India’s fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and Australian Travis Head are reportedly facing charges from the International Cricket Council (ICC) after an on-field heated exchange in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide. The game, which Australia won in a dominant 10-wicket victory, levelled the series at 1-1.
What Happened Between Siraj & Head?
A confrontation broke out at the Adelaide Oval on the second day of the pink-ball Test after Siraj dismissed Head for 140 off 141 balls, his bowling being a beautiful in-swinging yorker. There had been controversy later when, as he turned his back and walked past Head and onto the dressing room, an irate Siraj returned the gesture. Head is reported to have shouted to Siraj following the decision, and what ensued from here was clearly not conversation but a yelling match.
ICC To Take Action Against The Duo
According to the reports by The Daily Telegraph, both players are expected to attend a disciplinary hearing owing to the altercation. None of the two, though, is expected to be given any suspension as verbal infractions are usually dealt with lesser penalties under the Code of Conduct of the ICC.
Travis Head’s Stance On Heated Spat With Siraj
“It probably (went) a little bit far; that’s why I’m disappointed in the reaction I gave back, but I’m also going to stand up for myself. Like to think in our team, we wouldn’t do that. [It’s] not the way I’d like to play the game and feel like my teammates are the same. If I see that, I probably call it out, which I did,” Head said during the press conference.
Siraj Accuses Travis Head Of Making False Claim
“When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up differently. And when I got him bowled, I only celebrated, and he abused me, and you saw that on TV, too,” he told Star Sports. “I only celebrated at the start; I didn’t say anything to him. What he said in the press conference wasn’t right, it’s a lie that he only said ‘well bowled’ to me. It’s there for everyone to see that that’s not what he said to me. We respect everyone; it’s not like we disrespect other players. I respect everybody because cricket is a gentleman’s game, but what he did wasn’t right. I didn’t like it at all.”
Siraj And Head Clear The Air On Day 3 Of Adelaide Test
The tension between the two players did not ease up on Day 2. After the incident, Head, who was declared Player of the Match, said he had said, “Well bowled, mate,” to Siraj after hitting him for a six just before his dismissal. Siraj, however, disputed Head’s version of events, saying the Australian batter had “abused” him. On Day 3, the two players seemed to have made amends, exchanging what appeared to be friendly words on the field during India’s second innings, ending the dispute.
