6 Aug 2009

Trumpet player silenced for Headingly test

5:46 am on 6 August 2009

The Barmy Army trumpet player Bill Cooper has been banned from playing at Headingley as English cricket officials crack down on crowd control for the fourth Ashes Test against Australia.

The Yorkshire County Cricket Club chief executive Stewart Regan says Cooper won't be allowed to perform within the Leeds ground.

Regan says it goes against ground regulations, and they've decided in conjunction with their security officer that they won't allow musical instruments in the ground.

Cooper was prevented from playing during the 2006-07 Ashes series in Australia, sparking a row between the famous England supporters' group and the cricket hierarchy.

Yorkshire have also increased steward levels for the match and will close bars for one hour during afternoons.

The moves come amid concerns over unruly crowd behaviour, particularly during the second and third Tests.

Australian captain Ricky Ponting was booed and jeered at Lord's and Edgbaston, prompting England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Giles Clarke to call for an end to the insults.