Group of fans removed and play halted after Mohammed Siraj tells umpires of alleged abuse

India’s team staff initially reported racist abuse against seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj on Saturday, before play was stopped for 10 minutes on Sunday when Siraj informed the umpires of a further incident

Cricket Australia and New South Wales police are investigating claims that Indian players received racist abuse from crowd members during the third Test in Sydney.

India’s team staff initially reported racist abuse against seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj on Saturday, before play was stopped for 10 minutes on Sunday when Siraj informed the umpires of further abuse while he had been fielding on the boundary edge.

Six spectators were ejected from the ground by police and security guards following the incident on the fourth day of the Test, which will conclude on Monday with the tourists requiring 309 more runs to win after Australia set a victory target of 407.

Sean Carroll, head of integrity and security for Cricket Australia, said: “If you engage in racist abuse, you are not welcome in Australian cricket.

“The abuse of cricketers by crowd members is not acceptable. We thank the Indian team for their vigilance in reporting Sunday's incident, which we are now in the process of investigating.

“While we await the outcome of the investigation by NSW Police, CA has launched its own inquiry into the matter.

“It is most regrettable that an otherwise excellent Test match contested in tremendous spirit by two friendly rivals has been tarnished by the actions of a small number of spectators over the past two days. As hosts, we once again apologise to the Indian team.”

^{Play was halted for 10 minutes after Siraj alerted the umpires to the situation}

He added: “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 New South Wales police.”

Siraj approached umpires Paul Reiffel and Paul Wilson shortly before the tea interval, pointing to an area among the SCG crowd, which has been restricted to 25 per cent capacity owing to coronavirus restrictions.

Prior to Sunday’s incident, Cricket Australia chief executive Nick Hockley had spoken to India’s team management on Saturday evening, while several Indian players spoke to the standing umpires. Bumrah and Siraj were also seen separately talking to officials from Cricket Australia and the ICC.

ICC chief executive Manu Sawhney added: “There is no place for discrimination in our sport and we are incredibly disappointed that a small minority of fans may think that this abhorrent behaviour is acceptable.

“We have a comprehensive anti-discrimination policy in place that members have to abide by and ensure is adhered to by fans and we welcome the action taken by ground authorities and Cricket Australia today.

“We will provide Cricket Australia and the relevant authorities with our full support in any ensuing investigation as we will not tolerate any racism in our sport.”

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