Travis Head’s audible obscenity during the first Ashes Test and subsequent fine of 15 per cent of his match fee, has raised questions about the role of on-field mics in professional sport.
During his incredible innings of 152 runs that eventually won him Man of the Match honours Head missed a ball off Ben Stokes and swore in frustration.
The incident was picked up on by match referee David Boon, who also imposed a demerit point on Head with the South Australian accepting the sanction.
It’s the latest in a long line of similar memorable incidents in professional sport, particularly cricket.
Tim Paine, Josh Hazlewood and Michael Clarke have all been picked up swearing by the broadcast's stump mics in recent years.
Adelaide United captain Stefan Mauk doesn’t have to deal with that issue on a soccer field but defended the need for professional sportspeople to vent their frustration.
“I’m hoping there are no mics out there (when I play), I might be losing a lot more than 15% of my wages,” he joked to SEN SA Breakfast.
“I think when you’re out on the field you’re sometimes extremely heated in the moment and you say things that, if you had your time again, you obviously wouldn’t say.
“It’s something in sport I think you get used to, maybe saying things or getting frustrated with yourself or teammates or opposition.
“I understand that if it gets caught on the mic and kids are listening it’s not a good look, but at the same time, it’s quite hard as a player. You’re trying to do your best and if that’s what gets you in the zone and makes you focused, why would you want to take that away from the player.
“Maybe you just mute the mics or they have some sort of system where they can censor that out.”
While players have had a complicated relationship with stump mics, the ICC in 2018 decided to allow stump microphones to be broadcasting at all times.