Former Australia batter and captain Ricky Ponting offered his perspective on the recent incident between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Adelaide. He believes it stemmed from a misunderstanding.
The incident occurred in the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings. Siraj bowled Head out with a yorker after the Australian batsman had scored 140 runs, including a six off Siraj on the previous delivery.
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After Head’s dismissal, there was an exchange of words between the two players. This prompted a reaction from Head before he left the field to applause from the Adelaide crowd. Siraj then received boos from the home crowd, who were supporting their local player.
Later, Head clarified in a press conference that Siraj was responding to his “well bowled” comment.
Both players received one demerit point for violating the ICC Code of Conduct. Siraj also received a 20% match fee penalty.
Ponting discussed the incident on The ICC Review. He offered a balanced viewpoint on the events.
“Looking back at it now, I think it was accidental the way that whole thing played out,” Ponting said. “I don’t think there was any malice meant at the start.”
Ponting felt the initial misinterpretation escalated the situation.
“Then the way it started and almost like the misinterpretation of what had actually gone on, I think led to how it ended.”
While Siraj’s reaction was immediate and intense, Ponting felt it was a natural response from a fast bowler under pressure, having taken only one wicket at that point and being hit for a six.
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“I know Travis has gone and said that he said ‘well bowled’ at the start,” Ponting said. “Siraj obviously wasn’t happy about being hit over the deep backward square for six the ball before.”
Ponting believed that Indian captain Rohit Sharma would expect such reactions from his fast bowlers in high-pressure situations.
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“Rohit (Sharma) I’m sure would expect these fast bowlers to react like that. When they’re under the pressure and they’re getting hit and then they’ve just got a wicket you’d expect that they’d be up and about.”
Despite the intensity of the exchange, Ponting downplayed the seriousness of the incident.
“Look, it wasn’t that big a deal,” he said.
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He did, however, express concern for Siraj due to the bowler’s send-off towards the Australian dressing room, something umpires generally disapprove of.
“I was in comms (commentary box) at the time. 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.”
Siraj and Head resolved their differences quickly. They were observed having a chat when Siraj came out to bat, and they also embraced during the post-match handshakes.
“It was great to see them actually chatting. When Siraj came out to bat and Travis was at short leg, they were actually clarifying what had happened out there,” said Ponting.
“They were talking amongst themselves as to what had actually happened. Both players have now had their say on what they thought happened.”
The third Test of the series will get underway on December 14 in Brisbane. The series is locked at 1-1 after India won the opener in Perth by 295 runs while Australia hit back in the day-night Test in Adelaide by 10 wickets.