Ricky Ponting Backs Travis Head Over Misunderstood Mohammed Siraj Confrontation
Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has put up his views on the recent controversy between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj. All this happened in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test match in Adelaide. This occurred in the 82nd over of Australia’s first innings. Travis Head scored 140 runs off just 141 balls and played a key role in Australia’s win in the second Test. In the previous ball of Siraj, Head smashed a six, and then he bowled a yorker, making Head out.
After Siraj dismissed Head, both exchanged a few words on the field, and he got a lot of boos from the crowd in Adelaide. Siraj for this reaction of his got supported from some veteran players but was criticized by some. Both players have been punished by the ICC for breaching the code of conduct and received one demerit point. Siraj also received a 20% match fee penalty.
Ponting, while discussing this matter, said that it was all misinterpretation and that’s why it all happened. He supported Travis Head by saying that he said, ‘Well bowled,’ in the start, and Siraj wasn’t happy about being hit over the deep backward square for six the ball before.
“Looking back at it now, I think it was accidental the way that whole thing played out. I don’t think there was any malice meant at the start. Then the way it started and almost like the misinterpretation of what had actually gone on, I think led to how it ended.”
“I know Travis has gone and said that he said, ‘Well bowled’ at the start. Siraj obviously wasn’t happy about being hit over the deep backward square for six the ball before. Rohit (Sharma) would expect these fast bowlers to react like that. When they’re under the pressure and they’re getting hit and they’ve just got a wicket, you’d expect that they’d be up and about.”
Further he said that when all this happened, he was in the commentary box. He felt worried for Siraj about how umpires would react to this because they don’t like this.
“I was in the 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.”
“Both players have now had their say on what they thought happened. 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.”
Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj resolved all misunderstandings that took place between the two. They were seen in a chit-chat session when Siraj came out to bat and shake hands during the post-match. The duo will be seen clashing with each other on December 14 at the Gabba.