Cricket

Australia A emerged victorious in the four-day match against India A in Mackay, despite a controversial ball-change incident that marred the start of the final day.India A were left fuming after umpire Shawn Craig announced that the ball had been replaced due to scratches, a decision that wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan labeled as "stupid." Craig explained that the ball had been changed to prevent further damage, but Kishan's dissent earned him a report for inappropriate behavior.Despite the controversy, Australia A resumed their chase with Nathan McSweeney and Beau Webster at the crease. McSweeney, who is vying for a spot in Australia's Test squad, played a composed innings, finishing unbeaten on 88. Webster provided solid support, scoring 61 not out as the pair put on an unbroken 141-run partnership for the fourth wicket.India A's bowlers struggled to make inroads on the final morning, with Sai Sudharsan's six overs of spin proving particularly ineffective. The match ended with Australia A securing a comfortable victory, having bowled out India A for 107 and 312 in their two innings.The ball-change incident has raised questions about the umpiring decisions in the match. According to Law 41.3.4, umpires are required to award five penalty runs to the opposing side if they believe the ball has been unfairly changed. However, no such penalty was imposed in this case.Cricket Australia has been contacted for comment on the incident, which has added an unexpected layer of drama to the closing stages of the match.

A controversial ball-change decision in the first Test between England and Sri Lanka in Manchester has sparked outrage, with Sri Lankan all-rounder Angelo Mathews labeling it "unfair."During Sri Lanka's second innings, England took a new ball at 4-146, a move that Mathews believes shifted the momentum in England's favor. With a slender 24-run lead, Sri Lanka had been in a strong position, but the new ball allowed England's pacers to exploit the firmer cherry.Mathews, who was batting on 59 at the time of the ball change, was dismissed in the 10th over after the new ball was taken. "It was unfortunate, to be honest," Mathews said. "Yesterday we were sitting pretty until the ball was changed."Mathews argued that the ball change disadvantaged batters on both teams, as they had worked hard to take the shine off the old ball. "The batters are waiting to get rid of the hardness of the ball, and it's unfortunate that the ball was changed and it started swinging and it changed the whole complexion of the game," he said.This is not the first time England has been criticized for a ball-change decision. In last year's Ashes Test at the Oval, Australia great Ricky Ponting expressed frustration at a similar incident.England eventually won the opening Test by 5 wickets, but the ball-change controversy has left a sour taste in the mouths of Sri Lankan players and fans.

England's second Test summer has witnessed another ball change that has favored the hosts. During the first Test against Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford, the umpires agreed to England's request to replace the worn-out Dukes ball after 41 overs of Sri Lanka's second innings.At the time, Sri Lanka held a slender lead of 24 with Angelo Mathews and Kamindu Mendis at the crease. The introduction of a firmer ball with a more pronounced seam revitalized England's quicks. Mathews, who had reached 59, was dismissed by Chris Woakes in the 10th over with the new ball, ending a 78-run partnership.Despite only taking one more wicket before the close, England created numerous chances with the replacement ball. Mathews and Kamindu were dropped by Joe Root and Gus Atkinson, respectively, while Woakes had two lbw decisions overturned on review.Coincidentally, Woakes was also the beneficiary of a controversial ball change during last season's Ashes Test at the Kia Oval. Australia's Usman Khawaja questioned the switch to a newer, harder ball, which differed from the one used for the previous 37 overs.Sri Lanka, however, expressed no complaints about the ball change. Former England international Ian Bell, Sri Lanka's batting coach, acknowledged the poor condition of the original ball's seam and accepted that the change made batting more challenging. He emphasized the need for consistency in future ball changes.England centurion Jamie Smith praised Woakes for exploiting the conditions with the new ball. Meanwhile, England will provide an update on Mark Wood's fitness on Saturday after he experienced discomfort in his right thigh.