NEWS
Follow UsDavid Warner reckons Cricket Australia (CA) should issue a full explanation for umpire Shawn Craig’s decision to change the ball on the final day of the first unofficial Test between Australia A and India A.
In a controversial incident that occurred in Mackay, Ishan Kishan was involved in a heated discussion with umpire Craig who took the call to change the ball overnight. He called the decision “stupid” to which Craig replied that the change was done because the ball’s condition was altered unfairly.
"Scratch it, we change the ball...no more discussion, let's play," Craig had said in the verbal exchange that was caught on the stump mic.
Warner said CA has swept the matter under the carpet, given that the Indian team is supposed to travel Down Under for a high-profile five-match Test series.
The incident put Kishan in serious danger of being reported for dissent. However, the match officials did not press charges, and there is no footage available that confirms their allegation.
"The ultimate decision is with CA isn't it," Warner said. "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 has to release. I have not seen anything."
Australia brushed off the deficit of 86 runs on the final day’s play without losing any further wickets to win the game by seven wickets. Umpire Craig also didn’t impose the five-run penalty that is issued in case the ball is changed because of any suspected act of tampering. Under CA’s playing conditions, the decision to impose the five-run penalty rests with the umpire.
"The punishment that was handed down was there for a reason and I thoroughly accept that," Warner said on the day his leadership ban in Australia was lifted.
"You're always going to be disappointed that you can't lead but what was done was done and I moved on from that.
"But I get the opportunity to lead the Thunder and share my wealth of knowledge about the game and hopefully some of the youngsters can come ask me some questions after the game, decisions that I've made or some errors that I might have made and have that confidence and hopefully one day they can grow into a captain as well,” he said.
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