India A were accused of ball tampering during their loss to Australia A in the first unofficial Test Mackay, with wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan warned by the umpire for showing dissent.
Day four of the first unofficial Test began in controversial manner as umpire Shawn Craig changed the ball India A were bowling with, saying that it had been tampered with. “When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play," he was heard saying on the stump mic as several Indian players surrounded him at the non-striker's end.
Following this, Kishan confirmed with the umpire if they had to play with the changed ball and made his displeasure clearly known. "So we're gonna play with this ball?" Kishan asked Craig, before saying, "that's a very stupid decision".
Craig immediately warned Kishan that he would be reported for dissent. "Excuse me, you will be on report for dissent, that is inappropriate behaviour," he told Kishan.
Cricket Australia issue clarification on ball change
Later, CA released a statement saying that the ball was changed "due to deterioration", and that no action would be taken against anyone. If the ball had indeed been changed due to tampering, as was initially the confusion, India A would have copped a five-run penalty under law 41.3.4.
