From Telford Vice in Durban, South Africa
August 08, 2006
FORMER Test batsman Dean Jones has been sacked from his job as a TV commentator, after referring to South Africa's Muslim batsman, Hashim Amla, as a "terrorist".
Jones, who admitted making the comment and apologised, was on a commentary team covering the second Test between Sri Lanka and South Africa in Colombo.
According to a statement issued by Cricket South Africa, viewers heard Jones say, "the terrorist has got another wicket" when Amla took the catch that dismissed Kumar Sangakkara.
Amla is a devout Muslim who wears a beard for religious reasons and has successfully negotiated with the South Africa team's main sponsor, SA Breweries, not to wear the Castle Lager logo on his playing and practice gear.
"We take the strongest exception to this comment, and we will lodge an official complaint with the host broadcaster, Ten Sports, that employs him," CSA chief executive Gerald Majola was quoted as saying.
"We will be asking for his immediate suspension and a full apology."
The match is being broadcast live in South Africa, which has a significant Muslim community.
"The switchboards of both CSA and SuperSport, that takes a feed of the broadcast to South African audiences, have been jammed with calls from some very angry people," Majola was quoted as saying.
"I'm gone, I'm on the 1am flight," Jones told reporters in Colombo where he issued a statement apologising for his comment.
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