Cricket: Three-year cricket ban for Aussie fan after offensive message

Hashim Amla was the target of an extremely offensive message at Bellerive Oval in Hobart, with the fan who created it banned from attending cricket matches for three years. Photo / Photosport

A Tasmanian man has been banned from any Cricket Australia match nationally for three years, after writing an offensive message at Blundstone Arena on day one of the Test match between Australia and South Africa.

The 25-year-old from Longford in the state's north will also appear in court after being charged by summons for the offence.

At 4.10pm on Saturday's first day of action, Tasmania Police was alerted about the message the man had written the offensive message on one of the inside fences at Blundstone Arena on Saturday's first day of the Test.

It is understood the graffiti was about South African star batsman Hashim Amla.

"Cricket Australia and Cricket Tasmania can confirm a crowd behaviour issue that occurred on day one of the Commonwealth Bank Test Match against South Africa in Hobart," a CA spokesperson said.

"Tasmania Police identified the person of interest through CCTV and witnesses in the area. Cricket Australia has issued the person with a three-year ban from any Cricket Australia match, nationally."

"Cricket Australia takes a zero-tolerance approach to anti-social behaviour at any of our matches, which includes racial vilification.

"Our message to any fan attending a match is that if you display anti-social behaviour you will be removed and risk being banned from any cricket match across Australia, as well as police action being taken."

Tasmania Police said the message was only witnessed by a small number of nearby people and was promptly removed.