During the tour of India, there was talk of changing the ball frequently by umpires. Even in the Lord's Test, the ball had to be changed frequently as the old ball was deteriorating quickly. In the first innings of the Lord's Test, the new ball taken by the Indian team after 80 overs got worse after just 10 overs. The second ball given in return also had to be replaced after 8 overs. The ball was changed five times in a total of 112.3 overs in England.
Players like Indian captain Shubhman Gill, vice-captain Rishabh Pant and Mohammad Siraj were found unhappy with replacement balls. Did you know what are the rules for changing the ball in Test cricket? In what situation in the test can be changed and how the ball is checked … We received the answer to such questions from the former BCCI panel umpire Rajiv Risodkar. Rajiv is the fourth umpire in the Test match. In addition, she has umpiring 3 women ODI matches. Rajiv has umpiring more than 200 local matches.
Rules for changing balls in the test
Question-1: In which situation can the ball be changed in Test cricket? The ball can be changed in four situations in Test cricket.
- Lost: If the ball is lost with a shot or the ball goes out of the stadium.
- Get worse: If the ball is bad then it can be replaced. For example, the seam of the ball is cut off, the sewing is opened or the leather is damaged.
- Change in shape: If the shape of the ball has changed, it can be replaced. Whether the size of the ball is higher or less.
- Ball Tempering: If the field umpire feels that the ball is tampering, the umpire can change the ball.
Question-2: How do umpires check the quality of the ball? During the match the field umpire frequently examines the ball. After the over is completed, they check the ball after the wicket has fallen and the ball goes out of the boundary. The batting or bowling team can check the umpire ball on its own or on its own.
The gauge test is done to know the shape of the ball. In this test, the ball is passed through a ring. The gauge has 2 rings. The sizes of both are according to the ICC standards. One is big and the other is small.
If the ball passes through one ring but does not pass through the other, it is believed to have passed the gauge test. On the contrary, if the ball passes through both rings, it is believed to have failed in the gauge test, as the size of the ball cannot be larger or smaller than the stipulated standard.
Question-3: What are the rules for changing the ball in Test cricket? Innings in Test cricket starts with a new ball. After playing 80 overs, the bowling team captain can ask for a new ball. A new ball is used after each innings.
Question-4: Where does the replacement ball come from, how are it maintained, what is the ball library? The replacement ball is brought from the 'Ball Library', which is kept near the fourth umpire. The fourth umpire keeps the old ball that has been used in previous Test matches.
In addition, the host organization also provides the old ball. In the case of a scarcity of the ball, the fourth umpire may also ask for practice from both teams. Before incorporating the ball in the library, the fourth umpire checks each ball with a special device (round measuring ring).
The fourth umpire determines the number of balls in the library as per requirement. For example, if the ball is getting worse during the England tour, the number of balls held in the library will be higher.
If the ball is getting worse, the number will be less. India, England and Australia usually have 20 options, but some countries have only 6-12 options.
Question-5: Is it possible to get a replacement ball like the previous ball? Not at all, it is not possible to get the same ball exactly. The umpires try to get a replacement ball just like the ball is being replaced. It can be old or new. The old ball of 60 overs can replace the old ball of 30 overs on a dry pitch.
The same thing happened with the Indian team on the second day of the Lord's Test, when Team India sought to replace the ball after a few overs of England's innings. The new ball failed in the gauge test and India got the old ball. Captain Gill and Siraj were unhappy with this. Like the second day of the Lord's Test, the ball was d-shaped, but it was swinging. If India had not demanded a change, the ball would not have been changed.
Indian players complaining to umpires about replacement ball during the Lord's Test.
Question-6: Who likes the replacement ball? This right belongs to the field umpires. Field umpire chooses a replacement ball in the presence of batsman and bowling team captain and bowler.
Question-7: Can the umpire change the ball itself? Yes, the umpire can change the ball itself. He is also investigating the ball from time to time. If the field umpire feels that the ball is damaged or tampered with, the umpire can change the ball. The consent of the bowler or the captain is not required. However, this happens very rarely.
Question-8: In which situation can the bowling team ask for a change? If the ball is damaged and D-shaped, the bowling team can ask the field umpire to change the ball. At the request of the players, the umpire checks the quality of the ball and decides whether the ball should change.
Question-9: What do you do with the ball used in the match? After the match is over, the used ball is used as a replacement ball for other matches.
Question-10: Is there a rule to use a certain brand ball in a country or can the visitor team use their choice ball? The ICC has no specific guidelines on the use of the ball. All countries use the ball according to their position. Duke is used in SG, England and West Indies in India, while in other countries the Kukabura ball is used. Which brand to use in the country. This is decided by the cricket board of that country. The visitor's team cannot question this.
Image Credit: Images/graphics belong to (Divya-Bhaskar).