Anarchy reigns supreme; thieves, vandals mar Middlesex-Hampshire tie

London, June 26 (UNI) Celebrations gave way to anguish as the Middlesex players, soon after defeating Hampshire by five runs in a Twenty20 Cup match, returned to find their valuables stolen from the dressing room.

The theft was only one of the many unsavoury incidents that marred yesterday's match as vandals damaged the Hampshire bus while some others climbed over the fence of the ground early this morning to trash the hospitality marquee and push toilets over.

''It's very unfortunate. The windows of the bus have been smashed and the Middlesex guys have had all their valuables stolen,'' Hampshire wicket-keeper Nic Pothas told BBC Sport.

''We make the effort to play in dangerous conditions and that's the thanks you get,'' he added.

Meanwhile, the Middlesex lads admit it was stupid of them to leave their valuables in there and not lock the door.

The club's chief executive Vinny Codrington admitted that security at the ground would have to be reviewed although he did not rule out recurrence of such incidents.

''The most important thing at the moment is to review security at the ground and perhaps have 24-hour security,'' he said and added, ''But we also have to remember that this is a club ground, not a stadium, and these things will happen from time to time.'' Codrington said the three incidents were not related and that it was important not to sensationalise them.

Police are currently looking into the three incidents.

UNI