Travis Head’s heated on-pitch interaction with Mohammed Siraj has exploded into hearsay and accusations of dishonesty as Australia has levelled the Border-Gavaskar series against India at 1-1.
Between the first Test finishing within four days, followed by an 11-day break before the second game, which finished on day three, the global cricket media has had plenty of space to fill.
In Perth, Josh Hazlewood’s seemingly innocuous comments that he, as the 11th batter, was not privy to the plans on how to best execute a world-record 534-run chase led to claims of a locker-room rift within the bowling and batting units.
And now Head and Siraj’s three-second exchange after the latter castled the former for 140 on day two in the second Test in Adelaide.
Siraj — having been clattered for a four and a six by Head in the three balls leading up to it — let out a scream, a vigorous fist pump and gave Head the crazy eyes.
Head looked up and, seeing Siraj’s animated reaction, sarcastically said: “Well bowled, mate.” Siraj then gave Head a dismissive wave to the sheds, to which Head replied aggressively, if not overly creatively.
“F*** you, c***,” he said as he walked off.
A war of words threatened to erupt after both players were asked about the incident after play, but Head told ABC Sport the pair cleared things up when Siraj came out to bat on day three.
“Sweet with it. He came out and just said [it was] a little bit of misunderstanding … I think we’ll move on. We’ve had a great week, so let’s not let it ruin it,” Head said after being named player of the match in the 10-wicket win on his home ground.
“It was fine. He said, ‘Why’d you swear?’ I sort of said, ‘Look, I didn’t at first … [but] I definitely swore at you the second time round.’
Head and Siraj had a more relaxed chat on the field on day three. (Getty Images: Paul Kane)
“I probably could have laughed it off and walked off and enjoyed myself. He just said it was a misunderstanding as well, and there was no issues for me.
“We move on. I’m sweet. It is what it is.”
It should calm things down after day two, when Head told Fox Cricket he had been “disappointed” by the Indian quick’s conduct in a couple of innings, and admitted he was not happy with his own response.
“I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game,” Head said in his post-match press conference.
“There was no confrontation leading up to it and I felt like it was probably a little bit far at the time.
“I’m disappointed in the reaction that I gave back, but I’m also going to stand up for myself.”
Siraj was asked about Head’s comments and did not appreciate the South Australian’s framing of the altercation.
“I only celebrated at the start. I didn’t say anything to him,” he said in an interview with Indian broadcaster Star Sports translated from Hindi.
“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.”
The pair had a cordial exchange when Siraj came out to bat on day three, with Head at short leg clarifying his comments further, before taking the catch to dismiss Siraj and end India’s innings.
Former Australia player and coach Darren Lehmann said he expected the incident to “blow up” and carry on to the third Test at the Gabba after the pair’s post-play comments.
“It will be interesting in the Brisbane Test match,” Lehmann said in commentary for ABC Sport.
“It’s going to get bigger now. [Siraj’s comment] changes the context of it. That makes it a little bit more spicy.
“So he hasn’t done anything? So he’s saying he’s totally innocent, is he? Well, that’s not what I saw.
“They’re making it bigger than they should be, but that’s typical [of Siraj]. Wow, that makes it interesting now, doesn’t it? That is really interesting. And now it will blow up. It’ll be big news now.”
Head and Siraj embraced in the handshake line after the game ended.
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