Strong anti-racism measures for Gabba

Cricket Australia doesn't believe Andrew Symonds will be subjected to any racial taunts © Getty Images Enlarge

Spectators at the Gabba will not be evicted for shouting no-ball when Muttiah Muralitharan bowls in the first Test but they will be removed immediately if they start monkey chants. Andrew Symonds was subjected to the animal taunts during the one-day tour of India last month and while Cricket Australia does not expect any reprisals it has adopted strong anti-racism measures for the series against Sri Lanka and India.

Comments from Ricky Ponting about poor crowd behaviour will be shown on big screens at the Gabba and 70 closed-circuit television cameras will be used to monitor the spectators. A "dob in a yob" programme is also available for fans to report any offensive actions, but that won't include screaming no-ball at Murali, who was called for throwing at the MCG in 1995.

Mahela Jayawardene, the Sri Lankan captain, said he was not aware of any racist behaviour directed at the Sri Lankans on his previous tours. "Crowds have been tough on certain players, but we've never had an incident," he said. "Racism is something I firmly believe is not part of cricket. People should have the freedom to express themselves in the middle no matter their background or religion."

Peter Young, Cricket Australia's anti-racism officer, said players "expect to cop an earful" from the crowds in Australia. "It's what happens in any major sport here," he said. "But we're not expecting a problem with racism."

Cricket Australia has met with Sri Lankan officials and adopted the stance following discussions with the ICC. "There is no place for racism in cricket," Young said, "and we are implementing a global policy."