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The International Cricket Council have threatened to deny grounds approval to stage internationals if crowd invasions persist.

The World Cup prompted fears for the safety of players and umpires after crowds raced on to the field, sometimes before the end of play.

Now the ICC, after their annual conference at Lord's, are set to take immediate action if the trend continues.

``No spectator has a right to enter the field during play and until the players and the umpires have left the field after play,'' an ICC statement read.

``No spectator has a right to throw any object at anyone, be they players, umpires or fellow spectators.

``Countries will have the opportunity - as a matter of priority - to take whatever corrective measures are necessary within the framework of local laws.

``However, sanctions in the form of removal of a ground's approval to hold international cricket are to be seriously considered together with other measures to improve safety.''

The ICC were encouraged by the progress of cricket in Bangladesh, who have applied to become the 10th Test nation on the back of two World Cup wins and a successful Wills International Cup in Dhaka last October.

Countries have committed to provide Bangladesh with matches over the next nine months to assist in their development. Their application is set to be reviewed at next year's conference.

Sri Lanka has been confirmed as the host nation for the Under-19 World Cup, in January 2000.

Lancashire's continued slump might bring the premature departure of coach Dav Whatmore.

Whatmore wants to stay at Old Trafford until the end of the season before taking up the invitation of becoming coach of Sri Lanka again, but the club's power-brokers have to consider the potential threat to the morale of a struggling team.

Chairman Jack Simmons said: ``Dav has said that he wants to stay but it might not be as easy as that.''

The club's cricket committee have already discussed the ramifications of Whatmore's exit and their recommendations will go to the general committee on Monday week. Lancashire were knocked out of the Bensons and Hedges Super Cup yesterday by Sussex at Old Trafford.

The competition - open exclusively to the top eight clubs from last year's County Championship - continues today as Leicestershire meet Warwickshire at Grace Road and Gloucestershire play Surrey at Bristol.

All-rounder Jon Dakin may be brought in to the Leicestershire team who beat Ireland in the NatWest Trophy at the expense of Iain Sutcliffe. Warwickshire have injury worries over Allan Donald and Ashley Giles.