Ian Healy Revives Controversy Over Ball Tampering in India A vs. Australia A Match

Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has reignited the ball tampering debate following a controversial incident during the recent four-day game between India A and Australia A in Mackay. The match saw umpires change the ball before the start of the fourth day due to a scratch, which led to speculation about the actions of the India A players.

During the match, on-field umpire Shawn Craig was recorded on the stump mic stating, "When you scratch it, we change the ball. No more discussion, let's play." His remarks came after wicketkeeper-batter Ishan Kishan expressed dissent over the ball change, labeling it a "very stupid decision." Despite the uproar, Cricket Australia confirmed that the ball was changed due to its deterioration and that no further action would be taken against any players or officials.

Healy suggested that the India A team was possibly engaged in manipulating the ball to gain an unfair advantage, specifically hinting at their intent to exploit reverse swing during a crucial phase of the game. "When you see a team complain about a ball being changed, they were up to something," he remarked on SEN Radio. He noted that India A appeared to be preparing for a significant reverse swing session to put pressure on the Australian batsmen, who were chasing a modest target.

Furthermore, Healy criticized India A for not attending the post-match press conference, contrasting their absence with the presence of Australia A captain Nathan McSweeney, who answered questions from the media. "They just closed ranks and didn't give themselves a chance to sort of say what they thought was happening," Healy said, emphasizing the lack of transparency from the Indian side.

In light of McSweeney's impressive performance, scoring 39 and an unbeaten 88, Healy advocated for him to open the batting for Australia in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test series against India, commencing November 22 in Perth. He argued that McSweeney's form and leadership qualities make him a strong candidate for the role, saying, "He has to go in before a 19-year-old or a couple of 30-year-olds, and he's in the best form of all of them."

Healy concluded with a critique of India's preparation for the upcoming series, especially after their recent 3-0 defeat to New Zealand at home, marking their first Test series loss on home soil in 12 years. He expressed concern over India's decision to cancel a scheduled intra-squad match at the WACA and instead opt for center-wicket practice. "The actual India team should be playing that game and so to this one at the MCG this week," he remarked, hinting at the need for better preparation ahead of their challenging series against Australia.