replaced by Marnus Labuschagne, who batted. And within a few weeks there was a further instance in the second Test between West Indies and India, with twelve men batting in West Indies’ second innings. The ICC currently insists that full substitutions are not permitted for any type of injury other than concussion, but it is easy to foresee the type of anomalies to which this rule will lead: for instance, if a side whose player is struck on the head is permitted a full substitute, while its opponents, one of whom has suffered a broken wrist, are obliged to continue with only ten men. Pressure for further relaxation of the rule is inevitable, and almost certainly irresistible. So the direction of travel is obvious, but it remains to be seen how far the march of the substitutes will advance. The answer will depend on whether increasing practical experience of full substitution does or does not bear out fears that it will compromise the integrity of the game. At any rate, in view of the increasing incidence of full substitution – the current Annual includes as many as 16 cases – a small change has been made in the way it is presented. The substitute is still italicized and indented in the team list, but now appears in the position in which he batted in the first innings, if he did; and otherwise, in twelfth place. A footnote indicates whom he replaced and any other details. It remains to say only that even though the Annual may have a familiar feel, there have been a number of changes to the production process this year, meaning that my thanks on the following page are even more heartfelt than usual. John Bryant Editor 20 Wilton Square London N1 3DL November 2019