Crowds no trouble say World Cup organisers (28 May 1999)

28 May 1999

Crowds no trouble say World Cup organisers

Michael Henderson

The World Cup organisers agreed yesterday that the "carnival of cricket" they are eager to promote must carry on. After a meeting at Edgbaston to discuss aspects of crowd safety, raised by crowd invasions at the end of matches, the organisers decided that the existing security arrangements were satisfactory.

"We have had 21 matches so far," said Michael Browning, the event manager, "and only 54 people have been evicted from grounds, for offences like stealing and drunkenness. That is not bad, when you consider the thousands of spectators who have enjoyed the cricket.

"I think people want to feel part of it, which is why we promoted this World Cup as a carnival. There is a tradition in England that people are allowed on the field at the end but I would appeal to members of the crowd to come on a little bit more slowly, and in a more orderly way."

Browning understood the concerns expressed by Steve Waugh, the captain of Australia, but said there had been only one nasty incident involving a player, at Leicester, where Mohammad Azharuddin was jostled by a spectator and later declined to press charges. "There is no question," Browning said, "that the players have to be safe, and to feel safe. We have to make sure we get the players off, and the officials off."

The Test match grounds, which stage the so-called Super Sixes, have prepared for all possibilities. The most likely flash point is the meeting of India and Pakistan. If India beat England tomorrow, and finish second in Group A, the game will be at Old Trafford next Tuesday. If they finish third, they will play Pakistan at the Oval next Friday.

Lancashire confirmed yesterday that more than 3,000 tickets remained unsold for their game, even after Pakistan's qualification at the head of Group B. Jim Cumbes, the club's chief executive, said there was no possible way of separating supporters on the basis of ticket sales, but he did not expect any trouble.

Surrey, who have sold all tickets for their two games in the Super Sixes, are quite happy to see spectators on the field - "so long as they wait for the players to leave, and do not go on the square", in the words of Paul Sheldon, their chief executive.

Source :: Electronic Telegraph (https://www.telegraph.co.uk)