Twelfth Man in Cricket — Role, Rules & What a Substitute Fielder Can Do
The twelfth man is a named substitute in cricket who can field but cannot bowl, bat, or keep wicket. Learn the rules around the twelfth man, concussion substitutes, and when a substitute fielder is permitted.
The twelfth man in cricket is the first named substitute outside the playing XI. Their primary role is to act as a substitute fielder if a member of the playing XI is injured or unwell during the match. The twelfth man is most commonly seen carrying drinks, equipment, or messages to the fielding side — but their fielding role is governed by strict ICC rules.
What can the twelfth man do?
- Field as a substitute if a player is injured or ill — with the umpires' approval.
- Carry drinks, gloves, helmets, and messages to the fielding side during breaks.
- Act as a concussion substitute (under ICC rules introduced in 2019) if a player suffers a head injury — in this case the substitute CAN bat, bowl, and keep wicket.
What can the twelfth man NOT do?
- Bat (unless acting as a concussion substitute).
- Bowl (unless acting as a concussion substitute).
- Keep wicket (unless acting as a concussion substitute).
- Field as a tactical substitute — a team cannot use the twelfth man to bring on a better fielder for tactical reasons; only genuine injury or illness justifies a substitute fielder.
Frequently asked questions
Can the twelfth man bowl in cricket?
No. A standard twelfth man substitute fielder cannot bowl, bat, or keep wicket. These are strictly fielding roles only. The exception is a concussion substitute under ICC rules, who can bat, bowl, and keep wicket as a like-for-like replacement.
What is the difference between a twelfth man and a concussion substitute?
A twelfth man is a regular substitute who can only field. A concussion substitute is a special ICC provision — if a player suffers a concussion, a replacement player can fully participate (bat, bowl, field) as a like-for-like replacement.