Champions Trophy: England deny ball-tampering allegations

Hosts to face New Zealand in Group A fixture at Cardiff today.

CARDIFF:

England limited-overs coach Ashley Giles has denied his players tamper with the ball following controversial allegations by former captain Bob Willis.

Willis told Sky Sports on Friday that the ball was changed during England’s Champions Trophy defeat by Sri Lanka at The Oval on Thursday because it had been tampered with.

Pakistan umpire Aleem Dar and his New Zealand on-field colleague Billy Bowden ordered one of the balls in use to be changed while Sri Lanka were batting.

“Let’s not beat about the bush — Aleem Dar is on England’s case,” said Willis. “He knows that one individual is scratching the ball for England – who I am not going to name – and that’s why the ball was changed.”

But ex-England spinner Giles, speaking yesterday ahead of his side’s key Champions Trophy match against New Zealand in Cardiff today, said, “We don’t tamper with the ball.

“With the situation the other day, the ball was changed because it had gone out of shape. We asked the question, the captain [Alastair Cook] asked that question to the umpires which he has a right to.

“The ball was changed, the rest is history.”

Giles insisted England were achieving reverse-swing through legal means, highlighting abrasive pitches as a factor.



“The one big thing about this tournament so far particularly at Edgbaston, where we did get reverse-swing, is how dry the squares are ... and the amount of wickets that have been cut on those squares.

“And that is the one ground where the ball went around.”

Officials in the England-Sri Lanka match did not impose a penalty and the International Cricket Council explained, that as the umpires had not reported anything and no team had complained, they were not planning to take any action.

England must beat New Zealand in Cardiff today to seal a semi-final spot. If they lose they are out and either Australia or Sri Lanka will go through after their match tomorrow.

If the England-New Zealand match is a washout they will need a low-scoring Australia victory to go through. If both matches are washed out, England will qualify behind New Zealand.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 16^th, 2013.