Mohammed Siraj fined, Head also sanctioned by ICC for Adelaide confrontation

Mohammed Siraj, Travis Head (Pic: File Pic)

Team India pacer Mohammed Siraj has been fined 20 per cent of his match fees, whereas Australia's Travis Head was also sanctioned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for their heated exchange of words during the second Test match.

Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head were held guilty of breaching the world body's code of conduct.

"Siraj has been penalised 20 per cent of his match fee after being found guilty of breaching article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel," the ICC said in a statement. Taking to X:

The cited rule relates to "using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal."

The ICC said Head too was "sanctioned" for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel.

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However, Travis Head escaped a fine for breaching the rule that relates to the "abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match."

Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head also received one demerit point each on their disciplinary records for making their first offence in the last 24 months.

"Both admitted their offences and accepted the sanctions proposed by Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle," the ICC said.

Head and Siraj had a brief showdown on day two of the match that Australia won by 10 wickets on Sunday. Head had struck a splendid 141-ball knock of 140 before being castled by Siraj, who went on to give him an aggressive send-off following an exchange of words.

Mohammed Siraj faced several criticisms from the Adelaide crowd following the incident.

Head later claimed that he had merely said "well bowled" to Siraj and that he was disappointed at how the visiting bowler had responded. Siraj disputed that claim, asserting that Head had abused him.

"I only celebrated and he abused me and you saw that on TV too. I only celebrated at the start, I didn't say anything to him," Siraj told broadcaster 'Star Sports'.

"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."

Head also acknowledged his role in the incident.

"There was no confrontation leading up to him and I felt like it was probably, yeah, a little bit far at the time, and that's why I am disappointed in the reaction that I gave back," he said in a post-play press conference.

(With PTI Inputs)