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[Watch] AUS vs PAK MCG Test Day 3 Start Delays As Third Umpire Gets Stuck In Lift

image-lqorqvc7Richard Illingworth was stuck inside the lift [X.com]

A strange and hilarious delay on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan saw the third umpire getting stuck in a lift when he was supposed to take his post immediately after the post-lunch session this Thursday (December 28) afternoon. 

Even as Australian batters David Warner, Steve Smith, and the entire Pakistan team reached the ground for the resumption of play, the standing officials held up the game after a few balls as their television partner Richard Illingworth hadn't yet attained his chair. 

The cause of the delay was bizarre, as Illingworth had gotten stuck in a lift near the umpires' room at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). The incident was caught in a funny clip by Cricket Australia (CA) broadcasters Fox Sports, whose commentary team made puns at Illingworth before the experienced umpire finally reached his post.


Bizarre Delay In The Boxing Day Test 

Illingworth was obviously embarrassed by what had happened but could afford to see the funny side of things as he smiled upon finally reaching his chair and even waved to the crowd, anticipating the man's presence at the helm of playing action. 

As the veteran umpire waved to the crowd, Warner burst out laughing in the middle alongside Smith as the play could finally resume after a brief but strange delay, not seen before in recent times at the international stage. 

In all this, umpires Michael Gough and Joel Wilson showed great maturity and experience by not continuing with the play despite the crowd losing patience, as there might have been a chance of Illingworth missing the piece of action if they had failed to make the right call.

Based in England, Illingworth has been part of the ICC Elite Panel Of Umpires and was one of the standing officials during the recent ICC World Cup 2023 final played in Ahmedabad between India and Australia.