The final day of Australia A’s first tour match has kicked off in dramatic fashion, with the ball changed amid allegations of tampering by India A.
Play was just about to resume with Australia when several Indian players surrounded umpire Shawn Craig to question the ball.
“When you scratch it, we change the ball,” Craig could be heard saying over the stump mic.
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India attempted to argue the point but it was quickly shut down.
“No more discussion, let’s play. This is not a discussion,” Craig said.
Asked if they will be playing with the ball they had in hand, the umpire reiterated: “You’re playing with that ball.”
Indian wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan then bluntly declared it is a “really stupid decision”.
“Excuse me,” Craig shot back.
“You will be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behaviour. It is because of your actions we changed the ball.”
Kishan is not part of India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins in Perth on November 22.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, allrounder Nitish Kumar and batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran are the only players in the India A side that form part of the Test squad.
There is no indication at this stage of who umpires believe was responsible for the alleged tampering.
Australia were on track to claim victory in the A-match early on day four, with Nathan McSweeney passing the half-century mark in his push for a Test spot.
– with AAP