Ashes clampdown on touts

James Sutherland holds one of the highly valuable Ashes series tickets © Getty Images

People hoping to cash in on the unprecedented demand for Ashes tickets could be in for a shock if they try to rip off fans when the series starts in Brisbane in November.

The Queensland government has put forward new laws which will target internet touting in a move which has pleased Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland, who urged other states to follow suit.

"We are delighted that these new laws appear to provide for the removal of any tickets advertised for sale on the internet at inflated prices, and for hefty fines to be imposed," Sutherland said.

"It is urgent other states also act because this problem is a national blight."

The Ashes urn © Getty Images

While Cricket Australia has yet to examine the details of Queensland's proposed legislation, Sutherland believes touting denies genuine cricket fans opportunities to watch the game live.

"Touting seriously compromises our efforts to keep tickets accessible and affordable for genuine fans and undermines our strategy of providing opportunities for Australian families to attend the cricket," he said.

"Touts profiteer by selling tickets at prices well above their face value via the internet and in clear breach of terms and conditions of sale.

"They remove affordable tickets from public circulation and, with only profit as a motive, reduce the opportunities for all Australians to buy affordable tickets to watch a national pastime."