Cricket union supports Smith and condemns booing at Lord’s
Australian cricket’s players union has slammed the booing of Steve Smith at Lord’s when the batsmen returned to the crease after being forced off the field following a vicious bouncer to the head.
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Australian cricket’s players union has blasted the Lord’s crowd for booing injured superstar Steve Smith and urged fans to move on after Sandpapergate.
Smith was booed by sections of the Lord’s crowd after briefly retiring hurt after being struck by England’s dynamic fast man Jofra Archer.
A trio of Australian legends has already slammed the behaviour and the union doubled down when they released a statement on Sunday.
“What was unwelcome and incorrect was the sound of booing of an injured player,’’ the ACA said in a statement on behalf of president Greg Dyer and chief executive Alistair Nicholson.
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“Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord’s, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also.
“What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended not vilified.
“Over the English summer, generally the crowds have been terrific and really added to the contest. But when someone is hurt, yet the boos continue, it’s time to call ‘enough.’
“At any rate, the players have already served the toughest penalties in the history of cricket. Surely it is time to move forward.’’
The ACA applauded the concussion protocols which saw Smith retire hurt.
“Administrators in Australia working with the ACA and now the ICC have done a good job in putting the protocols in place,’’ the statement said.
“Plainly, they are necessary to protect the players who are struck. Let’s remind ourselves – this is a workplace for these players.
“The reality is that cricket can be a dangerous sport, especially when the bowling is as ferocious as it has been in this series.
“To see the protocols practised at Lords overnight was important and correct.’’
GREATS CALL OUT BOOING
Ian Healy has slammed the “disgusting” behaviour of a small group of fans who booed Steve Smith after he was hit on the neck by a bouncer at Lord’s.
And English captain Michael Vaughn, former Australian skipper Mark Taylor and legend Shane Warne also voiced their disapproval as did Australian cricket’s players’ union.
Smith copped a frightening blow on day four of the second Ashes Test, when he misread a Jofra Archer delivery that could have done serious damage.
Batting partner Pat Cummins and a stack of fielders rushed to Smith, while Australia’s team doctor Richard Saw sprinted out to the middle and insisted the batsman retires hurt.
The 30-year-old was able to walk off the field without assistance and passed a concussion test, returning to bat at the fall of the next wicket. There was a standing ovation when Smith walked off the ground, most members of the crowd also stood and applauded when he resumed his knock.
But some of England’s supporters opted to boo the batsman, who has copped plenty of abuse and jeers during both the World Cup and Ashes in his comeback tour from a year-long suspension, at both junctures.
Healy, who is hosting Nine Network’s coverage of the showpiece series, was shocked.
“It was disgusting,” Healy said.
“Lord’s won’t be happy with that either.
“They don’t like any ‘yobbo’ element of crowd behaviour.”
Australian cricket’s players union urged fans to move on after Sandpapergate.
“What was unwelcome and incorrect was the sound of booing of an injured player,’’ the ACA said in a statement on behalf of president Greg Dyer and chief executive Alistair Nicholson.
“Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord’s, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also.
“What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended not vilified.”
Australia coach Justin Langer shrugged his shoulders then choose his words wisely when asked about the boos.
“What can I say? ... I’ve spoken enough about the boos, there’s nothing we can do about the boos,” Langer said.
“There is also a lot of people standing and applauding him.” The Barmy Army, who taunted Smith for his role in the Cape Town cheating scandal throughout the Edgbaston series opener, distanced itself from those fans booing the stricken superstar.
But paceman Chris Woakes opted against condemning the noise. “People are entitled to do as they wish, that’s up to them and what they feel is necessary,” Woakes said.
“What they think as a person is right and wrong. For Steve to come out, having been hit the way he was, does show some courage and character.”
Mark Taylor, who is on deck at the home of cricket as a Nine pundit, lashed the booing as “very disappointing”.
Shane Warne suggested booing Smith in other instances was one thing but to add insult to injury was not on.
“Just get up, clap and say that’s courageous, very brave,” Warne said in commentary.
Originally published as Cricket union supports Smith and condemns booing at Lord’s
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