What lasted longer – South Korea’s martial law or the Md Siraj – Travis Head beef? | Cricket News

The most heated rivalry it might well be, as declared the official broadcasters. And Md Siraj started the day telling Indian TVs that Travis Head did not say ‘well bowled’ to him. But a day after Head joked in the press conference that he had told Siraj ‘well bowled’ after sending him back for 140, the winning batsman and India’s nemesis, said his beef with Siraj had cleared out.
The most heated rivalry, sure. But a highly unserious furore between two highly talented cricketers, with the obligatory Harbhajan Singh and pantomime Australian booing crowds thrown into the cacophony.
“He’s come out then and said it was a little bit of a misunderstanding… I think we’ll 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,” Head told Australian Broadcasting corporation audio. Siraj had neither confirmed nor denied the end of the. verbals.
It must be recalled that Head turned the match on its head with an almost run-a-ball 140. Siraj, who bent his back like an efficient workhorse ultimately snared Head, and gave him a royal send-off, after which Head muttered something to him, which is still a subject of ‘he said, no he said’ debate. India went on to lose the Adelaide Test 10 wickets.
In the morning, Head and Siraj seemed to be chatting when the Indian came out to bat and Head was stationed at short-leg. Both exuberant hard-working characters who score runs and bag wickets, were never particularly well-suited for rabble rousing, but the needle had pricked on Day 2.
Australia captain Pat Cummins, later told ABC that “Head loves batting here. His innings was one of the momentum shifts. The game could have gone either way when he walked out and he took it out of their hands.”
It’s what might have prompted Siraj to react so extra gleefully when India saw the back of Head. When India batted, their top order folding up, and Siraj came out to bat he was greeted with boos. But after Steve Smith dropped a catch, Indian Express’ man on the ground, Sriram Veera, reported, “After that dropped catch, Smith picks up the ball and throws to Travis Head at short-leg. Siraj hadn’t seen the throw coming and was walking towards that side, when Head stops him to alert about the ball, and gathers it.”
Later the two were shown in a Channel 7 clip chatting away, pointing to the sky, shrugging. What was discussed – weather, a drone camera in the sky or the clearing of the misunderstanding is unknown. But Head said, all was ‘sweet as ..’
The ABC blog noted: “As the two teams walk past each other, shaking hands, Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj have an awkward man, shoulder patting man hug.”
Head claimed they had moved on. Siraj response is awaited. Until Brisbane and the Gabbatoir, that is.