New Zealand Cricket has admonished a stadium announcer for taunting Pakistan fast bowler Mohammad Amir during the third T20 on Friday.
Long-time announcer Mark McLeod, who is contracted by NZC, had played a
cash register sound effect during one of Amir's spells during the match
at Westpac Stadium. NZC CEO David White said he has since apologised to
the Pakistan team, and has now publicly reprimanded McLeod.
Amir is playing in his first international tour since being suspended for spot-fixing in 2010.
"I think [playing the sound effect] was inappropriate and disrespectful,
and has the effect of trivialising one of the biggest issues facing
cricket at the moment," White told Fairfax New Zealand. "I've contacted
the Pakistan team management to apologise, and to assure them there will
be no repeat."
Amir has had a lukewarm response from New Zealand crowds upon his
return. There were cheers for him during his first match in five years, at Eden Park, though a much smaller chorus of boos was also heard.
Pakistan's team management have also confirmed there was a spectator who
flashed money and jewellery at Pakistan players during the first ODI.
On that occasion, Mohammad Hafeez had brought the fan's behaviour to
the notice of the team's security personnel, who then sought out the fan
and asked him to stop. A team spokesperson said that jibe was not
particularly directed at Amir, and that Amir had been largely unaware of
it.
The spectator had not been ejected from the ground. White said NZC were
content to give spectators a degree of freedom, as long as their
behaviour did not constitute abuse.
"A member of the public in the stands having a bit of banter and humour -
it's different," he told Radio Sport. "We can't direct people how to
behave all the time. There's a line of drunken disorderly abusive
behaviour but stadiums are full of people in groups together, around the
world there is banter. I guess there is the line that people need to
stay within."
No comments:
Post a Comment