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If one thought the World Cup final fiasco was the last in the string of unpleasant incidents at the cricket’s premier event in the Caribbean, reports say Australian players were at the risk of being arrested by Barbadian police when they were celebrating their triumph.

According to Australian daily The Age, an agitated local police officer allegedly “shouldered” captain Ricky Ponting when he asked for at least two minutes to sing their victory song at the centre wicket after their chaotic 53-run win over Sri Lanka in a rain-marred match.

The officer also warned the players that they were at risk of being arrested if they did not leave the ground immediately, the paper learnt almost a week after incident.

Cricket Australia (CA) spokesman Peter Young confirmed the police had ordered the players off the field.

“It was around about the time when the players were due to go back to their hotel, but they wanted to sing their team song, as is their habit after big tournaments, at centre wicket,” Young said.

“However, the police were at the end of their shift and they told the players to move on. They did and went back to the team hotel where they sang the song by the pool. Glenn McGrath led the song,” he was quoted as saying.

Sergeant Rock of the Barbados police on Saturday denied any knowledge of a disturbance between police and the Australian team. “That is news to me. I haven’t heard anything about that,” he said.

Other disasters that led to many observers calling it the worst sporting event ever staged included murder of Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer, scheduling problems, administrative difficulties and many lopsided matches.
Source:The News