Scott Morrison is slammed for being wildly out of touch as he JOKES about out-of-control coronavirus outbreak at the Ashes while Aussies struggle to find tests and Omicron runs rampant
- Scott Morrison had a stint commentating during the fourth Sydney Ashes Test
- His jokey comments criticised and his turn at the Test during the Covid outbreak
- He awkwardly said that Australia was ‘taking wickets in the virus’ during match
Scott Morrison has been blasted by Covid-weary Aussies after he cracked a joke about the Omicron outbreak during an Ashes commentary stint.
The prime minister awkwardly joked on Friday the Baggy Greens’ dominating test cricket performance was an example of ‘Australia living with the virus’.
‘This is Australia living with the virus…and Australians taking wickets in the virus,’ Mr Morrison said as he turned to commentator and Aussie legend Adam Gilchrist and laughed.
The prime minister awkwardly joked that a successful Ashes performance by the Baggy Greens was an example of ‘Australia living with the virus’
Many on social media reacted negatively to Morrison’s comments and his guest appearance.
‘Why can’t I escape Scott Morrison? Why is he commentating cricket right now? Get away from my cricket,’ one fan said on Twitter.
‘So the Australian cricket team “take wickets in the virus”. I’d be interested what any of our health care workers or other emergency services think of that statement?’ another tweeted.
However not everyone mocked Morrison – with some pointing out he brought the team good luck as Scott Boland took a wicket during the Australian leader’s time on the microphone.
Most Australian Prime Ministers have struggled for popularity when they show up at international cricket matches.
With the exception of Bob Hawke, PMs from Malcolm Turnbull to Julia Gillard and even John Howard have proved unpopular when joining commentary or even appearing in the stands.
But it hasn’t deterred Morrison, who has appeared in major cricket photo opportunities several times.
Opinion on social media appeared strongly opposed to Morrison’s comments and his guest appearance
Scott Morrison has made the most of his opportunities to be associated with the Australian cricket team (pictured, Morrison with former Australian captain Steve Smith at the Gabba in 2019)
This time critics pointed out the main issue was timing – that a Covid crisis was not the best moment to ‘schmooze’ at the cricket.
‘How about you stop schmoozing at the cricket and start managing the national health crisis?’ Nic said on twitter.
‘Scott Morrison commentating the cricket… must have a lot of time on his hands,’ tweeted Laila.
Australia’s new Covid infection numbers are skyrocketing, hitting a record 78,035 on Friday.
The number of Australians in intensive care units is also steadily climbing, people have stopped spending and many are in self-imposed lockdowns while retailers are experiencing staffing and supply chain crises.
Morrison also used his live primetime spot in the Fox Sports commentary box to jokingly compare his cabinet’s own prowess to that of the Australian cricket team.
Scott Morrison posed with the Australian men’s cricket team last year in Sydney
Arguably the only Australian Prime Minister to prove popular at an international cricket match was Bob Hawke
When he heaped praise on Australian captain Pat Cummins, he quickly compared the quality of the Baggy Greens’ leadership double-act of Cummins and Steve Smith to himself and treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
He also joked about spending a lot of time with Frydenberg during the pandemic.
Frydenberg tweeted later on Friday that he, like 21,728 other Victorians and 38,625 people from NSW, he had tested positive to Covid on Friday.
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