Bad sportsmanship? Internet in overdrive as Steve Smith booed after horror injury

Steve Smith has divided the internet after a small group of British spectators booed the Australian cricketer after he suffered a terrifying head knock at Lord’s on Saturday. The former Australian captain was hit on the neck by a bouncer from English paceman Jofra Archer on day four of the second Ashes Test, immediately falling to the ground.

Now British spectators are facing backlash for their reaction to the incident. After receiving treatment, the 30-year-old was escorted back to the dressing room for assessment. He then returned to bat at the fall of the next wicket, receiving applause from bystanders at the game, however, some fans opted to boo the batsman instead.

While the boos didn’t seem to phase the cricketer, fellow Aussies and others around the world weren’t pleased with the response. Taking to social media, many people slammed those who booed Smith, claiming it was pathetic and disgusting.

“[An] amazing player, pure guts, courage and an utter disgrace that people at Lord’s are booing Smith after that innings,” one person wrote on Twitter.

Another commented: “Haha booing him when he comes back in. You lot – whoever you are – are the absolute dregs.” While a third chimed in adding: “Idiots booing Steve Smith on his return to crease after concussion. Disgraceful.”

Meanwhile, former England captain Michael Vaughan didn’t seem too impressed by the reaction either, writing on Twitter: “I get the pantomime of @stevesmith49 arrival to the crease and the booing but please stop booing once he plays with great skill,courage and incredible discipline !!! he deserves a standing ovation for that innings.”

I get the pantomime of @stevesmith49 arrival to the crease and the booing but please stop booing once he plays with great skill,courage and incredible discipline !!! he deserves a standing ovation for that innings … #Ashes #Lords

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) August 17, 2019

However, others sided with the British spectators, with one writing: “He is a cheat simple as that.” While another added: “He’s a cheat shouldn’t even be on the pitch simple as.”

It comes after Smith along with fellow players David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, were all booed as they walked onto the field at the beginning of a match earlier this month following their ban over the ball-tampering scandal. The negative sounds continued throughout the game and even occurred when Smith claimed an impressive 100, with boos heard throughout the crowd from unhappy England supporters still outraged by the ball tampering in South Africa last year.

Smith remained in good spirits following the match, explaining how he has fallen in love with the sport again after a challenging year following the ball tampering scandal. “There were times throughout the last 15 months where I didn’t know if I was ever going to play cricket again,” an emotional Smith told reporters.

“I lost a bit of love for it at one point, particularly when I had my elbow operation and it was really bizarre that it was the day I got my brace off my elbow that I found love for it again.

“It was like a trigger that just said, ‘right, I’m ready to go again. I want to play and I want to go out and play for Australia,’ and I guess make people proud and just do what I love doing.”

An investigation by Cricket Australia found the former captain, Warner and Bancroft where the only players who knew of the ball tampering plan and that Warner was the driving force behind it. Smith and Warner were forced to make very public and emotional apologies last year in tearful press conferences for their part in the cheating scandal in South Africa. They all later confirmed they had accepted their punishments without contest.

Smith and Warner, who was the former vice-captain, were banned from the sport for 12 months, while player Cameron Bancroft was suspended for nine months, for their part in the cheating scandal.