Former Test opener Ed Cowan criticized Cricket Australia’s response to the ball-tampering controversy in last week’s India A game, and his thoughts on the saga mirror those of his former teammate David Warner .
Talking about the ABC Stand Cricket PodcastCowan said umpire Shawn Craig, who felt Indian players scratching the ball during the match in Mackay, was “hung out to dry” by CA to make the scandal go away.
‘He (Craig) has had no support from his employer. “He’s seen something on the field and, in his best judgment, he tried to rectify it,” Cowan said.
“Then Cricket Australia realized they had a problem… which is similar to any other time India are aggrieved, they threatened to maybe tour.
‘Part of me just thinks that if this wasn’t India, there would be a totally different reaction.
“If it was Pakistan A, England A, or even a Shield match, the reaction would be totally different and, for me, that’s the wrong approach.”
“I think it’s incumbent on Cricket Australia to clarify this, and it’s probably imperative for the BCCI (Board of Control for Cricket in India) to clarify this as well.”
Cowan wasn’t done yet, declaring that “you can’t choose when integrity matters… it matters all the time.”
One-time Test opener Ed Cowan has questioned Cricket Australia’s response to the ball-tampering controversy in last week’s India A tour game.
Cricket great Ian Healy declared that India A were “up to something” following allegations of ball tampering in their recent tour match against Australia A in Mackay.
In tense scenes on the fourth day of play, umpire Shawn Craig (pictured, wearing black pants) accused India A of “scratching” the ball and also told the touring team: “Due to your actions, we changed the ball”.
His comments come after cricket great Ian Healy explosively declared that India A were “up to something” in their recent tour match against Australia A in Mackay.
Former Australian opening batsman David Warner then asserted that relations are likely to be further strained between the two leading cricket nations as he expressed his belief that Cricket Australia ‘squashed (the allegation) as quickly as it could, given that India is coming here this summer. ‘
It comes after Warner, 38, was suspended for 12 months after encouraging then-teammate Cameron Bancroft to use sandpaper in an attempt to alter the movement of the ball during a fiery test against South Africa in 2018. .
Former captain Steve Smith was also banned for 12 months, and Bancroft was sidelined for nine months.
Speaking on SEN Radio, wicket-keeper legend Healy was not convinced by India A’s conduct on the field at the Great Barrier Reef Arena.
“When you see a team complaining about having a ball changed, they were up to something,” he said bluntly.
‘India A were gearing up for a big reverse swing session to put pressure on the Aussies.
“Australia A was chasing a small total and it just didn’t happen (for India A).”
Like his former teammate Ed Cowan, David Warner expressed his belief that Cricket Australia “crushed it as quickly as they could, given India are coming here this summer”.
In tense scenes during the fourth day of play, umpire Shawn Craig accused India A of “scratching” the ball and also told the touring team: “Because of your actions, we changed the ball.”
Craig did not specify how he believed India had scratched the ball and the tourists were not awarded a five-run penalty.
The India A players were furious at Craig, and goalkeeper Ishan Kishan was reported for dissent.
The tourists, and Kishan, were later cleared by Cricket Australia, which issued a statement on the matter.
“The ball used in the fourth inning of the game was changed due to its deterioration,” a spokesman said.
‘The captain and coach of both teams were informed of the decision before the start of the match. “No further measures are being taken.”
The first Test between Australia and India begins in Perth on November 22.
