Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann has criticized the abuse directed at captain Steve Smith during the first Ashes Test and revealed that he still faces sledging over the infamousSandpapergate scandal. Lehmann, who coached Australia to Ashes victories in 2013/14 and 2017/18, resigned from his position following the infamous Cape Town Test against South Africa in March 2018.
The incident led to Smith, David Warner and Cameron Bancroft being banned by Cricket Australia for their involvement in ball tampering. Nearly eight years later, Lehmann, who was cleared of any wrongdoing, said that both he and Smith continue to deal with the lingering fallout of the scandal.
Lehmann expressed sympathy for Smith, who captained the side in Pat Cummins' absence during the win in Perth, and singled out the Barmy Army for their behaviour, criticising the level of sledging aimed at the Australian star.