NEWS
Follow UsAustralia’s dynamic batter Travis Head wasn’t impressed with Mohammed Siraj’s send-off on day two of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Adelaide.
The Indian seamer knocked over Head and exchanged a few words before showing him the way to the dug-out. The only problem, though, was that dismissal came after Head had smashed 140 off 141 deliveries, giving Australia a match-winning first-innings lead of 157 runs.
“I said well bowled but he thought otherwise … when he pointed me to the sheds he got a little bite back from me. I’m slightly disappointed with how that transpired, with a couple of the past innings. It is what it is. If they want to react like that and that’s how they want to represent themselves, then so be it," said Head after the end of day two of the pink-ball Test.
"I feel like the way I play the game, I would like a better reaction. I was surprised at the reaction in terms of situation of the game and the lead up. There was no confrontation leading up to it. I felt like it was probably a little bit far.
"That's why I'm disappointed in the reaction that I gave back - but I'm also going to stand up for myself. I'd like to think in our team that we wouldn't do that. It's not how I'd like to play the game and I feel like my teammates are the same. And if I'd seen that in those circumstances, I'd probably call it out – which I did."
Talking about the relationship between players from both sides, Head said: "I feel like the game's moved. The way I play the game is I'm there to have a good time out there, I want to enjoy myself.
"I want to play hard, play fair and I have a joke with the fielders, I'm always interacting. It's been on very civil terms and enjoyable. I know that I can compete hard, but I can have a laugh at the same time.
"Then to get the reaction that I did off the back of that - I'd rather almost rather it the other way. I'd rather they tear shreds off me and then give it to me. But I feel like the lead up is out of nowhere.
"But I think the relationship's fine. I think it's very civil. I think both teams respect each other. Our dressing room definitely has a lot of respect for the opposition and the blokes that are playing in that dressing room are very high quality (players). They're playing hard but I would say the relationships are fine."
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was also not pleased with Siraj’s reaction. “Unnecessary, if you ask me, the man’s got 140, he hasn’t got four or five or something. He got 140, you’re giving him a send-off, that’s totally uncalled for,” Gavaskar said during the tea-time show on Star Sports.
“No wonder he’s getting the stick from the crowd. Travis Head is a local hero and after scoring 100, if he had even just applauded, Siraj would have been a hero for the entire crowd. Instead by giving him a send-off, he’s become the villain.”
The left-handed batter smacked 17 fours and four maximums during his stay in the middle, helping Australia get to 337 in their first innings. In reply, India ended the day at 128/5 in 24 overs, trailing by 29 runs.
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