Former Australia players Mike Hussey and Shane Warne reacted to the Indian players being racially abused by the crowd at the SCG and lashed out at the ones abusing Mohammad Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, during the ongoing third Test-match between India and Australia at Sydney Cricket Ground.
At the end of the third day’s play, the Indian cricket team management lodged an official complaint with the ICC about racial abuse against two players- Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
The Indian team decided to take the matter to the umpires after Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah brought the issue to stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane. It is believed that the team discussed the situation with the coaching staff and decided this kind of incident should not be ignored.
A similar incident took place during the second session of day four of the Sydney Test, where play was halted for a few minutes on the fourth day after visiting pacer, Mohammed Siraj, complained of racial abuse and was upset over something being said by the crowd near the boundary ropes.
Following which, umpires and match officials were involved in a lengthy discussion and the culprits were removed from the stands.
Michael Hussey condemned the alleged racial abuse and said he can’t believe it's still happening in this day and age.
"It's terrible behavior and I can't believe it's still happening in this day and age. They should be banned for life from coming to cricket. The Indians have come here to our shores to entertain us, play some great cricket, we should be so grateful that we can watch some live sport. To treat the players like that is unacceptable.” Micheal Hussey told fox cricket.
Former Australian leg spinner, Shane Warner too condemned the issue and feels severe punishment should be given to the members of the crowd who hurled racial slurs.
"Disgraceful to be honest, absolutely disgraceful. Should never happen, especially what's happened in the last 12 months or so with everything else around the world. Let's hope they come down heavy and find the culprits.” Shane Warne said.
Addressing the issue Cricket Australia had offered an unreserved apology over the issue of fans hurling racial abuse towards Indian players, and started its own investigation parallel to the New South Wales police.
(ANI Inputs)
