Barriers designed to deter a pitch invasion during tonight's cricket match between Australia and Pakistan at Trent Bridge are little more than meshed sheets of plastic nailed to advertising boards around the boundary.

But Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club officials believe they will be enough to deter invaders, as is the case at rugby union matches.

The barriers will be lifted head-high by about 350 stewards around the ground when the match is close to a result - 15 runs or two wickets from the end.

They will also be raised whenever officials sense trouble and Australian team manager Steve Bernard will have a say in this.

Any spectator wanting to raid the field will do so with ease but the plan is for them to be delayed long enough to allow the players to reach the pavilion untouched.

© 2001 AAP