A surprising delay during the West Indies vs. Australia Test match saw play halted by an unexpected four-legged pitch invader, who was eventually shooed away by a broadcasting drone.
An Uninvited Spectator
During the second day of the tightly contested Test match in Grenada, a black dog casually wandered onto the cricket field. The canine made itself comfortable at the deep cover position, much to the amusement of the sparse crowd and the players.
The interruption happened shortly after Australian bowler Josh Hazlewood had claimed the fourth West Indian wicket, with the score at 124 for 4 in the 33rd over. This furry friend seemed determined to enjoy the match from the best seat in the house.
Star Players Stymied
Australian cricketers, including captain Pat Cummins and bowler Josh Hazlewood, attempted to coax the dog off the field. Their efforts, however, were met with stubborn resistance from the canine, who seemed unwilling to budge.
Cricket experts even jokingly remarked on the “unprofessional” nature of the dog’s intervention, making a Test match briefly resemble a casual club game. But with the star players unable to resolve the situation, a different solution was needed.
Drone to the Rescue
Enter modern technology. The match broadcasters intervened, deploying one of their drones. The hovering drone, with its buzzing sound and imposing presence, proved to be the ultimate deterrent.
Startled by the drone’s approach, the dog finally decided its pitch-side viewing experience was over and promptly exited the playing area, allowing the game to resume after a two-minute delay.
A Furry Good Luck Charm?
The official Windies Cricket social media account light-heartedly referred to the dog as a “furry friend” just dropping in. Interestingly, after the canine’s departure, the West Indies managed to forge their longest partnership of the innings, with Brandon King and Shai Hope adding 58 runs.
Despite the momentary distraction, Hazlewood quickly refocused. Just two balls after the dog delay, Brandon King smashed him for a six over square leg, showing the game’s intensity picked right back up.
- A dog stopped play for two minutes during the West Indies vs. Australia Test in Grenada.
- Australian players, including Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, couldn’t shoo it away.
- A broadcast drone was ultimately used to scare the dog off the field.
- The incident occurred during Day 2 of the match.
This unexpected interlude certainly added a unique moment to the Test match, showcasing an unusual blend of nature and technology in the world of professional cricket.
