Kane Richardson not offended by Marcus Stoinis’ homophobic slur

Kane Richardson didn’t need an apology from Marcus Stoinis because he didn’t take offence to the homophobic slur.

Kane Richardson bowls during a training session at Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Sunday. Picture: AFP

Kane Richardson didn’t need an apology from Marcus Stoinis because he didn’t take offence at the homophobic slur that marred last week’s Big Bash Melbourne derby.

Stoinis, 30, was fined $7500 but avoided suspension for calling Richardson, 28, a “faggot” during his matchwinning and unbeaten knock of 68 at the MCG.

The sledge happened early in the innings and Stoinis told his batting partners during the run chase he expected to face a ban.

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The 2019 World Cup teammates texted each other the next morning, however they haven’t communicated beyond that.

“I could tell by (Stoinis’) body language during the rest of his innings that night that he knew he’d made a mistake,” Richardson said

“To be honest, I didn’t really need an apology. He didn’t offend me. It’s more that what he said offended so many people. He didn’t need to apologise to me, it’s more his actions and everyone’s actions going forward that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.”

Richardson said “a bit of harmless banter” exploded when Stoinis dropped the slur, which was heard by umpires Gerard Abood and Phillip Gillespie.

“We always talk (on the field) — we’re competitors. It was a bit of banter,” Richardson said.

“I always want to have a chat to him about that. It was kind of harmless cricket chat and then for some reason he reacted the way he did. You’d have to ask him why, but it was out of character.

“He looked more angry than I’ve ever seen him be. I’m not sure what he was thinking but the learning has to be that this kind of thing doesn’t happen again.”

Meanwhile, Richardson joked interim Australian ODI coach Andrew McDonald “camped out” at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium to see what time the dew came in.

“I think he slept here last night,” he said. “We’re going to train today with some wet balls so we can practise that. It’s nothing new, we have that back home as well.”

Richardson is behind Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the 14-man ODI squad but is likely to feature in the three-match series in India.

HERALD SUN