ARCHER ‘EMOTIONAL AND DISTURBED’ BY RACIAL SLUR

JOFRA ARCHER was left feeling ‘emotional’ and ‘disturbed’ after a home spectator racially abused him as England slipped to an innings defeat yesterday. The fast bowler took to social media a few hours later, tweeting: ‘A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team, the crowd has been amazing this week except for that one guy, @TheBarmyArmy was good as usual also.’ England managing director of cricket Ashley Giles said last night the 24-year-old felt ‘emotional’ about the incident. He added: ‘It hurts. It’s really disappointing that sort of thing is still in our society. Our team will rally around Jofra.’ The ECB launched an investigation, while New Zealand Cricket promised ‘increased vigilance’ at the second Test, which starts at Hamilton’s Seddon Park on Thursday night. Security staff will be encouraged to pay closer attention to comments from the crowd. It is understood some will wear plain clothes. Witnesses say Archer (right) stopped to speak to a steward as he left the field following his dismissal for 30 on the last afternoon of the game. New Zealand Cricket said security staff had been unable to locate his assailant. NZC added they would be contacting Archer to apologise for his ‘unacceptable experience’, examining CCTV footage and ‘making further inquiries in an endeavour to identify the man responsible’. It later emerged that the man had already sent Archer abusive messages on Instagram. Police involvement has not been ruled out. Archer’s tweet, as well as news of his abuse, took the England dressing room by surprise. He later spent some of the evening with a team-mate in a local bar, where he reportedly said of the incident: ‘I don’t think it would happen in England’. In a statement, the ECB said: ‘Whilst this is a relatively isolated incident, there is absolutely no place for anti-social or racist behaviour within the game, and it is vitally important that all spectators feel able to come forward to report such behaviour and feel safe in doing so.’ NZC later tweeted: ‘We are shocked and disappointed to hear of the verbal abuse @JofraArcher received after the Test today. @englandcricket might be our rivals but they’re also our friends and racist abuse is never okay!’