Reuters
 
Perth, Feb 1: Cricket Australia (CA) has banned the Mexican wave at all international grounds across the country, CA said in a statement on Thursday.

Spectators who try to start the Mexican wave, standing up in co-ordinated sections and raising their arms in the air, will be ejected from the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) during the Tri-Series match between Australia and New Zealand on Sunday.

"The behaviour of fans at the cricket this summer, so far, has improved significantly and while the wave itself is harmless, unfortunately the associated throwing of objects in the air is not," Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland said in a statement.

"At best, thrown objects cause discomfort such as being drenched with beer or plastic cups full of urine but at worst they cause injuries to other spectators and that's not a risk we're prepared to take anymore.

"We were disappointed that ordinary fans, not just the small minority of hoons (hooligans) who were thrown out at the last match at the MCG, felt that it was acceptable to throw things in the air when the Mexican wave started."

Sutherland said the ban, previously in place at other cricket grounds in Australia but not the MCG, was not intended to spoil the enjoyment of spectators.

"Come along and have fun -- but if your idea of fun ruins the day for somebody else, we will do as we have done all season and that is to take action," he said.

The Mexican wave started in North America in the 1980s and is now popular at many major sporting events around the world, including soccer World Cups, the Olympics, Wimbledon and other tennis grand slams.