Former Australian Test cricketing greats Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee are feeling the wrath of social media backlash after unwittingly signing memorabilia used in government asylum-seeker negotiations.
Original News Ltd reports claimed the former speed bowlers were happy to produce signatures on cricket bats gifted to Indian cabinet ministers involved in the handling of 157 asylum-seekers intercepted en route to Australia, however both players now claim they were unaware the Kookaburra bats would be used by Immigration Minister Scott Morrison to help broker a deal to have the detainees sent to India.
Both former players took to Twitter after receiving heavy criticism over social media, with McGrath claiming he believed the bat was going to Sri Lankan prime minister DM Jayaratne “because he’s a cricket fan and that reason alone”.
“Just for the record, I sign thousands of things every year. 99.9% of them are used for charitable purposes,” Lee wrote, currently in India working with impoverished children. “I am a strong supporter of human rights and for me to be positioned as otherwise because I signed a cricket bat is totally wrong.”
“I do support asylum seekers & have compassion for humanity,” added McGrath. “I have always tried to help people but I sign a bat & I’m labelled otherwise?!!”
Lee’s manager Neil Maxwell said his client signs 5,000 bats each year “as a gesture of goodwill” and “to help people out”.
A number of people took to social media to chime in on the subject and take aim at the pair.
‘Very sad to see cricket legends Glenn McGrath and Brett Lee backing Scott Morrison’s policies,’ tweeted Leon Gettler.
‘You should be ashamed of yourself lending your name to send vulnerable refugees back to their misery! Disgusted,’ wrote ‘Dame’ Lisa Townes.
Photo: John Pryke/Getty Images
