Drunken fan starts scuffle after Nat-West victory ...

Hampshire cricket club have launched an investigation after police were called to an incident at a pub allegedly involving the team's players and a fan.

London police officers attended the Lord's Tavern pub outside the cricket ground in St John's Wood at about 7 pm on Tuesday evening as Hampshire players celebrated their Nat West quarter-final victory over Middlesex.

A Middlesex fan allegedly approached Hampshire and Australian player Shane Warne and asked him to autograph his hat. When Warne who was enjoying an after match drink with friends politely refused, the drunken fan became abusive.

Witnesses said Warne was not involved in the fracas that ensued, but a spokesman for Hampshire confirmed that officials were looking into allegations that other players were.

An eye witness, who prefered not to be named, and was not one who was questioned by police stated "The fan in an advanced drunken state barged his way through a crowd of customers and players and pushed his sun hat in front of Warne. Warne said he was trying to relax, and would rather not sign as this would lead to other supporters approaching him". The fan then became abusive, swearing and calling him a fat slob, at which point the fan was jostled and a couple of glasses were spilt over. Warne himself was not involved.

No arrests were made and no-one was injured, police said.

A spokesman said: "A man alleged he was threatened during an incident involving several customers.

"Police took statements from a number of witnesses but the exact circumstances are yet to be established."

A police investigation is continuing.