SYDNEY, Jan 10: The iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday witnessed the good, bad and ugly in varying degrees for sure if not in equal measure.
India pacer Mohammed Siraj was called a “Brown Dog” and “Big Monkey” in a series of racist slurs hurled by a group of Australian spectators, who were ejected from the Sydney Cricket Ground during the third Test on Sunday, a BCCI official has alleged.
Play was interrupted during day four of the third Test between India and Australia with six people ejected and New South Wales police investigating an incident in the SCG crowd.
After end of day three was marred with allegations of abuse from the crowd that sparked a complaint from Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, play was stopped midway through Sunday afternoon’s play just before tea.
Local media reported that six people were expelled from the ground by the security during the nearly 10-minute halt in the on-ground proceedings.
Bumrah was running in to bowl when captain Ajinkya Rahane and keeper Wriddhiman Saha indicated for him to pull up.
Siraj had come off the boundary at fine leg and gesticulated, making a complaint to the umpires and pointed towards the crowd.
A lengthy delay then ensued with both teams standing around in a huddle while security and police were involved in sorting out who the alleged perpetrators were.
The incident took place in the same area of the grandstand where it was reported by Siraj and Bumrah that abuse had come from on Saturday.
Cricket Australia says it and New South Wales (NSW) Police are both investigating the incident.
“Cricket Australia has launched an investigation in parallel with NSW Police into a crowd incident at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday at the conclusion of the 86th over of Australia’s second innings,” a statement read.
“Play was halted for several minutes after the Indian team made a complaint regarding abuse from a section of the crowd in the Brewongle Stand concourse.
“A number of spectators were interviewed by NSW Police and ground officials and subsequently removed from the venue.”
Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia’s Head of Integrity and Security, said the allegations made by the Indian team would be investigated to their fullest extent.
CA apologises
“As series hosts, we unreservedly apologise to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent,” said Carroll in a press release affirming zero tolerance to racism.
“Once those responsible are identified, CA will take the strongest measures possible under our Anti-Harassment Code, including lengthy bans, further sanctions and referral to NSW Police,” he added.
In Dubai, the International Cricket Council also issued a statement, condemning the turn of events and seeking an action taken report from CA.
“The International Cricket Council has strongly condemned reported incidents of racism during the ongoing third Test match between Australia and India at the Sydney Cricket Ground and have offered Cricket Australia all necessary support in investigating the incidents,” the apex body said in a statement.
ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney reiterated the ICC’s zero-tolerance policy towards discrimination of any kind.
“There is no place for discrimination in our sport and we are incredibly disappointed that a small minority of fans may think that this abhorrent behaviour is acceptable.
“We have a comprehensive Anti-Discrimination Policy in place that Members have to abide by and ensure is adhered to by fans and we welcome the action taken by ground authorities and Cricket Australia today.
“We will provide Cricket Australia and the relevant authorities with our full support in any ensuing investigation as we will not tolerate any racism in our sport.”(Agencies)