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First Post
24-06-2025
- Sport
- First Post
Jadeja celebrates at umpire's face, takes ex-England pacer by surprise after India's get ball changed: 'Never seen...'
Ravindra Jadeja celebrated at umpire Chris Gaffaney's face while Rishabh Pant was heard saying 'Yes!' after the Indians successfully got the umpires to change the ball during the morning session on Day 5 of the first Test against England. read more Ravindra Jadeja celebrated right in front of umpire Chris Gaffaney after India's persistent demand to get the ball change was finally accepted on Day 5 of the first Test in Headingley. Image credit: X Before Prasidh Krishna and Shardul Thakur's twin strikes brought them back in the game from out of nowhere, India were in for a torrid time on the final day of the first Test against England at Headingley , Leeds. The Englishmen, after all, had hit the gas pedal after starting on a cautious note, reaching 117/0 at lunch after resuming from their overnight score of 21/0. With little going their way in the morning session, India were starting to get desperate for a breakthrough, and were hoping a change of ball might help Jasprit Bumrah or one of the other pacers break the solid opening partnership between Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indians had made a similar request during England's first innings earlier in the game, only for the umpires to turn their request down, resulting in an angry reaction from wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant that earned him a demerit point from the ICC . Jadeja and Pant celebrate after the ball gets changed Umpires Chris Gaffaney and Paul Reiffel however, acquiesced to India's demand, leading to a cheer from the Shubman Gill-led camp with left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja even celebrating in the former's face, eliciting a grin from the New Zealander. Keeper Pant was even heard on the microphone saying 'Yes!' as third umpire Sharfuddoula brought out the box containing Dukes balls for the ongoing match. 'Have never seen a player celebrating for the umpire,' former England pacer Stuart Broad, who is part of Sky Sports' panel of commentators for the ongoing series, said reacting to Jadeja's act. Ravindra Jadeja teases the on-field umpire as India finally gets the ball changed on Day 5 of the Headingley Test. 😂 — Julie (@Julie9557746985) June 24, 2025 The Headingley crowd, meanwhile, had booed Gill and his teammates for their repeated demands of getting the ball changed. The Indians, however, remained unfazed in the face of the negative response and were eventually rewarded for their persistence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The change in ball, however, did little to halt England's charge as Duckett and Crawley stretched their opening partnership to 188 in the second session before the latter nicked an out-swinger from Krishna to KL Rahul in the slips to depart for a well-made 65. Krishna also get Pope, England's lone centurion in the first innings, to chop the ball onto the stumps and depart for 8. Thakur, who had made little impact either with bat or ball so far in the game and was proving expensive, got rid of a well-set Duckett (149) and Harry Brook – who had scored 99 in the first innings – in successive deliveries to revive India's hopes at Headingley.


Time of India
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IND vs ENG Test: No wickets, but Ravindra Jadeja finds reason to celebrate in front of umpire
Ravindra Jadeja celebrates in front of Chris Gaffaney (Image via X/@scrappinthrough) As the first session on Day 5 of the first Test between India and England at Headingley drew to a close, there was little cheer in the Indian camp. England's openers, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, continued to frustrate the visitors with a commanding opening stand that comfortably crossed the 100-run mark. With a worn-out ball offering little help, India's bowlers looked increasingly desperate for a breakthrough. Amidst this frustration, veteran spinner Ravindra Jadeja found an unusual reason to celebrate. Cameras caught the 36-year-old in high spirits when umpire Chris Gaffaney finally agreed to change the Dukes ball in the 27th over of England's innings. India had been trying for quite some time to convince the umpires that the ball was out of shape, but to no avail. When the ball finally failed to pass through the gauge, the umpires had no choice but to allow a replacement. Jadeja, standing close by, clenched his fist and broke into a wide grin, cheekily celebrating the rare small win in front of Gaffaney — a light-hearted moment that summed up India's mounting frustration with the conditions. LIVE weather from Leeds: Cold, windy and more rain in store | Can India win? All eyes on Bumrah The ball issue has been a recurring theme in the first Test. On Day 3, Rishabh Pant, who has been at the heart of India's fight with the bat, was visibly agitated when his plea for a ball change was rejected. In a moment that sparked a backlash on social media, Pant hurled the ball aside in annoyance, drawing criticism from some former cricketers for what they deemed 'unnecessary'. Poll Do you think the ball change will significantly impact India's chances in the match? Yes, it will help them bounce back No, the damage is already done As the Headingley Test moves into its decisive final sessions, India will hope the fresh ball provides the movement and bounce they have been craving — and perhaps a way back against England's resilient top order. For now, though, Jadeja's little fist pump remains the only breakthrough they've managed all morning. For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the India vs England Test match here . Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here


The Independent
24-06-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Rishabh Pant reprimanded for umpire dissent during England Test
Rishabh Pant has been reprimanded for dissent towards the umpires during India 's first Test against England at Headingley. On the third day of the Test, during the 61st over of England's first innings, on-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney checked the shape of the ball with a ball gauge and opted not to change it. Frustrated at this decision, Pant threw the ball on the ground in front of the umpires and this was deemed to be dissent. That breached Article 2.8 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to 'showing dissent at an umpire's decision during an international match' and the Indian wicketkeeper has now been handed an official reprimand , with one demerit point added to his previously unblemished disciplinary record. 'India's Rishabh Pant has been handed an official reprimand for breaching Level 1 of the ICC Code of Conduct during the third day of the first Test against England in Headingley on Sunday,' explained the ICC's official media release. 'Pant admitted the offence and accepted the sanction proposed by Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel of Match Referees, so there was no need for a formal hearing 'On-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Chris Gaffaney, third umpire Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid and fourth umpire Mike Burns levelled the charge. Level 1 breaches carry a minimum penalty of an official reprimand, a maximum penalty of 50 per cent of a player's match fee, and one or two demerit points.' Pant has performed brilliantly in the first Test, showing all of his maverick magic to make a century in each of India's innings – 134 in the first and 118 second time round. In typically spectacular fashion, he celebrated the former by doing an acrobatic front flip. That has helped set up a fascinating final day where England require 350 more runs to win, with 10 wickets still in hand. The demerit point Pant has received for his reprimand will stay on his disciplinary record for a period of 24 months, when it will be expunged. If a player reaches four or more demerit points within a 24-month period, they are converted into suspension points and a player is banned. Two suspension points equate to a ban from one Test or two ODIs or two T20Is, whatever comes first for the player.


Express Tribune
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
ICC announces match officials for WTC final
New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and England's Richard Illingworth will supervise the game. Photo: ICC The International Cricket Council (ICC) on Friday revealed the match officials for the much-anticipated World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final between South Africa and Australia. The final is scheduled to take place at Lord's from June 11 to 15. New Zealand's Chris Gaffaney and England's Richard Illingworth will serve as the on-field umpires for the final. Illingworth, who has officiated in the 2021 and 2023 WTC finals, continues to be a mainstay in high-profile Test matches. He is also the reigning ICC Umpire of the Year, having won the prestigious David Shepherd Trophy for the fourth time in 2024. Gaffaney previously partnered with Illingworth in officiating last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup final and was also part of the umpiring team during the WTC 2023 final between India and Australia. In making history, Illingworth will become the first umpire to stand on-field in all three World Test Championship finals to date. England's Richard Kettleborough, who has officiated in multiple ICC marquee event finals including the Men's Cricket World Cup and the Champions Trophy, has been appointed as the TV umpire. He previously served in this role during the WTC 2021 final between India and New Zealand. India's Nitin Menon will make his World Test Championship final debut as the fourth umpire. Menon was the TV umpire for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup final in 2021. The match referee for the final will be experienced Indian official Javagal Srinath. ICC Chair Jay Shah praised the credentials of the appointed officials and expressed confidence in their performance. "We are pleased to announce an experienced team of match officials for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's, marking the culmination of a highly competitive two-year cycle of Test matches played around the world," Jay Shah said. "We strive to select the most qualified and deserving officials for all matches, and we are confident they will perform admirably. On behalf of the ICC, I wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this assignment," he added. It is pertinent to mention that Australia secured their spot in the WTC 2023-25 final by winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India with a 3-1 series victory in the 2024-25 season. Meanwhile, South Africa reached the final for the first time in history after a dominant 2-0 whitewash series win over Pakistan. Australia Test Squad: Pat Cummins (captain), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, Beau Webster Travelling reserve: Brendan Doggett South Africa Test Squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Tony de Zorzi, Aiden Markram, Wiaan Mulder, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Keshav Maharaj, Lungi Ngidi, Corbin Bosch, Kyle Verreynne, David Bedingham, Tristan Stubbs, Ryan Rickelton, Senuran Muthusamy, Dane Paterson.


Times of Oman
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Times of Oman
ICC announces match officials for WTC final between Australia, South Africa
Dubai: Chris Gaffaney of New Zealand and England's Richard Illingworth have been announced as on-field umpires for the World Test Championship (WTC) final which is set to take place at Lord's from June 11 to 15 between Australia and South Africa, as per the ICC official website. The highly anticipated clash will see South Africa take on Australia in the culmination of a fiercely contested two-year Test cycle for the mace. Illingworth, who was also part of the officiating team in the 2021 and 2023 finals, continues his consistent presence in marquee Test matches. He is also the current ICC Umpire of the Year, having won the David Shepherd Trophy for the fourth time in 2024. Gaffaney had partnered with Illingworth in officiating last year's ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final, and also officiated in the WTC 2023 Final between India and Australia. Illingworth will be making history in the Ultimate Test, having stood as an on-field umpire for all three World Test Championship Finals. Richard Kettleborough, also from England, who has officiated in the finals of several marquee ICC events, including the Men's Cricket World Cup and the Champions Trophy, has been appointed as the TV umpire, after having played the same role in the WTC 2021 Final between India and New Zealand. India's Nitin Menon has been named as the fourth umpire for the contest, marking his debut in a World Test Championship Final, after having served as the TV umpire for the ICC Men's T20 World Cup Final in 2021. The match will be overseen by experienced Indian match referee Javagal Srinath. ICC Chairman Jay Shah also commended the experience and merit of the appointed officials and expressed confidence in their performance. "We are pleased to announce an experienced team of match officials for the ICC World Test Championship Final at Lord's, marking the culmination of a highly competitive two-year cycle of Test matches played around the world," Jay Shah said as quoted by the ICC. "We strive to select the most qualified and deserving officials for all matches, and we are confident they will perform admirably. On behalf of the ICC, I wish them all the best and hope they enjoy this assignment," he added.