The fifth and the final Test match of the ongoing Ashes 2023 Test series has reached its final day at the Kennington Oval in London where the match currently poised tightly and could move towards any team who strike hard on the final day.
Coming into the 5th Test here in London, Australia have already retained the Ashes trophy having already leading the Ashes series by 2-1 ahead of the 5th. And even if England would win the match to make it 2-2, Australia will still win the Ashes trophy because they won the previous edition too and weren’t defeated in the series all-together this time.
Australia won the first 2 Test matches in London and Birmingham but lost the 3rd match in Leeds. The 4th match ended in a draw with the final day of the play hugely affected by rain.
In the 5th Test, Australia, bowling first, bowled out England for 283 runs in 55 overs with Harry Brook scoring 85 runs. In reply, Australia scored 295 runs with Steve Smith scoring 71 runs.
England in their 2nd inning, scored 395 runs with contributions from many players. Australia need 384 runs to win the match and make it 3-0. They ended the 4th day strong, but, something happened at the start of the day 5 that has raised many questions.
After complaints about the ball, the umpires decided to change the old ball to a new ball, not entirely new. As per rules, when umpires change a ball before the 80th over, the new ball should be exactly the same as the old ball.
However, in pictures surfacing on internet, it seems like the new ball has more shone than the old ball, which is also helping England bowlers to take wicket.
England have taken 3 wickets in quick plays with Warner, Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne. Australia suddenly found themselves from 140 for loss of no wicket to 3 wickets down for 169 runs.
Seeing this, fans on Twitter are raising questions. Checkout how the fans have reacted to it.
Your views on umpires replacing the ball on Day 5? 🤔
— CricTracker (@Cricketracker) July 31, 2023
📸: Sony LIV pic.twitter.com/5Mv5hGz41w
It's not a conspiracy nor England's doing but it has tainted a great contest and two extremely poor umpires need to answer for it.
— SnoggsManduzi (@SnoggsManduzi) July 31, 2023
The umpires grab a new ball for England because they were losing #Ashes23 pic.twitter.com/PJRfHFVscb
— Ashley D. Evans (@AshEvans24) July 31, 2023
They call Australia cheats 😂
— KOZ-AFL (@JustKoz838996) July 31, 2023
If we changed the ball and got a new ball like that and the English fans found out they would boo and cry for 10 years like seriously!
Typical English umpires trying to help England win
This is unfair sir…how can they change 37ovr old ball with shining new ball..this is unfortunate..giving undue advantage to England!
— Suyash Mahapatra (@Suyash0512) July 31, 2023
Two things, one they got a pretty new ball in return and the overcast condition helping them.
— Mdkm (@madkin256) July 31, 2023
In short luck is on English side today
🙃 #Ashes
— ꜱᴀᴍᴀʀ ♡︎ (@119_goat) July 31, 2023
Soo much shine on new ball
🙂 pic.twitter.com/TtlWSenMu5
