Former England pacer Steve Harmison has sharply criticised India’s decision to change the ball during Day 2 of the ongoing third Test between England and India at Lord’s, calling it a “mistake” that cost them momentum.
The ball controversy unfolded during the 91st over of England’s innings, when Indian captain Shubman Gill and pacer Mohammed Siraj expressed frustration with the condition of the ball and asked for it to be changed.
The umpires agreed to India’s request, but the replacement ball appeared much older, leading to concerns and criticism from various quarters. Speaking on JioCinema, Harmison did not hold back in his assessment, saying India only made things worse for themselves by choosing to switch when their bowlers were already on top.
“I’ve got no sympathy for India at all. Why change it? Jasprit Bumrah got it swinging around the corners,” Harmison remarked. “Mohammed Siraj didn’t even throw the ball to Bumrah, didn’t ask his opinion. When he asked for the ball to be changed, the ball was doing a lot.”
Harmison’s primary concern was the timing and logic behind the change. He acknowledged that while the ball was worn out, it was also proving effective, with Bumrah making the most of the reverse swing and troubling the English batters. “Now, the ball being good enough is a different argument. In this situation, I’ve got no idea why India decided to change the ball.”
India had just picked up crucial wickets and were seemingly in control of the innings. England were teetering after losing wickets in quick succession, and Bumrah was in the middle of a potent spell. But after the change, England began to rebuild, with Jamie Smith and Brydon Carse putting on a game-changing partnership.
“The ball was doing all sorts. They just picked up three wickets, and then it was an absolute implosion,” Harmison added. “Gill stopped trying to get Jamie Smith out, put all the fielders out. All of a sudden, you’ve now got the older ball.”
The former England quick even questioned Gill’s field placements and tactics following the ball change, implying a shift in strategy that allowed England to recover. “Within 10 minutes, they went from bowling England out for 320 to now potentially England getting 400. Because you feel hard done by when the ball was actually doing quite a lot.”
Harmison concluded by saying India should have stuck with the older ball, especially when it was working to their advantage. “That’s why I’ve got pretty little sympathy with India. They should’ve never done that.”
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