Andrew Symonds, the Australia all-rounder, will not be charged for tackling a streaker during yesterday's Commonwealth Bank Series defeat by India at the Gabba.

Robert Ogilvie evaded security guards and police but made the mistake of running too close to Symonds, who used his pre-season training with the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team to fell the intruder with a powerful shoulder charge.

And although the International Cricket Council's (ICC) Level 4.2 regulation covers "physical assault on another player, umpire, referee, official or spectator", Michael Brown of Cricket Australia said Symonds would not face any action.

"He was dealing with self-preservation which we support 100 percent," Brown said. "Andrew was in the zone and was severely threatened. No person has the right to impinge upon another person's space, particularly a sportsman plying his trade."

Australian players have been told not to get involved with spectators on the field ever since Terry Alderman injured his shoulder during the 1982-83 Ashes series. And the players' code of conduct forbids physical assault of a rival player, official or spectator.

The sanction, if found guilty of such an offence, is a suspension, ranging from five Tests or 10 one-day internationals, up to a life ban.

Symonds, who had not scored at that stage, eventually made 42 before falling lbw to Harbhajan Singh as Australia lost the game by nine runs.

The court heard Ogilvie had been drinking with his brother and friends when he decided to strip and run on to the field.

Prosecutors said Ogilvie told police after the incident that "it was just something he had to do", although his defence lawyer insisted he was sorry for his actions.

Howver, he showed no sign of regret outside the court when asked how it felt to be on the wrong end of a Symonds' tackle.

"It was great actually... just like playing football," he said. Ogilvie said he would never streak again but was not sorry about his naked run, saying: "You only live once, don't you?"

Explore Cricket

• Counties