Jofra Archer: England bowler subjected to 'racial insults' during New Zealand defeat
- Published
Jofra Archer took one wicket during the first-Test defeat by New Zealand
England fast bowler Jofra Archer says he was subjected to racist abuse by a spectator during the final day of the first-Test defeat by New Zealand.
The 24-year-old, who was making his first appearance in an overseas Test for England, says he heard comments from "one guy" at the Bay Oval.
England lost the match in Mount Maunganui by an innings and 65 runs.
"A bit disturbing hearing racial insults today whilst battling to help save my team," said Archer.
he added: "The crowd has been amazing this week except for that one guy. The Barmy Army was good as usual."
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said it is conducting an investigation into the incident, which took place as Archer walked off the field following his dismissal.
As part of the investigation, England said Archer had received a direct message via social media from someone who is alleged to be the culprit.
"It's emotional, it hurts and we fully support Jofra," said England's director of men's cricket Ashley Giles. "He is a young man making his way in the game and we don't need that sort of distraction.
"Hopefully we find out who it is. There is a lot of CCTV around the ground. We are hoping someone there can identify person, and we are working hard to find the culprit.
"We are working closely with New Zealand Cricket; they are incredibly concerned it happened on their patch and believe it is an isolated incident."
New Zealand Cricket (NZC) said it would be apologising to Archer but added it has yet to identify the perpetrator.
"New Zealand Cricket will be contacting, and apologising to English fast bowler Jofra Archer, who was racially abused by a spectator as he left the field at the conclusion of the first Test at Bay Oval," it said in a statement.
"Although security providers at the venue were unable to locate the perpetrator, NZC will be examining CCTV footage and making further inquiries tomorrow in an endeavour to identify the man responsible.
"NZC has zero tolerance towards abusive or offensive language at any of its venues and will refer any developments in the case to police."
In September, an England fan said he heard a group of eight men singing a racist song about Barbados-born Archer during the fourth Ashes Test against Australia at Old Trafford.
Archer took one wicket during the defeat at the Bay Oval, dismissing BJ Watling for 205.
The second Test of the two-match series starts in Hamilton on Thursday (22:00 GMT).