Matthew Hayden Defends Travis Head Amid Mohammed Siraj Clash Controversy
India lost the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia by 10 wickets at the Adelaide Oval. The highlight of the second Test was the heated exchange between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj on Day 2. After dismissing Head, Siraj gave a fiery sendoff to him. Siraj’s reaction towards Head was not celebrated by the crowd in the Adelaide Oval as Head played a fiery knock of 140 runs off just 141 balls.
Former Australia batter Matthew Hayden has stepped into this matter, putting his point of view on this controversy. He took the side of the Australian star Travis Head, saying that he said, ‘Well bowled,’ Siraj might have misunderstood in the heat of the moment. He appreciated Siraj’s wonderful ball, indicating the innings as superb.
“There is no need to take further action on that. It was an incident that neither party really enjoyed. I don’t think the cricket public enjoys that sort of reaction. He has bowled a wonderful ball; let’s not forget that. An innings that was absolutely superb; it was a really significant moment. The removal of Travis Head.”
"Head said ‘Well bowled.’ I could lip-read" - Hayden
Further, he said that he could lip-read what Head said after his dismissal. In his opinion, everything is fair in love and war when it actually comes to the actual removal of batter.
“He said, ‘Well bowled.’ I could lip-read. But I suppose, in the heat of the battle, there is always going to be misinterpretation. But the point is my opinion: all is fair in love and war when it comes to the actual removal of the batter.”
While it was seen on Day 3 that both the players resolved the conflict that happened the previous day. They were seen exchanging a hug at the end of the match and also had a brief conversation on the field. However, ICC didn’t let this incident go like this; they punished both the players and issued a penalty.