South Africa protest at Lord's Long Room rowdies after wait for Bell and Sidebottom
South Africa claim they were abused by MCC members in the Lord's pavilion yesterday and have demanded extra security in the Long Room when they resume the first npower Test today.
After a rain delay during England's innings, the tourists were advised by the umpires that play would resume at 5.15pm.
Confusion: Ian Bell and Sidebottom wait for South Africa to return to the field, as MCC members look on.
It is understood the England batsmen, Ian Bell and Ryan Sidebottom, were not given the same information so they returned to the field and were forced to wait in front of the pavilion for a number of minutes for their opponents to re-appear.
The Lord's crowd became agitated and there was loud booing around the ground.
But South Africa coach Mickey Arthur claimed last night that spectators in front of the pavilion were shouting comments to him on the dressing-room balcony including 'Are you Pakistan in disguise?' - a reference to the abandoned ball-tampering Test at The Oval in 2006.
Skipper Graeme Smith and his players were also the subject of comments in the Long Room - the inner sanctum of the home of cricket that is held up as the epitome of tradition.
The tourists, who described the spectators' behaviour as 'unbecoming', are thought to have asked for the area to be cleared in future when they come through and are expecting an apology from the MCC.
