For a second consecutive summer, the New Year’s Test at the SCG has been marred by spectators hurling abuse at visiting players.
For a second consecutive summer, the New Year’s Test at the SCG has been marred by spectators hurling abuse at visiting players.
After England lost four wickets in the morning session on Friday morning, Ben Stokes and Jonny Bairstow combined for a 128-run partnership to resurrect the side’s innings on day three.
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Most Sydney spectators showed their appreciation for the pair as they returned to the sheds for the tea break, but at least one fan in the Members’ Stand decided it was an appropriate time to heckle the England batters.
Stokes and Bairstow stopped dead in their tracks on the steps leading up to the changerooms, glaring at the alleged hecklers.
“Looks like someone might have said something towards Ben Stokes, which I wouldn’t advise,” Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard said.
“Stokes just gives him the look of death, and I would imagine that character has scurried off somewhere. No harm done though.”
SCG security staff were reportedly spotted evicting several patrons from the venue after the incident.
According to a Sydney Morning Herald report, at least one fan had remarked about the players’ weight.
“Pal,” Bairstow replied in video footage obtained by the newspaper. “That’s right. Just turn around and walk away. Weak as p**s.”
Bairstow brought up a gritty century in the final over of the day, reaching the milestone in 138 balls. It was his eighth Test century, and second ton against Australia in the game’s longest format.
The 32-year-old’s previous Test century came in November 2018.
“An incredible moment for Jonny Bairstow in Sydney,” former England commentator Isa Guha said on Fox Cricket.
“It’s been a rollercoaster few years in Test cricket for the first century-maker of the tour. Jonny Bairstow, take a bow.”
Earlier, Stokes was dismissed by off-spinner Nathan Lyon for 66, trapped on the back pad LBW.
Bairstow addressed the incident in the post-match press conference, telling reporters it was important players stand up for themselves in such circumstances.
“It was a bit of badmouthing from the crowd,” he explained.
“Obviously it’s not the greatest, and it’s not needed.
“We’re out there trying to do our jobs. People are out there enjoying the day’s cricket, and unfortunately sometimes you have people who overstep the mark.
“I think it’s important to stand up for ourselves … especially when people overstep the mark, they need to be told.”
Last season, Indian seamer Mohammad Siraj disrupted play during the third Test against Australia to call attention to a group of spectators at the SCG who had allegedly been hurling abuse.
The ugly incident came after India lodged a complaint to the ICC after two players allegedly faced racial abuse from the Sydney crowd.
England was 7/258 at stumps on day three, still trailing Australia by 158 runs.