Darren Lehmann Condemns England Fans for Abuse Aimed at Steve Smith
Steve Smith has featured in 38 times facing the English team and scored 3,436 career runs.
England supporters should be better than the abuse they hurl at Australian batter Steve Smith, remarks ex- coach Lehmann.
Steve Smith, 36 years old, has regularly been a frequent focus of chants and jeers from England crowds following his involvement in the 2018 ball-tampering controversy.
Smith was removed as skipper and suspended for a 12 months while Darren Lehmann, who was cleared of wrongdoing, quit as manager after the event.
"The jeers you receive is every day," Lehmann said. "This is incredible."
"Smith is playing every day. It must be tougher for him."
"In England they just never forget. It's as if they have ever done anything wrong in their life."
"It's mainly the individuals that consume excess alcohol and behave like fools."
Context of the Ball-Tampering Scandal
In a Test against South Africa, Steve Smith confessed the Australian "leadership group" created a scheme to tamper with the cricket ball.
Former opening batsman David Warner showed batsman Cameron Bancroft how to utilize abrasive material to rough up the ball, and Bancroft was then caught doing so by broadcast cameras in the middle of the match. Both men were also penalized in addition to Steve Smith.
Fallout and Continued Response
Steve Smith made his comeback following the ball-altering episode in the 2019 Ashes Test at Edgbaston and has been jeered repeatedly ever since.
English fans also focus chants on his emotional media appearance in 2018.
"We did the error, acknowledge it and get past it," Darren Lehmann said.
"We attempt to progress the best you can. We receive reminded every day and that is a natural aspect."
"Steve Smith can be proud with how he manages everything."
"England's Barmy Army should be improved than that. Most of them are indeed and are very supportive of the events in the sport."