MCG security gate crush at Melbourne Stars-Renegades Big Bash clash

UPDATE: THOUSANDS of Big Bash fans queued to get into last night’s record-breaking MCG derby clash before lining up to get public transport home.

Fans queue to get into Richmond train station. Picture: Andrew O’Callaghan/Twitter

THOUSANDS of Big Bash fans queued to get into last night’s record-breaking MCG derby clash before lining up to get public transport home.

Fans have launched at Metro Trains on Twitter after the trains operator joined the Melbourne Cricket Club in underestimating the huge 80,833-strong crowd at the Stars-Renegades derby.

Steph Edwards said: “Dear @metrotrains, it would be greatly appreciated if you could have more trains running when the cricket is on”.

Andrew O’Callaghan added: “Poor capacity planning after big bash at Richmond!”

But Ben said his train was less packed than at peak-hour despite the crowded platform.

Kev came to Metro’s rescue, saying the crush was made worse by people who couldn’t read signs.

MCG WATERMELON BOY GOES VIRAL

@metrotrains the service you are providing after the cricket on the Pakenham line is pathetic. Been waiting 15 min on an overcrowded platfrm

— Brad Cook (@PkmtBrad) January 2, 2016

@metrotrains Poor capacity planning after big bash at Richmond! pic.twitter.com/Tsa4JUWp8W

— Andrew O'Callaghan (@aoc_online) January 2, 2016

Jolimont station packed. Shambles @metrotrains pic.twitter.com/NYf0VFBWJk

— TBG (@tbgaustralia) January 2, 2016

The line snaking back from the MCG. Picture: Jools/Twitter

Earlier thousands fans crushed into the MCG, with desperate punters jumping the new security fence to get in after the Melbourne Cricket Club was caught off guard by the huge turnout.

Fans took to social media to vent their frustration with the time it’s taken to enter the ground.

With minutes until the game started, up to 30,000 fans were still waiting to get inside.

One tweet read: “The new security fence at the MCG is working a treat. Currently keeping 20k people out. Brilliant #BBL05”

Another Twitter user, Luke O’Sullivan, said the wait to get in was a disgraceful effort by the MCG.

.@9NewsMelb showing footage of people climbing over @MCG security fence. Not ideal. #BBL05

— Rita Panahi (@RitaPanahi) January 2, 2016

A fan jumps the security gate to get inside the MCG. Picture: Channel Nine

LIVE BLOG: MELBOURNE STARS VS MELBOURNE RENEGADES BIG BASH

Some fans waited up to an hour to get in.

“This MCG fence is absolutely ridiculous. Arrived almost an hour before the game and will miss the first ball. Surely there is a better way?” cricket fan Jake Bourke said.

Jarrod Potter said the MCG was almost a full house but another five thousand are still stuck in line due to the security fence.

MCG staff have responded to complaints via its Twitter account.

“We already have 50,000 people inside — we are moving people through as quickly as possible,” one MCG tweet read.

Melbourne Cricket Club spokesman Shane Brown said officials are still trying to get fans in.

“The crowd is much larger than we had expected and we’re dealing with it as best we can,” he said.

One patron described the situation as “ridiculous”.

“We were just lucky we didn’t have bags,” he told the Herald Sun.

“We arrived with five minutes to go before the first ball and walked straight in at Gate 5, but those poor people who had to get bags checked were in a different line that was about 250m long.

“Now that we’re in, the line to get a drink or some food is 100m long. There aren’t enough food outlets open and nobody looks prepared for the huge crowd that has turned up.”

@MCG Trial for security check = total fail. Thousands of people waiting to clear first gate at 6pm #BBL05 pic.twitter.com/vV4yrPprWm

— Robert Kufersin (@robertkufersin) January 2, 2016

@mcg making this Pom feel at home with the epic queuing. This isn't @Wimbledon ! #sortitout pic.twitter.com/PYBaqn1y18

— XZ Goh (@xzgoh1) January 2, 2016

Great view of the @BBL game tonight. Been in line for 25 mins. What a joke #BBL05 #MCG pic.twitter.com/hlV8yPAXxc

— Jesse Burton (@jburton88) January 2, 2016

Lines out onto the roads for tonight's derby @MCG. #StarsVRenegades #BBL05 #goinglarge pic.twitter.com/cyKsUvfbQj

— Krishna Padmanabhan (@KPadmanabhan13) January 2, 2016

@hannahecarr: Hi Hannah. We can appreciate that. We already have 50,000 people inside - we are moving people through as quickly as possible.

— Melb Cricket Ground (@MCG) January 2, 2016