Corporate networks could be bowled over this week as England face Australia in the final nail-biting Ashes match of the summer.

Computer experts are worried that company networks might not be able to cope with tens of thousands of cricket fans logging on to the net to follow the action from the Oval.

Stuart Beattie of Network General told The Daily Mail: "While every company is aware of the risks posed by computer viruses, few will have ever considered Ricky Ponting and Michael Vaughan's men a potential threat to their computer networks.

"There will be very few people not wanting to keep informed of the action, so we're warning firms now to plan ahead and not get caught out."

England lead 2-1 in the five match series and need only a draw to regain the Ashes. ®

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