After winning the Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets, Australia leveled the 5-match Test series 1-1. The third Test of the series will begin on December 14 in Brisbane.
However, the fallout from the Adelaide Test still lingers. Indian star pacer Mohammed Siraj and Australian star batter Travis Head got into a verbal altercation during the match in Adelaide. The International Cricket Council (ICC) has now punished both players.
Siraj and Head breached the ICC Code of Conduct by causing trouble on the field. Both players have been given one demerit point each. In addition, 20% of Siraj’s match fee has been deducted. Why was Siraj fined? According to the ICC Code of Conduct, the language or gestures used by Siraj were deemed provocative, inciting an aggressive response from the batter.
On the other hand, Head received a demerit point for misconduct during an international match but did not face a match fee deduction. Fortunately, both Siraj and Head avoided suspension, as this was their first offense in the past two years. Siraj was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, while Head violated Article 2.13. Head received a lighter punishment, and both players were verbally warned by the ICC.
The incident occurred on the second day of the Adelaide Test. After dismissing Head, Siraj celebrated aggressively, which Head did not take well. On his way back to the dressing room, Head had a few words to say to Siraj. The incident stirred significant discussion. The umpires reported the matter to match referee Ranjan Madugalle, who submitted the report to the ICC’s disciplinary committee. The issue was then resolved with their decision. However, at the end of the second Test, Siraj and Head embraced each other, leaving their dispute on the field.
During a press conference, Siraj opened up about the incident. He said, “I was enjoying bowling to Head. It was a great battle because he was batting very well. When a batter hits a six even off your good deliveries, it feels frustrating, but it also gives you energy. After I bowled him out, I celebrated. Then he abused me. You can check on TV if you want. I didn’t say anything to him during my celebration. What he said during the press conference was false and misleading. Now he’s claiming he said I bowled well.”
With the ICC’s punishment, the matter has now been officially resolved.
