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Rowdy crowd Aussie officials call for police aid
Posted: Wednesday January 12, 2000 11:33 AM
MELBOURNE, Australia (Reuters) -- Australian officials will demand stronger police presence at future day-night internationals after bottle-throwing spectators briefly halted Wednesday's match against India. Australian Cricket Board chairman Mal Speed said ongoing crowd problems that had plagued Australian cricket for the past few years demanded tougher action. "What happened tonight was totally unacceptable," Speed said. "It's the second year in a row we've had problems here [at the Melbourne Cricket Ground]." Angry fans, mostly Indians, were upset when Saurav Ganguly was run out for exactly 100 as the touring team chased a victory target of 270 in 50 overs. The Indian opener was given out by the third umpire when television replays showed he did not ground his bat. Dozens of Indian supporters began throwing debris onto the MCG outfield as Ganguly departed, halting the game for around 15 minutes as ground staff cleared the playing area. Australia won the match by 28 runs. Australian captain Steve Waugh said: "It was just a long and frustrating night for us but I've seen it just as bad or worse at other venues, including Sydney. "As soon as something goes against the crowd, they just lose interest and want to destroy the night."
Copyright 2003 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved.
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