Cricket: Two England cricket players claim they were subjected to racist remarks by spectators on the Ashes tour of Australia.
Spinner Monty Panesar was allegedly called "a stupid Indian" by a spectator during the tour match against New South Wales.
Panesar and South African-born batsman Kevin Pietersen were abused by fans in England's tour opener in Canberra last Friday.
The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) did not lodge an official complaint but confirmed the incidents had occurred after they were reported in Sydney's Daily Telegraph newspaper today.
"We were asked by the paper to confirm if the incident took place and we have done," a team spokesman said.
"We will continue to monitor the situation, but we're not going to make an official complaint at this stage."
Brian Murgatroyd, the International Cricket Council's media and communications manager, said the ICC was made aware of the incidents.
"Our anti-racism code is in place and I know Cricket Australia is doing their best to enforce it," he said.
Panesar was fielding on the boundary at the Sydney Cricket Ground when a spectator began shouting at him.
The supporter is said to have shouted: "Give us a wave Monty. You can't speak English, you stupid Indian - I'll have to say it in Indian.
"What are you doing playing in the English side? You're not English."
New South Wales captain Simon Katich said he was disappointed to hear about the incidents.
"I don't think any of us want to see that and it is disappointing," Katich said. "Hopefully, it won't happen again. Cricket Australia (CA) have said they will take a tough line against it and hopefully they will."
Panesar (24) underwent counselling from a team psychologist before leaving England amid fears he would be singled out by Australian crowds.
Meanwhile, England's three-day tour match with New South Wales finished in an inevitable draw today but Pietersen marked the final day at the Sydney Cricket Ground with the first century of their Ashes tour.
The batsman, who resumed on 80, has scored just one hundred and one half-century in his last 10 Test innings for England but gave the tourists a boost heading into the Ashes series with a timely 122.
England began the day on 256 for four but after a fifth-wicket stand of 116 between Pietersen and captain Andrew Flintoff (62) they were bowled out for 349 after losing their final six wickets for 67 runs. Agencies