Lehmann Slams England Fans for Abuse Targeting Steve Smith

England supporters ought to improve compared to the jeers they direct at Australia batsman Steve Smith, remarks former manager Lehmann.

Steve Smith, 36 years old, has been a common recipient of chants and taunts from English supporters after his involvement in the 2018's ball-altering incident.

He was sacked as skipper and barred for a full year while Lehmann, who was found not guilty of any misconduct, resigned as head coach after the incident.

"The taunts you get is constant," Lehmann remarked. "It's unbelievable."

"He is performing constantly. It would be more difficult for him."

"Among English crowds they just refuse to forget. It is like they have not once done anything wrong in their existence."

"It's just the ones that consume excess alcohol and behave like pork chops."

Background of the Ball-Altering Scandal

In a Test match against South Africa, Steve Smith confessed Australia's "captain's group" created a plan to tamper with the cricket ball.

Former opener Warner showed batsman Bancroft how to employ sandpaper to damage the ball, and Bancroft was then spotted carrying it out by TV cameras during play. Both men were also penalized along with Smith.

Consequences and Ongoing Response

Steve Smith made his comeback after the ball-altering incident in the 2019 Ashes Test at Edgbaston Stadium and has been booed frequently from then on.

England supporters also focus jeers on his tearful news conference in 2018.

"We did the mistake, acknowledge it and get past it," Lehmann commented.

"You try to move on the to the fullest. One faces reminded every day and this is part and parcel."

"Steve Smith can hold his head high with how he deals with everything."

"England's Barmy Army should be improved than that. Most of them are and are largely positive of the events in the sport."