Cricket / Cricket Australia apologises, launches investigation over Sydney crowd abusing Siraj

Cricket Desk: Cricket Australia (CA) have condemned the crowd abuse at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on the fourth day of the third Test. CA have launched a parallel investigation into the matter, which is being probed into by the New South Wales (NSW) Police, of the incident that took place in the afternoon session during the Australia's second batting innings.

Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj, first complained it to the on-field umpire Paul Reiffel about the incident, which took place at the end of the 86th over of the Australian innings, when Siraj was fielding on the boundary. The umpire , then consulted it with the Indian skipper Ajinkya Rahane, after which the authorities took the matter in their hands.

The match was interrupted and the section of the crowd was immediately removed from the Brewongle Stand.

Cricket Australia's head of Integrity and security, Sean Carroll, has ensured the Indian team that the matter will be investigated to the fullest extent. NSW Police launched the investigation subsequently and interviewed a number of spectators.

In the latest statement issued by the CA, Carroll said, "The abuse of crickceters by crowd members is not acceptable. 

"We thank the Indian team for their for their vigilance in reporting today's incident, which we are now in the process of investigating," Carroll added.

Assuring the Indian team of necessary and quick probe into the matter, Carroll said that while NSW Police is doing their part, they have launched their own inquiry into the matter.

"It is most regrettable that an otherwise excelent Test match contested in tremendous spirit by the two friendly rivals has been tarnished by the actions of a small number of spectators over the past two days."