Oval parking is just not cricket

Council officials have been caught ticketing cars parked around The Oval despite the Ashes having ended the previous day.

Lambeth council suspended parking around the stadium while England battled to victory and included Monday in the ban in case the Test cricket went to a fifth day.

But although play ended on Sunday, council wardens arrived on Monday to give out tickets and tow away vehicles.

When angry residents confronted the wardens they reportedly backed down and decided not to remove any cars, but several vehicles are believed to have been ticketed.

Andrew Sawdon, Lib-Dem councillor for the Oval ward, said he thought at least 12 cars had been ticketed and criticised the Labour-run council.

"We are overjoyed by the England victory," he said.

"However, for Lambeth's parking department it was not the cricketing victory they were celebrating - an occasion of national sporting pride - but another chance to make fools, and more importantly make money, out of unsuspecting motorists. Only Labour-run Lambeth would suspend parking for an international cricket match when there isn't one."

A council spokesman said that the five-day parking suspension had been requested and paid for in advance by Surrey County Cricket Club and it was unable to end it without the club's permission.