NEW DELHI: Following his 20 percent match fee penalty for clashing with Travis Head, Mohammed Siraj engaged in another noteworthy incident. The Indian fast bowler, yet to secure a wicket in the third Test against Australia, demonstrated his willingness to employ various tactics to unsettle batsmen. A viral moment captured Siraj approaching Australian batsman Marnus Labuschagne‘s end to adjust the bails.
During the 33rd over on Day 2, Siraj walked towards Labuschagne after delivering a ball and exchanged the positions of the two bails.
Upon Siraj’s return to his bowling mark after switching the bails, Labuschagne responded by reversing the bail positions again.
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WHAT IS BAIL FLIP IN CRICKET?
When bowlers face difficulties, teams often resort to various strategies to change their luck. A bail flip involves rotating or exchanging the bails atop the stumps. This practice is considered fortunate and is believed to potentially lead to dismissals.
PAST INSTANCES
Former England pacer Stuart Broad executed the bail flip during the 2023 Ashes series. At the Oval Test, his bail flip was followed by Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal on the subsequent delivery.
India’s star batter Virat Kohli performed this action during the first Test against South Africa in Centurion. He approached the batsman’s stumps to switch the bails after the 28th over concluded.
Australian spinner Nathan Lyon utilised this technique during the 2019 Ashes. His bail flip preceded the swift dismissals of England’s Joe Root and Rory Burns.
The recent instance of this practice occurred when Siraj adjusted the bails at Labuschagne’s end during the Brisbane Test.