Bevan hit by beer can - Inzamam receives two match ban :

 

For the fourth time in this Nat West series, the occasion was spoiled by crowd trouble at the end of the final against Australia and Pakistan. Michael Bevan, standing on the balcony for the presentation ceremony at the end of the game, was suddenly hit by a full beer can on his cheek.

 

Television cameras caught the incident on TV and showed a hooligan throwing what appeared to be a can towards the balcony; Bevan was also seen rubbing his cheek in shock. Steve Waugh said

 

"I know I keep harping on about it but someone will get killed," he said.

 

"There's no doubt about it. "Michael's sore and lucky - I don't think there are any breaks there. Michael Bevan who was later interviewed by the local police said, "I wasn't too sure what happened myself. I felt something hit the side of my head and it wasn't until a few minutes later that we found it was a full beer can."

 

"It could have happened to any other player, I was just the unlucky one. It really could have done me a lot more damage. It could have hit me in the eye, the nose, the mouth or anywhere, or the temple. I've probably got away with it.

 

"The authorities have got to look back over the series and say can we improve in any way, shape or form on this. It was going well today and unfortunately an incident like that marred an otherwise uneventful day. Waugh then added,

 

"He's obviously thrown it with the intent of hurting someone. Thirty players were lined up and it was probably potluck who it was going to hit. After the incident, the remainder of the presentation ceremony was held inside. David Gower, speaking on Sky Sports, said:

 

"It is a shameful end to this Nat West series. It is unbelievable, ridiculous. These people have let their country down. This is getting out of hand. The time has come for action to be taken to stop people entering the field of play at any time, in Australia any fan encroaching on the field of play pays a massive fine - it's about time the Government passed a similar legislation - and soon. There is no place in any sport for this type of behaviour and the fans found responsible for today's action should receive a life ban from any cricket ground. It's time the MCC took action and stopped this kind of behaviour.

 

In the same match, Pakistan batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq was handed a two-match ban for showing dissent during Australia's crushing nine-wicket win over his team at Lord's on Saturday after Peter Willey adjudged him LBW off the bowling of Shane Warne. Inzamam laboured in his crease starring at the umpire in disbelief, although television replays and Sky's slow motion replay showed that the ball was going to hit the wicket.

 

Whatever the replay showed, Ul Haq was out of order and had to be hurried off the pitch by incoming umpire Shepard, His actions cost him fifty per cent of his match fee in addition to being hit with the playing ban of two one day internationals. His ban is likely to begin this September when Pakistan host New Zealand.