England’s Chris Woakes made a vital influence early on the ultimate day, taking two wickets in fast succession, dismissing each David Warner(60) and Usman Khawaja (72) after their robust opening partnership.
The ball gave the impression to be shifting extra within the air and off the pitch in comparison with the day prior to this.While elements like overhead circumstances and a refreshed pitch because of rain might have contributed to the tough batting circumstances, the change of ball might need additionally influenced the sport. The ball was changed after England quick bowler Mark Wood hit Khawaja on the helmet late on the previous day.
In such conditions, the on-field umpires are anticipated to decide on a substitute ball comparable in situation to the one being changed.
However, TV footage instructed that the substitute ball used was noticeably newer than the previous ball, and there gave the impression to be no different ball with equal put on and tear obtainable for the umpires to pick out from a field of substitute balls.
This incident added to the frustration for Khawaja and the Australian workforce as they confronted a difficult state of affairs, resulting in England’s eventual victory within the match.
“I walked straight up to Kumar (Dharmasena, the umpire) and said straightaway, ‘That ball looks nothing like the one we were playing with. I can see writing on it’,” Khawaja advised cricket.com.au after Australia had been bowled out for 334 to present England a 49-run victory.
“It felt harder than any ball I’ve faced in this Ashes series — and I’ve opened the batting against the new ball every single time,” added Khawaja, the main run-scorer on both facet within the five-Test marketing campaign with 496.
“I said, ‘I don’t know what’s going on — you’ve gone from an old, reverse (swinging) ball to a brand-new ball.
“Personally, I feel if there’s nothing else within the field that may match the ball you will have, you possibly can’t actually change it.
“It’s a bit frustrating as a batting unit because we worked our backsides off for 36 overs and then they changed the ball.
“As an opener you’re employed so onerous to get by to there and you then’re dealing with a brand new ball once more.”
Khawaja added he hoped the International Cricket Council would take note of what had happened, adding: “Unfortunately, that is the hand you get dealt generally in cricket.
“It may not feel fair, but hopefully the ICC can learn from it and try to look at that ball to change the process.”
The drawn collection meant Australia, because the holders, retained the Ashes.
But a shared marketing campaign left Australia nonetheless ready for a primary Ashes collection win in England in 22 years.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was in little doubt the ball change had performed a decisive position at The Oval.
“There is no way in the world you can even look at those two balls there and say in any way they are comparable,” Ponting advised Sky Sports.
“That is a huge moment in this game. And something I think has to be investigated.”
(With AFP inputs)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com