Ball-change controversy involving Kishan dominates India A's 7-wicket loss to Australia A
Mackay (Australia) (PTI): India A wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan was embroiled in a ball-change controversy, facing accusations of "inappropriate behaviour" during their seven-wicket defeat to Australia A on the final day of the first 'Unofficial Test' here on Sunday.
Resuming at the overnight score of 139 for 3 while chasing 225, skipper Nathan McSweeney (88 not out) and Beau Webster (61) remained unbeaten, stitching unconquered 141 runs for the fourth wicket to ensure the comfortable win for the hosts.
However even before play began, a group of Indian players were involved in a heated exchange with umpire Shawn Craig after the change of ball at the start of day four.
The umpire was heard saying it had been replaced because of scratches with Kishan terming the decision to change the ball as "stupid".
Umpire Craig was heard in stump microphone explaining his decision to change the ball :"Scratch it, we change the ball...no more discussion, let's play."
Kishan retorted: "So we are going to play with this ball…that's a very stupid decision."
To which Craig responded: "Excuse me, you'll be on report for dissent. That's inappropriate behaviour. Because of your actions we changed the ball."
However, Cricket Australia later issued a statement, saying Kishan will not be charged with dissent after match officials clarified the ball was changed "due to deterioration".
CA added that captains and managers of both teams were informed of the decision prior to start of the final day's play, and no further action was required.
Even though the ball was changed, Australia A were not awarded five penalty runs as stated in the Law 41.3.4 for when umpires consider the ball has been "unfairly changed".
Altering the condition of the ball is a level three charge under Cricket Australia's code of conduct.
"Any action(s) likely to alter the condition of the ball which are not specifically permitted under Law 41.3.2 may be regarded as 'unfair'.
"The following actions shall therefore, not be permitted (this list of actions is not exhaustive but included for illustrative purposes): (a) deliberately throwing the ball into the ground for the purpose of roughening it up; (b) applying any artificial substance to the ball; and applying any non-artificial substance for any purpose other than to polish the ball;
"(c) lifting or otherwise interfering with any of the seams of the ball; (d) scratching the surface of the ball with finger or thumb nails or any implement," the code reads.
The second first-class match between the two sides begins at the MCG on Thursday.
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Rocket from Yemen strikes Tel Aviv, injuring 16, as Palestinians mourn 19 dead in Gaza
Tel Aviv, Dec 21: A rocket fired from Yemen hit an area of Tel Aviv overnight, leaving 16 people slightly injured by shattered glass, the Israeli military said Saturday, days after Israeli airstrikes hit Houthi rebels who have been launching missiles in solidarity with Palestinians.
A further 14 people sustained minor injuries as they rushed to shelters when air raid sirens sounded before the projectile hit just before 4 am Saturday, the military said.
The Houthi rebels issued a statement on the Telegram messaging app saying they had aimed a hypersonic ballistic missile at a military target, which they did not identify.
The attack comes less than two days after a series of Israeli airstrikes on Yemen's Houthi rebel-held capital, Sanaa, and port city of Hodeida killed at least nine people. The Israeli strikes were in response to a Houthi attack in which a long-range missile hit an Israeli school building. The Houthis also claimed a drone strike targeting an unspecified military target in central Israel on Thursday.
The Israeli military says the Iran-backed Houthis have launched more than 200 missiles and drones during the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The Houthis have also been attacking shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and say they won't stop until there is a ceasefire in Gaza.
The Israeli strikes Thursday caused “considerable damage” to the Houthi-controlled Red Sea ports “that will lead to the immediate and significant reduction in port capacity,” UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The port at Hodeida has been key for food shipments into Yemen in its decade-long civil war.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said both sides' attacks risk further escalation in the region and undermine UN mediation efforts.
