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'Absolute disgrace': Scott Morrison's cricket cameo sparks outrage

Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured middle) speaks during Fox Cricket commentary.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison (pictured middle) made an appearance on Fox Cricket commentary during Day 3 of the SCG Test in Sydney. (Images: Fox Sports)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has triggered an angry response from cricket fans and the wider community after he appeared at the SCG just before lunch on Day 3 of the Fourth Ashes Test.

NSW's three-day Covid-19 case total surpassed 100,000 on Friday, after recording a further 38,625 cases, as the state battles the Omicron strain.

The state also re-introduced restrictions on Friday to help contain the growing case numbers.

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South Australia, Tasmania, the Northern Territory and the ACT recorded record daily case numbers, while Victoria recorded 21,728 cases.

While the nation attempts to slow the Omicron surge, Morrison made an appearance on the Fox Cricket commentary team.

Cricket legend Adam Gilchrist introduced Morrison, who often attends the cricket or rugby league, only moments before the lunch break.

Cameron Green immediately took a wicket as Morrison started to speak, which cut off the prime minister.

Morrison later went on to talk about the current pandemic and how the current Ashes series was an example of how Australians were living with the virus.

"This is Australia living with the virus, look at out there [SCG]," Morrison said.

"This is Australia taking wickets with the virus."

However, Morrison's appearance at the cricket sparked outrage on social media.

Many thought Morrison's cameo was ill-timed considering how badly people are suffering amidst the record Covid-19 cases across Australia.

Scott Morrison embroiled in Novak Djokovic saga

The cricket isn't the only sporting incident Morrison has found himself embroiled in.

Morrison announced tennis star Novak Djokovic had his visa cancelled upon arrival in Victoria, ahead of the Australian Open, which sparked international headlines.

Serbia has rallied around the World No.1 after he was denied entry into Australia for the year's opening grand slam tournament at Melbourne Park.

The 34-year-old was granted a medical exemption from Covid-19 vaccination requirements to compete in the year's first major, but after a public outcry in Australia was detained by officials at the border on Thursday.

Morrison took to Twitter and said: "Mr Djokovic’s visa has been cancelled. Rules are rules, especially when it comes to our borders."

"No one is above these rules. Our strong border policies have been critical to Australia having one of the lowest death rates in the world from COVID, we are continuing to be vigilant."

This sparked an angry response from Serbia and Djokovic's father.

"They're keeping him in captivity. They are trampling on Novak and thus they are trampling on Serbia and the Serbian people," Djokovic's father Srdjan told reporters at a news conference in Belgrade on Thursday.

"(Australian Prime Minister, Scott) Morrison and his like have dared attack Novak to bring Serbia to its knees. Novak has always shown that he comes from a proud nation," Srdjan said.

"This has nothing to do with sports, this is a political agenda. Novak is the best player and the best athlete in the world, but several hundred million people from the West can't stomach that," he added.

Djokovic is fighting the decision and will wait till Monday before his case is heard.

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