Streaker jailed after naked run across Sri Lankan cricket pitch upsets Buddhist monks in crowd

Alexander James has paid a heavy price for daring to bare during a rain delay

A cricket fan decided to entertain bored spectators at a rain-hit test match with a soggy streak across the slippery pitch.

But his exploits fell foul of watching Buddhist monks, and now his naked antics has landed him in prison .

Video footage shows the man in his underpants , struggling to keep his footing on the wet plastic covers.

Finally arriving in the centre of the pitch, he drops his boxers and goes for a full monty dive through the puddles.

With security staff either unable or unwilling to run across the treacherous surface to stop him, the exhibitionist has time to get up, put his pants back on and amble back over into the thin crowd.

He was arrested later that day.

The nude interlude occurred during a washed-out afternoon session between Sri Lanka and Australia in Pallekele, close to one of Sri Lanka's holiest shrines, the Temple of the Tooth.

But the exploits have cost the naturist dear, having upset a group of watching Buddhist monks.

Sri Lanka, a deeply conservative country, takes a dim view of perceived insults against Buddhism.

On Wednesday, a Sri Lankan court jailed the streaker - named as Australian Alexander James from Queensland - for a week.

He was also fined 3,000 rupees (£34) after being charged with indecent exposure and drunken behaviour at a public event.