Angelo Mathews, the seasoned Sri Lankan cricketer, expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to change the ball during the third day of the first Test between England and Sri Lanka at Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. At the time of the switch, Sri Lanka held a 24-run lead with a score of 146-4, and Kamindu Mendis was on 33 runs while Mathews had reached 59.
“It seemed like they were running out of options, but the change of the ball disrupted everything,” Mathews remarked in an interview with Sky Sports. He noted, “We were informed they didn’t have sufficiently old balls for a proper replacement, which altered the momentum of the entire match. After putting in so much effort to wear down the shine, the new ball completely transformed the game.” The 37-year-old voiced his concerns as the fourth day was set to begin, suggesting the need for clearer rules regarding ball changes.
“I’m unsure of the age of the balls,” Mathews continued. “There should be established regulations on how and when a ball can be replaced… This could create an unfair situation for the batsmen.” Ultimately, England triumphed over Sri Lanka by five wickets.
Jamie Smith, the England wicketkeeper, commented, “It’s difficult to assess because once the ball was replaced, the overhead conditions changed and the lights were turned on, which played a significant role in the outcome.”
This incident is not the first time ball changes have sparked controversy in cricket. During the previous English summer, when Australia toured England for the Ashes series, a similar situation arose in the fifth Test at the Kia Oval. After just 37 overs, the ball was switched, leading Australian opener Usman Khawaja to question the decision to opt for a newer, harder ball. Former Australian player Ricky Ponting criticised the move, calling it “a huge blunder that needs to be investigated.” At that time, England was trailing 2-1 in the series but went on to win the fifth Test by 49 runs, levelling the series at 2-2.