Pirth: An Australian court has fined a spectator A$9,000 (about £5,120) for attacking the Pakistan batsman Khalid Latif on the outfield after invading the pitch during a one-day international last month.
David James Fraser, 37, was found guilty after running on to the ground at the Waca in Perth and tackling Latif to the ground from behind as he fielded against Australia on 31 January. The 24-year-old injured his neck and required medical attention.
Fraser was fined A$6,000 on a charge of trespass for entering the playing field and A$3,000 for common assault, after pleading guilty to both counts. He had already been banned for life from the Waca.
Fraser said he had been drinking all day and had run on to the field following a dare from a friend.
The West Australian Cricket Association said that following the hearing it would continue to work with the state government and other major sporting bodies to push for tougher minimum penalties for pitch invaders.
"Invasions by spectators during major sporting events are dangerous, disrupt major public events and can influence the outcome of those events, while also damaging Australia's and WA's reputation in the eyes of international viewing audiences," it said in a statement.
"The International Cricket Council has the power to revoke the Waca ground's accreditation to host international cricket matches, and the Waca supports harsher penalties that would encourage members of the crowd to think twice before attempting to enter the field of play."
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