Angelo Mathews slams England’s ‘unfair’ ball change on day three of first Test

Sri Lankan batsman Angelo Mathews has slammed England’s “unfair” change of ball on day three of the first Test at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. England won the match by five wickets on day four after conceding 205 runs in the fourth innings.

One particular moment on the third day proved to be a turning point for the hosts, as their request for a change of ball after 41^st Sri Lanka were bowled out of the second innings by umpires Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel. The match was at a crucial turning point with Sri Lanka at 146/4 with a lead of 24 runs with Mathews (59*) and Kamindu Mendis (33*) at the crease with an unbeaten stand of 51 runs.

However, the change of ball has done wonders for England managed to end the fifth wicket partnership on 78 Mathews was caught at gully for 65. Commenting on the change, Mathews said England seemed to be running out of plans but the change of ball changed the whole dynamic.

“It looked like they were running out of shots but unfortunately the ball was changed. We were told they didn’t have any balls old enough to replace them. It changed the whole dynamic of the game. You work so hard to get rid of that shine, and we did it. Once the ball was changed it was a completely different game,” Mathews told Sky Sports ahead of Matchday 4.

Speaking further, he termed the decision as unfair to the batters of both teams and mentioned that they were playing them comfortably before the change.

Ashes 2023 ball change controversy

“It was unfortunate, to be honest. Yesterday we were comfortable until the ball was changed. I think it might be unfair on the batsmen of both teams because the batsmen want to get rid of the hard, shiny ball, and once we got to the 48-over mark, I think we were quite comfortable with them,” he added.

England managed to take just two wickets before the end of play on day three, but their bowlers received considerable help from the change of ball that danced to the tune of their tunes. Meanwhile, earlier in the Ashes 2023, a similar change of ball controversy came to light on the final day of the fifth Test at the Oval as England managed to run through the Australian batting line-up after the change of ball.