Day 3 of the second Test between England and India at Lord’s witnessed a bizarre interruption that left commentators and viewers frustrated. Just as the players returned to the field after the first drinks break, the on-field umpires halted proceedings to inspect the condition of the ball, eventually deciding to replace it. The delay—lasting several minutes—came at a time when India had started the session strongly, and momentum was clearly with the visitors.
What baffled many was the timing of the inspection. Rather than using the break to check and replace the ball, the umpires chose to initiate the process after the drinks interval had concluded, leading to an avoidable stoppage in play and mounting criticism from all quarters.
Ravi Shastri fumes at umpires’ lack of awareness
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who was on-air during the incident, didn’t mince words as he expressed his frustration at the match officials’ handling of the situation. Agreeing with fellow commentator Ian Ward, Shastri labelled the delay as senseless and easily avoidable. He questioned why the umpires waited until after the drinks break to initiate the process instead of using the interval to conduct the check, calling the delay “ridiculous.” Shastri emphasized that such decisions should be driven by common sense, as unnecessary stoppages can disrupt the game’s rhythm. He also raised a valid point about the replacement balls themselves, noting that five different balls failed to pass the ring gauge test and questioning why they were available in the first place if they didn’t meet the standards.
“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?. We waited for the entirety of the drinks break, they should be playing again now and now the umpires have decided to change it and go through the procedure. It’s just common sense. They checked five balls and none of them went through the ring. So why are those balls even in the box in the first place?,” said Shastri on SkySports.
Also READ – ENG vs IND: Fans go berserk as KL Rahul hits a gritty century on Day 3 of the Lord’s Test
Dukes ball again in spotlight amid series-wide concerns
This latest ball-related controversy only adds to the scrutiny surrounding the Dukes ball in this series. Multiple instances of shape deformation and mid-innings replacements have already been noted, with players voicing discontent. Earlier, England great Stuart Broad openly criticised the manufacturer for the lack of consistency in the balls supplied.
“What was that not decided at the start of the drinks break?” ⌚️
“It’s common sense what you’re saying. It’s basic!” 🤷♂️ pic.twitter.com/Q431g2HpR1
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) July 12, 2025