The ECB’s player replacement trial rule was used for the first time in County Championship history after Essex captain Tom Westley broke his finger in their season opener against Hampshire.
Westley retired hurt on 28 after being struck on the glove by a delivery from England’s Sonny Baker, and Essex’s medical team ruled him out of the rest of the match, prompting the side to apply for an injury replacement.
Umpire Steve Davis approved the change, allowing all-rounder Noah Thain to replace Westley at No 5 in the batting order, enabling Essex to use 12 different batters in their first innings.
Thain will be prohibited from bowling, having replaced a specialist batter.
Westley has a first-class batting average of 36.38 across 254 matches.
The ECB rule is part of a wider ICC trial on player replacement and includes an eight-day cooling-off period for any replaced player, meaning Westley is likely to miss Essex’s next Championship fixture at home to Somerset.
Trials are also under way in first-class tournaments in India, South Africa and Australia, and the rule has already sparked controversy in Australia after Victoria’s Sam Elliott was replaced by Mitchell Perry on day three of the Sheffield Shield final.