Australia bans Mexican wave in Warne-McGrath's Sydney swansong

Sydney, Dec 29 (UNI) In a bid to ensure that nothing mars the swansong Test match for Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath, organisers of the fifth and final Ashes Test have banned Mexican waves at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

According to an AAP report, security will be watertight for the final Ashes Test starting here on Tuesday.

Cricket New South Wales has decided to provide extra security measures for the match where the hosts would be eying a 5-0 whitewash of the visitors and a grand farewell to the Warne-McGrath duo and arrangements include a ban on the Mexican wave, extra security staff, close CCTV monitoring and strict ejection policies for misbehaving spectators.

Cricket NSW Chief Executive David Gilbert said they wanted to safeguard the ''overwhelming majority of fans who wanted to enjoy international cricket played at its best''.

''Cricket fans will be coming to the SCG to see some of the finest cricketers in the world in action - some of whom will be playing at the ground for the last time. It is unfair for a minority group of fans to spoil the Test match experience of the majority,'' Mr Gilbert said.

''We want fans, particularly families, coming to international cricket and the research clearly shows they will continue to come if their experience is safe and comfortable,'' he added.

On banning the Mexican wave, he said though spectacula, there always is a danger created by the volume of rubbish thrown in the air.

''The Mexican wave may be appealing to a small minority but we have a greater responsibility to service the majority of fans who are genuine cricket fans and who do not want their match day experience tarnished by this behaviour,'' he said.

He also urged the fans to report incidents to assist the security operation.

''Fans have an important role to play in reporting incidents so they can be dealt with swiftly and competently,'' he said.

Besides, Cricket NSW would also strictly adhere to SCG's low alcohol policy, the official added.

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