Image Credit- ICC
There have been many instances of play being stopped
in a Test Match. From Rain, bad light, wet outfield, dangerous pitch, an
electrical storm, and even bees. But the Boxing Day test match between
Australia and Pakistan, which currently is so tantalizingly poised between the
two sides saw play stopped after the end of the first session for one of the
most bizarre reasons you can even think of.
So post-lunch, while the players returned on to the
field of play before time to begin the second session of play, which was scheduled
to begin at 1:25 pm, the on field umpires made sure that not a single ball was
bowled because it emerged that Richard Illingworth, the third umpire for this
match could not take his designated place because he was stuck in an elevator en
route to his position.
Australian hitters David Warner and Steven Smith were
forced to wait for play to continue, as the hosts were only able to get as far
as 6 for 2 in their second inning while leading 60 overall.
A few minutes later, play was resumed when Phil
Gillespie, the fourth umpire, ran from the boundary into the third umpire’s
box. A few moments after that, Illingworth arrived and sat down with a playful
wave.
The odd seven-minute delay prompted humorous responses
from both Cricket Australia and the MCG.
“The game is delayed because the third
umpire…is stuck in the lift,” Cricket Australia’s social media arm
posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The MCG was quick to reply: “Sorry.”