Australia cricket team sleep through rude awakening

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A group of six people, armed with drums and cymbals, appeared outside the team's hotel in Canterbury but their din succeeded only in rousing Australia's coach driver, plus a couple of travelling journalists, because the players were in rooms at the back of the building.

Last week, some Australian fans claimed to be behind the fire alarm which forced England's cricketers onto the pavement at 5am on the first morning of the Fourth Test in Leeds.

England were bowled out for 102 just a few hours later but inquiries suggested the fire scare was genuine.

The timing of today's incident was bizarre because the tourists are not playing a match until Saturday.

According to one eyewitness, though, a photographer was with the group, suggesting the possibility of a publicity stunt.

The Barmy Army claimed they were not responsible.

But the Australian players WERE briefly evacuated from their hotel at 9.30am today for a genuine fire alarm that proved to be nothing serious.