April 3 (Reuters) - Essex ⁠all-rounder Noah Thain became the first ever ⁠injury substitute in county cricket in ‌England on Friday when he replaced captain Tom Westley, who broke a finger while batting against Hampshire in Southampton.

The ​England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) ⁠debuted a season-long ⁠trial earlier this week, allowing fully participating, like-for-like ⁠replacements ‌in the case of injuries, illness or significant life events like the ⁠birth of a child or the serious ​illness of ‌a family member.