England warned by umpires for roughing up ball

Umpires have seemingly cautioned England about their bounce returns at the MCG, a tactic used to quickly attain reverse swing.

England captain Joe Root talks with umpire at the MCG today. Picture: Michael Klein

Umpires have seemingly cautioned England about their bounce returns at the MCG, a tactic used to scuff one side of the ball and quickly attain reverse swing.

Joe Root, Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson were all involved in a tense discussion with umpire Sundaram Ravi on the morning of day four of the fourth Ashes Test.

Ravi later had a long chat with Root following the morning drinks break. The Nine Network suggested the discussions were about the fact Root and many teammates had failed to return the ball on the full to keeper Jonny Bairstow.

Nine also highlighted footage of Jimmy Anderson attempting to clean the shiny side of the ball with his thumb.

The practice of using the abrasive centre-wicket block to help rough up one side of the ball is frowned upon but widely used.

Fielders can argue it was a wayward return but the excuse doesn’t work as well when they’re close in.

“Ball reversing under 10 overs,” former Test paceman Mitchell Johnson tweeted during this morning’s session.

Jimmy Anderson pictured with the bal on day four of the Boxing Day Test.

The tourists also regularly attempted to throw down the stumps down on day four, even when there was no hope of a run-out.

The same issue cropped up during last summer, when South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis was given a rebuke from both umpires at the WACA.

Umpires Aleem Dar and Nigel Llong spoke with du Plessis at length during the first Test, unhappy with the tourists’ sloppy returns.

England veteran Broad noted reverse-swing would be one of the keys to victory in Melbourne after claiming 4-51 on day two.

“We saw an interview Sakesy (Australia’s bowling coach David Saker) did before the Test, talking about how important reverse-swing is at the MCG,” he said. “It’s proven (correct). It doesn’t really seam or swing conventionally.”

AAP