Cricket: Up go the fences

Meanwhile, new Sports Minister Richard Caborn today began moves to outlaw pitch invasions by cricket fans, bringing the sport into line with football. The move would make it possible to prosecute supporters who run onto the pitch without them committing any other offence. Caborn had talks about the subject today with Home Secretary David Blunkett and said: "I have asked my officials to look to see what can be done immediately. We have to make sure we have good protection for both the play-ers and officials."

Lord MacLaurin, the ECB chairman, raised the prospect of using dogs to control crowds. He said: "We've got to do something about these mindless people. Even do what they do in South Africa, where they have stewards every 10m with snarling dogs and if anyone goes on the field they let the dogs go."

Trent Bridge officials have decided not to use dogs tomorrow, but McLaurin's comments show how seriously the problem is regarded.

Headingley steward Stephen Speight was today said to be "comfortable" having spent the night in Leeds General Infirmary after suffering broken ribs and damage to his spleen in the chaos.

Police are studying television footage in the hope of establishing how the injuries were caused, and by whom.

It became obvious as Pakistan closed in on victory that hundreds of their excited fans would rush across the out-field. But there was little evidence of any attempt by stewards and police to keep them in their seats and, as at Edgbaston, fans charged towards the pitch with four runs still needed for a simple six-wicket win.

MacLaurin said: "We've had two very sad incidents and we've got to do something about it. Obviously what we did, and what Yorkshire did, after Edgbaston was not satisfactory and we've got a very big problem."