Racism row peaks in Sydney Test
Cricket Australia apologises after India’s Siraj is called ‘brown dog’, ‘big monkey’
The ongoing Third Test between India and Australia plunged into controversy after yet another incident of racist abuse rocked the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday. It was Hyderabad pacer Mohammed Siraj who, once again, faced racist slurs from the crowd even as Cricket Australia (CA) and the New South Wales police are investigating the first incident reported on Saturday.
The game was halted briefly and a bunch of spectators was expelled from the stadium. It is learnt that Siraj was called a “brown dog” and “big monkey”. The International Cricket Council has strongly condemned the incident and sought an action report from CA. Apologising to the Indian team, Cricket Australia promised to take the “strongest measures” against anyone found guilty of vilification. “It is most regrettable that an otherwise excellent Test match contested in tremendous spirit by two friendly rivals has been tarnished by the actions of a small number of spectators over the past two days,” CA’s head of integrity and security Sean Carroll said in a statement.
The behaviour of the Sydney crowd has received widespread condemnation from cricketers. Virat Kohli, who was once fined for showing the middle finger at the SCG crowd, called it “the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour”.
“Having gone through many incidents of really pathetic things said on the boundary lines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour. It’s sad to see this happen on the field. The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once,” Kohli tweeted.
Meanwhile, the Australian cricketers showed great solidarity towards their on-field rivals. Skipper Tim Paine joined India’s huddle when the play was halted for a few minutes. Coach Justin Langer too condemned the incident.
Sydney/New Delhi, Jan. 10: Indian cricketers, especially pacer Mohammed Siraj, endured racist slurs for a second successive day in the third Test against Australia here, causing a brief halt in fourth day’s play, expulsion of some spectators from the ground and an all-round condemnation of the incidents.
Siraj, still grieving the death of his father a little over a month ago, was called a “Brown Dog” and “Big Monkey” from the SCG stands, BCCI sources said.
The 26-year-old, on his maiden tour Down Under, followed the protocol and promptly went up to his skipper Ajinkya Rahane and the on-field umpires, who halted play for about 10 minutes and called in the security, which evicted six people.
This was after the bowler and his senior pace partner Jasprit Bumrah were abused by a drunk man on Saturday. The BCCI has already complained about it to ICC match referee David Boon.
“As series hosts, we unreservedly apologise to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent,” said Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia’s Head of Integrity and Security, in a press release affirming zero tolerance to racism.
“Once those responsible are identified, CA will take the strongest measures possible under our AntiHarassment Code, including lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW (New South Wales) Police,” he added.
In Dubai, the ICC also issued a statement, condemning the turn of events and seeking an action taken report from CA.
Australia coach Justin Langer expressed his disgust too, calling racism one of his greatest pet hates.
“I mean, I have hated it as a player, I have hated it as a coach, we have seen in different parts of the world, it is really sad to see this happen in Australia,” he said.
The incidents of racial abuse revived memories of the infamous ‘Monkeygate’ episode during the 2007-08 series.
Incidentally, that controversy too flared up during the Sydney Test when Andrew Symonds claimed that Harbhajan Singh hurled the racist slur at him multiple times.
However, the Indian offspinner, who denied the charge, was cleared after a hearing on the matter.
On Saturday, the abuses were directed at Bumrah and Siraj while they were fielding during the Australian second innings.
India’s regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave right now, offered his support to the team via social media.
“Racial abuse is absolutely unacceptable. Having gone through many incidents of pathetic things said on the boundary lines, this is the absolute peak of rowdy behaviour.”