Fear of catastrophe at carnival's end (20 June 1999)

20 June 1999

Fear of catastrophe at carnival's end

Nizamuddin Ahmed in London

June 19: Warnings about a possible tragedy if fireworks and pitch invasion were not tackled have gone unheeded. The rot was seen at Old Trafford's Pakistan-New Zealand semi-final. Many fear the worst was yet to come.

Aware of the security issue, Lord's organisers have warned that fireworks will not be tolerated in Sunday's final that features Australia and Pakistan. How they want to stop the mad race for souvenirs at the end of the final was not revealed. The growing menace of a crowd stampede has clearly put players' safety in danger.

The game was brought to disrepute by incidents at Old Trafford last Wednesday when Pakistan fans embarked on premature celebrations ahead of their one-sided win over New Zealand. Play was held up twice - once for a minute when firecrackers were burst in the gallery, and again for fifteen minutes when flag-waving fans invaded the pitch with six runs needed to complete their nine-wicket win. In fact, Robert Twose could not field the winning shot because of interference from the crowd.

Spokesman for the World Cup organisers, Michael Browning said about the final, 'Fireworks are prohibited. If anyone lets off a fireworks, they will be evicted from the ground'.

He did not elaborate on what procedure will be followed at Lord's to counter the threat of fireworks and pitch invasion. Baggage and body checks, and stewarding at play's end have clearly not helped.

At Old Trafford's India-Pakistan match, spectators were searched for alcohol and weapons. Although alcohol is not allowed to be brought in at some venues, there is enough flowing in the bars under the gallery. One would assume it was good business sense, rather than a security proceeding.

Incidentally, for all World Cup grounds, a prohibition order (issued with each ticket) is in force on knives, offensive weapons, dangerous articles, fireworks and smoke/gas canisters, flares, sticks and flagpoles, klaxons, megaphones, compressed air or gas-operated horns, face masks, banners, fancy dress, oversize headwear, and bands. How well that written ban is working any television viewer can decide.

New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming said they were very much concerned about Twose's safety until they saw him being ushered into the pavilion by a minding steward. Having decided earlier that they were hopelessly outnumbered to stop the crowd, stewards at Old Trafford went for the players, who had to run for their life.

Crowd invasion has been a trademark of this tournament. It's madness.

Somebody is bound to get hurt sooner or later.

There have been suggestions about fencing off the ground but that would rob cricket of its traditional charm, rushing on to the pitch being very much a part of it. The feeling against fencing is also high because of the tragedy at Sheffield Wednesday' s football ground where many died.

'But it's a measure that will have to be taken into consideration for players' safety,' said Fleming.

Pakistan captain Wasim Akram attributed the invasion to over-excitement but added, 'Something has to be done to stop this. Fans are coming up to the players and hitting them. It is too much. Saqlain Mushtaq was quite shaken in one incident'.

He was referring to the behaviour of a jubilant crowd at Northampton after Pakistan's defeat to Bangladesh; or even before.

Earlier, Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin was very much shaken by crowd trouble at Hove when he was shoved and abused by a drunken fan after losing to South Africa in a Group match. He found contradiction in their large following and having 'to run away from them after the match'.

It's ridiculous, he thought, that even before the last wicket falls, players have to think of how quickly to return to the safety of the pavilion.

Organisers at Lord's are hoping that because tickets have been sold out well in advance, a mixed crowd is likely. That is why police are trying to rigorously check black-marketing, although there is fat chance anybody will give up his ticket unless the original intention was criminal.

As per the condition of sale, resold tickets become automatically invalid.

Exuberant Pakistan supporters, who are perhaps not aware of it, are turning every stone to look for a ticket. As are many Australians. If many of them manage to get hold of tickets, the carnival of cricket could end in a catastrophe.

Source :: The Daily Star