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Dean Jones to resume his career as TV commentator

South African cricketer Hashim Amla takes a drink after scoring 150 runs during a practice match against the Sri Lanka A team in Colombo on July 22. PHOTO: REUTERS

Former Australian Test cricketer Dean Jones will resume his career as a television commentator next year after being sacked for calling a Muslim player a terrorist.

Jones, 45, lost his job with the South Asian network Ten Sports last month when viewers heard him say "the terrorist's got another wicket" as South Africa's Hashim Amla took a catch in a Test against Sri Lanka.

He later apologized for the remark, saying it was meant as a joke among commentators and was not meant to go to air.

Jones said yesterday that two Indian TV networks have employed him and that he'll return to commentating next year. He refused to name the networks but said he will be providing commentary on the 2007 World Cup in the West Indies for Indian audiences.

Jones said he has also signed a two-year deal with Australia's Southern Cross radio network.

Jones said he believed cricket followers, including Muslims, had forgiven him for the terrorist remark.

"It's an unfortunate situation, and I've apologized," he said. "I've spoken to Hashim three times already since and everything's fine. There's a few other ugly things in the world to worry about than worry about that."

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia may impose lifetime bans on spectators who racially abuse players under a new zero tolerance policy toward racism, it said yesterday.

Spokesman Peter Young said Cricket Australia would act on amendments to the International Cricket Council's anti-racism code by promoting a new hard-line policy on ground signage and on ticket packaging.

Young said Australia had yet to finalize details of its education and enforcement policies but confirmed its stance was now one of "zero tolerance." Spectators who used racist language faced eviction from grounds and possible lifetime bans.

"The planning for next summer is a work in progress," he said.

"But it is our view that we have an absolute zero tolerance towards racism and we want to ensure there is a public understanding that there is no place for racism," Young said.

Changes to the ICC's code were prompted by racial abuse directed at South African players during their tour to Australia last summer.

The code, approved by the ICC yesterday, prescribes lifetime bans for spectators who abuse players and warns stadiums might lose their international status if rules are not upheld.
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