SPORTS

See: Flying ants disrupt play during India's T20 tie!

November 14, 2024

IMAGE: India's Hardik Pandya is surrounded by flying ants leading to play being stopped. Photograph: James Oatway / Reuters

The third Twenty20 International between South Africa and India was halted early in the home side’s reply after a wave of flying ants descended on Centurion Park in Pretoria on Wednesday and forced the players from the field.

 

IMAGE: Umpire Lubabalo Gcuma is surrounded by flying ants leading to play being stopped . Photograph: James Oatway / Reuters

The umpires felt there were too many of the insects to continue, causing a near half-hour delay in play as South Africa seek to chase down the massive 219 for six posted by India thanks to a scintillating 107 not out from 56 balls by Tilak Varma.

IMAGE: South Africa's Ryan Rickelton looks on as play is stopped due to flying ants. Photograph: James Oatway / Reuters

Only one over was bowled in South Africa’s reply before the interruption, with the home side on seven without loss.

IMAGE: South Africa's Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks walk off with India players as play is stopped. Photograph: James Oatway / Reuters

It is not uncommon for insects to halt play in South Africa, but the culprits in a match against Sri Lanka in 2017 were bees, who interrupted play for over an hour.

Source: REUTERS
© Copyright 2024 Reuters Limited. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon.

Recommended by Rediff.com

NEXT ARTICLE

NewsBusinessMoviesSportsCricketGet AheadDiscussionLabsMyPageVideosCompany Email