WINDIES TO EXPLAIN CROWD TROUBLE
The West Indies Cricket Board must answer to the International Cricket Council following the pitch invasion which marred their latest one-day match with Australia. Australian captain Steve Waugh claimed he feared for his life when up to 2,000 jubilant home supporters swarmed on to the pitch during the fifth one-day international in Guyana. The tourists needed four runs off the final ball to win, and although they failed to reach their target match referee Raman Subba Row declared the match a no result. Waugh needed a police escort to leave the field and suffered whiplash injuries as he was jostled and pushed by a threatening crowd. He later claimed he feared a 'Monica Seles' style stabbing. "I suspect it was more exuberance than intimidation but it is still not acceptable in modern cricket,' said ICC chief executive David Richards. "This is a serious matter, and I shall be speaking to our referee as a matter of urgency. I'm looking forward to reading his end-of-tour report, and we will take further action then. "If Steve feared for his life that is very serious, because the safety of players and officials is of paramount importance to the ICC. I suspect the West Indies Cricket Board will need to hold their own internal inquiry. "This is not the first time this has happened in Guyana and - although there is a period of six years between the incidents - crowd disturbance cannot be allowed to become part of international cricket." England's Cricket World Cup chiefs are also concerned by the growing trend of crowd disturbances at international matches. They have drafted in the FA's senior police adviser Tim Hollis to ensure next month's event stays trouble free. 
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