Cricket Australia clears India A of ball tampering in 1st unofficial test against Australia A

India A lost the 1st unofficial test against Australia A by seven wickets in Mackay.

The Ruturaj Gaikwad-led India A have been cleared of the ball-tampering allegations that were apparently made against them during day 4 of the recently concluded first-class match against Australia A in Mackay.

The Australia A vs India A match ended in the hosts’ favour, with Nathan McSweeney’s team registering a seven-wicket win to take the lead in the two-match series.

The last day of the match saw a controversy erupt when the Indian players, in particular Ishan Kishan, had a fiery discussion with umpire Shawn Craig. The stump mics picked up Craig accusing the Indian players of “scratching” the ball, due to which he ordered a change of the ball before the first ball on day 4.

This irked the Indian players, with Kishan being heard saying, “that’s a very stupid decision”. The umpire responded: “Excuse me, you’ll be on report for dissent. That’s inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball.”

Cricket Australia clears India A of ball tampering allegations, Ishan Kishan escapes without a charge

Soon, Cricket Australia issued a statement confirming that India A have not been charged for ball tampering as the change of the ball before day 4 was “due to deterioration,” and not because of the players changing the condition of the ball.

With the ball determined to have “deteriorated,” there was no need for the umpires to impose a five-run penalty, as is customary under Law 41.3.4 if the umpires consider that the condition of the ball has been unfairly changed.

Also, Kishan will not be charged with dissent after match officials clarified why the ball was changed.

Talking about the match, it was a low-scoring affair in Mackay. India A batted first and scored 107 runs, in reply to which, the hosts made 195. India A did well in their second innings to score 312 runs, setting a target of 225, which Australi A gunned down with seven wickets in hand on the last day of the match.

The second match will be played in Melbourne from Thursday.

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