12BET India Feature: Times when racism disturbed cricket world (part 2)

Racism is a hot topic in the world right now as parts of the world are being disturbed by violent protests and calls to end the inhumane act. Several sports figures and organizations also stood to support the demands against discrimination on the basis of origin and color of people as the sporting world is not exempted to it. Here are some of the notable acts of racism in the cricket world:

Darren Lehmann’s racial outburst against Sri Lanka

During a match against Sri Lanka at the Gabba in 2003, Former Australian batsman Darren Lehmann had face wide criticism following his racial outburst towards Sri Lanka after he had been run out. He was accused by Sri Lankan reserve players and management of exclaiming: “Cunts, cunts, fucking black cunts” while marching into the Australian dressing room.

He went on a hearing for a charged under cricket’s new racism code specifically for racism abuse. He faced a maximum ban of four Test matches and eight one-day internationals. Few decades after the incident, the then Australia coach Lehmann said in an interview that he was sorry about what happened. “It was the biggest mistake of my life. I apologised for it on the night,” Lehmann said.

Tour suspended over “monkey” allegations

On Day Three of the India-Australia Sydney Test, Australia’s Andrew Symonds accused off-spinner Harbhajan Singh of calling him a “monkey” in a heated exchange during the game. Singh was banned for three matches for allegedly racially abusing Symonds, Australia’s only black player. The Indians deny that any racist language was used and the tour was also suspended by the BCCI.

They also demanded the removal of the two umpires who officiated in the Sydney Test and issued an official complaint against the Australian player Brad Hogg, who it claims called the Indian captain Anil Kumble a “bastard” during the game. Later after the incident, Sachin Tendulkar later wrote in his book that he heard Harbhajan use a north Indian swear word which is similar sound.

Jofra Archer racially abused by a fan

During Test vs New Zealand in November last year, Jofra Archer racially abused by a fan as he walked back to the pavilion during the final day of the Bay Oval Test, eventuating in a complaint being laid with Tauranga police. The police interviewed a 28-year man from Auckland who admitted the abuse. The fan was initially issued with a verbal warning for using insulting language.

Just early this year, a statement released by the New Zealand Cricket (NZC) board confirmed a 28-year-old man from Auckland had admitted to being responsible has been banned from attending international and domestic fixtures for two years. The NZC police said that they would not be disclosing the identity of the offender, nor information that might lead to his identification.