No substitute for player needing toilet break: MCC

The International Cricket Council (ICC), in its new rules, has not only put a ban on runners for injured batsmen, but the comfort breaks for fielders have also been prohibited

Theu00a0International Cricket Council (ICC), in its new rules, has not only put a ban on runners for injured batsmen, but the "comfort breaks" for fielders have also been prohibited.

Fraser Stewart, the Laws & Universities Manager for the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), the custodian for the laws of the game, said: "A substitute fielder shall not be allowed when a fielder leaves the field to go to the
toilet."

Stewart said the ICC has included an additional paragraph in its regulations as well. It states: "Under Law 2.2.3, substitute fielders shall only be permitted in cases of injury, illness or other wholly acceptable reasons.

'Wholly acceptable reasons' should be limited to extreme circumstances and should not include what is commonly referred to as a 'comfort break'." The MCC law expert said substitutes would not be allowed at any cost. "Even if a player wants to change his shirt, boots, etc, he will not be provided a substitute,"
Stewart added.

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