A New Zealand fan watching WTC Final on TV raises a complaint on racial abuse at Ross Taylor, two individuals ejected

Day five of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final between India and New Zealand had it all- contest between bat and ball, gritty batting, and some brilliant outfield catching. The match swung to and fro before the Kiwis slightly edged ahead by removing Rohit Sharma for 30. That’s what the fans also want to witness in the Test cricket and that too in a marquee clash as big as this.

But what the fans and critics don’t want to see is any untoward incident, aside from the cricketing action and day five of the Test match had it that.  Apparently, two people were ejected from the ground for hurling racist abuse at New Zealand players.

The ICC is yet to receive a full report from the security officials who were in charge to oversee the grand finale in Southampton. The batsman at the receiving end of the abuse was veteran Ross Taylor. As reported by ‘Stuff’, there is no official word yet from the security personal. The right-hand batter scored 11 runs before being dismissed by Mohammed Shami. The security officials ejected two culprits from the venue.

“We received reports of abuse directed at the New Zealand players,” an ICC spokesperson told Stuff. “Our security team were able to identify the culprits and they were ejected from the ground. We will not tolerate any sort of abusive behaviour in cricket.”

The incident was reported by a New Zealand follower who was watching the action on television. “There is a patron yelling abuse at the NZ team. There’s been some pretty inappropriate stuff throughout the day, including reports of racist abuse directed at LRPL Taylor,” wrote Dominic da Souza on the social media platform Twitter.

Here’s the Twitter conversation

@ClaireFurlong14 @ICCMediaComms hey folks, is there anyone at the ground taking note of crowd behaviour? There is a patron yelling abuse at the NZ team. There's been some pretty inappropriate stuff throughout the day, including reports of racist abuse directed at LRPL Taylor.

— Dominic da Souza (@teddypaton) June 22, 2021

I wish I were at the ground, but it's really audible through the live coverage. It's been mentioned by quite a few viewers here in NZ. Because it's only a small crowd, it's transmitting really clearly.

— Dominic da Souza (@teddypaton) June 22, 2021

Just to let you know, two individuals have been identified and removed from the venue for their conduct. Thanks for taking the time to contact @ajarrodkimber and I, we really don’t stand for that sort of behaviour in cricket.

— Claire Furlong (@ClaireFurlong14) June 22, 2021

Excellent and prompt response to being notified of the inappropriate behaviour of some members of the crowd. Really appreciate the seriousness with which this was taken! https://t.co/D4D4VCPvmD

— Dominic da Souza (@teddypaton) June 22, 2021

Tim Southee unaware of the incident

Fast bowler Tim Southee, who picked both the openers in the last session, felt he was not aware of any such controversy. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it. The game’s always played in good spirits on the field, we’re not sure what’s happening off the field.”

Action resumed on Day 5 with skipper Kane Williamson holding at one end. He frustrated the Indian bowlers before he was dismissed for 49. For India Mohammed Shami was impressive with the ball picking up four wickets. New Zealand could eventually manage to get a 34-run lead.