Surrey County Cricket Club have rejected the “ludicrous” claim that an old Dukes ball could have been used in the final Ashes Test at its home ground of The Oval.
England’s 49-run win in the fifth Test, to level the series 2-2, was somewhat overshadowed by drama surrounding a ball change that significantly changed the complexion of the game.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Glenn McGrath reflects on Ashes draw.
Watch, Stream & Catch Up with Australia’s Home of Cricket on 7plus >>
Usman Khawaja and fellow opener David Warner were well set on day four in an unbroken century stand when the former was struck on the helmet by a bouncer, which the England players said had changed the shape of the ball.
Umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena obliged, agreeing that the ball was no longer fit to be used. But the ball they picked out of the available replacements was visibly newer than the 38-over old ball that was changed out.
Ricky Ponting noticed it immediately in the commentary box, slamming the selection of the changed ball.
“It certainly looks a lot newer than the one they changed from,” he said at the time.
“Look at how much writing is on the side of that ball.
“That is a huge contrast to the conditions to the two Dukes balls.
“I cannot fathom how two international umpires that have done this so many times before, have got this so wrong.”
Having battled through the original ball’s new phase, Khawaja and Warner had been reaping the rewards of a docile ball that wasn’t moving much in the air or off the pitch — until the changed ball immediately started moving through the air and off the deck, making it significantly harder to bat.
Both soon lost their wickets and Australia eventually collapsed to a series-levelling defeat prompting an ICC investigation into the incident.
It’s since been suggested that the changed ball was up to five years old, having been part of a batch from as early as 2018.
Dilip Jajodia, the owner of Dukes Cricket Balls, has vowed to launch his own investigation after he added to speculation that a ball from a previous batch could have been used, not a ball from the 2023 batch.
A Surrey spokesperson told Britain’s PA news agency: “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.
“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.”
In an interview, Jajodia explained how every ball produced for a specific season had the date stamped on it and while “it’s not likely”, he admitted a ball from a different year could have been behind the changed ball on Day 4, producing more swing and seam movement.
“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 mis-allege something was wrong with the ball.”
– With AAP
If you’d like to view this content, please adjust your .
To find out more about how we use cookies, please see our Cookie Guide.