Former England captain Nasser Hussain has criticized the ICC’s decision to fine Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj, arguing that cricket is a game of emotions, not robots.
Tensions Rise at Lord’s Test
The recent Lord’s Test match between India and England, though a loss for India, was certainly not short on drama. Beyond the cricket itself, the game saw several heated exchanges between players, keeping emotions high throughout.
One notable moment involved England’s opening batsmen, Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett, who were perceived to be taking their time. This drew a fiery response from the Indian team, led by Shubman Gill, sparking a confrontation on the third day of the match.
Siraj’s Fiery Celebration Leads to Fine
The intensity continued into the fourth day, especially after Indian pacer Mohammad Siraj dismissed Ben Duckett. Siraj celebrated vociferously, and his actions led to a 15 percent fine of his match fee by the ICC for breaching their Level 1 Code of Conduct.
The incident occurred in the sixth over of England’s innings. After Duckett was caught by Jasprit Bumrah off a pull shot, an agitated Siraj followed Duckett as he walked back to the pavilion, making light contact with the batsman.
Nasser Hussain Defends Siraj
Nasser Hussain strongly believes the fine handed to Siraj was excessive. Speaking to Sky Sports, Hussain stated, “It’s a game of emotions, and you don’t need 22 robots.”
He highlighted the initial confrontation with England’s openers, noting their “street-smart” approach to delay play. Hussain felt India’s reaction was justified and that it only fueled the competitive fire.
Hussain emphasized that Siraj performs better when he’s pumped up. While acknowledging Siraj “went close to the line,” he clarified that it wasn’t a forceful barge, unlike other past incidents.
Comparing Incidents: Kohli vs. Siraj
Following the match, former England captain Michael Atherton drew a comparison between Siraj’s action and Virat Kohli’s shoulder barge against Australian batsman Sam Konstas in a previous Test. However, Hussain disagreed with this parallel.
Hussain argued that Siraj’s contact with Duckett was minimal and that Duckett himself moved in that direction to leave the field. He reiterated his stance that the intensity and “tension” are good for the game.
Series Impact and Future Encounters
Looking ahead, Michael Atherton believes these confrontations will carry over into the remaining matches of the series. The beauty of a five-Test series, he noted, is the development of subplots, personal rivalries, and animosities.
Despite a break before the next Test, Atherton predicts that players will not forget what transpired at Lord’s. This underlying tension is expected to add another layer of excitement to the upcoming games.
- Mohammad Siraj was fined 15% of his match fee for an aggressive celebration after dismissing Ben Duckett.
- Nasser Hussain called the fine harsh, arguing that cricket thrives on emotion and not “robots.”
- Hussain distinguished Siraj’s actions from more severe past incidents, including one involving Virat Kohli.
- The heated exchanges at Lord’s are expected to fuel further rivalry in the ongoing Test series.
The stage is set for an exciting continuation of the Test series, with strong personalities and lingering tensions promising more memorable moments on the field.
