Announcer denies Panesar mockery claims

David Nixon, the announcer who was 'stood down' by Cricket Australia at lunch on the second day of England's tour game in Alice Springs, has vehemently denied any suggestion that he made racially insensitive remarks.

While Nixon admitted his irreverent style was not to everyone's taste and accepted he greeted Monty Panesar's introduction into the attack with something of a flourish, he said: "I absolutely refute any allegation that I feigned an Indian accent."

"For most of my adult life I have worked with people from diverse social and ethnic backgrounds to help them share their stories," Nixon, an ABC employee who had volunteered to help at the game, said. "My focus in that work is to help overcome any sensationalist or negative stereotypes that can sometimes filter through the media. That I find myself in the eye of this storm is upsetting in the extreme.

"I fail to see how anyone could interpret my introduction of Monty Panesar as racial slurring. I am certainly responsible for what I say, but not what people hear.

"I had, however, been rebuked by a Cricket Australia representative on a number of occasions for my irreverence. 'That's not how we roll' the CA staffer said after I'd welcomed patrons to the ground on day two then mentioned that both teams were on the ground were practising their interpretive dance moves. They were stretching pre-match.

"Upon arriving back at my post after the lunch break on day two, I was met by a Cricket Australia representative who politely said words to the effect of, 'We think that your personal style conflicts with ours and so we've relieved you for the afternoon.' There was no mention made of my introduction of Monty Panesar or of a complaint being made. There was and is no evidence to support the allegation whatsoever and I will seek clarification from Cricket Australia on their decision to stand me down."

The ICC has confirmed that they will not be getting involved in the situation.