World Cup 2019: Instances of pitch intrusion in England-Afghanistan game worry organisers

The Cricket World Cup game between England and Afghanistan at Old Trafford in Manchester on Tuesday saw controversy after its conclusion. A spectator broke his arm as he was running on to the playing field after the game ended. He was closing in on the players, and the stewards on duty apprehended him and he tumbled. He was found to have broken his arm after being treated at the hospital. As a result, the organisers are reviewing the circumstances.

That incident was not the only disturbing one in the day. Earlier in the day, another spectator ran on to the pitch and removed the bails at both ends. The man was not caught until he reached the advertising hoardings on the ground’s opposite side. According to the spectators who witnessed the incident, the stewards were not active enough to prevent the intruder. They said the spectator, who was reportedly young and drunk, was not removed from the ground but kept in a holding area by a public bar and this did not deter other spectators from carrying out their mission of intrusion.

Invasion of pitch is considered a criminal offence in the UK. Before each match, a warning is issued educating people that intruding the playing area will be prosecuted and slapped with a heavy fine. However, in the case of the pitch intruders in Manchester, the World Cup authorities could not clarify whether any stern step has been taken an ESPNcricinfo report mentioned.

“A spectator, who was involved in a pitch invasion at the England vs Afghanistan match, slipped awkwardly and suffered a suspected fracture of his arm,” the spokesperson was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo. “The individual discharged himself from medical care at Old Trafford before transportation to a local hospital was arranged.”

Safety is full priority, say, organisers

The official said the security aspect has been taken very seriously for the World Cup and the authorities are “thoroughly reviewing the circumstances” of the incident.

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In the past, foreign cricketers were seen confronting pitch invaders on the turf. In March 2008, former Australia cricketer Andrew Symonds stopped an intruder with a hit of the shoulder while his compatriot Terry Alderman had his shoulder dislocated in November 1982 while tackling an intruder on the pitch who also punched him.