Racial abuse of Siraj 'upsetting and disappointing', says Justin Langer

SYDNEY: Australia coach Justin Langer has called the racial abuse incident in the ongoing third Test that saw a few Australia fans hurl abuses at Indians "sickening" and "a shame". He also acknowledged the proactive step that team captain Tim Paine took to talk and offer support to the Indian team.

"We talked a bit at tea about what was going on. As hosts, we don't want to see our visitors get treated poorly. There are different levels of that. We went to England last year and some of our guys felt it before (referring to Steve Smith and David Warner being called cheats). There's nothing pleasant about it. I guess it (Paine walking to them) was show of support that we don't condone really, really bad behaviour," said Langer after the end of the fourth day's play.

"It was great to watch, nice to have Tim out there when that incident happened. He is a class act as you know," he added.

The Aussie team, which was notorious for sledging, has been trying an image makeover after the ball-tampering scandal that rocked them in South Africa in 2018. Also, with the issue of racism gaining ground this year following the Black Lives Matter movement, the cricket field has also witnessed many steps.

West Indies and England 'took a knee' while the Australians themselves made a barefoot circle ahead of the first Test to recognise the atrocities done to aborigines by the white settlers in the country. "It is upsetting and disappointing. Anyone who knows me, I have said for years that it is one my greatest pet hates in my life that people who can think that they can come to sporting events whether it is cricket or any code and pay their money and abuse and say whatever they like. I have hated it as a player, as a coach, we have seen in different parts of the world and it is really sad to see it happen in Australia," said Langer. IANS

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