The Ashes series between the cricket teams of England and Australia is renowned for its intense battles, captivating fans and making it one of the most cherished and thrilling cricket events. Apart from the fierce on-field competition between the two teams, the off-field banter exchanged between fans and players adds an extra layer of excitement to the Ashes series. The active participation of the fans not only fuels the players but also provides entertainment for the spectators.
However, there are instances when fans overstep their boundaries and disrespect players in their attempts to troll them. In the recent incident at the conclusion of the third Test match at Headingley, England fans, known for their spirited and passionate support, once again targeted Steve Smith with their mocking behavior.
During the match, a few fans were spotted wearing masks bearing Smith’s face, alluding to his emotional breakdown during a press conference following the infamous ‘sandpaper gate’ scandal in 2018. The actions of these fans received widespread criticism, as they were seen as crossing a line of decency.
This is not the first time that Smith has faced such insults from fans. Both he and David Warner have been subjected to verbal abuse from English crowds during the Ashes series as well as major ICC tournaments since their involvement in the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa in 2018.
England Fan Mocks Steve Smith With Mask. pic.twitter.com/UdxB8fh7zd
— Rahul Roxx Star (@rahulroxxstar) July 9, 2023
So sad to see a legend get such treatment. Banter and all is fine but there's a line for everything. Funny how the "Spirit of cricket" banner is conditional pic.twitter.com/n0aVKJWTiy
— Anuj Nitin Prabhu (@APTalksCricket) July 9, 2023
During the first Test match of the ongoing Ashes series in 2023, fans taunted Smith by singing, “Saw you crying on telly,” referring to his emotional breakdown captured on television during the ‘sandpaper gate’ incident. However, Smith surprised everyone by responding to the chants with a smile on his face, displaying resilience in the face of opposition taunts. He appeared unaffected by the derogatory remarks from the opposing fans.
