LONDON — Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has launched a stinging critique of England's 'Barmy Army' fan group, labelling them "pork chops" for the sustained verbal abuse directed at star batter Steve Smith during the recent Ashes series.
Lehmann, who was at the helm during the 2018 ball-tampering scandal that saw Smith suspended from international cricket for a year, argued that England fans "should be better than" the personal attacks and relentless heckling aimed at the Australian batsman, particularly during the fifth Test at The Oval.
The comments were made on his radio show, 'The Lehmann Review', where he expressed his frustration at what he perceives as a line being crossed from passionate support into malicious targeting. "The Barmy Army, they're just pork chops," Lehmann stated bluntly.
The Nature of the Abuse
The abuse in question revolves primarily around the 2018 incident in Cape Town, where Smith, along with David Warner and Cameron Bancroft, was involved in the use of sandpaper to alter the condition of the ball. Smith was stripped of the captaincy and banned from all international and domestic cricket for 12 months.
While the 'Barmy Army' – England's organised and famously vocal travelling supporters – have a long history of good-natured, if cheeky, banter, Lehmann insists the chants targeting Smith have taken a darker, more personal turn. He described hearing specific and repeated chants referencing the scandal, designed to get under the batsman's skin.
"They're abusing one of the best players in the world who's actually a good bloke," Lehmann argued. "They can keep abusing him, but they're just pork chops. They should be better than that. It's just ridiculous."
A Pattern of Behaviour
This is not the first time Smith has been a focal point for English crowds since his return to the international stage. Throughout the 2019 Ashes series, which followed shortly after his ban, he was met with boos and chants of "cheat" at every ground, a reception he largely answered with a monumental 774-run series.
The 2023 series, however, has seen a renewed intensity. During the fifth Test, television microphones picked up clear and persistent chanting from the Hollies Stand at Edgbaston and later at The Oval. Smith, known for his intense concentration, was visibly seen acknowledging the noise at times, a sign that it may have been having an effect.
Lehmann pointed to Smith's overall record and character, suggesting the continued punishment is disproportionate. "He's copped his whack, he's done his time, he's come back and he's been a great ambassador for the game. To keep getting abused, it's just not on."
The Barmy Army's Stance
In response to Lehmann's comments, a spokesperson for the Barmy Army defended the group's right to engage in partisan support but emphasised a line against personal abuse. The spokesperson stated that their chants are part of the theatre of Test cricket and are not intended to be malicious.
However, they acknowledged that the actions of a minority within a large crowd can sometimes cross that line. "We encourage passionate and loud support, but we do not condone personal, hateful, or abusive language towards any player," the spokesperson said.
They also highlighted the Barmy Army's history of applauding great cricket from opposition players, including Smith's own magnificent centuries. The group has previously sung "We wish you were English" to Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, celebrating their talent even in defeat.
The Broader Context of Fan Behaviour
The debate over fan behaviour in cricket is not new, but it has been amplified in the modern, hyper-connected era where every chant can be heard by a global television audience. The issue extends beyond The Ashes, with incidents reported in series between India and Australia, and in matches involving Pakistan.
Cricket authorities, including the International Cricket Council (ICC) and home boards, have codes of conduct for spectators, but enforcement in crowded stadiums remains a significant challenge. The key issues often cited include:
- Distinguishing between passionate banter and harmful abuse.
- The difficulty of identifying and ejecting individual offenders in large crowds.
- The psychological impact on players, especially when abuse references past personal traumas or mistakes.
Former England captain Michael Atherton recently weighed in on the topic, writing in The Times that while hostility is part of sport, "there is a line, and it is crossed when the abuse becomes personal, threatening or racist."
Smith's Response and Performance
Throughout the series, Steve Smith has maintained a largely stoic public persona regarding the treatment from the crowds. He has consistently stated that he uses any negativity as motivation to perform better, a tactic that has proven devastatingly effective in the past.
In the 2023 Ashes, Smith was again a crucial figure for Australia, scoring important centuries at Lord's and The Oval, the latter helping secure a series-levelling victory. His ability to compartmentalise the off-field noise and focus on his batting remains one of his most formidable traits.
After scoring his century at The Oval, amidst a cacophony of abuse, Smith simply raised his bat calmly to his teammates in the dressing room. He later told reporters, "I've always said I enjoy playing in England, the crowds are passionate and it's a great challenge."
A Call for a Return to 'The Spirit'
Lehmann's central argument appears to be a plea for a return to the traditional spirit of the game, where fierce competition on the field is matched by a baseline of respect off it. He believes the constant hounding of Smith for a past mistake, for which he has been severely punished, undermines that spirit.
"He made a mistake, he owned it, he did his time, and he came back a better person and player," Lehmann reiterated. "What more do they want from him? It's time to move on."
The incident raises enduring questions about redemption in sport and the role of fans in either facilitating or hindering that process. As one of the modern era's great batters continues to compile a legendary career, the soundtrack to his innings in England remains a contentious and divisive issue, with former figures like Lehmann now calling for a change in tune from the stands.