Usman Khawaja reveals the weird reply he obtained from umpires when he questioned them over controversial Ashes ball substitute that left Ricky Ponting demanding an investigation

Australian opener Usman Khawaja has revealed he questioned umpires at The Oval twice concerning the ball change that determined the fifth Check – and was advised there was ‘nothing else’ within the field of substitute balls for them to decide on.

Umpires Kumar Dharmasena and Joel Wilson have come below fireplace for his or her day 4 transfer to alter the ball that was out of practice after clattering into Khawaja’s helmet.

Australia was on observe to chase down a mammoth goal of 384 earlier than the change, with simply 9 balls left on day 4, turned the competition on its head.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting was fuming all through day 5 as the house workforce snared three early wickets with a ball that resembled a brand new one earlier than occurring to dismiss the Australians for 334 and win by 49 runs.

Khawaja stated he spoke to the umpires on each day 4 and once more on day 5 concerning the situation of the ball they picked out from the field, elevating the topic as quickly as the brand new ball was bowled by paceman Mark Wooden.

When Australian batsman Usman Khawaja was hit on the helmet by Mark Wooden late on day 4, the umpires modified the ball – it proved to be a pivotal second within the fifth Check

Khawaja has revealed the ball the umpires selected was ‘tougher than any ball I’ve confronted on this Ashes sequence’ – and gave England’s bowlers an enormous benefit 

The umpires later admitted they picked from a field containing ‘at the least a dozen’ used cricket balls

‘I walked straight as much as Kumar and stated right away, ‘That ball appears to be like nothing just like the one we have been taking part in with. I can see writing on it’,’ Khawaja advised cricket.com.au after the match completed.

‘It felt tougher than any ball I’ve confronted on this Ashes sequence – and I’ve opened the batting in opposition to the brand new ball each single time.

‘I stated, ‘I do not know what is going on on – you have gone from an outdated, reverse (swinging) ball to a brand-new ball’.’

Khawaja questioned Dharmasena’s counterpart Joel Wilson on day 5 earlier than he was dismissed, because the ball seamed and was swinging and making life exhausting for the Australians – and was shocked by his response.

‘I requested Joel once more: ‘How are we utilizing this ball proper now? It is so new’. And he stated, ‘There was nothing else within the field’,’ Khawaja defined.

The umpires picked from a field containing at the least a dozen balls.

Even English seamer Chris Woakes, who dismissed Khawaja, stated the Aussies ‘would not have been joyful’ with the ball change.

Former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting was seething, and referred to as for an investigation into the umpiring following the fifth Ashes Check

English paceman Chris Woakes stated the vacationers ‘would not have been joyful’ with the ball change

Khawaja stated the umpires had made a match-defining mistake and it needs to be checked out additional.

‘Personally, I feel if there’s nothing else within the field that may match the ball you’ve got, you may’t actually change it,’ Khawaja stated.

‘It is a bit irritating as a batting unit as a result of we labored our backsides off for 36 overs after which they modified the ball.

‘As an opener you’re employed so exhausting to get via to there and then you definitely’re going through a brand new ball once more.

‘That ball was 95 overs in and nonetheless hooping and bouncing.

‘Sadly, that is the hand you get dealt generally in cricket. It might not really feel honest, however…hopefully the ICC can study from it and check out to have a look at that ball to alter the method.’