Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
AAP
AAP
Steve Larkin

India's Siraj accuses Head of abuse and lying

Australia's Travis Head and India's Mohammed Siraj embrace after the second Test in Adelaide. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Travis Head says he won't allow accusations of lying from India firebrand Mohammed Siraj to ruin Australia's second Test triumph.

The Australian batsman has admitted swearing at Siraj during their tense flashpoint at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.

Siraj gave century-maker Head a send-off and the Australian responded with some choice words.

Before play on Sunday when Australia secured a 10-wicket win to square the series at one-all,  Siraj accused Head of lying about their exchange.

"What he said in the press conference wasn't right, it's a a lie that he only said 'well bowled' to me," Siraj told Indian broadcaster Star Sports in comments translated from Hindi.

"It's there for everyone to see that that's not what he said to me.

"I respect everybody because cricket is a gentleman's game but what he did wasn't right. I didn't like it at all."

Head, after making 140 on Saturday, expressed disappointment in Siraj for the send-off.

"I actually joked with him and said 'well bowled' and then he pointed me to the sheds," Head told reporters after Saturday's play.

"I felt it was probably, yeah, a little bit far at the time.

"And that is why I am disappointed in the reaction that I gave back, but I am also going to stand up for myself."

While Siraj batted on Sunday, the Indian had a conversation with Head who was fielding at short-leg.

Mohammed Siraj and Harbhajan Singh.
Siraj hit back at Head in an interview on Indian TV with former star spinner Harbhajan Singh. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

"It was fine. He said: 'Why did you swear?' I sort of said, 'Look, I didn't at first … (but) I definitely swore at you the second time round'," Head told ABC radio after Australia's win.

"Sweet with it. He came out and just said (it was) a little bit of misunderstanding.

"We'll move on. We've had a great week so let's not let it ruin it."

Head
Siraj gives Head a send-off in a flashpoint during the Adelaide Oval Test match. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Australia's captain Pat Cummins was unfazed by the incident.

"It's heated. It's a big series. It has been packed crowds all of the days so there's a lot riding on it," Cummins said.

"To be honest, they (India) can do whatever they want.

"I am more worried about our boys and I thought our boys' behaviour was excellent this week, like it seems to be every week."

India's skipper Rohit Sharma also brushed off the clash.

"Two competitive teams are going at each other, these things happen," he said.

Travis Head.
Head gained a last laugh of sorts with this catch to dismiss Siraj and end the match. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Still, Sharma said there was a fine line for Siraj to tread with his behaviour.

"He likes to get into the batters, as simple as that. It gives him success and as a captain it's my job to back that aggression," he said.

"Obviously there's a fine line between that, we don't want to cross anything that can bring disrepute into the game.

"But obviously having a word or two with the opposition isn't a bad thing and he likes it and that is what gets him going.

"In the past we have seen so many cricketers who like that battle and Siraj is definitely one of them."

Siraj was roundly booed by Head's home-town crowd at Adelaide Oval and will likely face similar treatment for the remainder of the five-Test series.

"I don't think it matters too much," Sharma said.

"Siraj knows what he needs to do for the team.

"His job is to take wickets and he will do everything he can to try and get wickets.

"Guys are quite mature now to keep those things outside, not to let them affect their game, Siraj is one of them."

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.