7 times the stadium crowds shamed Cricket

Crowd trouble forced the play to be suspended twice during the 2nd T20 between India and South AfricaCricket, known as the gentleman’s game, has had many not-so-gentlemen-like moments over the years. While most of the incidents involve the players, the stadium crowds have had their share too, much to the embarrassment of their home team, stadium officials and board members. The recent crowd violence in the Sri Lanka-Pakistan ODI in Colombo is an example of this trend. The unrest in the stand had escalated to such a level that security forces had to intervene. There is a reason after all, to why there are so many restrictions on the items you can carry inside the stadium, including the very harmless water bottles and soda cans. That we got to witness first hand on Monday as a section of the crowd resorted to throwing bottles on the ground as India were staring at defeat in the 2nd T20I against South Africa, forcing play to be suspended not once, but twice. Here’s a look at the 7 unruliest crowd moments in cricket:

#1 Pakistan vs Australia, 2001 Natwest Final, Lords

A beer can hit Michael Bevan in the face

The Australian team after winning the 2001 NatWest final against Pakistan were in for a shock, as a full beer can was hurled at them. The team was out in the balcony of the Lord’s stadium for the presentation ceremony, when the beer can hit Michael Bevan straight in the face. This prompted skipper Steve Waugh to call off the Presentation ceremony and get his team off the podium.

He later went on to say that somebody could killed if no action is taken.

Speaking on the incident Bevan said, "It's very sad, but maybe, in a way, you can turn it into a positive. Maybe we've reached the lowest point with the spectators, and something will be done and it will be recognised that there are problems, and precautions have got to be taken.”

#2 India vs Pakistan - Asian Test Championship 1999

Police dispersing the crowd

India-Pakistan encounters are always high on emotions, and this Test match was no exception. A jam-packed Eden crowd was lustily cheering for Sachin, when he collided with Shoaib Akhtar, in what turned out to be one of his most controversial run-outs.

As the screens replayed the collision in slow-motion, the intimidating crowd of 70,000 erupted in chants of “cheat-cheat” at Shoaib Akhtar. After a bemused Sachin had walked back, some spectators started pelting shoes and bottles at Akhtar who had moved to the deep field.

The umpires had to break early for tea, and Sachin and Jagmohan Dalmiya came out to request the crowds to calm down. The unrest re-started when India slumped to a humiliating 231-9, and a few spectators started burning newspapers and throwing bottles and fruits in to the ground. Finally the entire crowd had to be forcefully evacuated before play was resumed.

#3 Pakistan vs Sri Lanka, 3rd ODI, 2015, Colombo

Play was stopped for 30 minutes

Just as we thought we were over the era of embarrassing crowd antics, a recent spat between the local fans and Pakistani fans soon took an ugly turn. As the two factions got physical with each other, anti-riot police had to be called in. The stone pelting continued even after the two groups were led out. The play halted for 30 minutes as a stone landed near one of the players from outside the stadium.

4 people were later arrested.

Former SL captain, Mahela Jayawardena tweeted, “We should take results in correct spirit and enjoy the game. Very poor from some spectators. Hope it doesn't reflect on all SL fans.”

#4 West Indies vs Australia 1999, 7th ODI, Barbados

The incident forced Campbell to come out and appeal to the crowd

In an uncannily similar re-enactment of the Sachin-Shoaib run out, West Indies opener Sherwin Campbell had collided with Australian bowler Brendon Julian while trying to complete a run. Michael Bevan completed the run out as a complaining Campbell lay on the floor.

Soon the Barbados crowd erupted and started pelting anything they could lay their hands on- bottles, plastic chairs, concrete blocks, chicken bones- at the visiting team. Play had to be stopped, and a bottle almost hit the Australian captain on his head as he led his team back into the pavilion.

Campbell himself came out to make an appeal to the crowds, and soon as the play resumed, chants of “We want Campbell echoed throughout. Australia graciously granted their wish as they withdrew their appeal and called Campbell back.

#5 West Indies vs Australia 1999, 5th ODI, Georgetown

The game ended in a tie

The 1999 Australian tour to West Indies was earlier marred by an uglier incident in Georgetown, where the match had to be suspended altogether. In one of the most shocking and shameful moments in cricket, the stadium crowds invaded the pitch multiple times, trying to stop the Australian batsmen from hitting the winning runs.

As Australia needed 7 runs of 7 balls, the crowd invaded the pitch twice, snatching the bat from the batsmen, jostling out Steve Waugh and Warne, who tried to level the score. The match referee and umpires were forced to declare the game a tie.

#6 India vs Sri Lanka, Semi Final, World Cup 1996, Eden Gardens

The crowd were clearly unhappy over India’s performance

The most poignant visuals of the 1996 World Cup are unfortunately those of the embarrassing semi-final at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. No Indian fan had anticipated such a shameful ouster. The hosts looked lackluster as they were reduced to 120/8 in the 35th over chasing an achievable 251.

The Eden fans couldn’t tolerate their team’s World Cup dreams being crushed and soon started throwing bottles into the field. Newspapers were set ablaze and seats set on fire. Clive Lloyd, the match referee awarded to the match to Sri Lanka by default, and as the Sri Lankan players started their celebrations, Vinod Kambli, India’s batsman at the crease broke down into tears. Years later he confessed that he still cries thinking about that match.

#7 India vs South Africa , 2nd T20I, 5 October 2015, Cuttack

The players and officials deliberate in the middle as crowd trouble forced play to be suspended

The latest instance of crowd trouble was witnessed at Cuttack on Monday during the 2^nd T20I between India and South Africa. Having lost the 1^st T20I at Dharamsala narrowly, India were expected to come back strongly.

Luck deserted MS Dhoni yet again as South African skipper Faf du Plessis won the toss and put in India to bat yet again. There was no repeat of the fireworks by Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli from the series opener as both of them were dismissed run out. The rest of the Indian batting line-up too folded up cheaply as the hosts were bundled out for 92 in just 17.2 overs.

There was some crowd trouble at the end of the Indian innings, but it was sorted out quickly enough and the South African run chase started on time. Ravichandran Ashwin bowled his heart out and picked up three wickets to reduce the Proteas to 49/3 raising hopes of a victory. But the partnership of Duminy and Berhadien once again set to chase down the target with ease and a section of the crowd resorted to throwing bottles on the ground, forcing play to be suspended for 27 minutes.

Two overs were bowled after play resumed before yet again the unruly crowd repeated their antics adding to the shame for the real fans. The entire upper tier had to be cleared before the match could finally be completed with South Africa clinching the match by six wickets and thereby the series 2-0.

The cricketing fraternity understandably made their thoughts known on the unfortunate scenes we witnessed at Cuttack on Monday.