大象传媒

Dean Jones lets his guard down

• Ros Atkins
• 8 Aug 06, 02:36 PM

Cricket fans know well. He was a in one of the many great Australian teams to have played over the past 20 years. He's also made a very good name for himself commentating on the game, and . But his media work has taken a nosedive after he was allegedly heard calling South Africa batsman Hashim Amladuring a match against Sri Lanka. He thought the microphone in the commentary box was off, but it wasn't and he's now been dropped as a commentator. As he put it, 'I'm gone, I'm on the 1am flight."

Now Jones has been unequivocal in , and has been keen to emphasise that, "It does not represent who I am, how I think or what I believe."

So should he have lost his job? What do you think of the Melbourne station which has ? Should someone be punished for one unguarded comment? Do we all say things in private that we wouldn't want everyone to hear?

Those of you in the UK may recall ex-football manager and pundit Ron Atkinson after also failing to realise the microphone was on. It also brings to mind our discussion last week about Mel Gibson and . Both men denied that what they had said represented what they they think. Do you buy that, or do we learn the most when people speak with their guard down? Speak to you later.

Here are some of the comments you've sent in so far...

RAJ in the UK
The sooner the game gets rid of the likes of Dean Jones the better. I didn't hear Hershel Gibbs being called crooked, so why target Mr Amla for his beard ?

RAM in NEW YORK STATE, USA:
I believe Dean made a silly error and was insensitive but don't lets blow the issue out of proportion. All of us make silly mistakes.

Dr IKELA in NAMIBIA:
He should be barred from commentating on any sport in the whole world. Sport is a tool for uniting people, it should not used as a platform to divide people.

BANSI in BANGALORE, INDIA:
The comments should never be forgiven. How can he say such a thing? He should be given a strict punishment.

NHLAHLA in SOUTH AFRICA:
I'm so unhappy about this and i believe they should teach him a lesson. We don't need him in the world of sport.

STUART IN YORKSHIRE, UK
Dean Jones has just demonstrated that Australian habit of opening the mouth first and engaging the brain second - the authorities should ban him from broadcasting on cricket for life.

AHMER ALI in KARACHI, PAKISTAN:
He is definitely one of the most interesting commentators but how can you say such a thing on the air when you know thousands if not millions of people are listening to you. He should be punished and suspended.

MARK IN LONDON:
Jones is a legend; he can say what he likes, it's not his fault the station are too amateur to cut a commercial properly.

JOEL in England:
He DOES look like a terrorist - so what Dean Jones said is essentially true. He wasn't actually saying that Amla was a terrorist, just that he looked like one. This is yet another case of people being unable to take banter. In a football team, if you've got a skinhead and you're thin you get called a Kosovan, if you're fat you get called lard arse. It just seems to me that only the Brits and the Aussies get it. Everyone else should lighten up and get a sense of humour!!!

THOMAS in JOHANNESBURG
He obviously did well by resigning from Ten Sports to save the channel further embarrassment. However, his continued employment with the Australian radio station could mean that they see nothing wrong with calling Amla a terrorist. It makes you think, doesn't it??.

GRANT in England:
As a South African abroad i find these comments unacceptable, particularly from a broadcaster whose livelihood is determined by what he says.

CARLYLE IN SRI LANKA:
The entire episode is being blown out of proportion. I believe Dean Jones when he says there was nothing subtle or sinister in the comment.

AHMED in Leicester, UK:
Comments like this will only encourage people to establish a dividing line based on faith and prejudice. There is no doubt his words will affect people. If a cricket player can be a terrorist just because he's muslim and has a beard, then no one is safe from attack.

TAFF in Edinburgh:
That's the trouble with racism. Most of us think it's ok to come out with the occasional racist remark behind closed doors where no-one can hear you. I would probably forgive the guy, anyway, but I think it's time we addressed this cancer once and for all.

IMRAN in VIRGINIA, USA
This is the root cause of all the wars and conflicts in the world right now. There's no place for him in any kind of sport. I liked him so much before but not anymore!

JOHN IN MOSCOW
Why should a man be punished for a slip of the tongue? I am sure there was no malice behind it.