October 12, 2007	Friday	Ramazan 29, 1428

BARODA, Oct 11: Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds was racially abused by spectators while fielding in Thursday’s one-day match against India, the Australian officials said.

A section of the crowd was believed to have taunted Symonds by making monkey noises while he was fielding at the boundary line when India were bundled out for 148.

“Yes, Andrew Symonds did hear noises,” said Australia spokesman Philip Pope. “The players discussed it in the dressing room. We are not calling for action. We think it is up to the local authorities to deal with it,” he added.

The visitors eased to a nine-wicket victory in the fifth one-dayer to lead the seven-match series 3-1. The next match is in Nagpur on Sunday.

England left-arm spinner Monty Panesar and batsman Kevin Pietersen were allegedly racially abused during the Ashes tour opener in Canberra last year.—Reuters