Alcohol ban for Twenty20 fans

The controversial decision made by Worcestershire County Cricket Club following talks with the English Cricket Board (ECB) has angered one member, who branded it an "absolute kick in the teeth" for ordinary fans.

In the past it has been commonplace for WCCC supporters to take picnics, including their own alcohol, to the one-day Twenty20 matches.

But this season bags will be spot checked on arrival and any alcohol found confiscated. Supporters will still be able to purchase alcoholic drinks once inside the ground.

One disgruntled club member, who did not want to be identified, said: "It's an absolute kick in the teeth for the ordinary member who has supported this club throughout the problems of the flood last year.

"It's a blatant commercial decision and nothing to do with security. What they're saying is the prawn sandwich brigade are OK, but the ordinary fan can pay through the teeth."

WCCC chief executive Mark Newton said the decision had been taken on health and safety grounds.

"ECB had made the decision to implement a ban at all international matches and that was due to a couple of incidents at certain grounds which were caused by drink," he said.

Mr Newton said, while New Road very rarely encountered alcohol-related problems, there was a danger in allowing glass bottles and cans.

"At least people can still buy alcohol if they want," he added.

During the late 1980s there was often a heavy police presence at New Road games and, according to Mr Newton, drink-related incidents around the ground's Severn Bar.

"Certainly in the last decade we have never needed a police presence," he said.

"I can only recall one of two people being asked to leave because of drink."

Twenty20 cup matches, introduced by the ECB in 2003, are short games played between English county teams, usually lasting less than three hours. The first game at New Road this summer will see Worcestershire face the Gloucestershire Gladiators on Thursday, June 12.