Some cricket fans have called for Travis Head to be fined or even banned after the Aussie star performed a seemingly vulgar celebration when he took a crucial scalp on the last day of play in the Boxing Day Test.
The match seemed to be headed for a draw with India sitting at 3/121 when the batter got Rishabh Pant to sky a ball to Mitch Marsh in the outfield – then appeared to simulate sex by repeatedly shoving his index finger through a circle he made with the thumb and forefinger of his other hand.
It didn’t take long for outraged fans to lash out at Head on social media.
‘That’s a nasty celebration … where is the fine?’ one asked.
‘What’s this celebration? Isn’t it obscene and vulgar for the gentleman’s game?’ another added.
Pictured: Travis Head (right) performs what appears to be a very rude celebration after taking Rishabh Pant’s wicket with Sam Konstas (left) and Pat Cummins
Some fans were outraged when Head appeared to simulate sex as his wicked provided yet another twist in a drama-packed Boxing Day Test
Other comments included, ‘WTH he should be fined for this celebration’, ‘It’s utter disrespect’, ‘Cricket is a game of gentlemen… not some hooligans’ and ‘Ban Travis Head from all ICC knockout matches. Kids are watching’.
However, some fans thought there was an innocent explanation, with one writing: ‘Saying it was like a golf shot that got a hole in one?’
That turned out to be off the mark as Channel Seven commentator James Brayshaw revealed what the hand gesture actually meant – and it had nothing to do with sex.
‘Great people in the back [at Seven] have said after he [Head] took 4-10 within 17 balls in Sri Lanka in 2022 he was quoted as saying, “I had to put the digit on ice”,’ Brayshaw said.
‘So that was the celebration. He said “I just got him and I’m putting it back on ice”.’
Pat Cummins later confirmed Brayshaw’s point when pressed on the moment during his post-match presser.
‘Ah! I can explain that,’ Cummins said laughing. ‘His finger’s so hot he’s got to put it in a cup of ice! That’s what it is.
‘That’s normally the running joke. Was it the Gabba or somewhere he got a wicket as well, goes straight to the fridge grabs a bucket of ice and puts his finger in and walks straight in front of Lyno. Just like that. Think’s it’s very funny.
One fan called for Head to be hit in the hip pocket nerve – but others thought there was an innocent explanation for his gesture
This commenter wanted the Aussie suspended for what other fans speculated was a reference to a hole-in-one in golf
‘So that’s what it would have been… Nothing else!’
A social media photo posted after that match against Sri Lanka showed Head dunking his index finger in a glass full of ice.
Pant’s wicket started a mini collapse for India, who then lost Ravindra Deja when he was caught by Alex Carey off a Scott Bowland delivery before Nitish Kumar Reddy nicked one to Steve Smith at slip courtesy of a Nathan Lyon delivery.
Prior to those scalps, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal looked to be spearheading India’s efforts to reach a draw, sitting on 82 from 200 balls faced at the time of writing.
However, Jaiswal was fortunate to survive on 31 when he was the beneficiary of a highly controversial umpire’s call.
Australia were fuming after Jaiswal was struck on his back pad and given not out, with the on-field decision remaining despite DRS showing the ball would have hit the top of leg stump.
If on-field umpire Joel Wilson had given Jaiswal out, India would have lost their fourth wicket, even if the young gun had used a review.
Chasing an MCG run chase record of 340, India have effectively ruled themselves out of winning the fourth Test by going at a run rate of just more than two per over.
India only need to draw the five-match series – currently locked at 1-1 – to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for a record-extending fifth-straight time.
Jaiswal and India captain Rohit Sharma carefully saw off the first 16 overs until Cummins (2-10) produced six balls of magic.
The Australian captain removed his opposing skipper, Rohit, with a ball that was juggled and caught by Mitch Marsh at gully.
Five balls later, in-form No.3 KL Rahul edged Cummings to first slip for a duck, boosting Australia’s hopes of going 2-1 up in the series.
Mitchell Starc dismissed veteran superstar Virat Kohli (five), who once again was caught behind the wicket, to bring about lunch.
Australia added only a further six runs on Monday as they were bowled out for 234 in the second over of day five, giving them a lead of 339.
