Incident Date: Last Day of First Warm-Up Match
Teams Involved: Australia A vs India A
Location: Mackay, Sydney
| Incident Date |
Last Day of First Warm-Up Match |
| Umpire Involved |
Shawn Craig |
| Ball Replacement Reason |
Ball deterioration (as per match referee report) |
| Players’ Reaction |
Ishan Kishan objected strongly; umpire threatened dissent charges |
| Match Referee’s Stance |
No disciplinary action; both teams informed before play resumed |
| Warner’s Standpoint |
Calls for transparency and explanation from CA |
Former Australia batsman David Warner has called on Cricket Australia to come up with a statement on controversies surrounding suggestions of ball-tampering by India A during their tour match against Australia A in Sydney.
Warner said that the board has sought to ‘bury’ the incident too soon and believes that the board owes the public and players an explanation.
It took place at the final day of the first warm-up match in Mackay, when umpire Shawn Craig decided to change the match ball because of scratches on it.
Craig pointed to the marks as arising from action by the India A players and this elicited furious responses from the Indian team.
Stump microphones saw their temper rising to demand the chance to change the ball; Craig merely asserted:
“You scratch it, we change the ball. As they said, there will be no more talk, let us use the toys.”
The confusion was caused by Ishan Kishan, a wicketkeeper for the Indian A team, who loudly said it was “a very stupid decision,” Craig then told Kishan that he would be reported for dissent if he continued.
While in this case the ball replacement continued without any further disciplinary actions against the player or team, questions concerning behaviour leading to such decision inevitability arise.
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Senate Majority Leader Warner Questions CA’s Actions in the Incident
Warner also pointed out to CA there was very little time closing the issue at which Warner also called for an explication of the matter.
I think the final decision is with CA, is it not?” he remarked. Instead, he said, “If the umpires believe that something took place, there will undoubtedly be a sequel.”
Warner also pointed out that there should be responsibilities namely
“The match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff, who are the umpires, and if they’re sticking by the umpire’s decisions, then you’ve got to stand up for that.”
Warner also added that CA should release what happened and how the issue was addressed since there was a need to trust the sport.
Match Referee Explains Changes to Ball
Explaining the incident in the match referee’s report it was explained that the ball was replaced due to deterioration not through the actions of India A players.
The report also revealed that just before play resumed, the captains and managers of both teams were informed of the decision and no further act was taken against Kishan or any of his teammates.
This incident has generated attention partly because of Warner: the man himself was recently involved in a ball-tampering scandal in 2018 in South Africa, which cost him a one-year playing ban and lifetime ban from Australian team captaincy.
These comments have continued to fan the work over some ball tampering incidents, with fans and players looking forward to clarity to cricket.
References:
IndiaToday.com
News18.com
