Former Australia spin bowler Brad Hogg has backed Ravindra Jadeja, saying there is no need for further discussion following the ointment controversy on Day 1 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
New Delhi,UPDATED: Feb 10, 2023 14:10 IST
Hogg defends Jadeja following ointment row (AP)
By India Today Web Desk: Former Australia spin bowler Brad Hogg has backed Ravindra Jadeja, saying there is no need for further discussion following the ointment controversy on Day 1 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur.
The former spinner took to Twitter to clarify that Jadeja did not use the ointment on the ball, insisting that no further discussion is needed in the matter.
“If you look closely, there is a cream on Siraj’s hand which stood out clear as day on the TV. Jadeja applied it to his finger, at no stage did he put it on the ball. No need for further discussion,” Hogg posted on his Twitter account.
Former Pakistan captain Salman Butt also jumped to Jadeja’s defense, saying only cricket illiterates can make such comments.
“The Australian media has accused Ravindra Jadeja of tampering with the ball. But what benefit is a spinner going to get from ball tampering? Only cricket illiterates can make such comments,” said Butt.
A lot of furor was created by the Australian media following the incident where the left-arm spinner was applying an ointment for soreness on his finger, which is very much within the rules of the game. Jadeja has been away from cricket for almost five months and hasn’t been used to bowling long spells for some time. On Thursday, he bowled 22 overs and had soreness in his fingers, which is why he was applying pain-relief ointment.
The incident was subsequently reviewed by the match referee Andy Pycroft, and Jadeja was given a clear chit. The 34-year-old made his return to international cricket after a long-term injury, picking up a five-wicket haul in Nagpur.
India have taken a small lead on Day 2 of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar series after bowling Australia out for 177 on Day 1.
