'Not doing it that accurately': Investigation launched after Ashes ball swap scandal
The ball swap saga during day five of the fifth Ashes Test between England and Australia has prompted an investigation from supplier Dukes.
Australia were cruising and on course for a 3-1 series win at 0-135 when the ball was changed after complaints from England.
The ball they started the second innings with was evaluated, deemed out of shape and subsequently swapped for a ball that to the naked eye looked much newer.
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Shortly thereafter, Australia lost several wickets and found themselves in a hole.
Ultimately, Australia were rolled and England levelled the series at two wins apiece, winning the fifth Test by 49 runs.
A side-by-side comparison of the original ball and its replacement. Nine
The bizarre ball swap overshadowed the result and even had Sky Sports commentators, including former England players, questioning the change.
Now, Dukes has confirmed to News Corp that an investigation will be forthcoming.
"Every ball we produce for the specific season has got a date stamp on it. It would have 2023 marked on it," company owner Dilip Jajodia said.
"We supply balls to the ground. These balls are not controlled by the ECB (English and Wales Cricket Board) or the ICC (International Cricket Council), it's controlled by the ground authority. So on this particular occasion (at The Oval) the balls would be done by Surrey.
"Surrey get the supply of balls from us before the season starts and then they start knocking them in, getting them into wear and tear if you like and in my view, they're probably not doing it that accurately."
England's Chris Woakes celebrates with team-mates the wicket of Usman Khawaja during day five of the fifth Ashes test match at The Oval. PA Images via Getty Images
Jajodia said it was "unlikely but not impossible" that a stray ball made its way into the batch.
There were rumours that a ball from the 2018-19 batch had found its way into circulation.
"I can't imagine they would risk putting a ball in there with a different date on it," Jajodia added.
"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. I'm not saying it's impossible, but it's not likely."
Jajodia said he would investigate the matter himself "because it affects me " and that his name "is at stake" as a result.
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