‘Ludicrous’: Ashes ball swap conspiracy theory shut down

‘Ludicrous’: Ashes ball swap conspiracy theory shut down

Claims a Dukes ball from a earlier sequence may have been the one chosen as a alternative by umpires within the ultimate Ashes Test have been rejected as “ludicrous” by Surrey County Cricket Club, which was liable for offering the balls.

Amid the fallout from the fifth Ashes Test at The Oval, Dilip Jajodia, the proprietor of Dukes cricket balls, vowed to launch his personal investigation after Australian gamers and commentators questioned the standard of the alternative ball used within the second innings final week.

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Australian batter Usman Khawaja stated he raised the difficulty twice with the umpires, who changed the ball late on the fourth day after it struck his helmet, declaring it was markedly totally different from any used within the sequence.

England gained the match by 49 runs to degree the sequence 2-2 and it emerged some believed among the many accessible alternative balls have been ones from the 2019 sequence that had a extra pronounced seam.

Balls are equipped to on to venues who then make them accessible to the umpires.

In this case, they have been equipped by Surrey and a spokesperson for the county membership rubbished claims previous balls may have been among the many inventory from which umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena selected the alternative.

“Mr Jajodia is correct to say that Dukes balls are supplied to The Oval and to Surrey CCC ahead of the season for use in matches and training,” a Surrey spokesperson instructed Britain‘s PA news company.

“These balls can also be used as match replacements, as seen during the Test.

“There were a wide selection of balls available to the umpires 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.”

Every ball produced for a particular season has the date stamped on it.

Jajodia instructed CODE Sports that whereas “it‘s not likely” a ball from a special yr may have been used, he could be asking inquiries to rule it out.

The International Cricket Council backed the choice course of utilized by the umpires.

“The ICC does not comment on the decisions taken by umpires in matches,” a spokesman stated.

“We can, however, confirm that all balls are preselected before the start of every match and when the situation calls for it, the match officials choose the ball that is closest to the condition of the ball that is being replaced.”

Source: www.news.com.au