Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj found himself at the centre of controversy during the second Test at Adelaide Oval after an unexpected interruption led to an angry outburst.
As Siraj prepared to bowl to Marnus Labuschagne under the floodlights, a spectator carrying a “beer snake” ran behind the sight screen, distracting the Australian batter.
Labuschagne pulled away, signalling the disturbance, which appeared to frustrate Siraj. The bowler responded by throwing the ball at the stumps and gesturing angrily towards Labuschagne.
The crowd reacted with boos as replays of Siraj’s actions played on the big screen. Commentators and fans alike criticised the outburst, with some labelling it “unprofessional.”
“You don’t often see a fast bowler react like that,” noted former cricketer Greg Blewett during commentary.
On social media, the reaction was mixed, with calls for Siraj to be fined or even banned for his behaviour. However, others directed their criticism at the spectator, arguing that interruptions like these have no place in Test cricket.
Despite the drama, Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney managed to steady Australia’s innings, guiding the team to 1-86 at stumps, trailing India’s first innings total of 180.
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