Ashes 2023: Controversies erupt as umpires fail to bring like-for-like replacement of ball in The Oval Test

Even though 80 overs weren’t bowled with the old ball, the on-field umpires decided to change it in the morning session of Day 5 of the fifth Test at the Oval and this left several fans and experts in shock.

This decision has surprised a lot of fans, as many enquired about the legality of the same. However, as per the lawbook, the umpires can take such a decision if the ball becomes soft in nature or if there are any other issues with the leather.

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Overall, Ashes 2023 has seen a lot of controversies already, and the incident on Day 5 just added more drama to the already thrilling contest. Australia needed 249 runs to win the match on the final day of the series but the England bowlers looked rock solid and picked up three quick wickets of David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Marnus Labuschagne.

Notably, the openers gave the visitors a perfect start and England needed to fire early and that’s exactly what the Ben Stokes-led side did. Chris Woakes was fantastic in the morning session and he will be aiming to continue in the same manner as the home team would want to finish the series on level terms.

When it comes to Australia, they have a glorious chance to win an Ashes series on English soil for the first time in 22 years. In order to do so, Steven Smith and Travis Head would have to build a strong partnership as the team needs to score 146 runs in the remaining two sessions of the Test. 

England meanwhile will back on Woakes and Wood as Stuart Broad and James Anderson have failed to make a mark in the second innings. Broad on his last Test would want to finish at a high level but the cricketer is yet to show his class in the series. Hence, Australia seems the favourite to get the job done but one can never rule out England as they have been incredible in the longest format of the game in the past year.