Date:27/09/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/09/27/stories/2008092760482000.htm

Sport - Cricket

Spectator trouble halts play

— Photo: K. Pichumani

CROWD CONTROL: A policeman chases spectators at M.A.Chidambaram Stadium on Friday.

Chennai: Play had to be stopped for 13 minutes early in the India ‘A’ innings after a spectator allegedly threw a metal rod towards the Australia ‘A’ fielder manning the third-man fence.

Shaun Tait had just sent down the first delivery of the opening over when skipper Cameron White led his side off the field. The Aussies appeared agitated.

The TNCA officials, subsequently, requested the spectators in the ‘D’ Special stand, from where the object was allegedly thrown, to calm down. The section of the crowd continued to be restive and police, called in, had to resort to a mild lathi-charge in the stands.

Match Referee Sambaram Banerjee said the Australians did not register an official complaint. “They said a metal object was thrown towards a fielder and wanted safety for their players. Additional police was deployed and the situation was quickly brought under control,” he said.

The gates were thrown open and the crowd swelled to around 20,000 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Friday. While the presence of so many spectators added to the atmosphere, the alleged incident leading to a stoppage in play marred the proceedings, albeit briefly. — Special Correspondent