Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21: Cricket Australia apologises to Team India, launches probe into racial abuse

India and Australia are battling it out in the third Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy. While the match seems evenly poised, it has been under the radar for some racial abuse hurled towards the Indians. Meanwhile, Cricket Australia is investigating the matter.

Team Newsable

Sydney NSW, First Published Jan 10, 2021, 2:12 PM IST

As the third Test between India and Australia enters the deciding day on Friday, Thursday saw a bit of controversy. A section of the crowd at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) was alleged for hurling racial abuses at the Indians.

On Saturday, following the end of Day 3's play, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj told the umpires that a section of the crowd at the Randwick End had allegedly racially abused them. Although the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not lodged an official complaint with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Cricket Australia (CA) confirmed that it would investigate the matter.

Meanwhile, on Day 4 (Sunday), the play was briefly halted after Siraj once again alleged to the on-field umpires regarding the same at the post-lunch session. The umpires co-ordinated with the stadium officials, as police joined to identify the potential suspect, while six men were asked to leave.

Now, CA has come up with an update, stating "We have launched an investigation in parallel with NSW Police following a crowd incident at the SCG today." It also released a full statement on the same.

ALSO READ: Siraj again faces crowd trouble at SCG, BCCI likely to lodge complaint

"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. 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," the statement read.

"The abuse of cricketers by crowd members is not acceptable. We thank the Indian team for their vigilance in reporting today's incident, which we are now in the process of investigating. A number of spectators were interviewed by NSW Police and subsequently removed from the SCG on Sunday afternoon. While we await the outcome of the investigation by NSW Police, CA has launched its own inquiry into the matter," said Head of Integrity and Security of CA, Sean Carroll.

"It is most regrettable that an otherwise excellent Test match contested in tremendous spirit by two friendly rivals has been tarnished by the actions of a small number of spectators over the past two days. As hosts, we once again apologise to the Indian team," he added.

It is also likely that the BCCI would lodge an official complaint with the ICC. The ICC has introduced strict laws into its anti-discrimination policy, updated in August 2019.

Last Updated Jan 10, 2021, 2:12 PM IST