South African board welcomes tough anti-racism stance

"Those are the words we don't want to hear. It's absolutely uncalled for and it's unbearable' - Makhaya Ntini reacts on being branded as 'Kaffirs' by the WACA crowd © Getty Images

South African officials have welcomed new measures introduced by Australia against spectators who make racist taunts during the remainder of South Africa's tour.

"Cricket South Africa welcomes this tough public stance taken by Cricket Australia in the fight against racism," Gerald Majola, the chief executive officer of the South African board, said on Thursday. "Our players need to be protected against racism and we hope that these new measures will ensure this in Melbourne and Sydney," Majola added.

A statement issued by the South African team late on Tuesday said racial slurs and chants had been directed at Ashwell Prince, Garnett Kruger, Shaun Pollock, Justin Kemp and Makhaya Ntini on the third day of the first Test at Perth. South Africa's management has officially complained to Chris Broad, the ICC match referee, and John Rhodes, the head of the ICC's Regional Anti-Corruption and Security unit. The management has asked for security to be stepped up to help prevent any repetition of the abuse during the next two Tests in Melbourne and Sydney. The next Test starts in Melbourne on Boxing Day.

Cricket Australia issued a statement saying it had a zero tolerance approach to racist behaviour by anyone involved with cricket, including spectators. It said spectators who made racist comments would be thrown out of the ground immediately. Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, has spoken out against spectators making racist slurs, saying "there's no room in sport for racism whatsoever".

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