Hosts ease to victory over India A

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 their first four-day.

Resuming at the overnight score of 139/3 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 4.

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 the 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 the start of the final day’s play, and no further action was required.

The second match between the two sides begins on Thursday. Senior batter KL Rahul and reserve keeper Dhruv Jurel will be flying to Australia for the second game.

Brief scores: India A: 107 & 312; Australia A: 195 & 226/3 (McSweeney 88*, Webster 61*).