Cricket: Aussies seething over crowd abuse

Security detain a spectator during day four of the test at Hagley Oval. Photo / Getty

Members of the Australian team are reportedly seething at the treatment they have received from Kiwi crowds over the course of the summer.

The Daily Telegraph reported some Australian players had alleged fans' abuse had targeted their partners and children in certain instances.

The team were also said to be upset about the lack of attention security had paid when dealing with the chants and taunts to which they had been subjected.

The paper reported that "explicit taunts referencing players' wives and girlfriends in a sexual manner" were first heard during the opening ODI at Eden Park and had continued throughout the tour.

Players were especially distressed, according to the Telegraph, that the players' children had been named in "vile abuse that in some circumstances has spanned entire days' play".

One fan was yesterday removed from Hagley Oval for abusing Josh Hazlewood, after the fast bowler had earned the crowd's ire for his dissent when appealing for the wicket of Kane Williamson, but the Australian team were said to be frustrated with inaction from officials.

The male spectator was removed from the ground and accused of rowdily mouthing off about the Australians, being involved in an ugly confrontation with an official and security that was caught on camera.

The Telegraph said that while they were used to copping abuse, the players privately believed New Zealand crowds crossed the line. But those across the Tasman were hardly innocent of that charge.

Tim Southee was on the receiving end of a stream of verbal sprays from Australian fans at the Waca last year.

There were allegations that the abuse may have been of a racial nature and ground staff and Cricket Australia launched an immediate investigation. But an investigation into the incident has deemed it was not racist.

In Adelaide in 2002, the Beige Brigade were held back by police for an hour after the game "for our own safety" and then walked with the New Zealand fans to avoid any potential "issues" with Aussie fans.

During the one-dayer in Melbourne in the 2004/05 season, Mathew Sinclair took an incredible one-handed catch on the boundary and immediately turned to the crowd and pointed at them after having copped plenty of abuse throughout the match.