Surrey slam ‘ludicrous’ claims over Ashes ball change after Australia complaints
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urrey have rejected the “ludicrous” declare that an previous Dukes ball might have been used within the last Ashes Test on the Kia Oval.
England have been capable of win the fifth Test by 49 runs to stage the sequence at 2-2 however the Australian press protection within the instant days after final Monday’s dramatic finale was dominated by ‘ballgate’ with Usman Khawaja amongst a variety of present and former gamers to debate the topic.
Khawaja and fellow opener David Warner have been effectively set on day 4 in an unbroken century stand when the previous was struck on the helmet by a bouncer, which resulted in a change to the Dukes ball getting used.
Dilip Jajodia, the proprietor of Dukes Cricket Balls, has vowed to launch an investigation after he added to hypothesis {that a} ball from a earlier batch might have been used, not a ball from the 2023 batch.
A Surrey spokesperson instructed the PA news company: “Mr Jajodia is correct to say that Duke’s balls are supplied to the Oval and to Surrey CCC ahead of the season for use in matches and training. These balls can also be used as match replacements, as seen during the Test.
“There were a wide selection of balls available to the umpire’s at all times, with a variety of conditions to choose from, and that decision is entirely at their discretion.
“We reject entirely the assertion that a ball from 2018 or 2019 could have been available for selection and think the suggestion itself is ludicrous.”
Jajodia, in an interview with News Corp, defined how each ball produced for a particular season has the date stamped on it and whereas “it’s not likely”, he admitted a ball from a unique 12 months might have been behind the modified ball on day 4, producing extra swing and seam motion.
“I can’t imagine they would risk putting a ball in there with a different date on it. Frankly, the match referee should be on top of it,” Jajodia said of Surrey, via Wisden.com.
“We do bang that number in quite hard, so even if the gold comes off, the ball is imprinted. It wouldn’t be easy to get rid of it. I’m not saying it’s impossible (that it was a 2018 or 2019 ball), but it’s not likely.
“I’m going to investigate myself because it affects me. My name is at stake so it’s important they don’t misallege something was wrong with the ball.”