Severe punishment for streakers at CWC

A streaker on the field of play, during the first Pool A match between New Zealand and Sri Lanka, at the ICC Cricket World Cup, held at Hagley Oval, Christchurch. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Streakers, pitch invaders and object-tossers will be punished severely if they try to disrupt remaining World Cup cricket matches, police warned today.

Superintendent Sandra Manderson said spectators have overwhelmingly been well-behaved but police would not let misbehaviour embarrass New Zealand at upcoming matches in Wellington and Auckland.

Pitch invasions were common and tolerated in the 1990s. Exuberant New Zealand fans famously ran onto Auckland's Eden Park outfield when Black Caps captain Martin Crowe scored a century against arch-rivals Australia in the 1992 cup.

But in 2007, the Major Events Management Act was introduced to quash pitch invasions, ticket scalping and other activities authorities deemed undesirable at big sporting occasions.

This year, one person had already been fined $1500 fine for entering the field of play at Christchurch's Hagley Oval during the tournament's opening match.

Four spectators have been arrested and charged for breaching the Act by entering, or trying to enter, the field of play during matches.

Ms Manderson, Operation Cricket World Cup national commander, said anyone who threw objects onto the field or tried streaking would receive "no tolerance" from police.

The superintendent said a hard line on boozing had kept antisocial behaviour at bay.

"We have been impressed with the responsible attitude to alcohol consumption from the majority of spectators."

She said the introduction of the Sale and Supply of Alcohol Act in December 2013 proved salubrious for all local World Cup venues.

The superintendent said police had now completed their preparations for the cup's knockout phase.

"We have been impressed with the way New Zealanders have supported their own team and also clapped and cheered our guests from all around the world," Ms Manderson said.

"The passion and flamboyance of the international fans has been infectious and Police have loved being part of the tournament," she added.

The maximum penalty for breaching the Major Events Management Act was a $5000 fine and up to three months in jail.

New Zealand play the West Indies in a quarter-final in Wellington tomorrow.

On Tuesday, South Africa will play the winner of that match in a semi-final at Eden Park.