Aussie U19 players set to face sanction on return home for ‘mocking’ Indian fans online

At least five Aussie players have been counselled for Instagram posts made before their U19 World Cup loss to India earlier this week where they ‘ridiculed non-native English language speakers.’

Sydney Thunder legspinner Tanveer Sangha at Blacktown International Sportspark, Sydney. Picture: Brett Costello

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At least five Australian under-19 cricketers face sanctions for mocking Indian fans with “broken English” comments on social media.

Cricket Australia will consider penalising the players for “language (that) could be interpreted as ridiculing non-native English language speakers”.

The players have been counselled for Instagram posts made before Australia’s Under-19 World Cup loss to India in South Africa earlier this week.

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Part of the offensive post

“Sir great player, big fan, and will play India one day,” Australia’s No.5 batsman Oliver Davies wrote in a reply to teammate Jake Fraser-McGurk’s Instagram post “Quarter Finals here we come”.

Spinner Tanveer Sangha wrote on the same thread: “You hit ball very hard sir.”

“Sir give me whatsapp number I want to be friend,” all-rounder Liam Scott wrote.

Middle-order batsman Lachlan Hearne replied: “Young Steve Smith sir.”

And opening batsman Sam Fanning posted: “How u bat so good young man.”

Tanveer Sangha is one of the players set to face sanction.

CA’s head of integrity and security Sean Carroll said he had spoken to the players, who had apologised and taken down the posts.

“We are extremely disappointed that some of the Australian under-19s squad members have used inappropriate language in posts on social media, which we reported to the ICC as soon as it came to our attention,” Carroll said.

“Some of that language could be interpreted as ridiculing non-native English language speakers.

“I have spoken to the players this morning and expressed in no uncertain terms that such language has no place in society and falls well short of the standards we expect as Australian cricketers.

Lachlan Hearne is facing a reprimand. Picture: Robert Pozo

“Cricket Australia will consider sanctions upon their return home from South Africa, which will include but not be limited to education and cultural sensitivity training.

“Most of the players do not have their parents present with them in South Africa and some of them are minors.

“Accordingly, we believe it is appropriate to consider sanctions upon their return home.”

Sam Fanning is also facing sanction.

Before they were deleted, the responses to Fraser-McGurk’s initial innocuous post were seen, screenshotted and replied to by Indian cricket fans.

“Aus U-19 players mocking Indians with broken English before quarter-finals against India U19,” one Indian wrote on Twitter.

But the joke was on the Australians, who, after mocking them on social media, were embarrassed by India on the field.