There were red faces everywhere, but for once this summer it was the sun-drenched Australian crowd rather than an embarrassed English team who were exposed.
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A record Prime Minister's XI crowd of 12,316 watched England beat the home side by 172 runs on Tuesday, with 40 spectators treated by ambulance crews as temperatures soared into the mid-30s.
A top of 37.6 degrees was reached at 5.41pm, shortly before the innings break, but the many sunburnt faces were given an early night as an Australian batting collapse ended the game soon after 8.30pm.
While drinks were in high demand and nearly 20 people were seen lining up for a water station, there was no repeat of the long queues for food and retail beverages at last year's game.
The ACT Emergency Services Agency said most of those who received treatment suffered dehydration, with intensive care paramedics taking two people to the Canberra Hospital.
The colourful crowd joined enthusiastically in Mexican waves, asked for autographs and conversed with the Australians fielding on the fence during the English batting innings.
One large group of fans was seen revelling in the summer's Ashes triumph with yellow 5-0 shirts, while another gathering of men – all Canberra fathers – wore green and fetching pink pig hats as they celebrated the second Daddy Pigs' Day/Night Out.
A few among the crowd couldn't resist the temptation to bring their own drop, with 14 people evicted for consuming alcohol they had smuggled in.
Another two were evicted for anti-social behaviour – including one post-match pitch invader after a souvenir stump – with another person removed for a breach of the peace and taken into custody.
An ACT Policing spokesman said they were generally happy with crowd behaviour, given the hot conditions and strong crowd.
Margaret Anderson, 68, wasn't one missing any action.
A cricket devotee for more than 40 years – she met her husband at a game – the Chapman resident said she had watched every ball, undistracted by the sweltering heat.
"It hasn't been a problem at all," she said.
In the western terrace, a bearded Bob Brown – from Goulburn, not the Senate – said he had enjoyed the capital's only taste of international cricket this summer.
"It's been pretty warm, but it's cricket, you put up with it," he said.
"I've recently moved from the [NSW] north coast, so its the first opportunity I've had – it's a beautiful venue."
The Economic Development Directorate's Neale Guthrie said despite a record PM's XI crowd, extra facilities had ensured a smooth night for patrons.
"We had a 20 per cent increase in both food and beverage outlets, and 40 per cent increase in equipment in bars compared to last February's One Day International," Mr Guthrie said.
The Territory Venues and Events group general manager said he had heard of only two complaints, including one about parking tickets, with World Cup staff observing ahead of the 2015 event in Australia "basically happy" with what they had seen.
While the newly confident English players head to their next appointment in Brisbane with a long-awaited win under their belt, there is no relief in sight for wilting Canberrans, with the next three days to hit 39 degrees, followed by a top of 38 on Saturday before a milder 30 degrees on Sunday.
