By RICHARD SHEARS

Last updated at 10:04 05 March 2008

It was one move that doesn't figure in the cricket textbooks - at least not yet.

Faced with a naked man during a crucial innings, Australian batsman Andrew Symonds responded in no-nonsense fashion.

He delivered a classic forearm smash to the hapless streaker, sending him crashing to the turf before he was escorted away by police and ground staff.

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When cricketers attack: Symonds eyes his target, drops his shoulder and extends his elbow

Bang: The streaker is lifted off his feet and crashed to earth at Brisbane's The Gabba

British-born Symonds, a 32-year-old all-rounder, had yet to score when the pitch invasion happened during a one-day international against India in Brisbane.

Undeterred, he went on to score 42 for the Aussies although it wasn't enough to prevent the visitors winning by a nine-run margin.

The streaker comes crashing to the ground before a policeman detains him

Caught: A policeman pounces on the streaker who faces a fine and stadium life ban

The streaker faces a fine up to 3,000 Australian dollars (£1,420) for the pitch invasion and is expected to be charged with willful exposure by Queensland state police.

Symonds could have faced punishment for breaching the code of conduct relating to "physical assault of a rival player, an official or a spectator", but an official said last night that no action would be taken.

In 1976, fellow-Aussie Greg Chappell escaped censure for batting a streaker on the bottom during a match in Auckland.

Watch Symonds tackle the streaker...