![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/chiefs-slam-ludicrous-ashes-investigation-into-controversial-fifth-test-incident/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_GettyImages-1584683820.jpg&description=Australia were left furious after the ball was changed late on Day Four of the final Ashes test, with England bowling out their opponents on Day Five to level the series Surrey chiefs have branded an investigation into the ball used in the final Ashes Test as "ludicrous" amid speculation that it should not have been used. Usman Khawaja and David Warner had put up a century together in Australia's opening batting partnership at Surrey's Oval ground. But late on Day Four, Khawaja was struck on the helmet following a bouncer from England fast bowler Mark Wood. That led to umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena opting to change the ball being used. They inspected a number of Dukes before selecting the one that would be used for the rest of the test, though it would prove to have a dramatic impact. England were able to bowl Australia out on the final day, winning the test by 49 runs and levelling the series at 2-2. But amid protestations by Australia, Dilip Jajodia, the owner of Dukes Cricket Balls, vowed to launch an investigation into whether the ball was from a previous year's batch rather than the 2023 group. 'I can't imagine they would risk putting a ball in there with a different date on it. Frankly, the match referee should be on top of it. We do bang that number in quite hard, so even if the gold comes off, the ball is imprinted. It wouldn't be easy to get rid of it," he said. "I'm not saying it's impossible (that it was a 2018 or 2019 ball), but it's not likely. I'm going to investigate myself because it affects me. My name is at stake so it's important they don't misallege something was wrong with the ball.' HAVE YOUR SAY! Does an investigation need to be launched into the ball used in the final Ashes test? Comment below. Surrey have now hit back at Jajodia and Australia, insisting that any suggestion that the ball was too old is outrageous. The county also made it clear that the choice of ball was totally at the umpires' discretion. 'Mr Jajodia is correct to){kind=link}
Australia were left furious after the ball was changed late on Day Four of the final Ashes test, with England bowling out their opponents on Day Five to level the series
Surrey chiefs have branded an investigation into the ball used in the final Ashes Test as “ludicrous” amid speculation that it should not have been used.
Usman Khawaja and David Warner had put up a century together in Australia’s opening batting partnership at Surrey’s Oval ground. But late on Day Four, Khawaja was struck on the helmet following a bouncer from England fast bowler Mark Wood.
That led to umpires Joel Wilson and Kumar Dharmasena opting to change the ball being used. They inspected a number of Dukes before selecting the one that would be used for the rest of the test, though it would prove to have a dramatic impact.
England were able to bowl Australia out on the final day, winning the test by 49 runs and levelling the series at 2-2. But amid protestations by Australia, Dilip Jajodia, the owner of Dukes Cricket Balls, vowed to launch an investigation into whether the ball was from a previous year’s batch rather than the 2023 group.