"I am going to the gym now" - Mohammed Siraj's unperturbed response to query on whether he was upset over being fined for Travis Head send-off
Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj did not seem too bothered by the fine imposed on him by the ICC for the send-off he gave to Travis Head in the Adelaide Test. Responding to queries over the same, he came up with pretty nonchalant replies.
Siraj gave a fiery send-off to Head after cleaning him up for 140 off 141 balls in Australia's first innings of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide. The two players even exchanged some words and were sanctioned by ICC over the incident. Siraj was fined 20 percent of his match fee and also received one demerit point in his disciplinary record, marking his first offence within the last 24 months.
Reacting to the punishment, a calm Siraj was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald:
"Yeah man, it's all good."
Asked if he was upset over being penalized by the ICC for the incident, the Indian fast bowler did not give a direct response and said:
"I am going to the gym now."
As per an ICC report, Siraj was penalized 20 percent of his match fee as he was found guilty of breaching article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel which relates to 'using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal.'
On the other hand, Head was sanctioned for breaching Article 2.13 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to the 'abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire or match referee during an international match.'
Siraj and Head buried the hatchet on Day 3 of the Adelaide Test
Speaking to the media after scoring a century on Day 2 of the pink-ball Test against India, Head expressed disappointment at Siraj's reaction to his dismiss and reckoned that the incident could have been easily avoided. On Day 3, though, the two cricketers were seen having a discussion when the Indian bowler came into bat. Speaking after the game, Head asserted that the duo sorted things out.
"He's come out then and said it was a little bit of a misunderstanding. I think we will move on, we've had a great week, so let's not ruin it. I'm sweet, and I think he's the same, and we move on," the Australian batter told ABC Sports.
Head was the Player of the Match in Adelaide for his century as Australia won the Test by 10 wickets. The third Test of the series will be played in Brisbane from December 14 to December 18.