Croft says urgent action is needed to control fan behaviour

Croft said he was subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse at Somerset on Friday which went way beyond the usual "banter" between fans and players.

"At the moment it's only verbal abuse, but a year down the line it could be physical unless we nip it in the bud now," Croft told BBC Wales Sport.

"The only way to stop it is to get more police and professional security."

On Monday, Middlesex's home Twenty20 match with Hampshire was marred when stones were thrown at the away coach and valuables stolen from the home dressing-room.

Hampshire wicket-keeper Nic Pothas also complained of personal verbal abuse from the stands at Southgate.

When it spills into pure verbal abuse, with all the bad language you can think of, it goes a step too far Robert Croft

Glamorgan's game at Taunton on Friday night was also in the Twenty20 competition, and Croft feels the popularity of the format may be attracting new fans to cricket grounds.

"You don't really need a six-hour attention span to watch and you don't really need to love the game that much to watch," said Croft.

"But what's important is that whoever comes to watch must treat it with the respect it deserves.

"Cricket is traditionally a gentleman's game - players play very hard on the field but it's done in an atmosphere where fans can bring food along, have some wine or beer, enjoy the cricket and leave in a good manner.

"I'm just concerned it could be starting to move down the wrong direction. Whether it's home or away, you expect a bit of banter with the crowd because that makes the evening.

"But when it spills into pure verbal abuse, with all the bad language you can think of, it goes a step too far.

"I'm not having a pop at Somerset County Cricket Club because they do their best.

"But this is an area cricket in general needs to look at, rather than regretting in two years' time when its got out of hand that we should have put more powers in place to curb it.