The Abuse Of Indian Cricketers Is Part Of An Ongoing Culture Of Racism In Australian Cricket
The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once.
At least six fans have been removed from SCG over the weekend after India’s team made official complaints about racism after stumps on Saturday. Gameplay was also stopped for at least eight minutes on Sunday, after a similar incident, showcasing a deeply embedded ongoing issue in Australian cricket.
On Sunday, Indian bowler Mohammed Siraj made a complaint, leaving his position mid-over to talk with the umpire. Siraj’s teammate, Jasprit Bumrah, also made complaints prior on Saturday.
Ground staff were alerted by the umpire, as well as the police, as play was delayed for about eight minutes. In that time, a group of four men, as well as two others were escorted from the ground before play resumed. On Saturday, a spectator was also removed for racial abuse by security.
Cricket Australia has reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy towards discriminatory behaviour in all forms following the alleged racial abuse of members of the Indian cricket squad by a section of the crowd at the SCG yesterday. Full statement ? pic.twitter.com/34RYcfKj8q
— Cricket Australia (@CricketAus) January 10, 2021
Many have sought to deny the Indian team’s allegations, despite the International Cricket Council launching an investigation into the allegations in conjunction with the NSW police. CA are currently awaiting the outcome of both their own internal investigation and the investigation the NSW police are conducting.
In an official statement, the organisation reiterated its zero-tolerance policy for racism.
The incident needs to be looked at with absolute urgency and seriousness and strict action against the offenders should set things straight for once.
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 10, 2021
India’s captain, Virat Kohli, who is currently back in India awaiting the birth of his child, tweeted that the series of racist incidents must be dealt with “strict action” and urgency. Kohli also highlighted that this is not the only incident of racist abuse he and his team.
This sentiment was echoed by Veteran Indian player, Ravichandran. Ashwin who told reporters at the match that wants the matter to be dealt with an “iron fist” and said the abuse of Indian players had been an issue his whole career, especially in Sydney.
“If I take myself back to my first tour in 2011-12, I had no clue about racial abuse and how you can be made to feel small in front of so many people,” Ashwin said.
Anyone who thinks Indian players didn't cop racist abuse throughout the Sydney Test has clearly never been anywhere near a cricket match lmao
— Kishor (@kishor_nr) January 10, 2021
Bizarrely, the Australian team’s coach’s response to the incident was to brag about how many anti-racist books and documentaries he’s watched. Justin Langer talked about his “personal journey” saying, “I’ve just read a book called the Fatal Shore about the history of Australia. I’ve read Stan Grant’s book, Australia Day… I’ve obviously watched the Adam Goodes documentaries a couple of times over the past few months.” Here Langer perfectly demonstrates a common misconception that learning about racism is the same as being actively anti-racist (spoiler: it isn’t).
Langer is the same coach behind the decision that resulted in the Australian Cricket team refusing to take a knee in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, opting instead for a barefoot circle prior to matches as a show of solidarity to Aboriginal peoples. What these incidents over the weekend demonstrate is that gestures of being against racism, are doing very little to combat the deep-seated racism in Australia’s cricketing culture
Australians are incredible. Literally hundreds of tweets saying “Siraj only got mad because he got hit for six. There’s nothing racist about making fun of his name.” Deeply, deeply broken discourse.
— Osman Faruqi (@oz_f) January 10, 2021
The ICC’s investigation into the racist abuse endured by Indian players during play, the swift removal of the perpetrators from the ground, and the swift condemnation by Cricket Australia are indeed signs of improvement in dealing with racism that has long gone unchecked in the game. But there is clearly still a long way to go.
Merryana Salem is a proud Wonnarua and Lebanese–Australian writer, critic, teacher, researcher and podcaster on most social media as @akajustmerry. If you want, check out her podcast, GayV Club where she gushes about LGBT rep in media with her best friend. Either way, she hopes you ate something nice today.