More Crowd Trouble At SCG, Group Of Spectators Asked To Leave After Mohammed Siraj's Complaint Australia vs India, 3rd Test.

Australia vs India, 3rd Test: More Crowd Trouble At SCG, Group Of Spectators Asked To Leave After Mohammed Siraj's Complaint

Australia vs India: A group of spectators was asked to 

leave on Day 4 of the third Test at the Sydney Cricket 

Ground after Mohammed Siraj's complaint.

''Should Be Banned For Life'': Mike Hussey, Shane Warne Condemn Racial Abuse At SCG

Australia vs India: India fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah 

and Mohammed Siraj faced alleged racial abuse from 

the crowd on the second and third day of the ongoing 

third Test in Sydney.

Former Australian cricketers Mike Hussey and Shane Warne have condemned the alleged racial abuse at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) during the ongoing third Test between India and Australia. The Indian team on Saturday lodged an official complaint after the crowd at the SCG allegedly racially abused fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj on the second and third day of the ongoing Pink Test in Sydney.

"It's terrible behavior and I can't believe it's still happening in this day and age. They should be banned for life from coming to cricket. The Indians have come here to our shores to entertain us, play some great cricket, we should be so grateful that we can watch some live sport. To treat the players like that is unacceptable," Hussey told Fox Cricket.

"It Is Upsetting And Disappointing," Says Justin Langer On India Players Facing Racial Abuse

Australia vs India: Australia coach Justin Langer said it was a shame that such a hard-fought series was tarnished by incidents like these.

Australia coach Justin Langer on Sunday called it a shame and one of his greatest "pet hates" after some spectators directed racial abuse at Indian players during the third Test here and were expelled from the Sydney Cricket Ground for their behavior. The play was halted for a few minutes on the fourth day after visiting pacer Mohammed Siraj complained of racial abuse from a section of the crowd, leading to the expulsion of some spectators and an unreserved apology from the host board.

At the end of the day's play, multiple questions were directed at Langer on the issue and the former Australia opener stressed education.

"I have just read a book on the history of Australia and watched some good documentaries a couple of times in the last few months. It's saddening, we are educating ourselves and it makes you feel very sad that people are subjected to racism," Langer said referring to Australia's troubled history with regards to the indigenous aboriginals.

"When you start getting educated... About what has happened in the history of Australia you can understand why it's so hurtful," he added.

The unsavory incident on Sunday came a day after a drunk spectator at the SCG allegedly directed racial abuse at Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj. The BCCI has lodged a complaint with the ICC.

Reacting to the two episodes of racism against the visiting team in as many days, Langer said it was a shame that such a hard-fought series was tarnished by incidents like these.

"Sorry, it is upsetting and it is disappointing," he asserted. Says Justin Langer.

"...it is one of my greatest pet hates in life, that people can think they can come to a sporting event, whether it is cricket or any kind and pay their money and think that they can abuse or so whatever they like.

"I mean, I have hated it as a player, I have hated it as a coach, we have seen in different parts of the world, it is really sad to see this happen in Australia," he said.

Langer said it is especially frustrating when the cricket itself has been nothing less than exciting so far. "I think our series so far has been played in such great spirit, it has been incredible cricket, it has been brilliant to watch on the field, it's been really played in good spirit between both the teams.

"It's a shame to see (the series) getting marred by incidents like that we are hearing about today and last night."

Local media reported that six people were expelled from the SCG by the security during the nearly 10-minute halt in the on-ground proceedings.

During the second session of the fourth day, India players huddled in the center when Siraj, standing at the square leg boundary, complained of abuse after being hit for two consecutive sixes by Cameron Green in his over.

This prompted the security personnel to enter the stands and look for the mischief monger before a group of people was asked to leave the stands. 

Warne also said that "severe punishment" should be given to the members of the crowd who hurled racial slurs at Siraj and Bumrah.

"Disgraceful to be honest, absolutely disgraceful. Should never happen, especially what's happened in the last 12 months or so with everything else around the world. Let's hope they come down heavy and find the culprits," said Warne.

A day after the Indian team filed an official complaint against alleged racial abuse faced by two of its players, a group of spectators were asked to leave the Sydney Cricket Ground on Mohammed Siraj's complaint on Sunday. The incident took place during the second session on Day 4 of the third Test when Siraj was fielding at the fence and raised the issue with the on-field umpires. It is unclear what was said to the Indian bowler, but the group was evicted from the stands by security officials. Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah had faced alleged racial abuse on the second and third day of the ongoing Test match which led to the team management lodging a complaint with the match officials.

Just before the Tea break, the play was stopped for more than eight minutes after Siraj, who was fielding at fine leg, raised the issue with on-field umpires while pointing towards a group of spectators.

After Siraj's complaint, the umpires and security guards convened to identify the group of spectators and upon identification six people were asked to leave by the New South Wales Police.

Reacting to the incident, Sean Carroll, Cricket Australia's Head of Integrity and Security said that "if you engage in racist abuse, you are not welcome in Australian cricket"

"Cricket Australia condemns in the strongest terms possible all discriminatory behavior," said Caroll.

"CA is awaiting the outcome of the International Cricket Council's investigation into the matter reported at the SCG on Saturday. Once those responsible are identified, CA will take the strongest measures possible under our Anti-Harassment Code, including lengthy bans, further sanctions, and referral to NSW Police," said Caroll, reacting to the complaint filed by the Indian team.

"As series hosts, we unreservedly apologize to our friends in the Indian cricket team and assure them we will prosecute the matter to its fullest extent," he added.