India A wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan could be facing a sanction following his verbal confrontation with umpire Shawn Craig over ball-tampering allegationson day four of the match against Australia A in Mackay.
The start of Sunday’s action at Great Barrier Reef Arena was delayed as the Indian team argued with Craig because the match ball was changed due to scratch marks.
“No more discussion, let’s play,” Craig was overheard saying on the stump mic.
“This is not a discussion.”
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Kishan queried: “So we have to play with this ball?
“That’s a very stupid decision.”
The Indian gloveman’s comments understandably didn’t sit well with Craig, who responded: “Excuse me. You’ll be on report for dissent.
“That’s inappropriate behaviour.”
Craig also insinuated that India’s players were to blame for the scratched ball, which prompted the switch. However, he did not clarify why the umpires decided to change the ball.
“You scratch it, we change the ball,” Craig was overheard saying.
“It is because of your actions we changed the ball.”
If India A is found to have intentionally changed the condition of the ball, players involved could be subjected to bans under Cricket Australia’s code of conduct.
“Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as unfair,” the code of conduct states.
“The umpires shall use their judgment to apply the principle that actions taken to maintain or enhance the condition of the ball, provided no artificial substances are used, shall be permitted. Any actions taken with the purpose of damaging the condition of the ball or accelerating the deterioration of the condition of the ball shall not be permitted.
“Without limiting this offence, the team captain of the offending side may breach this Article 2.15 in the event that the Player or Player Support Personnel involved in the breach are not able to be identified, or where the breach was planned or systematic to the extent that the team captain either knew, or ought to have known, that the breach was occurring.”
