ICC asks Cricket Australia for report on security breach

The ICC has asked Cricket Australia for a detailed report into the breach of security that allowed a spectator to rush onto the field during Australia's fifth ODI against Pakistan in Perth on Sunday and tackle to the ground Pakistan opener Khalid Latif.

The incident occurred in the 46th over as Australia were coming to the end of a tense run-chase. Latif was brought down from behind, but emerged unscathed; the spectator has been charged with assault and given a life ban from the ground.

"Obviously the ICC is very disappointed by the incident," an ICC spokesperson told Cricinfo. "There has been a clear security breach. We have asked CA to send us a detailed report on the incident before we can make any comment."

Given the ICC's zero tolerance for such breaches, the matter is being viewed with some concern and it is possible it could be brought up at the ICC executive board meeting, due to take place in Dubai from February 9-11.

Condemnation has come in from every quarter over the incident; WACA chief executive Graeme Wood has called for his state government to increase fines for pitch invaders; Ricky Ponting, the Australian captain, said he would've considered taking his players off the field if it had happened to them.

The PCB has also contacted the ICC over the incident. "We have decided to inform the ICC about it," Nadeem Sarwar, PCB's media manager, told Cricinfo. "Cricket Australia has also sent us a letter regarding the incident."