Cricket: Tim Southee cops it from vocal WACA crowd

Tim Southee and the rest of the New Zealand players have a protocol to follow if the abuse is getting out of hand. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand player Tim Southee was on the receiving end of a stream of verbal sprays from Australian fans at the Waca today.

But an investigation into the incident has deemed it was not racist, as originally thought.

There were allegations that the abuse may have been of a racial nature and ground staff and Cricket Australia launched an immediate investigation.

However, at a security debrief which finished two hours after the end of play, the prospect of racial vilification was ruled out.

It's nothing new for opposing players, particularly those fielding near the boundary, to be singled out for a hard time.

The New Zealand players have a protocol to follow if the abuse is getting out of hand.
Southee followed it, advising the team security personnel, who discussed the situation with ground security and the offenders were dealt with by Waca officials.

There had already been an independent complaint about two spectators before Southee raised the matter, as per security arrangements procedures. The abuse was described as ''low brow''.

It's part and parcel of playing international cricket in Australia, and something former New Zealand players could relate to. The most notable occasion was when Richard Hadlee was the target in 1987-88.

In that instance, it could be called a distinctly Australian form of admiration for a champion bowler.