New Delhi: The fourth Day of the unofficial Test between Australia A and India A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay started with controversy when the on-field changed the ball used by the Men in Blue after ball-tampering accusations.
Australia A needed just 86 runs to win and shortly after the play began, India A players questioned umpire Shawn Craig about the ball handed to start the day’s play. “Scratch it, we change the ball…no more discussion, let’s play” Craig was overheard saying on the stump microphone.
Indian players attempted to argue with the on-field umpire, and Craig said “No more discussion please, let’s play. This is not a discussion anymore”. The players again asked if they had to continue playing with the freshly handed ball, and the umpire said “You’re playing with that ball”.
During the discussion, Indian wicket-keeper Ishan Kishan was booked for showing dissent toward the on-field umpire’s decision. He said that it was a really stupid decision to which the umpire replied that you’ll be on report for dissent.
“So we are going to play with this ball…that’s a very stupid decision” Ishan said. “Excuse me, you’ll be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball” Craig replied.
Australia A beat India A by 7 wickets
Australia A defeated India A in the first unofficial Test at Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay. The Aussies needed 225 runs to win the match and a 141-run partnership between skipper Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster helped Australia A to win the match by 7 wickets.
(more to follow)
