AUS vs ENG: ICC Clarifies Stance On Umpire's Ball Change Decision On Day 4 Of Oval Test

On-field umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Joel Wilson have come under fire for their decision to change the ball late on day four. Former Australian cricketers believe that the ball change that Engaldn got assistance with the new ball which turned out to be the reason why they ended up winning the Oval Test and level the series.

The on-field umpires decided to change the ball on day four after it hit the helmet of Usman Khwaja and reportedly went out of shape. Australia were on track to chase down 384 before the ball change swung things England’s way.

Meanwhile, the ICC has now clarified their stance on the matter saying that they do not have anything to say with the decisions taken by umpires in matches.

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ICC Does Not Comment On Decisions Taking By Umpires: ICC Spokesperson

“The ICC does not comment on the decisions taken by umpires in matches, “We can, however, confirm that all balls are pre-selected 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 spokesperson said.

Television replays on Sky Sports shows two different balls and the difference in the colour between the two. Meanwhile, Usman Khwaja who was hit on his helmet said that he asked the umpires twice about the ball change decision while adding that there was “nothing else” in the box of replacement balls for them to choose.

“I walked straight up to Kumar and said straightaway, ‘That ball looks nothing like the one we were playing with. I can see writing on it’,” Khawaja told cricket.com.au after the match finished.

“It felt harder than any ball I‘ve faced in this Ashes series – and I’ve opened the batting against the new ball every single time. I said, ‘I don’t know what’s going on – you’ve gone from an old, reverse (swinging) ball to a brand-new ball” Khawaj said.

He further added that he asked Kumar’s counterpart Joel Wilson about the ball that was changed as it moved a lot more of the seam and in the air than the old ball.

“I asked Joel again today, ‘How are we using this ball right now? It’s so new’. And he said, ‘There was nothing else in the box’,” Khawaja told cricket.com.

Usman Khawaja Challenges ICC’s Decision

Khawaja concluded by saying that the umpires made a match-defining mistake and the matter should be looked further in more detail.

“Personally, I think if there’s nothing else in the box that can match the ball you have, you can’t really change it. “It‘s a bit frustrating as a batting unit because we worked our backsides off for 36 overs and then they changed the ball. “Unfortunately, that’s the hand you get dealt sometimes in cricket. It may not feel fair, but … hopefully, the ICC can learn from it and try to look at that ball to change the process” Khawaja concluded saying.