CWC bad behaviour revealed

It’s the double century that earned no acclaim during the Cricket World Cup – the number of arrests and evictions from matches in New Zealand.

Figures released under the Official Information Act reveal more than 200 spectators were ejected from matches in February and March, including pool games and the knockout stages.

However, police only made 10 arrests including just one at Eden Park during the Black Caps’ epic one-wicket win over eventual champions Australia.

Overall, 212 fans were ejected. Auckland led the way with 80, followed by Christchurch (41), Hamilton (37) and Dunedin (36).

While intoxication was a common theme, four of the arrests were connected to ‘‘pitchsiding’’ – game-time information-sharing where people offshore can manipulate betting if the match has a broadcast delay overseas.

Three men using laptops and mobile phones in the stands were ejected from Hagley Oval during the tournament opener between New Zealand and Sri Lanka on February 14 . A man was also removed from a game in Hamilton after it was feared he was transmitting information overseas.

The men accused of pitchsiding were also issued with banning orders by the International Cricket Council.

Cricket World Cup police operations commander, Superintendent Sandra Manderson, said there were ‘‘established links’’ between pitchsiders, organised crime and money laundering.

Streakers were prominent in Christchurch, where serial exhibitionist Ephraim McIntyre – wearing only a pair of socks when he ran onto Hagley Oval during the New Zealand-Sri Lanka game – was fined $1500.

In Dunedin, a 20-year-old student who tried to sneak into New Zealand’s pool game with Scotland at University Oval was charged with possession of a class B drug.