New Delhi, India

Former Australia opener David Warner reignited India A's ball tampering controversy, by saying that Cricket Australia (CA) brushed aside the whole incident in a flash ahead of India's tour Down Under. Speaking to the reporters in Sydney before India's tour of Australia, which commences later this month on Nov 22 in Perth, Warner feels the board should release an official statement on what exactly transpired on the final day of the first tour game (won by Australia A by seven wickets in Mackay).

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Australia A's victory was overshadowed by the ball-tampering controversy, which took place on the final day when Shawn Craig insisted on changing the red ball due to visible scratch marks and blamed the India A players. This led to a heated exchange between the Indian players and the umpires where Craig was heard saying via stump microphones, "You scratch it, we change the ball. There will be no more discussion, let’s play. This is not a discussion, you will be playing with that ball."

India A wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan expressed his discontent and even called it "a very stupid decision." To this, he was sternly warned by Craig that he would be reported for dissent, stating, "Excuse me. You'll be on report for dissent. That's inappropriate behaviour. It is because of your actions we changed the ball."

Also read: Gautam Gambhir went against team management, defied Rahul Dravid's 'pitch theory' during NZ Tests: Report

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WARNER REACTS 

Warner has called for a follow-up on the incident, according to the Morning Herald.

The former cricketer said, after being appointed Sydney Thunder's captain in upcoming Big Bash League (BBL), "I think the ultimate decision’s with CA, isn’t it? I think they’ve obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India’s coming out here this summer. But if the umpires deem that something happened, then I’m sure there’ll be a follow-up and I think the umpires or the match referee should be standing here answering those questions."

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"I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff, who are the umpires, and if they’re sticking by the umpire’s decisions, then you’ve got to stand up for that. I think that’s obviously a statement that CA probably need to release."

DID INDIA A PLAYERS TAMPER WITH THE BALL?

On the final day of the warm-up encounter, match referee's report came out which explained that the ball was changed due to deterioration and not because of any actions by the India A players. Further, it also mentioned that both teams captains and managers were informed of the decision and no further action would be taken against Kishan or any other player.

Notably, Warner was the mastermind when Australia were involved in the ball-tampering scandal during their tour of South Africa, comprising four Tests, in early 2018. It led to his, then captain Steve Smith and opener Cameron Bancroft's suspensions. Due to that incident, Warner had a captaincy ban, which got lifted recently as he will lead in the BBL 2024-25 season.

Meanwhile, India's tour of Australia starts on Nov 22 in Perth. It is a five-match series, which will conclude early next year.