India-Australia tour: Police warn fans to behave or face music

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Expecting more than 70,000 crowd at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground for the first cricket Test between India and Australia starting tomorrow, the local police have warned the spectators to behave or else face eviction, arrest and on-the-spot fines.

Police said that unruly behaviour among the crowd won't be tolerated.

Those found drunk and disorderly would be penalised Australian Dollar 611, AUD 489 for being offensive, aggressive or generally disorderly and AUD 244 for using threatening, abusive or insulting words.

Police Superintendent Rod Wilson said uniformed officers and transit police would be out in strength to ensure the big event was free of trouble.

He said police would be at hotels around the MCG looking for underage drinking and anti-social behaviour. Transit officers would be at work, particularly at Richmond station.

"We want people to enjoy themselves at the Test, but warn that police will act quickly if they detect any inappropriate or anti-social behaviour," Wilson said.

"Police will not accept inappropriate crowd behaviour and anyone caught doing the wrong thing will face strict penalties," he said.

"The Boxing Day Test is a great tradition in Melbourne," Supt Wilson said. We don't want people drinking to excess and spoiling the day for others," he was quoted as saying by 'Herald Sun'.

Meanwhile, a few passing showers are expected early in the morning tomorrow but likely to clear well before the start of the match.

Online bookmaker Centrebet said the locals were paying AUD 2.20 for Australia while for India it is AUD 3.15.

Ed Cowan, who took the place of injured Shane Watson in the Australian team, is the punters' favourite to record the first century.