MANCHESTER, June 18: English cricket chiefs are to ask the British Goverment for new legislation to help them deal with pitch invasions after hundreds of Pakistan fans ran on to the field at at Old Trafford here on Tuesday night.

At the finish of the opening One-day International, players and officials were engulfed by jubilant Pakistan fans who overwhelmed the stewards appointed to keep them behind the boundary.

The scene was reminiscent of Pakistan’s last one-day series in England, in 2001, when their fans staged pitch invasions at Edgbaston and Headingley, where a steward was assaulted, while Australia captain Steve Waugh led his team off the field at Trent Bridge when a match was interrupted.

Back then the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) asked the Government for legislation to deal specifically with the problem of pitch invasions at cricket matches, saying loopholes in the existing law meant they could not tackle the problem effectively.

Following Tuesday’s incident they plan to renew their calls for Government action.

“We’ll be looking at the legal situation with the Home Office in the very near future,” said David Clarke, the ECB’s corporate communications and events manager.

“Two years ago they told us to use the legislation which covered aggravated trespass, which they believed would do the job, but there is clearly confusion with every Police Authority we work with.

“There is also confusion among the Crown Prosecution Service as to whether that legislation is appropriate — it’s clear from the experience we’ve had so far that it’s not appropriate.”

However, he added: “We’ve not had any problems for two years, we’ve successfully changed the culture and people have stayed in their seats and stayed off the outfield until last night.”—AFP