A Hobart cricket spectator faces criminal prosecution and a three-year ban from matches across Australia after allegedly writing racist graffiti directed at South African player Hashim Amla at Bellerive Oval.

Officials were alerted to the incident on Saturday afternoon after Australia’s collapse for 85 runs on the first day of the second Test.

The scrawl on a fence was removed within minutes.

Incident occurred after Australia’s collapse in the second Test. Photo: Getty

“Tasmania Police identified the person of interest through CCTV and witnesses in the area,” a Cricket Australia spokesman said.

“Cricket Australia has issued the person with a three-year ban from any Cricket Australia match, nationally.”

Police Inspector Doug Rossiter confirmed that a 25-year-old man from Longford in the state’s north will face court over the incident which happened just after 4pm (AEDT).

“The man left the venue shortly after but was apprehended and spoken to by police and will be proceeded against by summons for the offence,” he said.

“The graffiti was promptly removed, having only been witnessed by a small number of nearby people.”

The senior police officer described the remark as “inexcusable and intolerable”.

-AAP