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New vision of Australia’s 2023 Ashes campaign shows opener David Warner in a seething tirade as the tour took a pivotal twist on the final day of the series.
The moment, captured inside the Aussie dressing room, is featured in the latest season of Prime Video’s The Test docuseries.
Warner was one of several Australian batters who were dismissed by the controversial replacement ball selected by the on-field umpires during the tourists’ second-innings run chase during the fifth and final Test at The Oval.
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The introduction of the replacement ball — late on day four — preceded three quick wickets in the first hour of play on day five after the opening partnership of Usman Khawaja and Warner brought up 140 runs.
England went on to win the Test by 49 runs and draw the series 2-all having also prevailed in the third Test.
Australia were on course for a 3-1 series victory at 0-135 when the match ball was changed 36 overs into the innings after complaints from England.
The ball which was used at the start of the the second innings was evaluated and deemed out of shape.
However, England appeared to receive a ball that to the naked eye appeared significantly newer to the one they had been previously using — with the switch having a detrimental effect.
The incident added to the already scandal-ridden series.
In the new vision, which is set to be released on Prime Video on Friday, Warner flies into a rage after being caught behind by Chris Woakes.
“F—ing hit the top of the f—ing shoulder,” he says when back in the Aussie dressing room.
“F—ing 41 f—ing overs, the f—ing ball is brand f—ing new, mate.”
Australian vice-captain Steve Smith also criticises the replacement ball in the docuseries, claiming it was “from another planet”.
“It was like it had a mind of its own,” he says.
“I think we could all see from the cameras off the ground that the ball seemed entirely different.”
Khawaja adds that it was “almost a brand new ball they’ve given them”.
An investigation was subsequently launched by official cricket ball supplier Dukes.
In what was an explosive five-Test series, the docuseries also shows veteran spinner Nathan Lyon break down in tears after suffering a series-ending calf injury.
