Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head faced disciplinary action following their heated exchange during the second Test between India and Australia in Adelaide. Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee, while Head received an official reprimand.
Both players also had one demerit point added to their disciplinary records, marking their first offense in the past 24 months.
What Happened Between Siraj and Head?
The incident occurred in the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings. Siraj bowled a stunning delivery to dismiss Head and then pointed animatedly toward the Australian dressing room, which was seen as an aggressive send-off. In response, Head replied verbally as he left the field.
On-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth intervened to de-escalate the situation. Third umpire Richard Kettleborough and fourth umpire Phillip Gillespie were also involved in assessing the incident.
ICC Charges and Violations
The ICC charged both players for breaching specific articles of its code of conduct:
- Mohammed Siraj: Violated Article 2.5, which prohibits “language, actions, or gestures that disparage or provoke a batter upon dismissal.”
- Travis Head: Violated Article 2.13, which addresses the “abuse of a player, support personnel, umpire, or match referee during an international match.”
These violations led to Siraj’s 20% match fee deduction, while Head received an official reprimand. Additionally, each player was handed one demerit point on their disciplinary record.
What Did the Players Say?
After the match, both players shared their sides of the story.
Travis Head’s Statement
Head downplayed the incident in a press conference, claiming he had told Siraj, “Well bowled,” in a playful manner. He suggested that Siraj had misunderstood his comment, leading to the reaction.
Mohammed Siraj’s Response
Siraj rejected Head’s version of events. Speaking to Star Sports Hindi before the third day’s play, he said:
“It was a great battle going on [with Head] and he batted really well. When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up differently. And when I bowled him, I just celebrated and he abused me. What he said in the press conference wasn’t right, it’s a lie that he said ‘well bowled’ to me.”
The tension between the two continued, but later, during India’s second innings, Siraj and Head were seen having a quiet chat as Siraj came out to bat, with Head fielding at short leg.
What Was the ICC’s Verdict?
Both players accepted the charges and the sanctions proposed by match referee Ranjan Madugalle. Since both players admitted their offenses, there was no need for a formal hearing.
Key Takeaways from the Verdict:
- Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee.
- Head received an official reprimand.
- One demerit point was added to both players’ disciplinary records.
This decision ensures both players remain under scrutiny for future matches, as accumulating four or more demerit points within 24 months can lead to a ban.
Final Thoughts
The altercation between Siraj and Head added intensity to an already fierce Test series. While the players have moved on, the ICC’s decision serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining discipline on the field.
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