- Head took the crucial wicket of Risabh Pant on the final day
- Helped tilt an exciting match in Australia's favor
Some cricket fans have called for Travis Head to be fined or even banned after the Australian star staged a seemingly vulgar celebration when he suffered a crucial scalp cut on the final day of play in the Boxing Day Test.
The match seemed headed for a draw with India sitting at 3/121 when the batsman got Rishabh Pant to bowl a ball to Mitch Marsh in the outfield; He then appeared to simulate sex by repeatedly pushing his index finger through a circle he made with the thumb and index finger of his other hand.
It didn't take long for outraged fans to lash out at Head on social media.
'That's a nasty celebration…where's the fine?' asked one.
'What is this celebration? Isn't that obscene and vulgar for a gentleman's game? added another.
Pictured: Travis Head (right) performs what appears to be a very rude celebration after taking the wicket of Rishabh Pant with Sam Konstas (left) and Pat Cummins.
Some fans were outraged when Head appeared to simulate sex as his nastiness provided another twist in a drama-filled Boxing Day test.
Other comments included: “He should be fined for this celebration,” “It's totally disrespectful,” “Cricket is a gentleman's game… not some hooligans,” and “Ban Travis Head from all cricket knockout matches.” the ICC”. The children are watching.'
However, some fans thought there was an innocent explanation, with one writing: “Say it was like a golf shot that got a hole in one?”
That turned out to be out of line when Channel Seven commentator James Brayshaw revealed what the hand gesture really meant – and it had nothing to do with sex.
“Great people back (at Sevens) have said that after he (Head) scored 4-10 off 17 balls in Sri Lanka in 2022, he was quoted as saying, ‘I had to put the digit on ice,’” Brayshaw said.
'So that was the celebration. He said, “I just caught it and I'll freeze it again.”
A social media photo posted after that match against Sri Lanka showed Head dipping his index finger into a glass filled with ice.
Pant's wicket started a mini collapse for India, who then lost Ravindra Deja when Alex Carey caught him off a Scott Bowland delivery before Nitish Kumar Reddy took one off Steve Smith at slip, courtesy of a Nathan delivery Lyon.
Before those setbacks, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal appeared to be spearheading India's efforts for a draw, scoring 82 off 200 balls faced at the time of writing.
However, Jaiswal was lucky to survive at the age of 31 when he benefited from a highly controversial umpire's decision.
Australia were furious after Jaiswal was hit on his back and not dismissed, and the on-field decision stood despite DRS showing the ball would have hit the top of his leg-stump.
Had field umpire Joel Wilson given out Jaiswal, India would have lost their fourth wicket, even if the youngster had used a review.
India, chasing a record run chase of 340 at MCG, have effectively ruled themselves out of winning the fourth Test by going at a run rate of just over two per over.
One fan called for Head to be punched in the nerve in his hip pocket, but others thought there was an innocent explanation for his gesture.
This commentator wanted to suspend the Australian for what other fans speculated was a reference to a hole in one in golf.
India need only draw the five-match series (currently tied 1-1) to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy for a record fifth consecutive time.
Jaiswal and India captain Rohit Sharma carefully got through the first 16 overs until Cummins (2-10) produced a magic six balls.
The Australian captain removed his opposite captain Rohit with a ball that Mitch Marsh juggled and caught in the gully.
Five balls later, in-form No.3 KL Rahul edged Cummings at first slip for a duck, boosting Australia's hopes of going 2-1 up in the series.
Mitchell Starc dismissed veteran superstar Virat Kohli (five), who was once again caught behind the wicket, to prepare lunch.
Australia added just six more runs on Monday as they were bowled out for 234 in the second over of the fifth day, giving them a lead of 339.