ENG vs AUS: After major outcry, Dukes owner promises to personally investigate controversial ball change in 5th Ashes Test

The recently-concluded 2023 Ashes series between England and Australia was filled with entertainment and controversies.

SportsTak

• Sun • 06 Aug 2023

The recently-concluded 2023 Ashes series between England and Australia was filled with entertainment and controversies. The series ended in a 2-2 draw but even on the last day of the last Test at the Oval, there was no shortage of controversy. Australia, who were cruising to a victory, lost track after the ball was changed. The changed ball appeared to be shinier and harder which helped English bowlers immensely. As a result, the Baggy Greens lost their way and the Three Lions managed to win the match.

Current and former Australian cricketers voiced their displeasure on the entire ball change controversy, which according to them, enabled England to register a victory.

The owner of British Cricket Limited, Dilip Jajodia has now vowed to investigate the matter personally and provide a concrete explanation for the entire incident.

"I'm going to investigate myself, because it affects me ... my name is at stake so it's important they don't misallege something wrong with the ball," Jajodia told Code Sports.

"I can't imagine they would risk putting a ball in there with a different date on it. Frankly the match referee should be on top of it. We do bang that number in quite hard, so even if the gold comes off, the ball is imprinted. It wouldn't be easy to get rid of it. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's not likely," he added.

Earlier, the International Cricket Council (ICC) explained the entire process of how the decision to change the ball in the middle of an ongoing game takes place.

"The ICC does not comment on the decisions taken by umpires in matches. We can, however, confirm that all balls are pre-selected before the start of every match and when the situation calls for it, the match officials choose the ball that is closest to the condition of the ball that is being replaced," an ICC spokesperson said.