What happens if a player can't continue? How do substitutes and playing short work?

Question

Accepted Answer

Substitute. If a player can't continue during a game, an eligible player may come on as a substitute with the permission of the Umpire of the Day. A substitute is marked "SUB" on the result sheet. No substitute available. The team plays with three players. The order of play is maintained by the second of the complete team playing consecutive bowls: in the handbook's table, the three-player team has no bowls in the third and fourth bowl slots, so the full team's second bowls twice in a row while the lead, third and skip keep their usual turns. Second withdrawal. If a team that already has a substitute playing loses another player, it may play with three players. If a team of three players with a substitute already playing has another player withdraw, that team, and the side, must forfeit. Minimum. No team may play with fewer than three players. If no substitute is available and one of the three players can't continue, the side must forfeit. Names. Players' names on the Pennant Result Sheet must match the Bowls Link database (no nicknames), and a player selected who doesn't play is marked "DID NOT PLAY". Cross gender substitutes are identified with an "M" or "F" circled next to their name (see the cross gender question).