Aussies praised for brilliant act of sportsmanship
Australia's Ashes heroes have been praised for a classy gesture towards their badly-beaten opponents.
The Aussies wrapped up a 4-0 drubbing of England at the SCG on Monday, winning the fifth Test by an innings and 123 runs.
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And just moments after the final wicket fell, the victorious players showed their class with a wonderful act of sportsmanship.
As soon as the players and umpires finished shaking hands, the Aussies walked over towards the Barmy Army - England's famous supporter group - and applauded them.
Despite receiving taunts and jibes throughout the whole series, the Aussies showed their appreciation for their enemy's never-ending support.
England's tour couldn't have gone much worse, relinquishing the Ashes after just three Tests and showing little fight throughout.
However their loyal fans never stopped showing up and singing for their players, a feat that the Aussies acknowledged with their gesture.
The brilliant sportsmanship didn't go unnoticed by the Barmy Army, who took to social media to thank the Australians.
Good on the Aussie team for acknowledging us this afternoon 🙌
Well played lads, see you in 2019! #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KlQs3FA4oa— England's Barmy Army (@TheBarmyArmy) January 8, 2018
Many more fans did the same.
Nice gesture by winning Aussies in recognising the barmy army
— Ramanujam Sridhar (@RamanujamSri) January 8, 2018
Great to see the Aussies give you guys a clap at the end aswell. Made the tests more enjoyable. Well played Barmy Army. #Ashes
— Jake Whenan (@wheno15) January 8, 2018
Aussies clap the Barmy Army, good to see #Ashes
— Devon Lacecock (@RonHunter12) January 8, 2018
How good is that! Aussies give their respect to the Barmy Army 🙌 Great sportsmanship!#ausveng #ashes
— 😇😇 (@dylanph22) January 8, 2018
Skipper Steve Smith further showed his class in the post-match press conference with a touching tribute to embattled counterpart Joe Root.
Root's nightmare maiden Ashes tour as captain ended in bouts of dehydration, diarrhoea and vomiting in the SCG dressing rooms.
Taken to hospital to begin the day and twice retired hurt, Root was ill and asleep in the change rooms when Smith lifted the series trophy.
The 27-year-old made it to the ground for the start of play with a hospital wristband still on, but did not come out to continue his day-four innings until after Moeen Ali was dismissed midway through the morning.
Symptoms returned when he went to lunch with his fifth half-century of the series though, ending his Test.
"He showed some real courage to come out and bat," Smith said.
"You could see that he was struggling a fair bit.
"He's a tough character so he must have been in a pretty tough way not to come back out after the break."
with AAP