Adelaide, December 8, 2024: India’s Mohammed Siraj and Australia’s Travis Head have been penalized after heated exchange by the ICC. The duo got penalized following a fiery on-field altercation during the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Adelaide Oval. The match, a pink-ball Test, saw Australia claim victory by 10 wickets, leveling the series at 1-1.
The incident occurred during the 82nd over of Australia’s innings when Siraj bowled a stunning in-swinging yorker to dismiss Head for 140 off 141 deliveries. The pacer gave Head an aggressive send-off, triggering an exchange of words between the two players. Siraj’s actions also drew boos from the Adelaide crowd for the remainder of the match.
ICC Sanctions
The ICC found Siraj guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of its Code of Conduct, which prohibits gestures that could provoke an aggressive reaction from the dismissed batter. He was fined 20% of his match fee and received one demerit point.
Head was charged under Article 2.13 for abusive language towards a player and also received one demerit point. However, unlike Siraj, Head avoided a financial penalty. Both players now carry their first demerit point in 24 months.
Players’ Reactions
Head clarified his actions during a post-match press conference, stating:
“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.”
Siraj, however, contested Head’s version, accusing the Australian batter of abuse:
“What he said in the press conference wasn’t right. It’s a lie that he only said ‘well bowled’ to me. We respect everyone; it’s not like we disrespect other players. Cricket is a gentleman’s game, but what he did wasn’t right. I didn’t like it at all.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the controversy, tensions seemed to ease by Day 3, as the players were seen sharing a lighter moment when Siraj came out to bat. The focus now shifts to the third Test in Brisbane on December 14, with the series intriguingly poised at 1-1.