Adelaide, Australia – December 9: Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head have been fined and sanctioned by the ICC for their on-field behavior during the heated day-night Test in Adelaide. Both players were penalized for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct following an exchange during Head’s dismissal.
Siraj was fined 20% of his match fee for violating Article 2.5, which prohibits “using language, actions, or gestures that disparage or could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.” Head, meanwhile, was found guilty of breaching Article 2.13, relating to the “abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire, or match referee.”
Sanctions and Reconciliation
Both players received one demerit point on their disciplinary records, their first offences in the past 24 months. They admitted to their respective violations and accepted the penalties proposed by Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.
The incident unfolded when Siraj dismissed Head after a scintillating 140-run knock. Siraj gestured towards the dressing room, sparking a verbal exchange between the two. However, tensions eased later during India’s second innings when the pair reconciled on the field.
Australia’s Dominance in the Adelaide Test
The fiery exchange did not overshadow Australia’s commanding performance. Following a massive 295-run defeat in Perth, the hosts bounced back emphatically with a 10-wicket victory.
Travis Head’s aggressive 140 off 141 balls was a pivotal contribution, earning him the Player of the Match award. Australia’s pace trio of Mitchell Starc (6/48 and 2/60), Pat Cummins (2/41 and 5/57), and Scott Boland (2/54 and 3/51) exploited the pink-ball conditions expertly, dismantling India’s batting lineup across both innings.
Impact on World Test Championship Standings
The win briefly elevated Australia to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings. However, South Africa reclaimed the top spot following their victory over Sri Lanka. India, on the other hand, slipped to third place as the race for the WTC final heats up.
With the series tied at 1-1, both teams now head to Brisbane for the crucial third Test, which begins on December 14.
