ICC penalizes Mohammed Siraj and Travis Head over heated exchange in Adelaide Test

In a disciplinary decision following the day-night Test in Adelaide, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj has been fined 20% of his match fee, while Australian batter Travis Head has also been "sanctioned" by the ICC for their heated exchange during the match. Both players were found guilty of breaching the ICC's code of conduct after a disciplinary hearing on Monday.

Siraj was penalized for breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct, which addresses "using language, actions or gestures that disparage or provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon dismissal." Meanwhile, Head was sanctioned for breaching Article 2.13, which concerns the "abuse of a player, player support personnel, umpire, or match referee during an international match." However, Head avoided a fine for his actions.

Both players received one demerit point on their records for the first offence in the last 24 months. Siraj and Head accepted the proposed sanctions from Match Referee Ranjan Madugalle.

The incident occurred on day two of the match, which Australia won by 10 wickets. After Head was dismissed for 140 runs, Siraj gave him an aggressive send-off, which sparked a brief confrontation. While Head claimed he had only said "well bowled" to Siraj, the Indian bowler maintained that Head had abused him, a claim that was disputed by the Australian batter.

Head later admitted to his role in the incident, stating in the post-play press conference that he was disappointed by his own response. Siraj, on the other hand, insisted that Head's claims about the exchange were untrue, saying, "It’s clear to everyone that he didn’t just say ‘well bowled’ to me."