England paceman Jofra Archer said Wednesday he had “moved on” after being racially abused by a spectator in New Zealand and was ready to help the tourists bounce back from a heavy first Test defeat. Archer said his focus was on the second Test in Hamilton beginning Friday, not the racial taunts thrown at him late in the opening match in Mount Maunganui on Monday as England were drubbed by an innings and 65 runs.
“I’m over it. I’ve left what happened at the ground and I’ve moved on,” the Barbados-born bowler said in a column for the Daily Mail.
New Zealand, who will be without opening bowler Trent Boult and all-rounder Colin de Grandhomme for the second Test, expressed shock at Archer’s treatment, with skipper Kane Williamson offering an apology on behalf of all Kiwis.
“I should also say it was just one person who was shouting stuff. But I found the incident a real shame,” said Archer who added he was disappointed other spectators did not intervene.
