Cricket South Africa (CSA)’s interim chief executive Jacques Faul has urged the South African fans to “respect” Australian stars Steve Smith and David Warner, as the duo return to the country for the first time ever since they were held guilty of ball-tampering.
Warner and Smith both were banned by the Australian board for one year for their case in ball-tampering during the Cape Town tests in March 2018. It’ll be two years ever since the incident took place and everything looked like an end for the then captain and vice-captain. However, both will be flying to South Africa on Friday with the rest of Australia’s Twenty20 squad.
“I would plead with South African fans to respect our opponents and don’t go overboard with these things (referring to Smith and Warner),” Faul told The Herald.
“It’s competitive on the field, and we don’t need it. Sport, in general, doesn’t need that behaviour.
“What happened last time the behaviour was unfortunate. As much as we appreciate the support and you have to acknowledge the importance of people supporting these events I can only plead that people would treat players with respect.”
Both Smith and Warner had faced rough days ever since and had also become the victim of public ragging during the ICC World Cup and the Ashes series against England last summer. However, Faul who came in as the chief executive in December as a replacement of Thavang More was suspended due to misconduct. warned fans that they are sent out of the ground if seen misbehaving.
Faul, who stepped into the post in December after Thabang Moroe was suspended amid allegations of misconduct, warned fans they would be thrown out of the ground if they misbehaved.
“Stupidity comes very naturally to certain people,” Faul said.
“If someone misbehaves it’s very tough. We have a very strict policy in terms of fan behaviour and we will evacuate people but the damage will have been done.”
The Kangaroos will be playing three T20Is, commencing on February 21 and three ODIs during the tour.
