David Warner has suggested that the controversial ball change incident during the first match between India A and Australia A has been "squashed" as quickly as possible.
Earlier this week, controversy erupted on the fourth and final day of the first unofficial Test match between India A and Australia A at the Great Barrier Reef Arena in Mackay.
On November 3, just before the start of play, the umpires informed the bowling team, India A, that the ball had been changed. As the players surrounded umpire Shawn Craig for an explanation, the official was heard saying on the stump mic, "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let’s play."
India A wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan called the decision "stupid", prompting Craig to inform the player that he would be on record for dissent.
Australia A went on to win the match on the final day, but after play concluded, Cricket Australia (CA) released a statement clearing India A of any allegations of ball-tampering, saying that the ball had been changed due to "deterioration". In addition, despite Craig's words, no action was taken against Kishan for his words of dissent either.
Warner: Umpires or match referee should be standing here answering questions
On Wednesday (November 6), Warner ventured an explanation for the supposed U-turn – that the issue had been swept under the carpet as quickly as possible, given India's arrival for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this month. He was quoted by ESPNCricinfo as saying, "The ultimate decision is with CA isn't it?
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"I think they have obviously squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer. But if the umpires deemed something happened, I am sure there will be a follow up. I think the umpires or the match referee should be standing here answering questions.
"I think the match referee should be coming out and addressing his own staff which are the umpires. And if they're sticking by the umpire's decisions, you have to stand up for that. That's obviously a statement CA have to release. I have not seen anything."
Warner's thoughts were echoed in rather stronger fashion by veteran Australian journalist Robert Craddock, who said on Fox Sports, "If I was a cynic, I'd say that somewhere between that pre-play and the end of the day, there was a realisation that the might and the force of India could be quite overwhelming."
Speaking on the same panel, Candice Warner added, "It just goes to show the power of India, just how strong they are, and a lot of these umpires, they want to umpire in the IPL."
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