There was no dearth of controversy in the just-concluded Ashes series. The fresh row erupted following the umpires’ decision to change the ball on Day 4 of the fifth Test at the Oval.
The incident took place during the 37th over of Australia’s second innings when Usman Khawaja was hit on the helmet by a delivery from England pacer Mark Wood. The impact was so severe that it reportedly altered the shape of the red cherry, prompting the umpires to replace it.
This decision triggered a debate and speculation among cricket fans and experts alike. While the legendary Ricky Ponting demanded a proper investigation, Australia opener Usman Khawaja called it a "disappointing" act after the end of the game.
Chasing 384 to win, the visitors got off to a brilliant start as the duo of David Warner and Usman Khawaja added 140 runs for the opening wicket.
However, English bowlers made the most of the unexpected ball change in the morning session on Day 5. Chris Woakes (4-50) and Moeen Ali (3-76) bowled game-changing spells to bundle out Australia for 334 and deny them the first Ashes win away from home since 2001.
"The biggest concern I have is the big discrepancy in the condition of the ball that was chosen. There’s no way in the world you can even look at those two balls there and say in any way they are comparable,” Ponting told Sky Sports.
“That is a huge moment in this game, potentially a huge moment in the Test match, and something I think has to be investigated. It was a perfect storm, conditions were perfect for bowling this morning,” he added.
After Australia’s 49-run defeat at the Oval, Khawaja spoke to Channel 9 and revealed that he raised the concern to on-field umpire Kumar Dharmasena while also warning others in the dressing room about the ball.
“As soon as they changed that ball, I knew straight away that ball was very different,” Khawaja said. “I went up to (umpire Kumar Dharmasena) and asked, ‘How old this ball? It feels like it’s eight overs old.’ You could see the writing both sides, and it hit my bat so hard. I’ve opened the batting in every single innings this Ashes series, and I haven’t felt a ball hit my bat as hard as that ball. I said to the boys coming in, ‘Be careful, this new ball is going to be tricky.’
“Some things you can’t control in this game, and it’s disappointing for us because it felt like we had a real stranglehold on that game. That ball was at 90 overs and it was still hooping around corners and the keeper’s taking it above his head. It really hurts you. England is a class bowling attack, and if you give them a little inch, they will always get as much out of it.”
