South Africa have branded Australian cricket fans as bad mannered as the booing of Faf du Plessis continues unabated.
The Proteas’ captain was again roundly booed when he walked to and from the crease on Saturday at Adelaide Oval in the third Test.
“That is probably pretty bad manners, where we come from or where any side should come from,” South Africa’s batting coach Neil McKenzie told reporters.
“But it’s not from the Australian cricketers, it’s not from the Australian journos or commentators … it’s a few people in the crowd.
“What happens, it’s outside the Proteas’ circle. We just get on with it – there’s nothing we can do about it.”
Much of the animosity towards du Plessis stems from him being found guilty of ball tampering by the International Cricket Council at a hearing on Tuesday in Adelaide.
Du Plessis, who maintains his innocence and will appeal, copped similar booing treatment in the first innings but responded with a superb unbeaten century but, on Saturday, was dismissed for 12.
“It obviously spurred Faf on in the first innings,” McKenzie said of the booing.
“He got probably one of the better hundreds that I have seen him play … unfortunately, it didn’t spur him on in the second innings.
“But it’s just one of those things in sport … some crowds boo, some don’t.”
Denying he stuck his finger in his mouth? Really?
Charlie Turner
Guest
The booing has nothing to do with being treated equally. Most of the "booing" public could not spell ICC let alone comprehend the politics of international cricket. It's about Faf denying he stuck his finger in his mouth and rubbed mint on the ball.
Yup
ADP
Guest
Fair comment - there was a lot of media hype (from both sides) about the ball tampering accusation, a local crowd anywhere will jump on that bandwagon. Lets face it. Reckon us Saffas should be gracious in victory, tables could well be turned in future!
ADP
Guest
Hey Kool Aid, you really think he was "actively cheating"? If yes, I trust you have been blessed with the insight as to what my follow up question is going to be...
ADP
Guest
Biltong - you waste your breath sir...
Brendon the 1st
Guest
I think someone needs a hug and a tissue. Perhaps if he'd just copped it on the chin he wouldn't have got that reception. Harden up mate, ya get paid big bucks to play sport.
That isn't really arrogance , is it? Asking that everyone is treated the same is a bit further from the truth.
How some can still stand in judgement over what du Plessis did whilst it is now open knoweldge that everyone does it just confirm that bias and diuble standards are alive and well
Jeffrey Dun
Roar Rookie
Because they are a one-eyed Australian crowd Charl. The important point is, however, that they were not booing Faf because Australia lost the series, or because they thought the reason SA won was because of cheating. The elements of the crowd that booed were ill mannered, but they are not delusional. All Australian supporters recognise how pathetic we were in the first two tests.
Pope Paul VII
Guest
3 cheers for Faf's genius declaration.
JimmyB
Guest
Cheers mate, I'm trying.
Charl
Guest
Jeff, you do understand that Steve Smith, honest young fella that he is, admitted to the same tampering, don't you? Why do you think the crowd didn't boo him?
davSA
Guest
Ask Shane Warne or even Merv Hughes how polite The SA crowds are. I even remember Hughes taking a swing with his bat at a spectator at Neil Mckenzies home ground the Wanderers. Im sure it wasn't to thank him for being polite. Daft comment.
Nudge
Guest
Get better mate
JimmyB
Guest
Yeah fair enough, I had tickets for Thursday too but not been well so couldn't make it.
Nudge
Guest
They aren't going to just add another 10,000 to make it look good Jimmy. In saying that I was out the back of the members for a bit on Thursday and yesterday and there'd be 6000 out there that don't see a whole lot of cricket. Pretty decent place to be on a warm day?
JimmyB
Guest
Mate, I simply don't believe those numbers, the place has looked less than half full at the most and today...if there's 10,000 there, I'd be amazed.
Nudge
Guest
Bit confused with that one Jimmy. What do you mean? 32,000 on Thursday, 38,000 on Friday not sure what the crowd was yesterday but being at the game yesterday's crowd looked a lot better than Thursday. That's big numbers I would have thought?
JimmyB
Guest
Err, not really for this one. The Ch 9 team keep trying to suggest that the match has been well supported...it hasn't.