The 2023 Ashes series has been riddled with controversy, with each Test match witnessing its fair share of contentious incidents. From Ben Stokes‘ aggressive declaration in the first Test to Jonny Bairstow’s stumping in the second Test, the series was filled with dramatic moments that captured fans’ attention. However, the most recent controversy erupted during the fifth Test at The Oval, when the umpires’ decision to change the ball on Day 4 became a talking point.
During Australia’s chase of a challenging 384-run target, Usman Khawaja and David Warner formed a formidable opening partnership on the fourth day, raising hopes of an improbable victory for the visitors. Nevertheless, the game took a crucial turn when the on-field umpires, Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena, chose to replace the red cherry in the 37th over. The decision followed after a bouncer from England’s Mark Wood hit Khawaja on the helmet, resulting in the ball being deemed unfit for further play due to the impact on its shape.
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Following the ball change, only 11 more deliveries were bowled on Day 4 before rain interrupted play. The replacement ball provided by the umpires seemed noticeably harder and newer than the original one. England capitalized on this advantage on the morning of the fifth day, picking three early wickets. Chris Woakes dismissed both Khawaja and Warner in consecutive overs, while Wood managed to get Marnus Labuschagne caught in the slips.
Ponting calls for an investigation into a decision by the umpires
The controversy escalated when pictures comparing the two red-leather went viral, leading to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting voicing his strong disapproval. Ponting accused the umpires of being careless and demanded an investigation into the matter.
Ricky Ponting is spot on. Must be an investigation into this ball change. Absolutely ludicrous from the Umpires. Basically replacing a worn out looking ball with a new one. pic.twitter.com/LX0zE52AL2
— Paul Hewton (@paul_hewton) July 31, 2023
“The biggest concern I have is the big discrepancy in the condition of the ball that was chosen to replace the one [that had gone out of shape]. There’s no way in the world you can even look at those two balls there and say in any way are they comparable,” the veteran cricketer was quoted as saying on Sky Sports during the lunch break on Day 5.
At the end of the day, if you are going to change the ball, you want to make sure that you get it right, so [you make it] as close as you possibly can to the one that you’re changing it from. Now if you have a look in that box, there weren’t too many older-condition balls in there. There were some older ones that were picked up, the umpires looked at that and threw them back,” Ponting added.
While he acknowledged that the bowling conditions on Day 5 favoured England, he raised questions about whether it was the fourth umpire’s responsibility to provide a similarly conditioned renewal ball or if the on-field umpires made a mistake.
“The conditions were perfect for bowling this morning, let’s say that. The conditions were better for bowling this morning. But what I saw last night, that ball there, I’ll put my hand up and say I’ve got absolutely no doubt at all that that ball would not have done anywhere near as much as what that one did this morning. Double the amount of movement this morning from yesterday afternoon, seam movement and swing. I think it’s a huge blunder that needs to be investigated,” the cricketer-turned-commentator concluded.
Ricky Ponting wants an investigation on umpires changing the ball 💥
Ricky Ponting is NOT happy with that 'new' ball 😳#ENGvAUS #AUSvENG #AUSvsENG#ENGvsAUS #Ashes2023 #Ashes23pic.twitter.com/X5fRXcdpiZ
— Cricket SuperFans (@cricketrafi) July 31, 2023
Speaking of the game, the new solid one continue to had a significant impact on the game as Australia lost five more wickets quickly, mainly to the bowling of Moeen Ali and Woakes. The English bowlers exploited the conditions well and put the Australian batters under immense pressure.
As the innings progressed, Stuart Broad, with the substitute leather still in use, delivered a crucial spell, claiming the remaining wickets to secure a memorable victory for England. The match concluded in the 95th over of the innings, with England clinching a remarkable win in the final Test at the Oval. Australia ultimately went from 140/0 to all out for 334 and leave the series level at 2-2.
