Ƶ

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket
Chris Woakes walks out to bat with his left arm in a sling on the fifth day of the fifth Test against India, The Oval, London, England, Aug. 4, 2025. (Getty Images)
Short Url
Updated 21 August 2025

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket
  • During its historical development, first-class cricket has flirted with substitution from time to time, and injuries in recent Test between England and India have reignited the debate

In the recent Test series between England and India, serious injuries were sustained by two players during a match that prevented their ongoing full contribution. Consequently, discussions have reopened relating to the introduction of full like-for-like substitutes in the game’s longest format.

During its historical development, first-class cricket has flirted with substitution from time to time.

An early example of substitution occurred in 1843. Thomas Barker of Nottinghamshire broke his leg while getting out of a horse-drawn carriage before a match against Hampshire at Southampton. It was agreed that, rather than Nottinghamshire playing with 10 men, another member of the team would be allowed to bat twice in each innings. It seems that in the gentlemanly era of the mid to late 19th century, numerous substitutions occurred for reasons other than injury. One England XI captain decided not to take any further part in a match against Yorkshire because he was booed by the crowd.

More recently, there have been occasions when a player has been called up for his national team while playing for his state or county team. A playing substitute was allowed, only for him to be replaced by the returning original player who had not been selected to play for his country. A more frequent occurrence is when a player is selected for a Test squad, but is not selected for the playing 11 and returns to his state or county team to replace someone who began the match. While this rather fluid approach is allowed in relation to national call-ups, neither illness nor injury have been considered acceptable reasons for full substitution.

Partial substitution has been allowed since the late 19th century. This allows for the injured or ill player to be substituted in the field, but the substitute may not bowl, bat or be captain. In 2017, a previous ban on substitute wicketkeepers was lifted. A more fundamental change occurred in 2019 with the introduction of concussion substitutes. If a player is hit on the head/helmet, a concussion review is conducted by a doctor or suitably trained person. The player is asked if there is any feeling of headache or nausea. His or her balance is checked and memory tested through questions. If concussion is diagnosed, a like-for-like substitute is allowed, who participates fully. 

In 2005, the International Cricket Council trialled tactical substitutions in One Day Internationals over a ten-month period. Each team was allowed one substitute, termed a “super-sub,” who had to be named prior to the toss and could be introduced at any stage of the match. The trial first applied to an ODI series between England and Australia. It was not popular, largely on the basis that it was perceived to give the team that won the toss an enhanced advantage. Captains suggested that it would be preferable to nominate the sub after the toss had been made. The level of opposition to the trial was sufficient for the ICC to withdraw the regulation.  

More recently, in 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India — BCCI — introduced the Impact Player into the Indian Premier League, having trialled it in a domestic competition. A team can replace any player from the original starting 11 with a substitute at any point of the match from after the first ball of the first innings to before the last ball of the second innings. Both teams are allowed to name their playing eleven after the toss. Despite criticism from leading players, the regulation will stay in place until 2027. The ILT20 franchise league in the UAE introduced an Impact Sub in 2024.

The extension of substitutes to the longer formats received a boost this week when the BCCI announced an amendment to playing conditions for its 2025-26 season, due to open on Aug. 28. In multi-day cricket, injury replacements will be allowed. The amendment states that “If a player sustains a serious injury during the course of the relevant match, a Serious Injury Replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances.”

The first of these circumstances’ states that “The serious injury must have been sustained during play and within the playing area.” Furthermore, “the injury must have occurred due to an external blow and result in fracture/ deep cut/dislocation. The injury should render the player unavailable for remainder of the match.” Both of the recent serious injuries to Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test and Chris Woakes in the fifth Test should have rendered them unavailable for the remainder of the match. Yet, because of the circumstances of the match, both did participate, clearly in great pain and at risk of exacerbating their injuries.

The speed with which the BCCI has moved reflects the division of opinion on the subject. India’s coach, Gautam Gambir, said that he was “all for it,” whereas England’s captain, Ben Stokes, was resolutely against it, saying that “there would just be too many loopholes for teams to be able to go through.” He went on to say that “if you stick me in an MRI scanner, I could get someone else in straightaway.”  

Clearly mindful of the potential abuse to which the proposal may be subject, the BCCI has laid out in detail the procedure for an injury replacement. Nevertheless, there is some inconsistency. One clause says that “On-field umpires shall be the final authority to decide on the extent of serious injury and allowability of Serious Injury Replacement. They may consult the BCCI Match Referee and/ or doctor available on the ground.” A later clause says that “the decision of the BCCI Match Referee in relation to any Serious Injury Replacement Request shall be final and neither team shall have any right of appeal.”

This illustrates the complexity of the issue. It is further complicated by the definition of what is a like-for-like player. It may be assumed that a right-handed batter will be replaced by another right-handed batter, and similarly for a bowler. However, will a fast bowler be replaced by another fast bowler or can a slow bowler act as a replacement? The BCCI has partially addressed this in stating that a “like-for-like replacement will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.” This is very much a matter of judgment and potential controversy.   

It seems that India has decided which side it sits in this polarizing issue. In an increasing frantic playing calendar, in which players are subjecting their bodies to unprecedented pressures, their safety should be paramount. The alternative argument is the one articulated by Stokes: “You pick your 11 for a game; injuries are part of the game.” Those who agree with him will say that Test cricket’s charm lies in its raw, unscripted, human moments, sometimes occasioned by injury, which generate authentic, compelling, drama.

This charm includes the notion of 10 versus 11. It is one that is becoming more difficult to justify. Concussion substitution has been introduced seamlessly, impact substitutions are part of the franchise game, the BCCI has shown its hand, the ICC is encouraging national boards to trial full substitution in domestic competitions. It is hard to deny that a direction of travel seems to be set for the next stage, Test cricket. This will require a watertight process to assess whether a player is genuinely injured. 


Global e-sports conference in Riyadh ends with new tournaments announced, industry deals signed

Global e-sports conference in Riyadh ends with new tournaments announced, industry deals signed
Updated 6 sec ago

Global e-sports conference in Riyadh ends with new tournaments announced, industry deals signed

Global e-sports conference in Riyadh ends with new tournaments announced, industry deals signed
  • More than 1,500 delegates, 500 CEOs attend event organized by Esports World Cup Federation
  • Ubisoft announce plan to make UNESCO World Heritage site AlUla playable in ‘Assassin’s Creed Mirage’

RIYADH: The New Global Sport Conference 2025, held alongside the closing weekend of the Esports World Cup in Riyadh, finished Monday with a series of announcements and partnerships aimed at shaping the future of gaming and electronic sports.

The event, organized by the Esports World Cup Foundation, brought together more than 1,500 delegates, including 500 CEOs from the gaming, sports, technology and investment sectors.

Senior Saudi officials, including Sports Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal and Saudi Esports Federation Chairman Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan, outlined the Kingdom’s ambitions to make gaming and e-sports a driver of future economic growth.

A key announcement was the launch of the Esports Nations Cup, the first international competition where national teams will represent their countries.

The inaugural edition is scheduled for November 2026. Ubisoft’s Francois-Xavier Deniele said: “There is something different with nations, this sentiment of pride that continues to grow around the world.”

Hans Jagnow, director of NGSC 2025, said the scale of collaboration marked a turning point for the industry.

“NGSC 2025 has solidified its role as the platform where the future of our industries is shaped,” he said. “The outcomes of this year’s conference will set the direction of our industry and drive the growth and transformation of gaming and e-sports worldwide.”

Ubisoft also unveiled a partnership with Ƶ to recreate AlUla, a UNESCO World Heritage site, as free playable content in “Assassin’s Creed Mirage.”

CEO Yves Guillemot described it as “an opportunity to share Ƶ’s cultural heritage with players worldwide.”

Panels and sessions featured leading figures including World Chess Champion and Esports World Cup winner Magnus Carlsen, Olympic gold medalist Alex Morgan, LA28 Olympics Chairman Casey Wasserman, Twitch CEO Dan Clancy, and game creator Hideo Kojima.

Ralf Reichert, CEO of the Esports World Cup Foundation, said: “Players need more opportunity, more great stages, more moments where they can become heroes.”

Morgan urged an “athlete-first approach,” while Wasserman underlined the need for inclusive competition structures.

Over the course of the conference, more than 250 meetings were held and 30 agreements signed, including with UNICEF, the World Football Summit, Savvy Games Group and AWS.

NGSC 2025 also introduced two new formats: The Foundry, focused on start-up pitches and investment, and NGSC Studio, which broadcast live sessions to more than 100,000 viewers worldwide.

The event will return to Riyadh in 2026.


A healer and a fighter: the double life of UFC star Shi Ming

A healer and a fighter: the double life of UFC star Shi Ming
Updated 25 August 2025

A healer and a fighter: the double life of UFC star Shi Ming

A healer and a fighter: the double life of UFC star Shi Ming

SHANGHAI: By day Shi Ming heals patients as a traditional Chinese medicine doctor. By night she trains to deliver brutal knockouts in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.

Shi shot to fame in November when she won a contract with UFC with a devastating kick that saw Chinese compatriot Feng Xiaocan carried out of the octagon on a stretcher.

There was no trace of that ferocity in the demure, softly spoken figure AFP met last week ahead of her UFC debut.

Dressed in baby pink with large round glasses resting gently on her nose, Shi said she has to “brainwash” herself before each fight to overcome her instinct not to cause harm.

“I do hold back a little,” the 30-year-old said.

“In several past matches I didn’t finish someone off when I had the chance, which allowed my opponents to recover and nearly reverse the outcome.”

“I need to adjust myself for every match, not overthinking things. Before each competition I always brainwash myself to stay focused on the match,” she added.

The ruthless victory over Feng in Macau propelled her into the mixed martial arts spotlight, in the process also revealing her other life to her parents, who had been unaware she was involved in the sport at all.

On Friday thousands of Chinese fans packed a Shanghai arena to rally behind her, cheering loudly every time she landed a strike.

Shi ultimately lost by decision, but still received a huge ovation, with fans screaming “Go Dr. Shi!” as she bowed gratefully.

The diminutive fighter still works full-time in her home city of Kunming, in southwest Yunnan province.

“I still prioritize my medical work and only focus on training after I finish all my duties,” she said.

Her days typically begin at the hospital, where she consults patients, prescribes medicine and performs acupuncture.

Once work is finished, she spends hours training at a wrestling club alongside amateurs from all walks of life.

As a child she practiced taekwondo and the Chinese fighting system sanda, only starting MMA as a young adult.

Physically, Shi does not fit the image of a professional fighter.

She describes herself as near-sighted, without a long reach and short — her opponent on Friday, Bruna Brasil, was four inches taller than her.

“People used to assume I would lose,” she said.

“I’m under a lot of pressure these days. I feel like if I lose now, I might disappoint a lot of people.”

Despite still not fully understanding the sport and worrying about injury her parents support her unconditionally.

In a recent UFC interview, her mother tearfully recalled Shi’s teenage training years.

“It hasn’t been easy for her to persist until now,” she said. “I’m incredibly proud and comforted by how far she’s come.”

Shi told AFP she would not be giving up her day job anytime soon.

The reliable income allows her to fund her MMA training and coaching.

“I never put all my eggs in one basket,” she said.

“I find joy in both practicing medicine and fighting.”

Healing runs in her family — both her grandparents were doctors — and she often treats her own fight injuries with acupuncture.

“When I was young ... I helped in (my grandparents’) clinic every holiday and I wanted to be a doctor from then on,” she said.

“I think it’s a job that is very respected and can help my friends and family.”

But she said she might consider focusing more on MMA if she climbs up the UFC rankings.

After her loss on Friday she said she felt she had “let the whole of China down.” 

But fans on social media were undeterred.

“Dr. Shi squeezes in training between giving injections. Reaching this level as a part-timer is already top-tier,” read one comment.

“She’s only going to get stronger!”


Full card revealed for 2025 PFL MENA semifinals

Full card revealed for 2025 PFL MENA semifinals
Updated 25 August 2025

Full card revealed for 2025 PFL MENA semifinals

Full card revealed for 2025 PFL MENA semifinals
  • 2024 PFL MENA finalist Mohammad Alaqraa meets Ayman Galal in headline welterweight semifinal bout
  • Lightweight champion Mohsen Mohammadseifi faces Mohammad Fahmi in lightweight semifinal co-main event

RIYADH: The full fight card for PFL MENA Semifinals: Champions Collide has been announced by the Professional Fighters League.

The event will take place on Saturday, Sept. 27 at The Arena in Riyadh, with regional champions facing off to secure their spots in the PFL MENA Finals in the bantamweight, featherweight, lightweight and welterweight divisions. Tickets will go on sale later this week.

In the main event, 2024 PFL MENA welterweight finalist Mohammad Alaqraa (8-1) of Kuwait will face Egypt’s Ayman “The Maestro” Galal (4-1, 2 NC) in a welterweight semifinal contest. Alaqraa comes on the back of a unanimous decision win over Omar Hussein at PFL MENA 1, while Galal enters the semifinals after his loss at PFL MENA 2 was overturned. 

In the co-main event, 2024 PFL MENA lightweight champion Mohsen “The Golden Boy” Mohammadseifi (8-2) of Iran will take on the undefeated Mohammad “Soulkeeper” Fahmi (5-0) of Iraq in a lightweight semifinal matchup. Mohammadseifi is on an eight-fight winning streak and is fresh from a win over Ahmed El-Sisy at PFL MENA 1 earlier this year. Fahmi, on the other hand, was successful in his PFL MENA debut, choking out Georges Eid, also at PFL MENA 1.

In a featherweight showcase bout, Ƶ’s own Malik Basahel (1-0) looks to stay undefeated as a pro when he meets Egyptian Ahmed “Ninja” Mostafa (3-1). Basahel was impressive in his professional debut, winning by TKO in the second round. Mostafa, meanwhile, makes his PFL MENA debut having won three of his first four professional bouts.

Also on the card, Egypt’s Islam “The Egyptian Zombie” Reda (13-1) goes up against the undefeated Taha “Atlas Lion” Bendaoud (5-0) of Morocco in a featherweight semifinal bout. Originally a semifinalist in the inaugural season of PFL MENA, Reda is riding a seven-fight winning streak and comes off a third-round TKO win at PFL MENA 1 last May. Bendaoud, meanwhile, was dominant in his PFL MENA debut, scoring a first-round submission win at PFL MENA 1.


Vuelta leader Jonas Vingegaard loses injured teammate and team loses stolen bikes

Vuelta leader Jonas Vingegaard loses injured teammate and team loses stolen bikes
Updated 25 August 2025

Vuelta leader Jonas Vingegaard loses injured teammate and team loses stolen bikes

Vuelta leader Jonas Vingegaard loses injured teammate and team loses stolen bikes
  • Team Visma-Lease a Bike said police in Italy are investigating the theft of ‘several bikes’ from an equipment truck
  • Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, is favored to win this year’s Vuelta

CERES, Italy: On the morning after Jonas Vingegaard took the leader’s red jersey at the Spanish Vuelta with a stage win, he lost a teammate Monday and his team lost some bicycles that were stolen.
Team Visma-Lease a Bike said police in Italy are investigating the theft of “several bikes” from an equipment truck though it was unclear if Vingegaard will be affected in stage three later Monday.
“Our mechanics are working hard to ensure that the team is fully prepared for the third stage,” the team said in a statement.
Vingegaard will be missing the support of Axel Zingle for the 19 days left in the Vuelta having crashed in the rain-soaked stage Sunday that also caught up the team leader. Vingegaard went on to win with a bloodied elbow.
Visma said “our medical team had to decide that Axel Zingle is not fit enough to continue the Vuelta. His first Grand Tour with the team comes to an early end.”
Monday’s third stage is a 134.6-kilometer (83.6-mile) ride with an uphill finish into Ceres in the Italian Alps north west of Turin.
Vingegaard, a two-time Tour de France winner, is favored to win the Vuelta after this year’s Tour winner Tadej Pogacar and four-time Vuelta winner Primoz Roglic skipped the race.


‘Used to winning’: Former Liverpool star Glen Johnson says new signing will drive more success

‘Used to winning’: Former Liverpool star Glen Johnson says new signing will drive more success
Updated 25 August 2025

‘Used to winning’: Former Liverpool star Glen Johnson says new signing will drive more success

‘Used to winning’: Former Liverpool star Glen Johnson says new signing will drive more success
  • The Reds’ former defender spoke to Arab News in Dubai about the role of fullbacks Miklos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, and Premier League expectations this season

DUBAI: When Liverpool take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Monday night in their second Premier League match of the season, the chatter will again be about their new signings — and the possible recruitment of Alexander Isak from Eddie Howe’s team, which is expected to make the atmosphere edgier than usual.

The opening day of the season saw Arne Slot’s team beat Bournemouth 4-2 with British transfer record signing Florian Wirtz making his bow at Anfield alongside forward Hugo Ekitike and new fullbacks Miklos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong.

The latter two were withdrawn in the second half as the home team led 2-0, and former Liverpool player Glen Johnson, who played for the club at both left- and right-back positions, believes the additions will be expected to excel at defense and attack.

“That’s part of the game now,” Johnson told Arab News while in Dubai recently. “Obviously they’ve got to defend, they’ve got to be good on the ball, but they’ve also got to be good going forward. And to do that, you need an engine.”

Frimpong, who is likely to miss the match against Newcastle, and Kerkez have taken over starting positions from Liverpool stalwarts of recent years in Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left for Real Madrid, and Andy Robertson, who remains at the club.

Johnson added that modern football, not to mention Liverpool’s attacking methods, places extra demands on them.

“Nowadays it’s expected (to attack and defend),” the former England star said. “Before, there was probably only a handful of people who could do it. But now it’s almost like if you can’t do it, you can’t play there.”

Johnson said that after Liverpool deservedly, if unexpectedly, won the Premier League last season, expectations will be to repeat the feat.

“Any team that wins the Premier League deserve it,” he said. “But obviously to win it back-to-back is even tougher. But they look like they’ve done great in the transfer window.

“So they look like they’re going to be the ones to peg back again. But you’d also expect the other teams around them to improve. So it’ll be tough.”

“Hopefully they get off to a good start and find some early momentum,” he added.

“They’re favorites for nearly every game they play, you’d probably put them down as favorites. You’d expect some of the other big guns to bounce back and close the gap and try and make it as difficult for Liverpool as possible.”

Johnson, who also represented West Ham, Chelsea, Portsmouth and Stoke, called Liverpool a “special” club to play for.

“Obviously the fans are one thing. The way the club looks after players, ex-players, it’s a family. It’s a real united group. They’re used to winning,” Johnson added.

“So there’s a huge expectation that you go to these big clubs and you want to win every single week.”

“There are some clubs further down the league where to lose the odd game here and there is OK, because they’re expected to finish wherever their target is.

“But with clubs like Liverpool, you’re expected to win most football matches and certainly more than you’d lose.”

“So there is pressure, but that’s why they sign good players, that’s what good players want. You want the pressure and most of the time, that’s the order.”

Johnson has maintained his ties with Liverpool since retiring in 2018 and was speaking to Arab News as an official representative of the club at the Adidas Flagship Store in Dubai Mall.

“It’s obviously an iconic brand, a global brand, and those big brands want to be associated with the hottest thing,” he said. “Liverpool being the club it is, it is the hottest thing.”