Rediff

New Delhi, Oct 15: International Cricket Council chief executive Malcolm Speed has written to officials in India and Pakistan to ask about reports of racism during matches this week.

Speed said in a media release on Saturday that the ICC is determined to keep cricket free of "the scourge of racism".

"We have noted media reports of racist chanting during the India-Australia ODI...and also of racist abuse directed at South Africa players and team officials in Lahore," he said.

"In the light of those reports we have written to both the BCCI [Board of Control for Cricket in India] and the PCB [Pakistan Cricket Board] asking for their comments on the incidents."

Australia all-rounder Andrew Symonds was racially abused by spectators while fielding in Thursday's one-day match against India in Baroda, Australian officials said.

In Lahore, four spectators were arrested on Friday for making racist remarks towards a South African player and official during the final day of the second test against Pakistan, the PCB said.

"The ICC retains a zero tolerance to racism as illustrated in our Anti-Racism Code which was strengthened last year," Speed said.

The code outlined measures member countries were expected to adopt to punish spectators found guilty of racial abuse, he added.

"We need to understand whether those measures are working. If they are not then our members need to tell us why so we can ensure cricket remains free from the scourge of racism."

The subject could be discussed when the ICC board met at the end of October in Dubai, Speed said.