Siraj-Head clash lights fuse for intense Border-Gavaskar Trophy

The heated clash between Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj has been handled, but former stars have urged match officials not to sap the spice from the Test match summer, with more fireworks tipped for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Former Test stars have urged match officials not to sap the spice from the Test match summer with more fireworks tipped for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

Pace bowling legend Jeff Thomson says fans would rather watch Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj go toe to toe than players joking with each other and hopes match officials let the last three Tests “breathe.”

Siraj was fined 20 per cent of his match fee and Head had a demerit point added to his record after their hot-blooded exchange in Adelaide which spotlighted the issue of how much tolerance the game should give to on field blow-ups.

Mohammed Siraj’s send-off of Travis Head during the Adelaide Test caught plenty of attention. Picture: Getty Images

”I would rather see that (showdown in Adelaide) than batsmen joking with bowlers which I’ve seen a few times this summer,’’ Thomson said.

“At least you know they are playing seriously. People who pay their money don’t want to see them being matey. They want it full on.’’

Former Test fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz, who on the first day of the third Test at the Gabba on Saturday will be part of a group of 500 “Gabbatroopers’ promoting men’s mental health, agreed.

Former Test bowler Michael Kasprowicz. Picture: Peter Wallis

“I grew up watching Dennis Lillee showing that emotion and you don’t want to take that away from the game,‘’ Kasprowicz said.

“To me it didn’t seem like much at all. I know rules are rules but at the same time the spectator has never been closer to the action and they pick up everything.

“Just let them go. No one was hurt. No one was injured. I’m not saying carry on like a pork chop but he was a young fast bowler celebrating a wicket.’’

Former Australian captain Kim Hughes said the disciplining of the two players would not stop emotions from boiling over again, particularly as there are three Tests remaining.

“I think it is going to be on for young and old,” Hughes said.

“We have not seen the end of it. I think that is fantastic. Fining players achieves nothing anyway. The only thing that would matter to them is missing games. Normally the umpires on the field can sort it out.

“Just the way Indian cricket has changed over the years has been remarkable. India used to base their attack on spinners. Now they have several outstanding fast bowlers. It is quite something.”

Jeff Thomson during his playing days for Australia.

Former England captain and Fox Cricket analyst Michael Vaughan said “a little bit of confrontation adds to it.’’

“Whether people agree with the language used or not is one thing but it is good for the game in terms of the confrontation,” Vaughan said.

“This series is incredible. In my opinion Test cricket in the last two years has been as good an entertainment product as it has ever been.’’

Heavy rain in Brisbane on Tuesday and the prospect of more to come has raised the prospect of another lively deck and a seam-friendly conditions when play starts at the Gabba on Saturday.

Originally published as Siraj-Head clash lights fuse for intense Border-Gavaskar Trophy