Beer party at Perth pitch

NEW DELHI: A controversy broke out on Thursday after news channel Times Now aired footage which showed ground-staff at the stadium in Perth sipping and drinking beer on the pitch only hours before India and Australia play the third Test on it.
The footage showed three or four ground-staff sitting on the wicket with beer cans and the TV channel said it had acquired it through independent source.
The visuals showed some of the barefooted staff having accreditation card while there were others who did not have any card at all.
Senior BCCI functionary Rajiv Shukla said the Cricket Australia must look into the issue.
"It is a serious matter and the Australian cricket Board should look into it, It is the responsibility of the host cricket Board to maintain the wicket. It is their prime responsibility," Shukla said.
Asked if they have talked to the Cricket Australia about it, he said, "It's upto the team management to look into it. if there is a complaint only then we can take it up. We are awaiting the report of the team management. "
"I would like to urge the Australian Cricket Board to look into it. There should be no foreign element on the wicket. The sanctity of the wicket should be maintained," he added.
The channel said as per the ICC rules, the track should be covered and cordoned off ahead of a Test match.
It was not clear whether the Indian team management has lodged a protest.