India bowler Mohammed Siraj has accused Travis Head of ‘lying’ and claims the batter ‘abused’ him during their altercation on the second and final day of Australia’s emphatic 10-wicket win in Adelaide.
Pat Cummins delivered a captain’s performance with the ball, taking 5-57, to help the hosts square the five-match series at 1-1 after India’s 295-run victory in Perth last time out.
Tempers frayed on multiple occasions across Australia’s first innings at the Adelaide Oval, perhaps most notably when Siraj dismissed Head for 140 with a pinpoint yorker.
The ball came immediately after Head smashed a huge six over the boundary ropes and an explosive send-off from Siraj followed, which left the Australian batter visibly irritated.
As Head began making his way towards the home dressing room, the pair exchanged a few choice words before Australia were bowled out for 337.
‘I actually jokingly said, “Well bowled!”, and then when he pointed me to the sheds I had my reaction as well,’ Head told reporters when asked about his on-field clash with Siraj.
‘I was surprised at the reaction in terms of the situation of the game and the lead-up.
‘There was no confrontation leading up to it and I felt like it was a little bit far at the time. That’s why I’m disappointed in the reaction that I gave back.
‘But I’m also going to stand up for myself. I’d like to think in our team that we wouldn’t do that.
‘That’s not how I like to play the game and I feel like my team-mates are the same and if I’d seen that in those circumstances then I’d probably call it out, which I did.’
Siraj gave a different version of events while speaking with Star Sports, though, insisting Head had told porkies about what he said during their fiery altercation.
‘It was a good battle. I loved bowling to him. He has batted really well for his 140,’ Siraj explained.
‘When you get hit for a six on your good ball, it kind of gets annoying. It ignites your passion. When I got him out, I celebrated but he abused me.
‘It’s a lie that he said, “Well bowled”, to me. You can see what he actually said on TV.’
Siraj added: ‘Initially, I only celebrated but he was the one who started the conversation.
‘In the press conference, he lied that he said. “Well bowled.” You can go and check the highlights again.
‘We don’t disrespect anyone. I respect every cricketer.
‘Cricket is a gentleman’s game but the way acted after getting out was uncalled for.’
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh, who was involved in several similar incidents down the years, offered his support to Siraj and praised the 30-year-old’s all-round display.
Singh said: ‘He will remember that ball for a long while and he [Head] definitely didn’t say, “Well bowled!”, the whole Australia also must have watched.
‘You did right. He [Head] never said, “Well bowled”, Australians don’t say this to anyone. I have had my fair share of battles with them in the past. You should be proud of yourself. You were excellent.’
The two teams resume the series in Brisbane at the Gabba on December 14.
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