‘Someone needs to have a chat with him’: The habit that could land Siraj in more trouble

Mohammed Siraj has been warned he is headed for more behavioural trouble if he doesn’t eradicate a habit that raises the ire of umpires almost as much as the send-off to Travis Head that cost the Indian fast bowler a hefty fine.

Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has highlighted Siraj’s recurring tendency to make a “celebrappeal” when he thinks he has a batter out – charging down the wicket towards his teammates and not bothering to look back at the umpire.

A “celebrappeal” from Mohammed Siraj is denied by Richard Illingworth.Credit: Fox Sports

There have been several such instances during the first two Tests, most notably in Adelaide on the second day. Marnus Labuschagne got a sizeable inside edge onto his front pad, but Siraj simply assumed an lbw decision would be given by Richard Illingworth as he ran through with arms outstretched.

Taylor was adamant that this behaviour is disrespectful to the game and needs to be stamped out via the actions of match officials and also India’s captain Rohit Sharma.

“I didn’t like the send-off from Mohammed Siraj,” Taylor told Nine News. “My biggest concern with Mohammed is this desire to assume that umpires are going to give dismissals.

“I don’t like him running down the pitch when he hits a guy on the pads, going past the batsman, assuming he’s going to be given out, without showing respect to the umpire and the game to at least have a look at the decision. I think Mohammed ... someone needs to have a chat with him about that.”

Taylor also argued that action against send-offs needed to remain stringent to avoid the risk of a dismissed batter overreacting and coming to blows with the bowler. Siraj’s signal to the dressing room brought a colourful verbal response from Head, which earned him an ICC reprimand.

“I love the combative nature of Head and Siraj, but it has to be kept in check,” Taylor said. “Because the last thing we want to see in this game is that developing into a batsman maybe whacking a bowler.

“They get close together in that sort of situation and you don’t want to see that. So the administrators need to keep a check on that, and so do the two captains.”

Rohit had stated after the Adelaide Test that Siraj thrived on confrontation, and that it was his job as captain to get the best out of the 30-year-old.

“He likes to get into the battle. It gives him success. As a captain it is my job to back that aggression,” Rohit said. “There is a fine line we don’t want to cross anything that can bring dispute into the game, but having a word or two with the opposition is not a bad thing and he likes it. That’s what gets him going.

The clash between India’s Mohammed Siraj and Australia’s Travis Head.Credit: Seven Network

“In the past we’ve seen so many cricketers who like that battle, and Siraj is definitely one of them. But there’s a thin line between getting aggressive and getting too aggressive and crossing that line. For a captain, it is also my responsibility to make sure we don’t cross the line. But a word or two there I don’t think makes a difference.”

Asked about Steve Smith’s modest returns so far in the series, Taylor said he expected the 35-year-old to find runs in Brisbane after getting a look at how India were trying to target him this series.

“I think with Steve Smith you’re seeing a continuing evolution,” Taylor said. “He’s always trying to work out how he can stay in front of the bowlers.

“He’s modified his technique a number of times throughout his career, and nearly every time he’s come out on top. At the moment, caught down the leg side, a little unfortunate, but he’ll know that the Gabba in a week’s time is another opportunity. So I don’t hold any fears for Steve Smith. I think he’ll be fine.”

Nathan McSweeney, meanwhile, has proven himself in Taylor’s eyes after helping Labuschagne set a platform for Australia in difficult conditions on the first floodlit evening in Adelaide.

“Marnus has made hundreds – he’s been under pressure, but he knows how to play this game,” Taylor said. “Nathan McSweeney is still trying to work out if he should be playing this game. He showed on the first night that he is, that he can make at this level, and even in the little short run chase, he played some nice shots.

“If he can keep that going and growing in confidence, he can be a Test cricketer for a long time. When you get to this level, yes, it’s about technique, but it is also about belief. Are you good enough, do you think you’re good enough.”

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