A streaker ran into more trouble than expected during a limited-overs cricket international when he was flattened by Australian all-rounder Andrew Symonds on Tuesday.

The man ran onto the pitch, naked, and toward Symonds at the non-striker’s end as he attempted to evade police and ground security staff at the Australia vs India match.

Symonds stood his ground and leaned into the streaker in a rugby-style shoulder charge, dropping him instantly to the ground. The streaker was escorted from the field by police.

He faces a fine up to 3,000 Australian dollars (Rs 11,000) for the pitch invasion and is expected to be charged with willful exposure by Queensland state police. Australia were 34 for three at the time, chasing 259 to win and keep the three-match finals series alive.

Symonds, who did some off-season training with Australian National Rugby League powerhouse club the Brisbane Broncos, did not seem distracted by his brush with the pitch invader.

He scored 42 put in an 89-run partnership with Matthew Hayden (55) but it wasn’t enough to force a win, with Australia eventually losing by nine runs.

Symonds could face a serious punishment if the International Cricket Council decides that he breached section 4.2 of the players’ code of conduct relating to a physical assault of a rival player, an official or a spectator.

The sanction for that is a suspension from five Test matches or 10 limited-overs internationals up to a life ban.

Australia captain Ricky Ponting said he had not seen any replays of the incident, but expected to see plenty of commentary in the media. “I haven’t seen it yet, there’s been a bit of talk and laughter around the dressing room, but I haven’t spoken to Symmo about it.”

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