Cricket: TCCB acts to stop trouble brewing: Authorities launch campaign to control the excessive consumption of alcohol by spectators

ALTHOUGH recent English cricket performances are enough to turn anyone to drink, some spectators clearly overdid it last summer, and yesterday the Test and County Cricket Board launched a campaign to make the boozer as outlawed as the beamer.

However, it stressed that the initiative was aimed at those who turned up with a case of 'Xtra Strong Headbanger Lager' under each arm rather than a mild-mannered prime minister-type who traditionally carries his warm pint through an innings. 'We are not going over the top but we will not tolerate the sort of behaviour we saw from a small minority last summer,' Alan Smith, the TCCB's chief executive, said yesterday.

Cricket and beer have been associated for centuries and the England side, like many counties and both this summer's tourists New Zealand and South Africa, is sponsored by a brewery. But, with the advent of one-day cricket and increased coverage in the popular media, a younger audience fuelled by nationalism and lager rather than cricketing skills and beer, have been attracted.

There has been rowdy behaviour at limited-overs internationals for some years but last season was the first in which Tests were marred with Headingley and Trent Bridge especially suffering from obscene chanting and lewd treatment of passing women.

In a statement the TCCB said the authorities 'took note of several instances in 1993 in which over-indulgence of alcohol by a small minority had caused unnecessary and unacceptable disruption to the enjoyment of the huge majority of cricket spectators' during the Tests.

'It is the strong wish of the TCCB and all the Test match grounds that cricket lovers will be able to enjoy a peaceful as well as entertaining and exciting visit to this year's international cricket.'

As a consequence spectators are liable to have their cool-boxes searched if stewards suspect they have what Smith called 'an unreasonably large quantity of alcohol'. 'There used to be a 'four-can rule' but common sense will prevail. Obviously a few cans of Kaliber are different to an extra-strength lager with 10 per cent alcohol,' he said.

Closed-circuit television, which has been a powerful weapon in reducing football hooliganism, will also be in use for the first time at all six international venues and stewards will be given a comprehensive training and briefing programme.

DEVON MALCOLM, who underwent keyhole surgery on his right knee in Manchester yesterday, should know in 10 days if he can rejoin the England team in the Caribbean. The surgeon, Jonathan Noble, found no cartilage damage, but removed 'a few loose fragments floating around the joint'. He will see Malcolm in 10 days to ensure the swelling has gone down.