Australian fast bowling legend Jeff Thomson hoped the ICC match officials let the last three Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy “breathe” with a fiery competitive edge and not restrict their emotions via sanctions.
Thomson said paying fans would not want to watch Travis Head and Mohammed Siraj being “matey”.
“I would rather see that (showdown in Adelaide) than batsmen joking with bowlers,” Thomson was quoted as saying by Sydney-based The Daily Telegraph. “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.”
Siraj’s aggressive send-off to Head after bowling him out in Adelaide drew a lot of flak with ICC match referee Ranjan Madugalle imposing a fine on the Indian pacer. Head got away with a reprimand.
Head’s knock of 140 played a key role in Australia’s 10-wicket victory, which helped them level the five-Test series 1-1. The two players embraced each other afterthe match.
Another former Australia fast bowler Michael Kasprowicz also expressed similarsentiments.
“I grew up watching Dennis Lillee showing that emotion and you don’t want to take that away from the game. 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,’’ the 52-year-old Kasprowicz said.