Former Test opener Ed Cowan has called out Cricket Australia’s response to the ball- tampering controversy in last week’s India A game – with his thoughts on the saga mirroring those of former teammate David Warner.
Speaking on the ABC Grandstand Cricket podcast, Cowan said umpire Shawn Craig – who felt the Indian fielders scratched the ball during the match in Mackay – was ‘hung out to dry’ by CA in order to make the scandal go away.
‘He [Craig] has had no support from his employer. He has seen something on the field and in his best judgement, tried to rectify that,’ Cowan said.
‘Then Cricket Australia have worked out they’ve got an issue… which is similar to any other time India are aggrieved, they threatened to maybe pull a tour.
‘Part of me just thinks if this wasn’t India there would be a totally different reaction.
‘If that was Pakistan A, or England A, or even a Shield game, the reaction would be totally different and for me, that’s the wrong approach.
‘I do think it’s on Cricket Australia to clarify this, and it’s also probably imperative on the BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] to clarify this.’
Cowan wasn’t finished yet, declaring ‘you can’t choose when integrity matters….it matters the whole time.’
One-time Test opener Ed Cowan has questioned Cricket Australia’s response to the ball- tampering controversy in last week’s India A tour game
Cricket great Ian Healy declared India A ‘were up to something’ following accusations of ball-tampering in their recent tour match against Australia A in Mackay
In tense scenes on day four of play, umpire Shawn Craig (pictured, in black pants) accused India A of ‘scratching’ the ball and also told the touring side: ‘Because of your actions, we changed the ball’
His comments come after cricket great Ian Healy explosively declared India A ‘were up to something’ in their recent tour match against Australia A in Mackay.
Former Aussie opening batsman David Warner then ensured relations will likely be further strained between the two leading cricket nations when he stated his belief that Cricket Australia ‘squashed it [accusation] as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer.’
It comes after Warner, 38, was suspended for 12 months after encouraging then teammate Cameron Bancroft to use sandpaper in a bid to alter the movement of the ball during a fiery Test against South Africa back in 2018.
Ex-skipper Steve Smith was also banned for 12 months, with Bancroft sidelined for nine months.
Speaking on SEN Radio, wicketkeeping legend Healy wasn’t convinced about India A’s conduct in the field at Great Barrier Reef Arena.
‘When you see a team complain about a ball being changed, they were up to something,’ he bluntly said.
‘India A were gearing up for a big reverse-swing session in order to get the Australians under pressure.
‘Australia A were chasing a small total and it just didn’t happen [for India A].’
Similar to former teammate Ed Cowan, David Warner stated his belief that Cricket Australia ‘squashed it as fast as they could, given that India is coming out here this summer’
In tense scenes on day four of play, umpire Shawn Craig accused India A of ‘scratching’ the ball and also told the touring side: ‘Because of your actions, we changed the ball.’
Craig did not specify how he believed India had scratched the ball, and the tourists were not handed a five-run penalty.
India A players were seething at Craig, with wicketkeeper Ishan Kishan reported for dissent.
The tourists – and Kishan – were later cleared by Cricket Australia, who released a statement on the matter.
‘The ball used in the fourth innings of the match was changed due to deterioration,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Both teams’ captain and manager were informed of the decision prior to the start of play. No further action is being taken.’
The first Test between Australia and India begins in Perth on November 22.
