Mohammed Siraj was backed by Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood, following his on-field dispute with Travis Head.
The raid has been the big talking point of Australia’s second Test victory against India this weekend, with Pat Cummins’ side sealing a 10-wicket victory on Sunday to draw level with the tourists in the series.
While an official announcement has not yet been made, Sports Code report that Head and Siraj have been found guilty of violating cricket’s code of conduct following a hearing on Sunday night that took place in front of cricket umpire Ranjun Madugalle.
Head had inspired Australia to victory with an excellent 140 runs off 141 deliveries. Siraj would finally claim the Australian Test star’s wicket, finding his stumps with a full delivery.
Tempers subsequently flared when the Australian came out of his crease, with the batsman, and Siraj gave Head a harsh dismissal, one that Head apparently did not like.
Josh Hazlewood has come to the defense of former IPL teammate Mohammed Siraj
It came after Travis Head (centre) and Siraj (right) became embroiled in a fiery war of words after the Indian bowler dismissed the Australian on Sunday.
Siraj received some criticism for his dismissal of Head, but Hazlewood came to the Indian bowler’s defense, stating: “He’s just a good character.”
In the wake of the incident, commentators from across the cricket world have offered their views on the matter, with former Australian Test star Michael Clarke particularly criticizing Siraj for having a habit of making “celebratory appeals”, that is, holding wickets without appealing to the umpires. .
Meanwhile, Sunil Gavaskar claimed Siraj became the “villain” after sacking local hero Head, while Australian icon Kerry O’Keeffe added: “I don’t know if a sacking is valid when a guy (scored) 140 …’
Despite this, Hazlewood has come to the defense of the India bowler, after he also received some criticism from fans online.
The pair had previously played together for IPL side Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).
‘He’s great. I really enjoyed my time at RCB with Siraj,” said Hazlewood. He is probably the leader of the attack there to some extent.
“He’s another one who’s a bit like Virat (Kohli), very passionate, goes with the flow of the game, gets the crowd going, all that kind of stuff.
‘I have certainly played some big spells in the IPL over the last few years. “He’s just a good character and sometimes it’s good to see him.”
Meanwhile, Hazlewood also addressed the divisive comment he made after the first Test in Perth, in which he appeared to hint that divisions were beginning to appear in the Australian dressing room.
Siraj (R) also claimed that Head had not told the truth about what he had actually told him after his dismissal.
Meanwhile, Hazlewood also spoke about recent divisive comments he made which some cricket commentators believed inferred that a “split” had emerged in the Australian camp.
Hazlewood had been asked about Australia’s plans to thwart India’s 522-run lead at the end of the third day.
The pitcher responded, “You’ll probably have to ask one of the hitters that question.”
Reflecting on the comment, former Australian cricket star Adam Gilchrist deduced that there was a possible “split” in the camp, comments that several of the team’s stars, including captain Cummins, have rejected.
Hazlewood, for his part, has followed his captain, stating that there was nothing to the comment.
“A little surprised,” the 33-year-old said when asked about the reaction to his comments.
‘When I left that press conference, I didn’t think about anything, (it was) something normal for me.
“I think obviously the dead air that was there for a while, 10 days between games, (was) something to talk about.
“I think all of that is already done.”
Hazlewood (centre) has rejected any suggestion there was a split in the Australian camp.
The bowler (second from right) sat out the second Test in Adelaide due to a side strain.
Will Hazlewood return for the third Test?
The bowler had been excluded from Australia’s Test squad to play against India this week in Adelaide after suffering a side strain following the Perth Test.
Scott Boland was subsequently parachuted into the side, and Victoria quickly took five wickets in two innings in South Australia.
On Monday, Hazlewood took part in an extended bowling session as he looks to make his case for a return to the starting eleven.
Cummins had inferred he was “pretty sure Hazlewood would be suitable for Brisbane” later this week, while Hazlewood added the next 24 hours would be critical to his recovery.
“It’s not necessarily the typical lateral effort, which I’ve had a couple throughout my career,” he said.
‘It has caused me a lot of problems in recent years, but the preparation is perfect this year (for the first test).
“I played the Shield game and I scored all that and I was really happy where I was and it still happened so I was pretty upset for a few days.
‘If this (Adelaide) was the last test of the summer, I could have run the gauntlet and played.
Scott Boland returned to Australia’s Test side in place of Hazlewood to take five wickets during the Test.
Cummins said he felt “lucky” at the number of high-quality bowlers he had at his disposal.
“I think he would have been in pretty bad shape at the end of the game, even though it was just a short (game), but he wasn’t all that good.”
With Starc taking career-best figures of 6-48 on Friday and Boland taking 51-3 in India’s second innings, Cummins said he “felt lucky” with the “tools he had at his disposal”.
“I thought it was a Herculean effort on Starcy and Scotty’s part,” Cummins said.
‘It was hot… humid, and I basically kept rotating players and bowling all day. Huge effort from those boys, who showed their class.
“I feel very lucky as a captain to have those guys, and then to have someone like (Nathan Lyon), who we didn’t even need to call up.
“I feel like I have a lot of tools at my disposal, so I feel very lucky.”