The International Cricket Council has written to the Australian Cricket Board (ACB) expressing concern over crowd behaviour at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during the opening match of the VB Series between Australia and New Zealand. "That's a harsh reminder for us that the bar has lifted in terms of the standards expected of international cricket venues and if things don't improve at the MCG then it will come under increased scrutiny as a viable venue for international cricket," ACB chief executive James Sutherland said of the letter from the ICC.

More than 200 people were ejected from the MCG during the game on Friday night and Sutherland said that the ACB would consider alternative venues if behaviour didn't improve. However, more trouble erupted in the crowd of 62,000 at Sunday's match between Australia and South Africa, resulting in 13 arrests and another 222 ejections from the ground.

Sutherland reacted by announcing a series of measures aimed at curbing the trouble, including the banning of Mexican waves at the MCG and alcohol restrictions in the notorious Bay 13. He said that the possibility of the MCG not being allowed to stage any more one-day internationals was very real given the unruly behaviour, which he said was "right up there" by world standards. "There are plenty of other cities in Australia that would be happy to host international cricket," Sutherland added.

Victoria's Police and Emergency Services Minister Andre Haermeye said that the state government was also monitoring the situation, but he dismissed suggestions that a total ban on alcohol was being considered. "I don't think that's appropriate," he said. "Alcohol consumed in a responsible quantity is not a bad thing. I don't think you should penalise 70,000 other people at a sporting fixture because you get a couple of hundred lobotomised dickheads who cannot handle their alcohol."

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