Fans ejected for Archer taunts
Two Australian cricket supporters were thrown out of Manchester’s Old Trafford for using ‘‘foul and abusive’’ language towards England fast bowler Jofra Archer, it has been reported.
London’s reported the pair were standing below the England dressing room during day one of the fourth Ashes test, which ended with Australia 170-3 after they won the toss.
The pair shouted sustained abuse at Archer while he was fielding, the reported. Among the insults were ‘‘Jofra, show us your passport’’ and other references to his Barbados heritage.
Archer reportedly did not respond to the abuse, but others sitting close to the two men complained to stewards. Police became involved, the reported, and a Lancashire spokesman confirmed the pair were ejected under the county’s zero-tolerance policy on abusive behaviour.
Archer, 24, was born in Bridgetown and has an English father. He played three times for West Indies under-19 but, after missing their 2015 World Cup squad, moved to England where he joined Sussex for the 2016 season.
The Archer incident summed up a frustrating day with the series poised 1-1, with only 44 overs bowled as rain and strong winds hit Manchester.
The umpires took the unusual For the latest on the fourth Ashes test, go to stuff.co.nz decision to play without bails after they were constantly blown off by wind gusts.
Star Australian batsman Steve Smith, playing his first test since suffering a delayed concussion that forced him to miss day five at Lord’s then the entire third test, finished 60 not out. Smith who was struck on his exposed neck by an Archer bouncer at the home of cricket, donned a clip-on neck guard for the first time in a match.