October 22 Tuesday 2002
Tight security for England's opening clash

PERTH, Australia: Security for England's opening Ashes tour match near here on Tuesday (today) has been beefed up in the wake of the Bali car bomb attack, officials confirmed on Monday.

The tourists meet an Australian Cricket Board Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill Park, Caversham, in the heart of the Swan Valley winegrowing region north-east of Perth. Western Australian Cricket Association Chief Executive Kath White said security had become a greater concern in cricket. "We have to be careful and make sure the players are adequately protected," she said.

Security since the arrival of England in Perth three days ago has been tighter than that for previous touring international cricket sides. A greater number of uniformed security men has been present at all practice sessions at the WACA Ground nets.

England supporters and young autograph hunters have not been allowed in the ground to watch practice. The throng of journalists and photographers from England and Australia has been allowed to view practice, but only from clearly defined areas. Media representatives have -- for the first time in Perth -- been warned they would be asked to leave unless they wear their accreditation badges at all times.

Officials said a tighter cordon of security would be provided around players of both sides at Lilac Hill as a consequence of the Bali tragedy and new International Cricket Council (ICC) demands. As part of their campaign to eliminate corruption involving players, the ICC have also insisted only authorised staff and officials could deal with players on match days.

Security will be specially tight in the roped-off player enclosure, just in front of the pavilion. There are reportedly also insurance concerns about today's match because of the public liability crisis in Australia. The game is run largely by volunteers from the Midland-Guildford Cricket Club.

A sellout crowd of 10,000 is expected at the picturesque riverside ground for the annual festival match -- Australia's equivalent to the traditional programme-opening match at Arundel, Sussex, when teams visit England.