'You'd rather be booed than ignored'

Cricket365
September 9, 2014

Professional Cricketers' Association chief executive Angus Porter has insisted batsman Moeen Ali take Sunday's booing from fans during England's one-off Twenty20 International against India at Edgbaston in Birmingham as a compliment.

Ali's father, Munir, suggested the jeering by Indian supporters was racially motivated due to the family's Pakistani heritage. The left-handed Ali was dismissed for a duck and took one wicket in a competitive fixture the hosts won by three runs.

"His dad offered his view sincerely and I hope it doesn't stoke the fire because he was just standing up for his boy," Porter told <i>Press Association Sport</i>. "There is an element of taking it as a compliment.

"You are more likely to boo someone when you think they are someone to be feared. Take it as as a positive, you'd rather be booed than ignored. It shouldn't happen but I have always found the Indians to be respectful and it is a little bit surprising in that respect."

Spinning all-rounder Ali was key to England's three-one Test series win over the same opposition earlier this year. He clinched a career-best innings haul of six for 67 in the the third fixture at the Rose Bowl in Southampton, which was complemented by fine figures of four for 39 in the penultimate Test at Old Trafford in Manchester.

"Supporters pay their money and they are entitled to express an opinion, but I don't think it's exclusively about Moeen. You see other players get booed. Jimmy Anderson gets booed when he goes to Yorkshire and it's disappointing when players are performing as entertainers and doing their best. It would be great if spectators saw the positives," added Porter.