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The ICC has issued a typically flimsy response to the furore which erupted after the umpires replaced a scuffed-up ball with a much newer one which helped turn around England’s charge to victory in the fifth Test at The Oval.
Former Test captain Ricky Ponting was furious in commentary for host broadcaster Sky Sports at umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena and opener Usman Khawaja was also bemused over the switch to a much shinier one after England captain Ben Stokes complained about the state of the six-stitcher.
“The ICC does not comment on the decisions taken by umpires in matches,” a spokesman said.
“We can, however, confirm that all balls are preselected 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.”
A furious Ponting in Sky Sports commentary said whenever a damaged ball needs to be changed, the umpires are supposed to select the one in the box of options which most resembles the one being replaced.
But they clearly failed to do that this time around with close-ups comparing the two Dukes balls showing the old one looking worse for wear and the new version appearing to be in much better condition.
England took such a shine to the replacement ball that they didn’t bother taking the second new ball late in the day with Australia’s tailenders an outside chance of victory and the hosts went on to record a 49-run triumph.
Australian opener Usman Khawaja also could not believe the difference between the replacement ball and the previous one.
“As soon as they changed that ball, I knew straight away that ball was very different,” Khawaja said. “I went straight up to Kumar and said how old this ball? It feels like it’s about eight overs old.”
David Warner is dismissed by Chris Woakes. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
The ICC has also penalised Australia and England 10 and 19 World Test Championship points respectively for maintaining slow over-rates during the Ashes.
Both teams also received fines with Australia deducted half of their match fee for 10 overs in the fourth Test at Manchester, while England received “10 per cent for the first Test, 45 per cent for the second, 15 per cent for the fourth and 25 per cent for the fifth,” according to the ICC.
Khawaja last month revealed he had approached the ICC about reducing penalties for slow over-rates in Tests after the governing body announced it had decided to soften sanctions.
He said it was “really frustrating” for players to lose their match fees despite delivering entertaining matches.
Khawaja posted on social media after the latest sanctions came in, sarcastically saying “that makes a lot of sense”.
“Don’t even get the chance to bowl in the second innings at Manchester due to 2 days of rain and @ICC still issue fines and take 10 WTC points of us for slow over rates!”
The hosts beat Australia by 49 runs in the fifth and final Ashes Test at The Oval on Monday, securing a 2-2 series draw.
Reigning champions Australia, who retained the Ashes, are currently third in the WTC standings while England are fifth.
Having gained 28 points – 24 for two wins and four for a draw – England finished with just nine points dropping them below the West Indies, who have played just two matches and are yet to record a win.
with AAP