Dean Jones claimed that his calling Hashim Amla a ‘terrorist’ was unintended. But it’s a Freudian slip for all that, revealing a reprehensible state of mind.
Having met him several times, I thought Deano was a fun-loving and frothy Aussie, but he has turned out to be a dunce.
Because of his religion and because of his prominent beard, Amla has obviously fit into the stereotype which determines Deano’s prejudiced worldview. Sad.
Over the years, there have been cases of overt and disguised racism on the cricket field — in Australia, England, New Zealand and South Africa — against coloured players (Mohinder Amarnath, for one, has some stories to tell), but nothing quite as serious as this.
Even in jest, even off the air, it was a terribly insensitive remark to make, and having his TV contract terminated is the least punishment that Jones can get. I would venture that he should not get off so lightly.
The ICC, which is battling racism on the field, cannot do much against a retired player. But the Australian government perhaps should. How about sending Dean Jones for community work in war-hit Iraq?
***
Should he or shouldn’t he be included in the list of probables for the Champions Trophy to be announced today? If the player concerned is either Anil Kumble or Zaheer Khan, I would say certainly. If it’s Sourav Ganguly…hmmm.
The former captain’s name inevitably crops up every time an Indian contingent is to be selected — for a camp or a tour — but this time the circumstances have admittedly been extraordinary.
Ganguly’s scathing e-mail about Jagmohan Dalmiya on the eve of the elections to the Cricket Association of Bengal left his switch in allegiance in no doubt.
He is now pretty much in the Sharad Pawar camp, which is what has perhaps made the debate about his comeback more intense.
But it is unlikely that the BCCI president will exercise his influence on that score alone. Pawar has not survived in politics for more than four decades without the shrewdness and the sense of timing to make the right decisions at the right time.
In Ganguly’s case, the lack of runs is a problem but his experience can be an asset. On the last tour of the West Indies, the value of seasoned players was clear.
Since the captaincy issue has now fizzled out completely, with Rahul Dravid the unchallenged leader Ganguly can no longer be a threat in the dressing room.
If the BCCI decides to have a camp for 30 players — as it should — there is a strong chance that Ganguly will be in, and theoretically back in contention. But he stillneeds runs to stake a serious claim for the World Cup.
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