ICC World Cup 2019 | English fans can boo Australian duo if they want, asserts Eoin Morgan
Eoin Morgan has claimed that he will not interfere if Australian cricketers - Steven Smith and David Warner - are booed by Englihs fans when they meet on Tuesday. The defending champions led by Aaron Finch will take on the Three Lions in what promises to be a thrilling affair at Lord's today.
England take on long-time rivals Australia at the iconic Lord’s stadium in Tuesday’s World Cup clash as both teams look to cement their position in the top four. While hosts England will enter the match off an embarrassing loss to Asian opponents Sri Lanka, defending champions Australia will be full of confidence after winning their last tie against Bangladesh.
Aaron Finch & Co. have done relatively well in their ongoing campaign at the ICC World Cup 2019 especially due to the performances of returning pair - Steven Smith and David Warner. However, England skipper Morgan has claimed that he will not ask English fans to stop booing the pair when the two teams go head-to-head against each other at Lord’s.
"Spectators pay a lot of money. They can do whatever they want. You don't know how sports fans will react. Just because two guys have been punished, served their punishment and returned to play, it doesn't mean they will be accepted back into the cricket community straight away. It will take time.
"I'm not expecting anything. I think fans and supporters up and down the country will have different reactions. As they will around the world. So we'll see," ESPN Cricinfo quoted Morgan saying.
Earlier, when India took on Australia at the Oval and Smith was sent to field near the boundary, the former Australia skipper copped a few chants and boos from the fans close by. However, Virat Kohli showed his classy side when he asked a section of the crowd to stop the cheater chants at Smith and instead asked the crowd to clap for the Australian.Â
In fact, ahead of the match between Australia and Pakistan, Sarfraz Ahmed had also defended the Australian duo stating that Pakistan fans won’t boo the pair.Â
"I don't think Pakistani people will do that. Pakistani people love cricket, they love to support and they love the players," Ahmed was quoted as saying reports PTI.
