Cummins breaks silence on Head-Siraj controversy, gives big 'big boy' decision

Pat Cummins felt his intervention was not needed in the Travis Head-Mohammad Siraj departure controversy as the Australia vice-captain is a “big boy” who can talk about himself as the captain did in the ongoing series against India. Appreciated the behavior of his team. Head played a match-winning 140 off 141 balls in the pink-ball Test as Australia bounced back from a humiliating defeat in Perth to win by 10 wickets and level the five-match series 1-all. After Siraj clean bowled Head, the two were seen exchanging words as the batsman later suggested that he had only said “well bowled”. Following Head's claim that Siraj's dismissal was unfair, and that he had only praised the India pacer's delivery after being bowled, Siraj immediately denied the allegation and described it as a “lie”.

“Travis Head is the vice-captain of the team, so he's a big boy. He can talk about himself,” Cummins said during a post-match media interaction.

Siraj refuted Head's claim and said, “I didn't say anything to him. He said the wrong thing in the press conference. He lied. He didn't say 'well-bowled' in any way.” Addressing the matter, Cummins further said: “As a general rule, you generally let the boys be themselves. If you ever need to intervene as captain, I will, but as That I said, for our group, I've never really felt like I needed to do that.” Acknowledging the high stakes of the series with packed crowds every day, Cummins said: “It's a big series so there's a lot involved. The umpire stepped in too quickly and that was the end of it.” “To be honest, they can do whatever they want. I'm more worried about our boys. As always, I thought our boys' behavior was excellent this week, as it is every week.” Cummins praised Head's match-changing innings and said that he has the ability to put pressure on the opposition team and control the game in all formats.

“When Trav came out to the crease yesterday, that was a turning point. Every time he comes out, the game is kind of in the balance, it can go one of two ways and within almost a session , he really took the game out of his hands.

“He puts pressure on the opposition, hits in awkward areas. Whenever he feels there's a small chance, he goes ahead and takes the game away from the opposition. It's amazing. He scores on time. Have done this.” And then for us in a lot of different formats, he's been extremely impressive.” Back to his best =========== Media's 295-run loss to Jasprit Bumrah-led India in the opening Test There was heavy criticism and Cummins said that it gave his team more motivation.

“I was very excited. In the context of the match it probably felt like some big wickets. Especially, you know, with the pink ball, it feels like the bar is a little bit lower. So, maybe, yes, actually. More excited than usual.” “Great week, great to level the series. We got back to our best. That's the kind of team I remember and how we want to play our cricket. So, it's been really satisfying.” “It was hot there – about 40 degree temperature, humid. Basically, we just kept rotating the bowlers and bowling all day. So, a big effort from those guys Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, they showed their class. I felt really good. Looks like they got lucky as a captain.”

Josh on track

Cummins also gave an update on injured front-line pacer Josh Hazlewood and said he is on his way to being fit for the third Test, starting at the Gabba from December 14.

“Hazelwood will have one more bowling tomorrow, so he is on track. We will then assess from there. Everything has gone according to plan so far. So, I am very confident that he will be right for Brisbane. We will look at the next few I will know more in days,” he said.