Will it be end of days play ?

[Mayur Wankhade Deshmukh]

when 10 minutes remain for end of days play on 1st day with 2 overs left, a fielder get injured. Umpires decide that it will nearly take 6 minutes for that player to stand again. What shall umpire do ? Wait for player to get well and resume the game to bowl remaining 2 overs ? OR call the TIME for end of days play ?

[tippex2]

No provision in the Laws for the day's play to end early because of an injury to a fielder, so unless there's something in the relevant competition Rules, you shouldn't end play early. Having said that, if both sides are content, then a judicious application of Law 43 could be in order.

As an aside, and without knowing any details of the injury; unless it was a head injury I'd be very reluctant to allow 6 minutes for a player to recover. After a couple of minutes and once it's clear that the player won't be able to continue imminently, I'd be asking the fielding captain to sort out a substitute (if available) rather than delaying the game much longer. Having said that, if the player's got a head injury, or can't be moved without exacerbating the injury, then clearly his wellbeing comes first.

[sillypoint]

I would certainly not be calling time with 10 minutes play remaining on the assumption that it could take 6 minutes for the fielder to be ready to resume—that would be silly. Even if it actually did take 6 minutes that still leaves 4 minutes play remaining. There is good reason for the Laws to make no provision for unduly delaying play because of an injury to a fielder—it is called Law 2; he is allowed a substitute. But note that the Law says "allowed", not "must have". If no substitute is available, then play can continue with the fielding side shorthanded. If it does take 6 minutes for the injured player to return then probably 2 overs have been played with only 10 men on the field—no big deal. He can resume his place on the field for the remaining 4 minutes before stumps.

A couple of questions arise:

1. Is the fielder able to leave—or be taken from—the field to get treatment? If so, send him off and resume play as soon as possible, with a substitute fielder if there is one available, otherwise with the remaining available fielders.
2. Do the playing condition for the competition have any provision for interruptions close to a scheduled interval or close of play? If so, follow those.
3. Are the 2 overs left a maximum or a minimum requirement for the day? That almost certainly depends on playing conditions, but if there are no written playing conditions it will be governed by the agreement between captains and umpires before the toss (see Law 3.3). Normally this agreement comprises a quick rundown of the key provisions in the playing conditions of the competition, but if there are none you would have to make explicit agreements on the matters listed in this Law. The point is, if playing conditions have a maximum overs for the day then 2 overs remain; if a minimum, then 10 minutes remain.

[Mayur Wankhade Deshmukh]

sillypoint and tippex2 : thanks for your words! Agreed with both of you !