Australia A’s win over India A in their unofficial Test match was overshadowed by accusations of ball tempering by the visiting team.
The drama unfolded on Day Four in Mackay, when Umpire Shawn Craig sparked tension by replacing the ball, claiming it had been tampered with, much to the frustration of the Indian players.
Craig’s decision was met with visible dissent, particularly from India A wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan.
The stump mic picked up Craig saying, “When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play,” as several Indian players crowded around him. Kishan, visibly displeased, questioned Craig, “So we’re gonna play with this ball?” before adding, “That’s a very stupid decision.” Craig swiftly warned Kishan, advising him he’d be reported for dissent if his behavior continued.
As speculation swirled, Cricket Australia (CA) clarified in a statement that the ball was replaced due to “deterioration” rather than tampering by India A, confirming no penalties would be imposed. Had the ball change been attributed to tampering, India A would have faced a five-run penalty under law 41.3.4.
Had tampering been established without identifying the responsible player, India A captain Ruturaj Gaikwad could have faced serious consequences under Cricket Australia’s Code of Conduct, potentially being charged with a Level 3 offense. Such a breach could have seen Gaikwad incur four to twelve suspension points, placing him on a possible ban.
After the heated exchange, Australia A’s Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster wasted no time in wrapping up the chase. Resuming from an overnight score of 85-3, the pair guided their team to a comfortable seven-wicket victory, as India A’s bowlers struggled to make further inroads.
The win gave Australia A a 1-0 lead in the series, setting up a tasty rivalry for the next contests.