The fourth day of the first unofficial Test between India A and Australia A became a session where alleged ball tampering dominated. It started as a controversy in which umpire Shawn Craig decided to change the ball after having allegedly discussed the same with India A skipper Ishan Kishan.
As an incident that does not attract official footage, there is evidence in the report from Sydney Morning Herald, who says Craig told Kishan on the stump microphone, “You scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play.”
One of the former international umpires Tony McQuillan stated that perhaps involving other on-field officials when interacting with Kishan may work to Craig’s advantage on this occasion. Tony McQuillan commented that officials should be more candid in situations that may break the rules since the players take every chance to hide away any infraction.
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“More power to Shawn in addressing the situation, but officials’ actions and words must be measured. The official must be important, but being too strict can take things out of hand, McQuillan is quoted saying to The Daily Telegraph. He said accusations of ball tampering are difficult for umpires, especially without television footage, as it often becomes a case of one person’s word against another’s.
Ishan Kishan was visibly upset by the decision of the umpire to change the ball, reportedly saying it was a “stupid decision.” Craig apparently cautioned him, saying, “Excuse me, you’ll be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball.”
In response, Cricket Australia stated that the India A team was not involved in any ball-tampering case and had changed the ball because of its deterioration. The cricketing body added that before the play resumed on Day 4, the teams were told.
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Ball tampering is considered a level-three offence by Cricket Australia, which automatically results in suspension. On the final day of the first unofficial Test, Australia A chased down a target of 225 to win the game by seven wickets. The closely-watched series will be a precursor to the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins later this month.
