Australia’s Travis Head has been at the forefront of his team’s success in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, contributing significantly with both bat and ball. On Day 5 of the fourth Test in Melbourne, it was Head’s bowling that played a key role in Australia’s push towards victory, with his dismissal of India’s Rishabh Pant marking a pivotal moment. However, it was Head’s post-wicket celebration that sparked much debate and online criticism.
Head’s Wicket and the Infamous Celebratory Act
Just when it looked like the game was entering into a dead-locked position nearing its close, Head somehow removed Rishabh Pant who, along with Yashasvi Jaiswal, was playing some real good cricket to keep his innings going. But this wicket saw the doors opening for the further Indian collapse. After taking the wicket, Head performed an unusual celebration of placing his finger into his hole-shaped other hand, which instantly caught the attention and criticism from fans and pundits.
Pat Cummins Explains the Celebration
In a post-match press conference, Australian skipper Pat Cummins was confronted on Head’s celebrations. In fact, when he was initially confronted, Pat claimed not to have seen anything; however after receiving information through his team manager, he managed to explain himself:
“Oh, sorry! Yes, okay! I can explain that. His finger is so hot, that he is going to put it in a cup of ice. Yes, that’s what it is,” ended Cummins. This he revealed as a running joke by the team, where if he took a wicket, Head would walk off straight to the fridge and come back with a bucket of ice to cool down his finger-a routine he developed into somewhat of a trademark.
That’s normally the running joke,” Cummins added. “Was it at the Gabba or somewhere, where he got a wicket as well and just got straight to the fridge, grabs a bucket of ice, puts his finger in, and just walks in front of Lyno (Nathan Lyon). Just like that, thinks it’s very funny.
While Cummins had attempted to justify the situation, his smile and playful tone led one to believe that he had joked about his answer, showing that the celebrations may have simply been a lighter moment.
Role of Head in India’s Collaps
The furore of Head’s party was overshadowed by the fall of Pant as the beginning of India’s tail-end collapse in the final session of the game. Australia, with the Indian middle order failing, won comfortably. But it was Cummins who took the Man of the Match award for his all-round effort, which included six wickets and crucial knocks of 49 and 41 runs.
The controversy of the Head’s victory celebration aside, it was Australia’s team effort that ensured them the win. Head’s role in the game and the wacky celebration he made after are now a point of discussion, but it was Cummins’s match-winning knocks with bat and ball that saw Australia through to a win. More drama has been added to the series as the Border-Gavaskar Trophy goes on.