Nothing could have stopped the mass pitch invasion which ended the one-day cricket international between England and Pakistan yesterday, according to a York sports fan who witnessed it.

One steward was seriously injured and England captain Alec Stewart was forced to concede the game to Pakistan after spectators burst onto the pitch at Headingley cricket ground, in Leeds, during the NatWest Triangular Series.

Richard Berry, from Bootham, is a regular at both international and county games at Headingley.

He was sitting in the North Stand for yesterday's game, and said the invasion was mainly good humoured and he was surprised to see a steward left injured at the end of it.

And he said that no matter what measures the authorities take - short of putting up fences - the crowds will still be able to get on to the pitch.

Richard, 25, said: "There were regular announcements through the game asking the fans not to go on the pitch, but it was obvious that they were going to.

"The atmosphere had been excellent all the way through, with plenty of banter between the two sets of supporters. You could see how fired up the Pakistani fans were, but there was nothing really malicious."

Insurance worker Richard said that so many fans wanted to go on to the pitch, the stewards were left powerless to stop them.

He said: "Take the Western Terrace for example. There are between four and five thousand people on there, so the stewards can grab the first few but if everyone wants to get on they are going to get on.

"Even when the crowd were on the pitch though I still felt the atmosphere was good natured. They were letting off fireworks, dancing and singing, enjoying what they thought was their victory.

"I kept my distance - I didn't want to get caught up in it - but it was enjoyable watching it from the safety of the stand."

The Chairman of York Cricket Club, Chris Houseman, said he felt the invasion was not malicious, but crowd control measures would have to be reviewed.

He added: "I know police dogs have been mentioned, but they wouldn't exactly contribute to a cricket atmosphere. In Australia there are notices threatening severe fines. Perhaps that is something that could be looked at here."

Updated: 11:53 Monday, June 18, 2001