Cricket Australia fears ban on WACA following drunken ground invasion

Cricket Australia (CA) is apprehensive over the Western Australia Cricket Association (WACA) losing the right to host international cricket matches in Perth, as the International Cricket Council (ICC) has asked it to submit a 'rapid report' over the ground invasion by a drunken spectator during the fifth ODI against Pakistan.

CA has also proposed imposing a fine of 20,000 dollars on ground invaders.

"The ICC has power to strip grounds of their status and it was discussed at the MCG a few years ago," The Dawn quoted CA spokesman Peter Young, as saying.

"It (the WACA Ground) could lose it, like New Delhi lost it recently," Young added.

It may be noted that a drunken spectator dodged security officials and jumped on to Pakistani fielder Khalid Latif during the last ODI match of the series on Sunday.
 
The ICC has the power to strip troublesome venues of their international status, and has expressed disappointment over the WACA incident, wanting to know why security protocols were not in place ahead of the event.

Australian cricket bosses have implored the West Australian Government to increase penalties for ground invaders drastically.

The fine for ground invasion at the WACA is only $500, compared to $7000 at the MCG, $5500 at the SCG and $4000 at the Gabba.