England bowler Jofra Archer will receive an apology from New Zealand Cricket after he was subjected to racial abuse by a spectator while batting during the first Test against the Black Caps at the Bay Oval, Mount Maunganui.
Archer made 30 from 50 balls on the final afternoon of the match but was unable to prevent New Zealand from sealing an inning and 65 runs win to go 1-0 up in the two-Test series.
However, that achievement was overshadowed shortly after the finish, when Archer tweeted about the treatment he had received as he left the field at the end of his innings.
“A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team,” Archer wrote on Twitter.
“The crowd has been amazing this week except for that one guy; the Barmy Army was good as usual also.”
A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team , the crowd was been amazing this week except for that one guy , @TheBarmyArmy was good as usual also
— Jofra Archer (@JofraArcher) November 25, 2019
In a statement, NZC said that the perpetrator had not been located, but that the board would be in touch with Archer to apologize.
“New Zealand Cricket will be contacting, and apologizing to English fast bowler Jofra Archer, who was racially abused by a spectator as he left the field after the first Test at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui,” read the statement.
“Although security providers at the venue were unable to locate the perpetrator, NZC will be examining CCTV footage and making further inquiries tomorrow in an endeavor to identify the man responsible.
“NZC has zero-tolerance towards abusive or offensive language at any of its venues and will refer to any developments in the case to the police.
“It will contact Mr. Archer tomorrow to apologize for the unacceptable experience, and to promise increased vigilance in the matter when the teams next meet in Hamilton.”
We are shocked and disappointed to hear of the verbal abuse @JofraArcher received after the Test today. @englandcricket might be our rivals but they're also our friends and racist abuse is never okay!
— BLACKCAPS (@BLACKCAPS) November 25, 2019
Archer later told ESPNcricinfo that the abuser was a solitary New Zealand spectator, who made comments “about the color of his skin.”
He also claimed that the same person appeared to have contacted him via Instagram with further insults. “I don’t think it would happen in England,” Archer said.
