So-called "pitchsiders" are "continuing to infiltrate Big Bash matches by sneaking laptops and mobile phones into grounds," while it has emerged a number of spectators have been evicted this summer for partaking in an activity cricket authorities are "intent on stamping out of the game," according to Tom Decent of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Security and anti-corruption officials are "remaining vigilant" as Cricket Australia confirmed on Monday it was aware of a number of incidents over the past few weeks involving spectators being "tossed out of Big Bash matches for partaking in suspicious activity." While CA "refused to elaborate on specific details" because the evictions were "operational matters," a number of spectators who made their way down to the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday for the Melbourne Stars and Brisbane Heat match reportedly were evicted for "using laptops and other devices while sitting in the crowd." It is believed "even more spectators at the same match were approached by security" for using mobile phones to relay information about match conditions and up-to-the-second information about the game at hand. Pitchsiding is "not a new phenomenon." It involves a spectator using an electronic device to bet -- or relay information -- to someone who places a live in-play bet which "takes advantage of the slight time difference in overseas broadcasts to potentially gain an advantage over bookmakers before odds are changed" (SMH, 1/18).
