Edgbaston pitch invaders face £1,000 fines

Spectators will be fined £1,000 if they enter the playing area during the First Ashes Test between England and Australia at Edgbaston starting tomorrow, the ground's owners said.

Warwickshire said it was imposing the toughest security measures in its 119-year history after a pitch invasion at the match at Edgbaston between England and Pakistan, and incidents at other grounds during last month's NatWest series.

While there is no history of crowd problems at Ashes matches, Warwickshire officials said they were also stopping supporters coming on the field for the post-match awards ceremony.

"We've learnt from those experiences and don't want anyone trespassing on the field," WCCC Chief Executive Dennis Amiss said. "We want people to enjoy themselves but at the same time we've got to be more vigilant."

Australia batsman Michael Bevan sustained facial bruising when he was struck by a full beer can thrown from the crowd during the NatWest Series final post-match ceremony at Lord's.

Stewards will be proactive dealing with troublemakers and the club will press to prosecute those entering the field for trespass, Amiss said.

With Edgbaston capable of holding 19,000 spectators, stewards may be busy. Warwickshire have pre-sold all tickets for the opening four days of a five-day Test for the first time.

Australia's dominance of the world game and an England revival that has brought four wins and a draw from its past five Test series explained the popularity, said Amiss.

"People want to watch a winning side," Amiss said. "If people know that nine times out of 10 they are going to see their side win, they'll come and watch."