The standing down of a ground announcer over an inappropriate remark has overshadowed a strong performance by the Chairman’s XI against England in their two-day match.

Resuming on 0-16 on day two in Alice Springs in reply to England’s 7(dec)-212, the home side declared at 8-254 after staging a dramatic recovery from 6-142.

England reached 1-47 in their second innings at stumps with Michael Carberry unbeaten on 37.

As the temperature soared into the high 30s, the tourists were left red faced in more ways than one as their quicks were embarrassed by a bunch of little-known Chairman’s XI players on Saturday.

Ashton Turner (39 not out) and Josh Lalor (45) shared a 64-run stand for the seventh wicket before Turner combined with 20-year-old tailender James Muirhead (29 off 17 balls) for an entertaining partnership of 48 for the Chairman’s XI.

Pacemen Boyd Rankin (1-52), Steven Finn (0-61) and Ben Stokes (0-37) simply failed to impress, amid speculation seamer Chris Tremlett’s Test spot could be under scrutiny.

Test offspinner Graeme Swann gained some confidence following his mauling at the hands of Australia’s batsmen in last week’s first Test by picking up 4-56 while Test hopeful Monty Panesar claimed 3-41.

Trailing one-nil in the Ashes series, England might be tempted to recall Panesar in a twin-spin attack for Adelaide.

Ground announcer David Nixon, an ABC producer, was removed from his post by Cricket Australia (CA) on Saturday after introducing Panesar in an Indian accent to the crowd of 1908.

Panesar was born in Luton of Indian descent.

“Cricket Australia deemed the conduct of the PA announcer as inappropriate and as such he will take no further part in the match,” a CA spokesperson said.

Swann removed Marcus Harris (49), Michael Hill (13) and Alex Keath (four) before lunch.

Western Australia’s Harris added 78 for the first wicket with Tasmania’s Steve Cazzulino (48).

Sixteen-year-old NSW Second XI batsman Jake Doran beat his age by one run before becoming Swann’s fourth victim.

Panesar dismissed Lalor at 7-206 in the last over before the second new ball was taken.

Muirhead top-edged a pull shot for a single in the next over as the home side advanced to 213 amid loud cheers from the fans.

Not a single member of the 12-man Chairman’s XI side is a current Sheffield Shield player.

Uncapped England Test hopeful Gary Ballance was named player of the match for his first-innings 55.