Controversy erupted on the fourth day of the India A versus Australia A match in Mackay, as allegations of ball tampering surfaced, leading to a heated exchange between Indian wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan and umpire Shawn Craig.
“That’s a very stupid decision”: Ishan Kishan
As play resumed on Sunday morning (November 3), umpire Craig informed the Indian team that the match ball had been changed due to visible scratches, which he attributed to tampering by the Indian players. Caught on the stump microphone, Craig was heard stating, “You scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play.” This declaration sparked immediate discontent among the Indian players.
Ishan voiced his frustration by calling the decision “stupid,” which prompted Craig to respond sternly, warning the Indian wicket-keeper that he would be reported for dissent. “Excuse me. You’ll be on report for that very inappropriate behaviour,” Craig said, emphasizing that the ball change was a direct result of the team’s actions.
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Implications of the alleged ball-tampering
The incident has raised significant concerns regarding player conduct and potential disciplinary actions. If it is determined that India A players deliberately altered the ball’s condition, they could face sanctions under Cricket Australia’s code of conduct. Notably, Australia A was not awarded a five-run penalty typically associated with unfair ball changes, as per cricket laws.
Ishan’s comments and the ensuing confrontation with Craig have put him in a precarious position, especially since he is not part of the squad for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia starting on November 22. The match concluded with Australia A winning by seven wickets, bolstered by Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster’s half-centuries. McSweeney played a gritty knock of 88 not out, while Webster remained unbeaten on 61. The duo stitched an unbroken partnership of 141 runs for the fourth wicket in Australia A’s second innings.