England’s Chris Woakes made an important affect 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 transferring extra within the air and off the pitch in comparison with the day prior to this.Whereas components like overhead circumstances and a refreshed pitch attributable to rain might have contributed to the troublesome batting circumstances, the change of ball may need additionally influenced the sport. The ball was changed after England quick bowler Mark Wooden 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.
Nonetheless, TV footage prompt 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 crew as they confronted a difficult scenario, resulting in England’s eventual victory within the match.
“I walked straight as much as Kumar (Dharmasena, the umpire) and stated straightaway, ‘That ball appears to be like nothing just like the one we have been enjoying with. I can see writing on it’,” Khawaja instructed cricket.com.au after Australia had been bowled out for 334 to present England a 49-run victory.
“It felt more durable than any ball I’ve confronted on this Ashes sequence — and I’ve opened the batting in opposition to the brand new ball each single time,” added Khawaja, the main run-scorer on both aspect within the five-Check marketing campaign with 496.
“I stated, ‘I do not know what is going on on — you have gone from an previous, 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’ve gotten, you possibly can’t actually change it.
“It is a bit irritating as a batting unit as a result of we labored our backsides off for 36 overs after which they modified the ball.
“As an opener you’re employed so laborious to get by to there and then you definitely’re going through a brand new ball once more.”
Khawaja added he hoped the Worldwide Cricket Council would be aware of what had occurred, including: “Sadly, that is the hand you get dealt typically in cricket.
“It could not really feel honest, however hopefully the ICC can be taught from it and take a look at to have a look at that ball to alter the method.”
The drawn sequence meant Australia, because the holders, retained the Ashes.
However a shared marketing campaign left Australia nonetheless ready for a primary Ashes sequence 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 such thing as a means on the earth you possibly can even take a look at these two balls there and say in any means they’re comparable,” Ponting instructed Sky Sports activities.
“That may be a enormous second on this sport. And one thing I feel needs to be investigated.”
(With AFP inputs)
