Cricket South Africa’s interim chief executive Jacques Faul has requested South African fans to “respect” Steve Smith and David Warner as the Australians return to the country for the first time since the ball-tampering scandal.
“I would plead with South African fans to respect our opponents and don’t go overboard with these things (referring to Smith and Warner),” Faul told The Herald.
Both Warner and Smith, then Australia’s captain and vice-captain, were banned by Cricket Australia for one year for involvement in ball-tampering during the Cape Town Test in March 2018.
“It’s competitive on the field, and we don’t need it. Sport, in general, doesn’t need that behavior.
“What happened last time the behavior was unfortunate. As much as we appreciate the support and you have to acknowledge the importance of people supporting these events I can only plead that people would treat players with respect.”
Nearly two years after their world came crashing down, Smith and Warner flew out to South Africa on Friday with the rest of Australia’s Twenty20 squad.
Australia will play three T20Is, starting on February 21 and three ODIs during the tour.
The duo were at the received end of booing from fans during the ICC World Cup and the high-voltage Ashes series against England last summer.
Faul, who stepped into the post in December after Thabang Moroe was suspended amid allegations of misconduct, warned fans they would be thrown out of the ground if they misbehaved.
“Stupidity comes very naturally to certain people,” Faul said.
“If someone misbehaves it’s very tough. We have a very strict policy in terms of fan behaviour and we will evacuate people but the damage will have been done.
