Who is the 12th player in cricket and why is he important?
Cricket is a team sports comprising of eleven players in each team. However, sometimes, a player outside of the first squad, popularly called a 12th player, turns up and makes a worthwhile difference during the game.
He is usually a reserve or substitute player during a cricket match who becomes crucial in case of injuries or certain other unforeseen events. He is mainly used as a fielder whenever a player retires hurt. However, a 12th player also has additional duties that is important to the progress of the game. Here are the roles that a 12th player usually has to shoulder.
Sub fielder
One of the most important and active duties of a 12th player in cricket is to act as the substitute fielder in case one of his team members is injured. In fact, there have been instances when a 12th player has changed the course of the game by acting as a great sub-fielder and taking important wickets and saving crucial runs for his team. Many experts even believe that a 12th player often comes in handy as his sudden appearance may act as a distraction for the opponents.
Relaying instructions
Generally, the team management or crucial members like the coaching staff are not allowed to enter the field. However, they often need to relay important game-changing instructions to the on-field players. This is when the 12th player steps up and acts as their messenger. He needs to be swift and discreet while doing the act so the opponent isn’t alarmed.
Bringing essentials for the on-field players
On-field players who have been playing for a long duration often need to rehydrate themselves and also need to change their cricket gears (pads, bats, gloves, helmets and so on) from time to time. This is where a 12th player comes in handy, who usually sprints to the eleven yards and ensures that his team members get what they need during the course of the game, without getting distracted or losing concentration. It is often considered as a tough job as carrying massive equipment back and forth is pretty tough.
Sharing inputs
Even though a 12th player is not an active member of the team, his inputs and observations often come in handy during an innings break. He can also boost the morale of the team when things aren’t looking great. When senior players sit out, it is usually the responsibility of the 12th player to keep the team motivated.