'A disgrace' - Broadcasters face heat for 'objectifying women' during SA-ENG Test series

Camerawork can enlighten the lives of sportsmen by capturing some of their fascinating skills but it can also show them in a poor light at other times. Something similar happened with England batsman Jonny Bairstow during the ongoing second Test match against South Africa in Cape Town. Host broadcasters SuperSport TV came under fire for playing a prank on the cricketer.

It so happened that Bairstow was shown looking through a pair of binoculars from the dressing room balcony as his team batted in the second innings in a game that has looked evenly poised. The telecast showed the 30-year-old looking out of the balcony before cutting to female fans in the crowd, making one commentator ask in laughter: “What’s he looking at, Jonny Bairstow?”

The prank was to show that the England cricketer is taking a special effort to look at women in the audience and while some found it funny, not all were convinced. Lorna Leach, a strategic relationship manager for London Sport, called Super Sport a “disgrace” over the “embarrassing” stunt.

‘Objectifying Women’

In a tweet, she said: “TV director is a disgrace it’s not beautiful or clever. It’s embarrassing and objectifying women. Women who had every right to be at the test to enjoy the game not be ‘hot’ enough for the director and camera crew to pick them out,” she added, pointing to the sexist aspect of the controversy.

This is not the first time that SuperSport has played a prank on a visiting player. During Australia’s ill-reputed tour of South Africa early in 2018, it had done the same on off-spinner Nathan Lyon and the latter and his teammates saw it play out on television screens in the changing rooms. The funny side was more in talks at that time.

On the ground, however, England looked least affected as they focused on their batting to add on the lead they have got in the first innings. Having won the toss and elected to bat, Joe Root’s side made 269 and then bowled the Proteas out for 223 to gain a crucial 46-run lead. In the second essay, the Three Lions batted sensibly to end Day 3 at 218 for 4 to take an overall lead of 264. Opener Dominic Sibley hit his career-best 85 while Root made 61 as the two added 116 runs for the third wicket to strengthen the visitors’ position.

SA won the first Test in Centurion by 107 runs to lead the four-match series 1-0.