The change of ball during India A’s first unofficial Test against Australia A in Mackay after ball-tampering allegations against the visiting team has led former opener David Warner to believe that Cricket Australia (CA) ‘squashed’ the issue “as fast it could”.
There was discontent among the Indian players after they were handed a changed ball on the final morning of the match, which delayed the start of play.
Warner, whose six-year long leadership ban since the ‘Sandpaper-gate’ controversy was lifted last month by CA, felt the issue has been swept under the carpet because of India’s coming Test tour of Australia.
India will travel Down Under to defend the Border Gavaskar Trophy in a five-Test series beginning November 22 in Perth.
“I think the ultimate decision is with CA, isn’t it?” Warner said while talking to reporters in Sydney following his appointment as Sydney Thunder skipper. “I think they’ve obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India’s coming out here this summer.
“But if the umpires deem that something happened, then I am sure there will be a follow-up and I think the umpires or the match referee should be standing here answering those questions,” the former Australia opener added.
“I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff, who are the umpires, and if they are sticking by the umpire’s decisions, then you have got to stand up for that. I think that’s obviously a statement that CA probably need to release.”
The Indian players were not happy with the decision to change the ball, as the controversy overshadowed Australia A’s seven-wicket win.
According to a statement by a spokesperson, the reason behind changing the ball was “deterioration”.
“The ball used in the fourth innings of the match was changed due to deterioration. Both teams’ captain and manager were informed of the decision prior to the start of play. No further action is being taken,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted the spokesperson.
