The ongoing four-match Test series between the hosts South Africa and Australia has full of controversies. From the first Test of the series, the heated moment continuously running on and it’s decreasing the value of this entertaining Test series.
On the day 2 of the ongoing third Test at Cape Town, Australian opener David Warner faced personal abuse from a spectator during returning to the pavilion after getting dismissed. In return, Warner had heated exchange of words with that spectator.
In this Test, total 12 spectators have been brought out from the stadium due to offensive behaviours. Most of them had abusive words for the players and their families.
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Australian coach Darren Lehman has the disgraceful feeling on these kinds of behaviours. He said on this, “I think it’s been disgraceful. You’re talking about abuse of various players and their families and personal abuse, it’s not on at a cricket ground anywhere around the world, not just here, it shouldn’t happen. You can have the banter, that’s fine, banter is good-natured, fun by crowds but they’ve gone too far here. We’ve written to Cricket South Africa, Cricket Australia have done that, we’ll see their response, but it’s been poor.”
He further added, “We accept it all around the world, but as soon as they cross the line and they talk about players’ families the whole time and getting abused like that, it’s just not on. There’s been various incidents throughout the Test series but this one has taken the cake.”
While former South African cricketers Mark Boucher and Graeme Smith have supported Lehman on this matter, they also said that Australian cricketers and spectators have used the similar abusive words against the visiting team and their players.
Former South African wicketkeeper Mark Boucher wrote in his Twitter account, “Correct Darren! Fully agree! But… start cleaning up in your own country first! The personal, racial abuse I’ve witnessed in Aus was ridiculous. U guys don’t live in a glass house! Why the fuss all of a sudden? Seems fine when the shoe is on the other foot!”
Correct Darren! Fully agree! But… start cleaning up in your own country first! The personal, racial abuse I’ve witnessed in Aus was ridiculous. U guys don’t live in a glass house! Why the fuss all of a sudden? Seems fine when the shoe is on the other foot!
— mark boucher (@markb46) March 24, 2018
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In reply, one Twitter user posted, “Never heard racism in the ground in Australia why bring up racism your country is the most racist in the world.”
Never heard racism in the ground in Australia why bring up racism your country is the most racist in the world
— Brendan gallagher (@Brendan141986) March 24, 2018
Boucher posted in return, “What ground or grounds were u at sunshine!? Open ur ears! Ask Makhaya Ntini! He will tell you! You are such angels…when u sleeping…”
What ground or grounds were u at sunshine!? Open ur ears! Ask Makhaya Ntini! He will tell you! You are such angels…when u sleeping…
— mark boucher (@markb46) March 24, 2018
Meanwhile, former South African skipper Graeme Smith also supported Boucher and posted, “Absolutely right, and I don’t condone any of it…. But Blimey i have never seen an Aussie team whinge and whine like this!”
Absolutely right, and I don’t condone any of it….
But Blimey i have never seen an Aussie team whinge and whine like this! https://t.co/ECi5y1BA91— Graeme Smith (@GraemeSmith49) March 24, 2018
