ACB Receives Assurances On Crowd Control

The Australian Cricket Board (ACB) today sought and received assurances from New Zealand Cricket (NZC) regarding the control of crowds after a series of incidents during the recent one-day games and the overnight attack on the team vehicles in

Australian Cricket Board

24-Feb-2000

ACB Chief Executive, Malcolm Speed, said that the ACB was encouraged by the swift action from NZC in addressing the issues raised today.

"We know only too well how a small group of people can disrupt a game and the swift response of NZC to the concerns raised today was most welcome.

"Both organisations and the Australian Cricketers' Association recognise that that player safety is a priority issue and that both teams must be able to concentrate on playing cricket," said Mr Speed.

The initiatives outlined by NZC to the ACB today include:

A review of the security arrangements at all remaining venues for the tour;

A review of the alcohol policies at venues; and

A review of the way in which alcohol is served at games.

The steps to be implemented immediately are:

An increase in the level of security personnel and changes in their deployment for the next game in Canterbury;

Beer sold on the embankment at Canterbury will be in "pottles" (plastic bottles) only; and

Low alcohol beer only to be available in Auckland.

A full briefing will also be given to the Australian touring party about the revised arrangements.

As the reviews progress, further initiatives will be identified and implemented.

In the latest incident, two of the team buses used to transport the players had tyres slashed in the carpark of the team hotel.

"Clearly all cricket followers would see this type of attack is unacceptable." We are also speaking with NZC and our hotels about what security arrangements can be put in place to ensure that this doesn't happen again," said Mr Speed.

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