Drama filled the last day of India A vs Australia A's unofficial Test match in Mackay on November 3, 2024, with the main focus being accusations of ball-tampering. Tensions were evident as officials changed the ball from the red cherry that had been used overnight when the play at the Great Barrier Reef Arena restarted.
Umpires Ben Treloar and Shawn Craig debated whether to replace the ball with multiple India A players before the start of the day's play. The players' obvious frustration resulted in an animated discussion. According to a media report, Indian players were accused by umpire Shawn Craig of scratching the ball that was used on Saturday.
As events unfolded, a report on the Cricket Australia website emphasized that the India A players had not been specifically accused of tampering with the ball. According to the report, Umpire Craig did not explain why the ball changed or what he thought had happened to the original ball. Later, a statement from Cricket Australia verified that the ball was replaced "due to deterioration".
Ishan Kishan gets warning
During this discussion, wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was very outspoken, calling the decision "extremely foolish."
"You will be on the report for dissent; that is inappropriate behaviour," said umpire Craig in response to Kishan and issued him a warning.
In addition, the umpires did not administer the usual five-run penalty that would be imposed under Law 41.3.4 in the event that they believed the ball's condition had been unfairly changed.
When play eventually started, the drama of the day was heightened by the uncertainty surrounding the ball change. Australia A got right to work after closing Day 3 at 139 for 3, needing 86 runs to win. Beau Webster scored a strong 61, and captain Nathan McSweeney set the standard with an undefeated 88. Together, they led Australia A to a resounding victory by seven wickets.
