India A’s players were incensed after the umpires changed the ball they were using in the match against Australia A in Mackay, with the furore delaying the start of play.
In scenes captured on the Cricket Australia and Foxtel live stream, umpire Shawn Craig was seen speaking with India A’s players, explaining why the ball was changed overnight.
India A players converge around umpire Shawn Craig in Mackay.Credit: Getty Images
The India A players appeared to be dismayed by the decision, which overshadowed Australia A’s seven-wicket victory. The outcome was driven by an unbeaten 88 from captain and Test team contender Nathan McSweeney, who also made runs in the first innings on a difficult pitch.
Craig could be heard saying via stump microphones: “You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion, let’s play. This is not a discussion, you will be playing with that ball.”
Wicketkeeper and India international Ishan Kishan took the matter up with Craig, and according to commentators was heard saying “that is a very stupid decision”.
Craig replied, “Excuse me, you will be on dissent. That is inappropriate behaviour, it is because of your actions we changed the ball.”
CA was contacted for comment.
Craig, a former Victoria cricketer, has been umpiring at international women’s level since 2014 and men’s international level since 2019. He is the senior member of the umpiring panel in Mackay, which also comprises Ben Treloar and match referee Kent Hannam.
The India A squad includes three members of the senior India Test squad due to play five Tests in Australia this summer: pace bowler Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Nitish Kumar and batter Abhimanyu Easwaran.
Changing the condition of the ball is a level three offence under the CA code of conduct, with the possibility of a ban for the players involved.
The code of conduct states: “Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as ‘unfair’. The following actions shall therefore, not be permitted (this list of actions is not exhaustive but included for illustrative purposes): (a) deliberately throwing the ball into the ground for the purpose of roughening it up; (b) applying any artificial substance to the ball; and applying any non-artificial substance for any purpose other than to polish the ball; (c) lifting or otherwise interfering with any of the seams of the ball; (d) scratching the surface of the ball with finger or thumb nails or any implement.
“The Umpires shall use their judgment to apply the principle that actions taken to maintain or enhance the condition of the ball, provided no artificial substances are used, shall be permitted. Any actions taken with the purpose of damaging the condition of the ball or accelerating the deterioration of the condition of the ball shall not be permitted.
“Without limiting this offence, the team captain of the offending side may breach this Article 2.15 in the event that the player or player support personnel involved in the breach are not able to be identified, or where the breach was planned or systematic to the extent that the team captain either knew, or ought to have known, that the breach was occurring.”
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