Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Darren Lehmann has called for an end to the abuse and sledging aimed at he and Steve Smith regarding the sandpaper ball-tampering scandal. The former coach, who was in charge at the time in Cape Town, said its time to move on.

Speaking on ABC Sport after Australia’s eight-wicket win at Perth, Lehmann praised Smith for how he handles himself amid the attention. Lehmann said he also receives abuse daily on social media and believes it would be worse for Smith given he is still playing.

Not great for mental health – Darren Lehmann on sandpaper abuse

“It is unbelievable. He (Smith) is playing every day. It would be worse for him,” Lehmann said, as quoted by Fox Sports Australia.

“In England they just don’t forget. It is like they have never done anything wrong in their life.”

However, Lehmann said most of the Barmy Army are supportive, with a select few carrying on. He called for fans to move on given the incident occurred nearly eight years ago and severe punishments were served.

“It is only the ones that drink too much and carry on like pork chops. It just borders on abuse, but we did the wrong thing, you’ve got to accept it. It’s not great for your mental health, to be completely honest,” Lehmann said.

“We did the wrong thing, accept it and move on. You try to move on the best you can. You get reminded every day and that is part and parcel.

“Steve Smith can hold his head high with how he handles everything. The Barmy Army should be better than that. Most of them are and are very supportive of what goes on in the game.”

Smith led Australia to a big win in the first Ashes Test. Australia’s bowlers needed just 67.3 overs to take the 20 English wickets, before Travis Head produced one of the great Ashes knocks to put Australia 1-0 up.