Mohammed Siraj‘s 10th over of the first innings against Australia on Day 1 of the second Test could land him in hot waters. The India seamer had a throw at Marnus Labuschagne in frustration even as the Aussie batter pulled away following a disruption near the sight screen.
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The decision to throw the ball near the batter goes against ICC‘s rules and he could be penalised on conclusion of the second Test in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at Adelaide Oval.
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During the incident in the 25th over of the Australian innings, a spectator carrying a long beer-snake walked past the sight-screen as Siraj was about to bowl. Labuschagne, understandably, withdrew from his stance.
Siraj reacted to the distraction by throwing the ball at the stumps. The ball missed the stumps and the batter as well.
As per ICC Code of Conduct, Siraj is in breach of the rules. As per clause 2.9, Siraj was supposedly guilty of: “throwing a ball (or any other item of cricket equipment such as a water bottle) at or near a Player, Player Support Personnel, Umpire, Match Referee or any other third person in an inappropriate and/or dangerous manner during an International Match”.
The clause clarifies that it does not prevent a fielder or bowler from returning the ball to the stumps normally or throwing it at the stumps or a teammate during a run-out attempt. “This offence will not prohibit a fielder or bowler from returning the ball to the stumps in the normal fashion, or from throwing the ball at the stumps or to a teammate when attempting a run out,” says the official rulebook.
The officials will consider various factors when evaluating such incidents. These factors are outlined in the clause.
“(i) the context of the particular situation, including, without limitation, whether the action was deliberate, reckless, negligent, and/or avoidable; (ii) whether the ball/object struck the other person; (iii) the speed at which the ball/object was thrown; and (iv) the distance from which the ball/object was thrown”.
While the ball did not hit Labuschagne, Siraj’s action could be seen as deliberate, reckless, negligent, or avoidable. The match referee will make the final decision on any potential penalty.
If Siraj is found guilty, he is likely to be charged with a Level 1 offence.
Earlier in the day, India opted to bat first after winning the toss in the day-night Test and were bundled out for 180.
Mitchell Starc began the match dramatically, taking a wicket with the first ball. He became the second bowler to start three different Test matches with a wicket, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal leg-before-wicket.
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill then built a partnership of 69 runs. Rahul scored 37, while Gill contributed 31. Starc returned for his second spell and quickly dismantled the Indian batting order, finishing with figures of 6 for 48.
Pat Cummins and Scott Boland provided support to Starc, taking two wickets each. Their figures were 2 for 41 and 2 for 54 respectively.
Nitish Kumar Reddy played an enterprising innings of 42, helping India reach a somewhat respectable total of 180.
The Indian seamers started well, maintaining a tight line and length. However, they struggled to find early wickets. Jasprit Bumrah eventually made the breakthrough, dismissing Usman Khawaja.
Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne, who had both failed in the first Test, showed resilience in this innings.
At stumps on Day 1, Australia were 86 for 1, trailing by 94 runs. McSweeney was unbeaten on 38, and Labuschagne was on 20.
