Racial Abuse during WACA Test

During the first test between Australia and South Africa, some spectators racially abused several South African players.

South African management reported the racist behaviour that was directed to Ashwell Prince, Garnett Kruger, Shaun Pollock, Justin Kemp and Makhaya Ntini during the third day’s play to the match referee Chris Broard and the regional anti-corruption and security manager, John Rhodes.

Following discussions between Cricket Australia and South African Management, necessary protection for the South African players will be put in place for the rest of the tour to prevent a similar incident from occurring.

Malcolm Speed, the ICC chief executive released a statement on the issue and had the following to say on the racial abuse:

“The fact that this is an isolated incident by a small number of people in one country does not lessen the game’s resolve to address the issue.

We have in place an international anti-racism policy which all of our members have signed up to. Each of our members is committed to implementing this policy which deals firmly with the issue including the ejection of those responsible for this type of unacceptable behaviour.

Cricket Australia (CA) has reaffirmed its commitment to the ICC’s anti-racism policy and has emphasised that it is taking the matter very seriously. Cricket is an international game which is played by a diverse range of cultures and communities…racist comments have no place in cricket.”