^{Alastair Cook and Joe Root of England look on as umpires Aleem Dar of Pakistan and Billy Bowden of New Zealand inspect the ball during the ICC Champions Trophy Group A match between England and Sri Lanka at The Kia Oval on June 13, 2013 in London, England. - Getty Images}


England are at the centre of a tampering storm after former captain Bob Willis accused a player of scratching the ball.

The row erupted when umpires Aleem Dar and Billy Bowden ordered one of the balls to be changed during England’s seven-wicket Champions Trophy defeat by Sri Lanka at The Oval on Thursday.

And Willis said: “Let’s not beat about the bush — Aleem Dar is on England’s case.

“He knows that one individual is scratching the ball for England — who I am not going to name — and that’s why the ball was changed.

“Have you ever heard about the batting side or the umpire complaining about the shape of the ball?

“How naive does Alastair Cook think we are? He didn’t want the ball changed. So why was it changed?”

It is OK for the ball to scuff through natural wear and tear — but against cricket’s law to use fingernails or other means to alter its condition.

Ex-England coach David Lloyd added to the row when he tweeted: “Ball change is simple... umpires thought Eng changed the condition of the ball... which is against the laws.”

England’s team management last night insisted the ball was changed because it went out of shape. The hosts must beat New Zealand tomorrow to seal a last-four spot. – The Sun