Siraj’s fiery Travis Head send-off shows how humble, reserved, seamer has emerged as Test villain

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s double send-off to Travis Head - and Head’s mealy mouthed response - caused the Adelaide crowd to erupt with a chorus of boos and, ROBERT CRADDOCK writes, he may be the newest man playing the role of villain.

IT was the moment a lot of cricket fans were secretly pining for - when smiles vanished and lids started popping off saucepans.

Indian fast bowler Mohammed Siraj’s double send-off to Travis Head - and Head’s mealy mouthed response - caused the Adelaide crowd to erupt with a chorus of boos normally reserved for teams playing the Adelaide Crows on the same ground.

It was no one man show. They both dished it out.

Siraj was not the first visiting fast bowler to rattle Australian crowds on their own soil - the likes of Englishman John Snow, Bodyline villain Harold Larwood and Sir Richard Hadlee have done it before him.

But he is certainly a curious entrant in the club for those who know him well sense deep down he is playing the part of the pantomime villain because that is what he feels he must do, not because he was born for the role.

READ MORE: Head stars as new villain emerges: Biggest moments from Day 2

Siraj is the humble, reserved son of Tuk Tuk driver from Hyderabad who, while quietly confident in his ability, has never been seen as an overt antagonist despite losing his rag the night before and throwing a ball just wide of Marnus Labuschagne after the batsman backed away.

“He comes from very humble beginnings,’’ journalist Bharat Sundaresan said of Siraj.

“He grew up with nothing and has done very well. But I don’t think he is naturally feisty. I think he feels has to be feisty as a fast bowler.

“It is not very natural. It does not come from within. He is not the fast bowler who thrives on anger. If anything, that is when he loses his rhythm.

“He is not someone who you naturally think is a pantomime villain. But he thinks that is his job.’’

The humble, reserved, Mohammed Siraj has assumed the role of villain. Picture: Getty Images

This sentiment was endorsed by Fox Sports Harsha Bhogle.

“The Siraj I knew was a very humble boy,’’ Bhogle said.

“I think he is trying to put on this aggressive air. He plates with a lot of heart. He has great passion,. You ask him to bowl 20 overs on a hot afternoon and he will bowl them for you.’’

While considered modest, Siraj never lacked confidence in his ability and used to text India’s bowling coach to pass on the message to head coach Ravi Shastri that “I’m ready’’ (for Test selection).

Shastri had no issue with the exchange.

“He is a character and you need characters in cricket. Sometimes you go over the top but in the heat of the moment things happen.

“It happens to fast bowlers. You push them into a corner and things can explode. As a guy he is pretty much reserved but he is a competitor.’’,

HEAD-SIRAJ CLASH UNDER REVIEW

by Ben Horne and Daniel Cherny

Travis Head and Indian quick Mohammed Siraj are likely to dodge suspensions after a fiery blow-up ignited the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

The two teams seemed to get on like a house on fire in Perth, but the series of smiles is over.

Siraj dismissed Head for 140 and appeared to stare down the Australian master blaster after an animated celebration.

It’s unclear whether Siraj verballed Head at this point.

Head responded by appearing to sarcastically congratulate Siraj on his bowling before appearing to swear at the emotional Indian fast bowler.

Siraj then gestured to the dressing room and replied with words of his own as he gave Head an angry send-off.

Match referees do not take kindly to bowlers giving batsmen send-offs and Siraj would appear highly likely to get fined for his animated spray and actions.

But Head may also come under scrutiny for his part in the incident although there was no bad language broadcast on the stump microphones.

Head was fined 15 per cent of his match fee after stump mic picked up an audible obscenity from him during the Gabba Test of 2021 but the demerit point he incurred has been wiped as it was more than two years ago.

Siraj doesn’t have any priors under the ICC code of conduct. Send-offs and audible obscenities generally incur one demerit point, triggering a reprimand or fine.

The decision will sit with Sri Lankan Ranjan Madugalle who is the match referee.

Mohammed Siraj makes sure Travis Head sees his celebration after dismissing the Australian for 140. Picture: Getty Images

Siraj had earlier dropped Head in the outfield when he was in the 80s and that mistake proved extremely costly.

When Mitchell Starc smashed Siraj to the boundary with his first ball at the crease, the crowd erupted.

Adelaide Oval fans then gave Siraj a brutal reception when he returned to field on the fence the next over and he responded with more gestures – lapping up his role as the villain.

Originally published as Siraj’s fiery Travis Head send-off shows how humble, reserved, seamer has emerged as Test villain