Picture Credit: X
Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj was recently penalised by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for breaching the Code of Conduct during the second Test of the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy, underway down under. Siraj was found gulity of violating Article 2.5 of ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel after he got into a verbal spat with Australian batter Travis Head.
It is to be noted that Article 2.5 of ICC Code of Conduct relates to “using language, actions, or gestures that disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” This came after Siraj gave a furious send-off to Travis Head, who departed after scoring 140 off 141 deliveries during Adelaide Test.
Mohammed Siraj breaks silence on ICC fine; says “all good”
However, the fight was settled among the two players, ICC on Monday, December 9 charged Siraj with a fine of 20 per cent of his match fee and also handed a demerit point. Head on the other hand, was just given a demerit point and was found guilty of breaching article 21.3. Siraj was later asked about the penalty and dropped a clear five-word response, adding “Yeah man, it’s all good,” as qoted by Sydney Morning Herald.
I got worried for Siraj: Ricky Ponting on Head-Siraj incident
Former Australia cricketer Ricky Ponting was also asked about the incident when speaking to The ICC Review. However, Ponting offered a balanced viewpoint on the matter, he added that he was a bit worried for Siraj. “Looking back at it now, I think it was accidental the way that whole thing played out. I don’t think there was any malice meant at the start,” Ponting said.
“I know Travis has gone and said that he said ‘well bowled’ at the start. Siraj obviously wasn’t happy about being hit over the deep backward square for six the ball before. Rohit (Sharma) I’m sure would expect these fast bowlers to react like that. When they’re under pressure and they’re getting hit and then they’ve just got a wicket you’d expect that they’d be up and about,” Ponting added.
Although Ponting downplayed the seriousness of the incident, he added, “As soon as I saw the send-off, I actually got worried for Siraj. I know how the umpires react to those things. Umpires and referees don't like seeing the send-off, pointed in the direction of the dressing room.”
