Announcer hits back over allegations of mocking Panesar

Sydney: The ground announcer who was stood down for allegedly introducing England spinner Monty Panesar in a mock Indian accent, is seeking clarification from Cricket Australia (CA) over his removal after denying any slur was made.

CA had deemed the conduct of David Nixon, a producer for local broadcaster ABC, at the Alice Springs ground as inappropriate and withdrew him during the second day of England`s two-day warm-up match against a Chairman`s XI. Left-arm spinner Panesar was born in Luton and is of Indian descent. "It comes as a complete surprise to me to be at the centre of a controversy about racial slurring, and I absolutely refute any allegation that I feigned an Indian accent," Nixon said in a statement, according to an ABC report on Monday. "`There`s a change of bowler at the Traeger Avenue end... its Montyyy!` That was it. 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." Nixon admitted he had been warned by a CA official for some of his comments but insisted the Panesar issue was never raised. "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`," he said. "There was no mention 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. "There are few worse things than to be branded a racist. To have such an accusation levelled at me is not only offensive, but defamatory."