You Won't Believe These Times Cricket Was Stopped by Nature
From swarms of bees to total solar eclipses, nature has caused some shocking interruptions in cricket matches.
The insects swarmed around the pitch and players, causing the umpires to pause the game for safety.
The third T20I match between India and South Africa was stopped for 30 minutes on Wednesday in Centurion because of a swarm of flying ants.
The ants were attracted to the floodlights and disrupted play during South Africa's chase of 221 runs.
The insects swarmed around the pitch and players, causing the umpires to pause the game for safety. After consulting with both captains, the players were taken off the field. The delay ended with India winning by 11 runs, taking a 2-1 lead in the series.
This wasn't the first time a cricket match was stopped for unusual reasons. Here are a few more strange incidents:
Pollution Halts Play in Delhi (2017)
During a Test match between India and Sri Lanka at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, the game was stopped multiple times because of severe air pollution. Players were seen vomiting due to the toxic smog. Several Sri Lankan cricketers wore face masks. On the second day, two players, Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal, left the field due to breathing problems. The pollution levels in Delhi were 40 times higher than the safe limit, leading to a public health emergency and a 20-minute delay in play.
Too Much Sunlight in Napier (2019)
During a Test match between India and New Zealand, Shikhar Dhawan complained that the setting sun was blinding him, making it hard to see the ball. The sunlight was directly in his eyes. Umpire Shaun George, with 15 years of experience, said he had never seen such an issue before. As a result, the match was delayed for over 30 minutes.
Bees Halt Play in South Africa (2017)
In a Pink ODI match at the Wanderers in Johannesburg, a swarm of bees interrupted play during Sri Lanka's innings. South Africa's captain Faf du Plessis told the players to lie down on the ground as the bees invaded the field. The game was delayed for an hour while ground staff used pesticides and a vacuum cleaner to clear the bees. A similar incident also happened during the 2019 World Cup between the two teams.
Total Solar Eclipse in Mumbai (1980)
In one of the longest delays in international cricket, a total solar eclipse disrupted a Test match between India and England in Mumbai. The second day of play was canceled for safety reasons, as the eclipse made conditions unsafe for the players.
These rare incidents highlight how unpredictable cricket can be, with nature sometimes forcing unexpected pauses in the game.
