Andy Pycroft, the International Cricket Council (ICC) match referee, has cleared Ravindra Jadeja of any wrongdoing after the Indian team management told him that the all-rounder was applying pain-relief cream to the index finger of his bowling hand, as seen in a video clip widely circulated on social media on the first day of the Nagpur Test.

Pycroft was learnt to have queried Jadeja and captain Rohit Sharma after watching the incident after end of day’s play on Thursday, but no charges were laid. The leftarm spinner was the most successful bowler on Day I, claiming 5/47 as Australia were bowled out for 177.

The incident took place when Australia were 120/5, with Jadeja having already dismissed Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw and Steve Smith.

Jadeja was seen in the clip taking a substance from Mohammed Siraj’s palm with his right hand. He then appeared to rub the substance onto the index finger of his left hand. Significantly, at no point in the footage was Jadeja seen rubbing anything on the ball.

While the incident triggered a huge debate on social media, it was learnt that the Australian team had not brought the matter to the attention of the match referee.

Law 42.3 prevents players from rubbing the ball on the ground, interfering with its seam or surface, or using any substance that can alter the condition of the ball to gain an unfair advantage. The match referee, however, can independently probe such incidents without needing a complaint to be lodged.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan tweeted: “What is it he is putting on his spinning finger? Never ever seen this.”

Australia’s former captain Michael Clarke claimed Jadeja did not do anything untoward. “He’s bowling so much, so he’s probably got a blister or cut on that finger. What he should have done there, he should have given the ball to the umpire and stood in front of the umpire while he was putting it on his finger,” Clarke said.

Ponting drops hints on Warner

Ricky Ponting. File picture

Melbourne: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hinted at his country’s selectors to revisit David Warner’s place in the playing XI if he continues to fire blanks in Tests in the subcontinent.

The 36-year-old opener was bowled by Mohammed Shami on Day I of the Nagpur Test for just 1. His batting record in overseas Tests isn’t flattering — 2,994 runs at a modest average of 33.64, which drops further to 22.88 in India.

“I think he averages 24 in India, something like that,” Ponting told ICC Review. “... If the selectors and the coach and the captain, if they are so hell-bent on winning this series and a couple of their batters don’t fire, then I think they have to have a look at picking who they think is their best line-up going forward.”

PTI