Ian Healy calls out India's glaring move amid cricket ball-tampering furore against Australia
The Aussie cricket great was left baffled after Australia A defeated India A.
Aussie cricket great Ian Healy has taken aim at the controversy surrounding the initial ball-tampering accusations against India A in the loss to Australia A. There was controversy on the weekend when the visitors were accused of ball-tampering, which resulted in a change of ball from the umpire.
After the game, India A were cleared of ball-tampering and will face no further sanctions. This was after the umpires changed the ball before play on day four due to a scratch on the Kookaburra.
Umpire Shawn Craig was critical of the situation having taken aim at India A for their handling of the red ball throughout the innings. "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play," the stump microphone picked up Craig telling the visitors.
India A surrounded the officials to complain about the decision. Craig then warned Ishan Kishan he could face further sanction after telling officials it was a "stupid decision".
"You will be on report for dissent, that is very inappropriate behaviour," Craig replied. "Because of your actions we changed the ball." A Cricket Australia spokesperson claimed: "The ball used in the fourth innings of the match was changed due to deterioration," a Cricket Australia spokesman said.
"Both teams' captain and manager were informed of the decision prior to the start of play. No further action is being taken."
Ian Healy questions India A's post-match move
And after India A were officially cleared of any wrongdoing, Healy took aim for their post-match decision to snub the media. India A didn't show up to their post-match press conferences and opted not to defend themselves in the wake of the controversy. Despite being cleared, Healy was baffled at the decision from the visitors.
"Then India, they whinged about it...they didn't then front the media to deny it. They just closed ranks and didn't give themselves a chance to sort of say what they thought was happening," Healy said on SEN Radio. "But I thought Cricket Australia were clinical, the umpires were good. If they are suspicious about the ball, just change it."
Ian Healy question India's preparation for Aussie series
Healy was also critical of India's preparation. India head into the series in horror form having lost 3-0 to India at home in their first series loss in 12 years. The hosts have also never lost a series of three Test matches or more without winning a Test.
Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma entered in worrying form. Kohli is considered one of the best batters of his generation, but his form across the last five years in red-ball cricket has dipped to worrying levels. In his last 12 innings, Kohli has made 250 runs at an average of 22.72. And this isn't even his lowest average in the last five years.
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Despite bouncing back to form in 2023 with an average of 55.91, Kohli has averaged below 30 in four of the last five years. In 2020, Kohli only managed 116 runs in six innings.
And there have been suggestions if India are serious, he might not make it to Australia. But he isn't the only Indian batter in woeful form. Sharma scored 91 runs across the six innings against New Zealand at home. Sharma has only scored 550 runs across his last 20 innings, which has included two centuries.
And with India in worrying form, Healy suggested the top side should be in Australia and getting time under their belts on the quick and bouncing wickets ahead of the Perth Test. "Lucky it is the A team. The actual India team should be playing that game and so to this one at the MCG this week. They are coming off a 3-0 whitewashing against New Zealand," Healy added.
