Former Australian legendary pacer Glenn McGrath has broken his silence on the racial abuse of Indian players on day three and four of the SCG Test. India is meanwhile fighting hard to draw the Test match with their lower-order batsmen.McGrath who is a part of the Sony Sports Network commentary team in Mumbai is not very pleased with the sequence of events that has turned out in the last couple of days.
Speaking to Sony Sports Network, McCgrath said that this incident will not only tarnish the image of Australian cricket but will bring disrepute to the people of the nation.
Glenn McGrath Reacts To Racial Abuse Row
“If there were racist comments, they should be prosecuted because there is no room for that. They should get those guys and find out what happened and interview the people around,” McGrath told Sony Six on Sunday.
Glenn McGrath’s comments came after Cricket Australia put out a statement on the issue and also has formally apologised to the BCCI. The ICC too had come out with a statement on the issue asking Cricket Australia to investigate the matter.
“Under the ICC Anti-Discrimination policy, Cricket Australia will now be required to investigate the issue and provide a report to the ICC on the incident and any action taken to ensure the issue has been dealt with appropriately,” ICC said in a statement.
The Indian team management complained about the incident on Saturday after the end of the day’s play on day 3. Mohammed Siraj was hurled abuses just before the tea break as the game was halted for 10 to 12 minutes. Siraj complained of racial attack from a section of the crowd, leading to the expulsion of some spectators and an unreserved apology from the host board.
Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia’s Head of Integrity and Security, said anyone who sought to vilify and/or harass had no place in Australian cricket. Cricket Australia has also formally apologised to their counterparts and ‘great friends’ the BCCI over the incident.
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Meanwhile, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami has also reacted to the incident. Shami was ruled out after the first Test owing to an injury. He has strongly objected to the racial abuse against Indian players Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah.
“Disappointing to see that my teammates were subjected to racial abuse repeatedly in Sydney. There is no place for racism in today’s world and it is not acceptable. I hope that strict action is taken against those who misbehaved. It is disappointing to see the shadow of racism being cast over such great cricket Down Under. I’m happy that @BCCI is standing up to such discrimination #TeamIndia” Shami wrote on his official Twitter handle.
Disappointing to see that my teammates were subjected to racial abuse repeatedly in Sydney. There is no place for racism in today’s world and it is not acceptable. I hope that strict action is taken against those who misbehaved. #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/pKZA9Y0gfv
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) January 10, 2021
