Dean Jones to continue TV Commentary Despite Bomb Blast near Kabul Int’l Stadium
Sep 14, 2017 at 2:53 PM
Former Australian top-order batsman Dean Jones, who has become a prominent figure as a Television commentator revealed he would continue his stint as a commentator for the ongoing fifth edition of the 2017 Shpageeza Cricket League (SCL), in Afghanistan.
Jones’ statement came hours after a suicide bomber blew himself near one of the checkpoints leading to the Kabul’s International Stadium which left at least three dead and several injured on Wednesday afternoon (September 13).
After the bomber detonated his explosives in the heart of the city, the cricket analyst Jones while talking to the Neil Mitchell in the Morning program for Australian’s Radio Station 3AW stated he was taken by utter surprise while being in the commentary box when he heard the loud bang during the innings break.
“It shook us out of our seats, almost, in the commentary booth,” Jones told 3AW.
Pertinently, the professional Twenty20 league kick started on September 11 (Monday), as the grand finale is scheduled for September 22 in Kabul.
Shaken by the attack, Jones admitted the fact that he was ready to escape from the spot which left at least two civilians dead and 12 injured including the two policemen and children respectively, according to the Afghanistan media.
“The shock waves went right throughout our grandstand and windows etcetera – all the players hit the ground when it went off while the game was still on. Everyone went off the ground straight away,” Jones recalled.
The cricket analyst Jones, who has already signed an agreement earlier with Afghanistan Cricket Board (ACB), saw the blast going on while he was seated in the commentary booth.
“I threw my microphone into the window, grabbed my bag and was ready to run and get out of there,” Jones said.
However, Jones had hailed the security for handling the situation quite well when locals panicked and screamed for the help outside the stadium.
The 56-year-old Melbourne-born Jones termed the incident as ‘shocking’ while witnessing the bomb explosion.
(Read Also: Suicide Bomber Kills Two near Cricket Stadium in Kabul)
Earlier, the reports on Wednesday suggested the suicide bomber exploded himself at the entrance gate of the Kabul Stadium, but the agencies clarified the bomber was trying to barge into the stadium.
However, according to the police statement – the police officer sacrificed his life to save hundreds of spectators, who were watching the league game of the professional league inside the stadium.
The blast took place when Mis Ainak Knights and Boost Defenders were entertaining the spectators at the stadium.
The idea of the Shapageeza Cricket League floated in 2013, as the competition has been home to six teams.
(Read Further: ACB signs Broadcast Rights of 2017 Shpageeza Cricket League with 1Tv)
“I feel very safe at the hotel and the ground – it’s just to and from the ground for us and the players and everyone that’s been a major concern,” Jones concluded.
As the cricket has become a strong force to reckon in Afghanistan, the war-torn country has produced talented players like leg-spinner Rashid Khan and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi, who has eventually become first players from Afghanistan to represent in the widely-acclaimed Indian Premier League (IPL) recently.
Interestingly, the management went on to complete the sixth match which was an exciting one following the agreement of the players, as Knights defeated Defenders in the high-scoring clash.
Jones featured in 164 One-day Internationals, 52 Tests for Australia. He smashed 11 hundreds in five-day cricket and seven in the 50-over format.
The former right-handed batsman averaged 46.55 in Tests, and 44.61 in ODIs.