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.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
For some, Cristiano Ronaldo remains the essential spearhead for Portugal’s FIFA World Cup bid, while others believe his presence would prevent Roberto Martinez’s strong side from flourishing. The debate around the five-time Ballon d’Or winner rages on, as it did at UEFA Euro 2024 and four years ago in Qatar — yet Ronaldo endures, ready to play in a record sixth World Cup. The 41-year-old remains a global superstar despite swapping the European elite for Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr, and is the leading men’s international goalscorer with 143 strikes. With 25 of those coming in 30 games under Martinez, the coach
Taiwanese sprinter Chen Yi-cen on Friday won the silver medal in the women’s 400m final at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, with a time of 53.16 seconds. Chen, 15, was the youngest among the eight finalists, and her performance also met the qualifying standard of 53.50 seconds for the Nagoya Asian Games in Japan in September and October. Chen first made her mark at the National Games in Tainan in 2023, at the age of 13, winning the women’s 400m final in 55.55 seconds to become the youngest gold medalist in the history of the event. Meanwhile,
RSS