Siraj Fined and Head Reprimanded After Altercation in Adelaide Test

Mohammed Siraj has been fined 20% of his match fees, and Travis Head has been reprimanded following a heated exchange between the two players during the second Test between Australia and India in Adelaide. Additionally, both players received one demerit point on their disciplinary records. This was the first offence for each player in the past 24 months.

The incident occurred in the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings when Siraj dismissed Head and celebrated with an animated send-off, pointing towards the Australian change room. Head responded verbally before leaving the field, prompting the on-field umpires to intervene and have a word with Siraj.

According to an ICC statement, Siraj was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which relates to “using language, actions, or gestures that disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” Head, on the other hand, was found to have violated Article 2.13, which covers “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire, or match referee during an international match.”

The charges were brought forward by on-field umpires Chris Gaffaney and Richard Illingworth, third umpire Richard Kettleborough, and fourth umpire Phillip Gillespie.

Head, who played a crucial role in Australia’s dominant ten-wicket win, scoring 140 off 141 balls, later clarified that he had jokingly said “well bowled” to Siraj, after which the bowler pointed him to the change room. Head admitted to reacting verbally in response.

Siraj, however, countered Head’s version, claiming that Head had “abused” him first. Siraj asserted that it was a lie that Head had said “well bowled” to him and explained that the exchange fired him up, especially after being hit for a six on a good delivery.

The two players were later seen having a calm conversation when Siraj came out to bat in India’s second innings, with Head stationed at short leg.

Both players accepted their respective offences and the sanctions proposed by match referee Ranjan Madugalle, meaning there was no need for a formal hearing.