Wave rolls on

By Glen Atwell
SPRINGVALE resident Matthew Newton can lay claim to saving one of Australia’s most iconic traditions.
It’s not the meat pie, a cold stubby or even a game of backyard cricket.
The 22-year-old has saved the Mexican wave.
Outraged at Cricket Australia’s decision to ban the wave from all international cricket games this summer, Newton embarked on a Mexican mission to save the wave.
Mr Newton’s actions may also lead to the eventual reinstatement of the wave, after Cricket Australia told the Star that the ban may eventually be lifted.
Armed with nothing more than a mobile phone and his website, www.savethemexicanwave.com, Mr Newton sent a press release to all the major metropolitan media last Thursday.
Within an hour he was being interviewed on sports radio station SEN1116.
The Herald Sun, The Age, Nova 100 and Channel Seven’s Sunrise soon jumped aboard the Save the Mexican Wave bandwagon.
Interest in his campaign to “save the cricket from the Chardonnay swillers and prawn sandwich brigade” was snowballing.
Mr Newton said he couldn’t believe that Cricket Australia would evict those participating in the Mexican wave during the one-day international match between Australia and New Zealand at the MCG on Sunday.
“Mexican waves are one of the highlights of going to the cricket for many people but Cricket Australia has taken matters into its own hands to strangle the life out of the fun,” he said.
“Cricket Australia just want to fill their stadiums with plastic fans, wearing the official T-shirt, eating the official pie and drinking the official drink.”
Authorities banned the wave because of concerns that missiles being thrown into the air by participants could hurt surrounding spectators.
But Mr Newton quashed the suggestion that most Mexican wavers acted inappropriately.
“Why can’t the security guards and police differentiate between those throwing objects into the air during the wave, and those just enjoying themselves?” he said.
“The people who are throwing dangerous objects are in the minority, no-one wants them at the cricket.
“We need to encourage community policing – if everyone keeps their eyes open we’ll see the people who are hurting other fans,” Mr Newton said.
So, when the first ball was bowled at the MCG on Sunday, Mr Newton stood on his seat, tore off his shirt and proudly displayed the Save the Mexican Wave slogan emblazoned across his chest.
And the words ‘but don’t throw things’ were sprawled across his sunscreen coated back. As he began the famous countdown, to get the fabled wave started, thousands of fans echoed his chorus.
Unfortunately, Mr Newtown did not get to witness the fruits of his labours.
“The police evicted me before I could see the Mexican wave go around the ground,” he said.
“But they were good about it, they said to me ‘you are a legend’.”
Outside the walls of the MCG, Mr Newton could hear the roar of the crowd.
The Mexican wave had been saved.
Cricket Australia’s spokeswoman Stephanie Beltrame told the Star the wave could one day make a return.
“At the moment the ban is still in place but if the throwing of objects stops, you’d like to the think the Mexican wave would one day be allowed,” she said.
“There were no reported injuries of people being hit with objects during the wave on Sunday – that’s a great sign.”