Darren Lehmann Condemns English Fans for Taunts Targeting Steve Smith
Steve Smith has appeared in 38 matches against England and accumulated 3,436 career runs.
England crowds need to act better than the abuse they aim at Australian batsman Steve Smith, states former manager Darren Lehmann.
Smith, 36, has become a common focus of shouts and jeers from English crowds following his role in the 2018's ball-tampering controversy.
He lost his position as leader and suspended for a 12 months while Darren Lehmann, who was exonerated of wrongdoing, resigned as manager after the episode.
"The abuse you get is every day," Lehmann said. "It's astonishing."
"He is competing constantly. It must be worse for him."
"Over in England they just don't forget. It is like they have ever made a mistake in their lives."
"It is only the ones that consume excess alcohol and behave like pork chops."
History of the Ball-Altering Episode
During a Test against the Proteas, Steve Smith admitted Australia's "team leadership" created a strategy to alter the ball.
Former opener David Warner showed batter Cameron Bancroft how to utilize sandpaper to scuff up the cricket ball, and Bancroft was then spotted in the act by TV cameras during the match. Both men were also banned in addition to Steve Smith.
Fallout and Continued Response
Smith returned to cricket after the ball-tampering scandal in the 2019 Ashes Test at Edgbaston Stadium and has been taunted consistently since.
England supporters also base chants on his emotional media appearance in 2018.
"We committed the wrong thing, accept it and move on," Lehmann said.
"We attempt to move on the to the fullest. You get recalled daily and that is an inevitable part."
"Steve Smith can hold his head high with how he deals with all of it."
"The Barmy Army need to be more respectful than that. Many are and are largely positive of the proceedings in the cricket."
