- India A accused of ball tampering after confrontation with referee
- An Indian player was reported after incident
India’s A team has been accused of ball-tampering in its match against Australia A, in an explosive start to the men’s international summer.
When play resumed on the fourth day in Mackay on Sunday, referee Shawn Craig told the Indian players that the ball had been changed because it had been tampered with.
‘When you scratch it, we change the ball for you. “No more arguments, let’s play,” Craig was heard saying over the microphone.
Craig then reported India’s goalkeeper Ishan Kishan for telling the referee it was a “stupid decision”.
“You will be reported for dissent, that is very inappropriate behavior,” Craig responded.
“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.
India’s A team has been accused of ball tampering in its match against Australia A
Ishan Kishan was called out for telling the referee it was a ‘stupid decision’
Kishan is not part of India’s Test squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which begins in Perth on November 22.
Fast bowler Prasidh Krishna, all-rounder Nitish Kumar and batsman Abhimanyu Easwaran are the only players from the India A team who are part of the Test squad.
There is no indication at this time who the referees believe was responsible for the alleged tampering.
Australia were on course for victory in the A match early on day four, with Nathan McSweeney surpassing the half-century mark in his fight for a Test spot.