Huge mess left after cricket

Press, 15 February 1982, Page 1

Huge mess left after cricket

PA Auckland "The veneer of civilisation is very thin at times." said one of a band of men who spent all yesterday cleaning up.'the mess left by the record cricket crowd at Eden Park on Saturday. An estimated 43.00 U people — many armed with bags and chilly bins carrying beer, wine, and spirits — crammed into the park for the New Zealand-Australia first oneday international match With the cricketers they provided scenes of tumult, colour, noise and excitement unprecedented tn New Zealand cricket history. Cleaners had last evening worked their way through only a fraction of the mess left by the crowd. Mr Lance Wiltshire, one. of about 25 University Cricket Club members who were cleaning the park, said that only the No. 2 and No. 3 stands and one-third of the terraces had been cleaned

after an all-day effort yesterday before dark. It could take the rest of the week to clean up the rest of the ground. Mr Wiltshire said. Asked what the ground looked like • when the cleaners arrived yesterday morning. Mr Wiltshire said: “You looked round and thought, 'it's impossible'." He could not even begin to estimate the number of drink cans that had been picked up so far.

Of other litter and mess left by fans who became increasingly merry as the cricket went New. Zealand's way, Mr Wiltshire said, "There were one or two not very nice sights.

"The veneer of civilisation is very thin at times.” The Auckland police arrested about 70 people at the match.

The police have denied suggestions that they - had insufficient staff on hand to control the crowd, which spilled over the fence into the area behind the boundary rope, and in places, over it. Both team captains. Geoff Howarth and Greg Chappell, said Saturday’s experience could lead to improved crowd control in future.

Inspector John Palmer, the officer in charge al the park, said he was satisfied with the number of police on hand. The match had proceeded without serious interruption or outbreak of violence. What trouble had occurred came from a tiny minority who had drunk too much liquor. Mr Palmer said it would be impossible for the police to prevent children and people running on to the ground without committing an unwarranted number of policemen to the ground. Gale takings at Eden Park could reach $170,000 when the sum of pre-sold ticket takings is added.