🔗 Share this article Darren Lehmann Condemns English Fans for Abuse Targeting Steve Smith Smith has played 38 matches against England and scored 3,436 runs. English fans should be better than the jeers they direct at Australian batter Steve Smith, states former coach Lehmann. Smith, 36, has become a frequent target of songs and jeers from England fans following his participation in the 2018's ball-altering incident. Smith lost his position as leader and suspended for a 12 months while Darren Lehmann, who was exonerated of wrongdoing, stepped down as coach following the incident. "The taunts you get is daily," Darren Lehmann said. "It's astonishing." "Smith is performing every day. It must be tougher for him." "In England they just never forget. It is like they have not once committed an error in their life." "It's mainly the ones that overindulge and act up like fools." Background of the Ball-Altering Incident During a Test match against the Proteas, Smith admitted the Australian "captain's group" formulated a scheme to tamper with the cricket ball. Ex- opener Warner instructed batter Bancroft how to employ abrasive material to rough up the cricket ball, and he was then discovered carrying it out by TV cameras during the match. The two players were also suspended together with Smith. Fallout and Continued Response Smith made his comeback following the ball-altering incident in the 2019's Ashes match at Edgbaston and has been taunted frequently from then on. England supporters also center taunts on his tearful media appearance in 2018. "We did the mistake, acknowledge it and progress," Lehmann commented. "You try to advance the to the fullest. We receive reminded every day and that is part and parcel." "Smith can hold his head high with how he manages everything." "England's Barmy Army ought to be better than that. Most of them are and are very supportive of what goes on in the sport."