Former England pacer Stuart Broad has slammed the match officials over the sanctions issued to Siraj for his aggressive celebration in Ben Duckett’s face after dismissing the England opener on Day 04 of the third Test at Lord’s.

Siraj has been docked one demerit point and penalised 15 per cent of the match fee. He was found guilty of breaching Article 2.5 of the ICC Code of Conduct for players and player support personnel, which relates to “using language, actions or gestures which disparage or which could provoke an aggressive reaction from a batter upon his/her dismissal during an International Match”.

“After the dismissal, Siraj celebrated close to the batter in his follow-through and made contact as Duckett began his walk back to the Lord’s long room,” the statement added.

The former England pacer Stuart Broad feels that the decision to penalise Siraj ‘ridiculous’ pointing out Shubman Gill escapes the punishment.

“Find this ridiculous. Siraj 15% 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,” Stuart Broad wrote on X.

The incident which Broad referred to took place right before Stumps on Day 03. Gill made an obsence gesture at Zak Crawley, who wasted time as Jasprit Bumrah led India’s attack.

Shortly, Crawley got knocked on his gloves, who immediately called for medica assistance. Gill charged at him and both engaged in a heated argument and pointed fingers at each before Ben Duckett seperated the duo.

Meanwhile, Atherton said, “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,” he added.

“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,” said Atherton.