Sat Jul 12 20:31:04 UTC 2025: **Lord’s Test Hit by Ball Change Controversy, Ward and Shastri Criticize Delay**
**London, UK -** The third Test between England and India at Lord’s has been marred by controversy surrounding the frequent changing of the Dukes ball. Former cricketer Ian Ward has criticized the umpires for causing an unnecessary delay during the first session of Day 3. The incident occurred after the drinks break, when the umpires decided to change the ball, resulting in a seven-minute interruption.
“They have decided to change the ball again, it’s quite frankly ridiculous because if they’ve decided to change the ball, why was that not decided at the start of the drinks break?” Ward questioned on Sky Sports.
Former Indian coach Ravi Shastri echoed Ward’s sentiments, questioning the purpose of having a ball-checking ring if multiple balls failed to fit through it. “What’s quite amazing is that they checked five balls and all five of them didn’t go through the ring. So, why have a box in the first place?” Shastri added.
The issue isn’t isolated to Day 3. On Day 2, the Indian team, led by Captain Shubman Gill, complained about the Dukes ball early in the day’s play, leading to a heated discussion with the umpire. The ball was eventually changed, but a replacement was needed again just 48 deliveries later.
England batter Joe Root suggested a potential solution to limit the disruption, proposing that each team be given three challenges every 80 overs to request a ball change. “That would be a nice way of compromising and saying it’s not all on the manufacturer,” Root said. “Sometimes these things happen, but you can’t just keep asking and wasting time and slowing the game down at the same time.”
The frequent ball changes have raised concerns about the consistency and quality of the Dukes balls, and has sparked debate about the current process of ball replacement.
First Piper 