Indian quick Mohammed Siraj has labelled Australian batter Travis Head a liar and claimed he “abused” him on day two in Adelaide.
The ugly incident occurred in the afternoon session of the second day’s play at Adelaide Oval after Head was dismissed for 140 from 141 deliveries.
Siraj produced a perfect in-swinging yorker that crashed into the timbre the ball after being whipped into the Adelaide stands for a scarcely believable six that left WA cricket champion Justin Langer speechless in the commentary box.
As Head left the crease, he made a comment towards Siraj he later explained was “well bowled, mate”.
But Siraj told Star Sports Hindi that before the third day’s play he believed Head was lying.
“It was a great battle going on (with Head), and he batted really well,” he said.
“When you get hit for a six on a good ball, it fires you up differently. And when I got him bowled, I only celebrated, and he abused me, and you saw that on TV, too.
“I only celebrated at the start; I didn’t say anything to him. What he said in the press conference wasn’t right, it’s a lie that he only said ‘well bowled’ to me. It’s there for everyone to see that that’s not what he said to me.
“We respect everyone; it’s not like we disrespect other players. I respect everybody because cricket is a gentleman’s game, but what he did wasn’t right. I didn’t like it at all.”
After Head’s first words, Siraj fired up, aggressively gesturing for the South Australian to make his way off the ground, prompting a retaliation.
“It probably (went) a little bit far; that’s why I’m disappointed in the reaction I gave back, but I’m also going to stand up for myself. Like to think in our team, we wouldn’t do that. [It’s] not the way I’d like to play the game and feel like my teammates are the same. If I see that, I probably call it out, which I did,” Head added during the press conference.
The pair met again in the middle on day three exchanging much friendly words and appearing to clarify the situation.
But it was Head who again had the last laugh as he took the catch to remove Siraj and end India’s second innings.
