<p class="title">Australia's cricket union on Sunday slammed fans at Lord's for booing Steve Smith after he was felled by a bouncer from fast bowler Jofra Archer, saying the sport deserves better.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The star batsman collapsed face forward after a sickening blow to the side of the neck and head when on 80 during Australia's first innings of the second Ashes Test against England on Saturday.</p>.<p id="page-title"><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/smith-blow-may-see-neck-guards-become-compulsory-755150.html" target="_blank">Smith blow may see neck guards become compulsory</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">He was eventually able to walk off the field for concussion checks to a standing ovation after another gritty performance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But when he returned some fans booed him, mirroring the treatment he has received from sections of the crowd in England keen to remind him of his 12-month ban for ball-tampering.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), which represents players, said it was wrong to hurl abuse at an injured player.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord's, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also," president Greg Dyer and chief executive Alistair Nicholson said in a joint statement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended not vilified.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Over the English summer, generally the crowds have been terrific and really added to the contest. But when someone is hurt, yet the boos continue, it's time to call 'enough'."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Several former Australian greats also condemned the behaviour with Ian Healy calling it "disgusting" while Mark Taylor said it was "very disappointing".</p>.<p class="bodytext">While angry at Smith's treatment by some fans, the ACA applauded the decision by medics to insist the 30-year-old leave the field for concussion checks, a protocol pushed by Australia following the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hughes, a former team-mate of Smith's, died after being hit by a bouncer in a domestic Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The events at Lord's show the importance of the concussion protocols which have been developed in Australia over the last few years," it said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Administrators in Australia working with the ACA and now the ICC have done a good job in putting the protocols in place. Plainly, they are necessary to protect the players who are struck.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Let's remind ourselves -- this is a workplace for these players," it added. "The reality is that cricket can be a dangerous sport, especially when the bowling is as ferocious as it has been in this series.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"To see the protocols practised at Lord's overnight was important and correct."</p>.<p class="bodytext">While Smith was wearing a helmet it did not have the additional neck protection that was introduced after Hughes died, which remains optional.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Australia coach Justin Langer said after Saturday's scare that he can see a time when it becomes mandatory. </p>
<p class="title">Australia's cricket union on Sunday slammed fans at Lord's for booing Steve Smith after he was felled by a bouncer from fast bowler Jofra Archer, saying the sport deserves better.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The star batsman collapsed face forward after a sickening blow to the side of the neck and head when on 80 during Australia's first innings of the second Ashes Test against England on Saturday.</p>.<p id="page-title"><strong><a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/smith-blow-may-see-neck-guards-become-compulsory-755150.html" target="_blank">Smith blow may see neck guards become compulsory</a></strong></p>.<p class="bodytext">He was eventually able to walk off the field for concussion checks to a standing ovation after another gritty performance.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But when he returned some fans booed him, mirroring the treatment he has received from sections of the crowd in England keen to remind him of his 12-month ban for ball-tampering.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Australian Cricketers' Association (ACA), which represents players, said it was wrong to hurl abuse at an injured player.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Cricket deserves much better than that. And Lord's, the home of cricket, deserves much better than that also," president Greg Dyer and chief executive Alistair Nicholson said in a joint statement.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"What we witnessed was bravery from an outstanding young man. It should be commended not vilified.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Over the English summer, generally the crowds have been terrific and really added to the contest. But when someone is hurt, yet the boos continue, it's time to call 'enough'."</p>.<p class="bodytext">Several former Australian greats also condemned the behaviour with Ian Healy calling it "disgusting" while Mark Taylor said it was "very disappointing".</p>.<p class="bodytext">While angry at Smith's treatment by some fans, the ACA applauded the decision by medics to insist the 30-year-old leave the field for concussion checks, a protocol pushed by Australia following the death of Phillip Hughes in 2014.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Hughes, a former team-mate of Smith's, died after being hit by a bouncer in a domestic Sheffield Shield match in Sydney.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"The events at Lord's show the importance of the concussion protocols which have been developed in Australia over the last few years," it said.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Administrators in Australia working with the ACA and now the ICC have done a good job in putting the protocols in place. Plainly, they are necessary to protect the players who are struck.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"Let's remind ourselves -- this is a workplace for these players," it added. "The reality is that cricket can be a dangerous sport, especially when the bowling is as ferocious as it has been in this series.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"To see the protocols practised at Lord's overnight was important and correct."</p>.<p class="bodytext">While Smith was wearing a helmet it did not have the additional neck protection that was introduced after Hughes died, which remains optional.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Australia coach Justin Langer said after Saturday's scare that he can see a time when it becomes mandatory. </p>