KEY POINTS:
Cricket Australia (CA) has banned the Mexican wave at all international grounds across the country. Spectators who try to start the Mexican wave, standing up in co-ordinated sections and raising their arms in the air, will be ejected from the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the tri-series match between Australia and New Zealand on Sunday.
Here is a selection of your views:
This debate is now closed
Chris
The Mexican wave isnt Mexican. It was invented years before in America at a baseball game. Thanks.
Brian
Getting rid of the Mexican Wave, what is Cricket Australia coming to? I dont mind it myself as long there is control over it. People should be told that the only things they throw up in the air is their arms and not objects because of safety concerns for Mr or Mrs innnocent who dont want any part of it. As the late cricket commentator Alan McGilbraith used to say people who drink the lunatic soup (alcohol) should be the ones to look out for. A total ban on any substance that can impair ones judgement or behaviour should be removed from the ground.
Emma
How does one seriously expect to police this? Will standing up and having a stretch be construed as an attempt to start a wave?
S Mohanakrishnan
The real question should be whether it is possible to enforce such a stupid ban in a stadium full of people, the numbers sometimes exceeding 50000. What a stupid idea. The spectators have come to have fun and the Mexican Wave was invented by a smart guy or girl to drive away the boredom of a insipid game or to celebrate a great moment in the game. It is a spontaneous response and cannot be stopped. If the authorities try to evict any group of people who start the Wave, they will really start another chaos or protest which may affect the game even more.
In a lighter vein, may be the Mexican Wave should be allowed once when the home side is on the verge of defeat so the resultant chaos (as authorities try to evict the offenders) will stop the game and save the homeside.
Nimish
The Mexican wave has become a ritual at sporting events and is harmless. I dont see the point in banning the wave as it does no harm to anyone.There are far more critical things to be banned from sporting events, for eg : drunkeness, disorderly behaviour or sledging for players.
Jonathan C
I attended the NZ v ENG game in Adelaide, and all us 20 Black Caps fans were surprised to see the wave ban on the large screens. I think this was the first instance of wave-banning. I love the cricket and the mexican wave adds to the atmosphere. How about just letting everyone have fun and ejecting trouble makers? And to those who dont like the beer showers, dont sit on the terraces or near us yobs.
Peter
I was with my family and friends at the Melbourne one day game of England versus Australia and the whole place became dangerous and miserable during the wave. We had two children with us aged under 2, and they were coated with beer and food as we were repeatedly pelted and targeted by Australian "fans". It was no accident and not random, as the waves grew, so the debris and missiles came our way more and more, forcing us to cover the babies and run for cover. A woman nearby was struck by a flying water bottle, cap still on, and full, and was almost knocked out. The fact is that in the rest of the world the wave is fun and harmless and just a literal wave... the Aussies have ruined it by making it a place where cowards can hide their missile hurling, and if Kiwis do the same the shame will be too much and the consequences great. Fighting breaks out when people get covered in stuff thrown, and if thats what you call fun, take a look at soccer hooligans and see where it goes! . Ban the wave because there are cowards and morons in the crowd, and people dont deserve to be hurt or humiliated or have their clothes and days ruined. Shame on Aussie, and shame on can chuckers.
Jan Walsh
Decidedly not to ban. It is part of the fun of being at the cricket and especially is part of support for whatever side.
Beryl Butler
The Mexican Wave should be banned at all matches. Having been to a cricket match and been showered with half full beer bottles it made us never want to go to another match.
Errol
Experiencing a Mexican wave is a sure thrill, as anyone who has been part of one will agree. However throwing objects in the air and down the stands is definitely objectionable. I say ban chucking and keep the wave.
Raj Subramanian
No bans for these:
1)Mexican Wave: if bottles and improper objects are thrown on proper vertical lines each one equidistance from the next one and is more than 90 yards from the middle of the pitch(an expert coaching at a cost of $999 is available at Eden Park)
2)Aussie Cricketers mouths: if verbal abuse is not blown out as long as they swallow it before delivery)
3)Chucking: if they are from Sri Lanka or Australia(NZ Cricket Academy has a 6 month coaching on how to chuck but everytime not noticed by umpire or referee-Many Srilankan coaches are already hired)
4)No ban for umpires for even their umpteenth mistake if they are doing duty in Australia(Lou Vincent bat equals pad for LBW decision)
5)Stripping: Nude running if you can run faster than 6 policemen chasing you at 30kms per hour and go to the other end of the ground in 25 seconds flat(clothing assistance available at the other end for $125 per hire-register with WINZ 1 week in advance(hire is cheaper than police fine)
7)Trumpets/drums at high volumes: if you can supply ear buds to your stand and not tearing off your drums
8)Dancing: as long as you are not obstructing other dancers - after all you are doing when the play is dull who what wants to watch the dull play.
Dan R
I think there are a number of things they should consider banning before the Mexican Wave. Idiot spectators for a start.
Andrew
Great idea. It should be banned in NZ too. Getting pelted with thrown objects and beer is not my idea of fun. Its one of the reasons why I wouldnt take my young son to a one-day cricket game. The sort of behaviour that is tolerated at one-day games is not tolerated in any other public place (try throwing beer over someone in a pub, or sexually harassing someone at work), and it should be stamped out so that people can take their kids back to the games.
Tony Kung
Again Austraila are ahead in the common sense category. The last time I attended a sports fixture at Eden Park about 10yrs ago I was hit by a bottle during the Mexican wave.
Lee
As an Australian living in NZ I am subjected to a non-stop barrage of anti-Australianism. I know, most of it is harmless fun, but a lot of it is past the line of funny and ruins what would be otherwise a great time for all. This banning of the Mexican wave may have its reasons, but it's going to make things worse now, as people will be on my case about it for years. I think they should have more security to instantly remove and ban the yobs who ruin it, rather than ruin everyone's fun. Australians love cricket, and the Mexican wave has become an integral part of any major event in a ringed stadium. Come down hard on the troublemakers, leave the rest of us alone. And stop picking on the Aussies guys, we look after NZ! Without us, the Indonesians would own this place!
Ted
The exact origin of the wave is disputed. Its growth may be traced across three different sports, spread over three different North American countries. It may be said that it was created (by chance) at a National Hockey League game in Canada in 1980, was introduced to a wider audience (by intent) at a Major League Baseball game in the United States in 1981. Whatever its origin, by the mid 1980s the practice was widespread throughout North America. It gained international notice at a FIFA Football World Cup game in Mexico in 1986 (hence it being known as a Mexican wave by some). The wave was also believed to be created in Vancouver Canada by a marketing campaign for the local soccer team the Vancouver Whitecaps, in which they got the crowd to perform this for a commercial in which their slogan was "Catch the Wave."
Julia
Its a good way to get fed and watered. I just open my mouth and look to the sky.
Tighe
I salute the MCG for banning the inane Mexican Wave. I was at the opening game of the CB series at the MCG. The crowd of 80000 was mostly well behaved during the English first innings. After a long day in the sun and enough VB things started getting a bit nasty as Australia cruised towards inevitable victory. There came a point when there was an exodus of spectators after a barrage of rubbish, beer and I am sure urine rained down after the Mexican wave had passed. I went into the concourse for a bit of shelter and there was a girl nursing her friend along holding a bag of ice from the bar against her bleeding forehead. Back in the seating the louts were in full voice and it just wasnt funny anymore.
James
At first mention a ban seems pathetic. However after being at the WACA on Sunday and having chicken carcases land near me and yoghurt splash on me during each of the, say 5, Mexican Waves started I realised something should be done to stop the few idiots from throwing such crap and ruining other spectators enjoyment.
Neil
About time too, why cant they just watch the cricket.
Heidi
Good grief. Political correctness is the biggest piece of crap to ever hit society. Next they will be banning wearing team colours. Get a grip.
Michael
If someone has an accident in a car, are you going to ban cars on the road. If a politician lies are you going to ban parliament? Let people get on with it and enjoy the fun. If a few people spoil the day get them banned for the season.
Paul
They should also eject people that have not eaten a proper breakfast or cheer at over 50 decibels. Is this an early April fools? As long as people are not physically or verbally abusive I dont care what they do, and neither should cricket administrators. Such restrictions on peoples freedom are dangerous. Where will they stop?
Glen
Instead of spectators doing the Mexican wave maybe they can just sit down and raise their arms in the air in co-ordinated sections. They could call this the Australian wave or even better the Cricket Australia wave.
Tim
As a Pom living in NZ, I say keep the wave... ban the Aussie Cricket team and give us all a chance!!
Mary
At no time or place should anyone be having fun, especially to show excitment and encouragement and joy to our sportsmen on the field. Give me a break. How dare these d...heads dictate our level of fun.
Dissorderly
The Mexican wave adds to the enjoyment of being at the ground. Keep it.
Dave Te Awapoutu
The wave is a significant cultural and national treasure, contributed by the people of this land, and is a symbol of our mana, who we are. To deprive us of this important heritage would be sacrilege.
Orbbo
Yes, it should be banned, but it is going to take a pretty amazing enforcement agency to stop it. I predict a beauty next game.
John White
The Mexican wave adds to the fun, which is more fun than the loud speakers blaring between each over not even completing the song.
Michael
How ridiculous! Why not just ban the throwing of objects, or better still organise a marketing campaign that gave away free soft things to throw? Then kick out anyone breaking the rules. If ever there was a reason to keep doing the Mexican Wave this is it. They cant kick everyone out of the game! Next they will be putting up nets to stop people getting hurt from all those sixes Oram is going to smash on Sunday!
Terry
I am an Australian and ashamed of the stupidity that the cricket board and its representatives have shown. I am an Australian through and through but I just cant find it in me to support the Australian cricket team, they simply think themselves so much better than others they think they are gods.
Lance
Wondering why it is called the Mexican wave down under? It started with the Canadian Football League BC (Vancouver) Lions about 1978 or the San Jose St Spartans at the same time- they both used the same cheerleader, a guy named Krazy George.
