Even before India set foot in Australia to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, fireworks have been set off Down Under.
As the Rohit Sharma-led side suffered a whitewash series defeat at home in New Zealand on Sunday, the India ‘A’ team in the Australian city of Mackay was at the center of a controversy over alleged ball tampering.
And although Cricket Australia cleared the visiting team of any wrongdoing, there are no signs yet of the issue dying down.
Former Australian wicketkeeper Ian Healy told SENQ: “If you see a team complaining about the ball being changed, they were on to something.”
The Associated Australian Press called it ‘an explosive start to the summer’. “Tamper Temper,” screamed the headline of Australia’s Daily Telegraph, referring to the row between Indian captain Ishan Kishan and umpire Shawn Craig over the issue. The report refers to previous incidents of bad blood between the two sides, including the Monkeygate scandal from 2008.
The allegations surfaced at the start of Day 4 when Australia resumed at 85 for 3. Defending 224, the umpires gave India A the new ball.
“He scratches, we change the ball. No more talks, let’s play,” referee Craig reportedly told the players, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
A confused Kishan, who returned to the national team after the turmoil, was heard telling Craig that it was a “stupid decision” to play with the new ball, to which the referee replied: “Sorry, you’ll make it.” be in the objection report. That is inappropriate behavior. Because of your actions, we have changed football.”
It was not yet clear about the match of the day as captain Nathan McSweeney (who may confirm his place as the opening Test against India on November 22) and Beau Webster who were trying for India A. to the break remained unbeaten for their team to win by seven wickets.
However, things took a dramatic turn later in the day.
Cricket Australia issued a statement hours after the controversy that appeared to follow Craig’s comments, exonerating India and Kishan. “The ball used in the fourth innings of the game was changed due to damage,” he said, without going into the condition or cause of the damage. “The captain and manager of both were informed of the decision before the start of the game. No further action is being taken.”
As this is an unsanctioned test played on Australian soil, the city rules of CA are within its jurisdiction. Their playing conditions indicate that umpires are allowed to change the ball without imposing the required five-run penalty.
“If the referees together suspect, but are not sure, that the shape of the ball has been improperly changed, or its shape does not match the use it has received, the referees can do this: Change the ball immediately. The referees will select a replacement ball that is the same as the ball used before the infringement; The last bowler umpire will give the captain the first and last warning,” reads CA play conditions 41.3.4.
The playing conditions also state that tampering with the ball is a third-degree offense, for which a player can be suspended.
Although CA has India a clean chit, some former players were not convinced. Healy continued: “India A were preparing a big session of backsliding to put the Australians under pressure. Australia were chasing a small total and it didn’t happen (for India A). The Australia A batsmen were oblivious to that. They just put their heads down and did very well.”
Healy said that India ‘denied it… they were not in front of the media to deny it.’ “They just closed ranks and didn’t give themselves a chance to say what they thought was happening. But I thought Cricket Australia was clinical, the umpires were good. If they have doubts about the ball, just change it.”
Sections of the Australian media have suggested that the cricket board may appear reluctant to start a conflict with the ‘all-powerful’ BCCI, citing past precedents.
“As the ‘Monkeygate’ scandal showed almost two decades ago, following up on allegations against India can sometimes be more of a problem than it should be when you are a country that is at the mercy of cricket’s most powerful nation,” a report in the Daily Telegraph read.
The Sydney Morning Herald suggested that “seemingly echoing Craig’s words,” the statement issued by CA “eliminated the prospect of a serious clash at the start of India’s lucrative five-Test tour of Australia.”
The newspaper also commented on previous examples of such incidents, including when India toured South Africa in 2001 when allegations were made against Sachin Tendulkar, who was banned for one match, but had to play the final match after the BCCI. convinced the opposition board to conduct the third test as illegal and not covered by the ICC.
The BCCI has yet to issue a statement on the incident and the player, who asked not to be named, has denied allegations of tampering with the ball, pointing to ‘a nail from the sideboards that may have dented the ball.’