MELBOURNE - Full-strength beer will be banned from public bars for Shane Warne's finale - the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.
Police and Melbourne Cricket Club say the ban aims to stop drunks ruining Shane Warne's cricket send-off in his hometown.
Cricket fans in the outer can chooselight or mid-strength drinks, but MCC members are exempt from the ban, with full-strength beer getting the "all clear" to flow freely in exclusive members' bars.
And fanatical cricket fans are furious.
"I can understand them wanting to be sensible, but why is there one rule for one group and one rule for everyone else?" Australian Fanatic spokesman Aaron Hardaker told News Limited newspapers.
And expect the Barmy Army to come fully tanked.
"We will go to the pub before the game, at lunchtime and after the game; where there's a will, there's a way," Barmy Army founder Dave Peacock said.
MCC spokesman Trevor Dohnt said the total ban was introduced because of the unprecedented crowds expected to attend the cricket.
Victoria Police's Superintendent Mick Williams said the measure would reduce crowd trouble.
"Experience shows that if we cut back on full-strength alcohol in public areas, it makes a huge difference," Supt Williams said.
