Ricky Ponting on Mohammed Siraj And Travis Head Spat: Currently, there is discussion in world cricket about the five-match Test series being played between India and Australia. Team India had won the first test of this series, whereas Australia counterattacked and won the second test match by 10 wickets. In the second Test played in Adelaide, there was a heated argument between India’s star fast bowler Mohammad Siraj and Australia’s explosive batsman Travis Head. Now Ricky Ponting’s reaction has come on this.
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes that there was no malice in the dispute between Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head. Ponting also termed this debate as casual. Let us tell you that action has also been taken against Siraj and Head regarding this matter. Siraj was fined 20 percent of his match fee and the head was reprimanded while both the players were also given one demerit point by ICC.
There was a ‘dispute’ between Siraj and Head in the day-night test.
For your information, let us tell you that the dispute between Mohammad Siraj and Travis Head took place during the Pink Ball Test match. In the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings, Head hit a six over deep square leg off Siraj. Then on the very next ball, Siraj bowled the head and gestured towards the dressing room. However, both of them also exchanged some words during this period, but they were not recorded in the stump mic.
Ricky Ponting told the ICC Review on this matter that now looking back I think the way it all happened was accidental. I don’t think there was any ill will in the beginning. Let us tell you that after the end of the second day’s play, Head claimed in the press conference that after getting out, he had told Siraj that ‘Well bowled’. However, Siraj denied this claim before the start of play on the third day. He said that the head is now lying. He abused me.
Ponting further said, “I know that Travis has said that he had said well bowled in the beginning. Siraj was obviously not happy with the six being hit over deep backward square. I am sure that Rohit (Sharma) has to face these fast bowlers. The same reaction would be expected when they are under pressure and shots are fired against them and then they get a wicket, you expect them to play with enthusiasm.”
Ponting said that this incident was not such a big deal. He said that umpires are strict towards those bowlers who bid farewell to the batsmen like this. I know how umpires react to such things. Don’t like to see the umpire and referee waving goodbye while pointing towards the dressing room.
