The third Test between India and England at Lord’s featured high tension and fiery exchanges. Mohammed Siraj, Shubman Gill, Zak Crawley, and Ben Duckett were at the center of the action. Things got intense enough that fast bowler Mohammed Siraj was fined 15% of his match fee for breaching the ICC Code of Conduct.
The incident happened on Day 4 during the sixth over of England’s second innings. Siraj dismissed Ben Duckett and then celebrated the wicket with visible aggression, moving uncomfortably close to the departing batter.
According to the ICC, “Siraj was found to have breached Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for Players and Player Support Personnel, which relates to ‘using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match.’”
Siraj accepted the charge and the proposed sanction by match referee Richie Richardson of the Emirates ICC Elite Panel. As a result, no formal hearing was required.
On-field umpires Paul Reiffel and Sharfuddoula Ibne Shahid, along with third umpire Ahsan Raza and fourth umpire Graham Lloyd, reported the incident. Under ICC rules, Level 1 breaches may lead to an official reprimand, a fine of up to 50% of the match fee, and one or two demerit points.
Nasser Hussain Defends Siraj: “You Don’t Need 22 Robots”
Former England captain and Sky Sports analyst Nasser Hussain criticized the fine imposed on Siraj. Speaking during the broadcast, Hussain argued that Siraj’s emotion brought character to the game.
“One of the highlights of the Test match, the way India went at Crawley. For a start, let’s talk about time wasting. They (England openers) started 90 seconds later than they should have! They were very street-smart in the way they slowly walked down the stairs, pretending to get lost in the long room. India rightly went at them, and that obviously fired everyone up,” said Hussain.
He continued: “Then, Siraj was fired up. I think he’s a better cricketer when he’s fired up. You’d love to have Siraj on the side. I didn’t think he should’ve been fined. He went close to the line, he was right in Duckett’s face, he didn’t barge (at) Duckett. If anything, Duckett went in that direction to get off the pitch. It wasn’t a shoulder barge. I think it’s a game of emotions, and you don’t need 22 robots. I love the tension.”
Aggression or Sportsmanship? The Ongoing Debate
Siraj’s fine has once again sparked the debate over aggression versus sportsmanship. While the ICC enforces rules to keep behavior in check, many believe emotional intensity is part of what makes cricket compelling.
With the World Test Championship series between India and England heating up, this incident adds fuel to an already fiery rivalry. Whether it’s passion or provocation, the line between the two keeps shifting with every Test.
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