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| Sunday, 24 February 2002 |
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Three cricket spectators charged after spitting, throwing beer at Aussies JOHANNESBURG, Feb 23 (AFP) - Three spectators arrested after two separate incidents involving the Australian team during the first Test against South Africa at the Wanderers Stadium on Friday have been charged, police said Saturday. One spectator was arrested for spitting on Australian captain Steve Waugh as he left the field after being dismissed and two were arrested for throwing beer over not out batsmen Damien Martyn and Adam Gilchrist at the end of the first day of the Test. "The three men, two aged 25 and one 22 years old, were charged with crimen injuria and assault and will appear in court on Monday," Johannesburg police spokesman, Superintendent Lungelo Dlamini, told AFP. Crimen injuria is the unlawful violation of another person's dignity, he said. According to a spokesperson for the United Cricket Board of South Africa, the Australian team management made an official complaint. Gerald Majola, chief executive of the UCB, apologised to Australian team manager Steve Bernard and appealed to the South African public to show respect to opposition players. Ali Bacher, executive director of the 2003 World Cup, called for a full report on the incident. The Wanderers is the venue for the World Cup final. The incidents happened as the players walked up a wire tunnel leading some 40m from the field to the dressing rooms. Majola said there would be increased security on the remaining days of the match to keep spectators away from players. Matthew Hayden, who made 122 in an Australian total of 331 for five, said the incident was disappointing. "We came here to play cricket and not to be physically harmed," said Hayden. But Hayden said he enjoyed playing on the ground where he made an unsuccessful Test debut eight years ago. "I've always enjoyed playing here," he said. "It's the real cauldron of South African cricket." Hayden said Australia were in a powerful position on a pitch which he said had already started to deteriorate. South African fast bowler Allan Donald is unlikely to play again in the match after collapsing with an injured right hamstring towards the end of the day. Physiotherapist Craig Smith said it was too early to judge the extent of the injury but said it was likely Donald would be out of action for at least two or three weeks, which would probably rule him out of the rest of the Test series. The 35-year-old star left the field in tears. "He was very upset," said Smith. "It was heart-wrenching to see him tumble in that way. He had his heart set on completing this series. We need to acknowledge he has been a superstar for South African cricket and has put his body on the line a number of times." |
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