Mohammed Siraj was fined for his send-off to opener Ben Duckett during the ongoing third Test at Lord’s. Former England captain Michael Atherton commented that match referee Richie Richardson was correct in not penalising Siraj for the shoulder barge, as it was entirely accidental. On Monday, the International Cricket Council (ICC) announced that Siraj was fined 15 per cent of his match fee for his aggressive celebration in Duckett’s face after dismissing him in the sixth over of day four on Sunday. Siraj also received one demerit point, marking his second offence after earning a point in December 2024 following an altercation with Australia’s left-handed batter Travis Head. India Vs England: 3rd Test, Day 5 – Live Score Siraj takes the wicket, owns the moment! 🤫#SonySportsNetwork #GroundTumharaJeetHamari #ENGvIND #NayaIndia #DhaakadIndia #TeamIndia #ExtraaaInnings | @mdsirajofficial pic.twitter.com/M9LtqaotCr — Sony Sports Network (@SonySportsNetwk) July 13, 2025 Atherton explained on Sky Sports that physical altercations are unacceptable and should be addressed, citing an instance where Virat Kohli intentionally gave Sam Konstas a shoulder charge. However, he noted that Siraj’s shoulder touch with Duckett was entirely accidental, as Siraj tried to move out of the way and Duckett just brushed him while walking off. The match referee rightly chose not to take any action on the shoulder barge and only fined Siraj for his aggressive behaviour. Atherton concluded that the penalty of 15 per cent of the match fee and one demerit point was sufficient, and urged to move on. “There is a line, and no one wants to see physical altercations. So when Virat Kohli diverted his path to give young Sam Konstas a shoulder charge this winter, that’s a no-no. That should be stamped on. Yesterday, the little shoulder touch was entirely accidental. Siraj tried to get out of the way. Duckett just touched him as he walked off. The match referee has not taken any action on that shoulder barge, rightly, and just said Siraj was in Duckett’s face. To me, that’s something and nothing, 15 per cent of his match fee and one demerit point, let’s move on,” Atherton was quoted as saying on Sky Sports’ broadcast. Atherton enjoyed the spirited interactions and celebrations between the two teams, stating that it added excitement to the contest and was appreciated by the crowd. He emphasized that he prefers players showing strong passion for playing for their country. “I’ve enjoyed the needle in the contest and I think the crowd has as well. I would much rather see players care too much than too little. I would much rather see them caring too much about them playing for their country than too little,” he added. Why Siraj Was Punished By ICC? Former England pacer Stuart Broad criticised the ICC’s sanction on Siraj, questioning why India skipper Shubman Gill escaped with just a fine despite swearing at Zak Crawley, which was caught on the stump mic in the final over of day three. Broad argued for consistency in penalties, suggesting that either both players should be fined or neither, and stressed that players should not be treated as robots. “Find this ridiculous. Siraj 15 per cent for aggressive celebration. Gill swears live on TV & carries on, and what? It’s either both or neither. Players aren’t and shouldn’t be robots, but consistency is key,” Broad posted on x, formerly Twitter, on Monday afternoon. (With inputs from IANS)