Usman Khawaja’s century was the highlight on day two at Edgbaston, but the lowlight came from off the field as spectator chants referencing convicted paedophile Rolf Harris rang out around the ground.
Songs emanating from the Eric Hollies Stand, known for its raucous atmosphere akin to the MCG’s Bay 13, referenced the disgraced former musician throughout the day.
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“Rolf Harris, he’s one of your own,” English fans sang, in a tune often used in various football songs, in reference to Harris being Australian.
Harris was convicted in 2014 of the sexual assault of four underage girls, and sentenced to five years and nine months in prison, with presiding Justice Sweeney noting that he showed “no remorse for (his) crimes at all”.
He was released in 2017 having served three years of his sentence, and died in 2022 aged 93.
Speaking to News Corp, a spokesman for the ECB and Edgbaston Stadium said that the Australian players had not complained.
“There is clear protocol in place for players to report any abuse or discrimination aimed at them during a game,” the statement said.
“Players are encouraged to raise concerns with the umpires who in turn alert the match referee and then stadium security to make inquiries.
“No complaints or concerns have been raised by any of the Australia players to the umpires.”
It wasn’t the only crude behaviour the Australians had to deal with, with offspinner Nathan Lyon also targeted with a chant that sang “you’re just a s*** Moeen Ali”, in reference to his English spin counterpart.
The Australian reports that Lyon himself while fielding on the boundary was targeted by an individual spectator, and called for security as a result.
Speaking to The Australian, officials said “there was nothing in it” and wouldn’t comment.
The Hollies is famed as the source of Edgbaston’s atmosphere, with the stadium’s website referring to it as “the best stand in the world”, and is credited with making the Birmingham ground one of the most intimidating atmospheres in world cricket, according to the English.
Ahead of Tim Paine’s men heading to Edgbaston in 2019, England had lost a sole Test in 18 years, and at the time, the then-Australian captain was asked about “Fortress Edgbaston”.
“It doesn’t matter if we play at Edgbaston, the Gabba, or on the moon,” Paine said in 2019.
Asked if there was a more intimidating ground in world cricket, Paine hit back.
“I could name you 15,” he scoffed.
Australia would turn out to be met by vicious crowds at Edgbaston, champing at the bit to lay into David Warner and Steve Smith in their first Ashes series since their sandpaper bans.
“He’s got sandpaper in his hands”, and “We saw you cry on the telly” (in reference to Steve Smith’s tearful post-Cape Town press conference with his father) were some of the choice songs sung by English fans in the Hollies in 2019, with David Warner choosing to join in the antics and turn out his pockets while fielding on the boundary.
Paine’s troops would turn out to crush England at Edgbaston by 251 runs, with Steve Smith scoring twin centuries in a player of the match performance.
Andrew McGlashan wrote for Cricinfo at the time that “the Fortress had been well and truly breached” on Australia’s win.
The songs come amid a masterful unbeaten Usman Khawaja century on day two, taking the Australians to within striking distance of the English first-innings total ahead of a fascinating day three.
Australia would finish the second day’s play 5 for 311, a deficit of 82, with Khawaja at the crease on 126 alongside Alex Carey on 52.
Cricket Australia have been contacted for comment.
