New Delhi: Former Australian opener David Warner has called for clarity on the ball-tampering controversy that happened during the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A match in Mackay.
The Indian players were angry when umpires handed them a different ball before the start of the day’s play. The on-field umpire Shawn Craig was heard saying over the stump mic that there were scratches on the previous ball so they changed it “You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion, let’s play” Craig said.
After the match finished, Cricket Australia released a statement and said that the ball had deteriorated and no further action would be taken. The statement further said that the captains of both teams were informed of the decision before the start of play “Both teams’ captain and manager were informed of the decision prior to the start of play”.
‘They have obviously squashed it as fast as they could’: David Warner
Former Australia opener David Warner talked about the controversy and said that Cricket Australia squashed the decision as fast as they could because India is coming out for the Australia tour this summer.
“The ultimate decision is with CA isn’t it?,” Warner said. “I think they have obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer. But if the umpires deemed something happened, I am sure there will be a follow up. I think the umpires or the match referee should be standing here answering questions” Warner was quoted as saying by the ‘Sydney Morning Herald’.
“I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff which are the umpires. And if they’re sticking by the umpire’s decisions, you have to stand up for that. That’s obviously a statement CA have to release. I have not seen anything” Warner added.
