Former Australia cricketer Mark Waugh has come out in support of Michael Clarke in which the latter had asked the ICC to fine India fast bowler Mohammed Siraj for his celebrappeals. On various occasions, Siraj can be seen making the appeals without even asking the umpires.
Waugh even questioned the role of Indian team management in this incident. The allrounder claimed that the team management should speak about this serious topic to Siraj as it does not create a good relationship with the umpires.
Also read: Mohammed Siraj, Travis Head suspended? ICC slaps duo with harsh punishments after Adelaide fight
Michael Clarke asks ICC to fine Mohammed Siraj
While speaking on Sky Sports Radio, former Australia captain Michael Clarke made a fresh new attack on Mohammed Siraj and surprisingly, it is not for his incident involving Travis Head.
Clarke was surprised to see Siraj not being fined yet by the ICC for his celebrappeals in which he makes appeals without even asking the umpires.
“(Mohammed) Siraj should be fined for making LBW appeals and not asking the umpires. The ball hits the ball, and he just runs towards the slips as if the batters are out. I am surprised that ICC hasn’t fined him,” Clarke had said.
Mark Waugh backs Michael Clarke’s suggestion to fine Mohammed Siraj
Clarke’s former Australia teammate Mark Waugh came out in his support and claimed that Siraj should be fined. He even asked the Indian team management to get in between.
“Michael Clarke is right and I mentioned it on the Fox Cricket coverage. Even if Siraj is not fined for his appealing the management should pull him into line as it is a good way to get offside with the umpires which is not good for his team,” Waugh posted in X (formerly Twitter).
Michael Clarke is right and I mentioned it on the Fox Cricket coverage. Even if Siraj is not fined for his appealing the management should pull him into line as it is a good way to get offside with the umpires which is not good for his team.
— Mark Waugh (@juniorwaugh349) December 9, 2024
During the second Test between Australia and India in Adelaide recently, Mohammed Siraj was seen making such appeals on various occasions. On one occasion, he immediately made a celebrappeal when the ball hit the pads of Marnus Labuschagne.
Siraj was highly convinced but the umpire gave it not out. India’s captain Rohit Sharma consulted with he teammates but didn’t go for the review. Later, it was found that Labuschagne had got an inside edge onto his pads.
Controversial Test for Mohammed Siraj
It has been a controversial Test match for Mohammed Siraj in which he was even involved in a serious altercation with Travis Head. After picking up the big wicket of Head, Siraj gave him a send-off as both the players shared a few words between them.
After the incident, Head claimed that he had jokingly said, “Well bowled” to Siraj but was shown the way to sheds, resulting in his aggressive response. However, Siraj accused Head of lying in front of the reporters.
Meanwhile, both the players were fined after the incident. Siraj was fined 20% of his match fees while Head was reprimanded. A demerit point was added to their disciplinary records as well. This was also the first offense in the last 24 months for both these players.