WATCH: Flying ants halt Centurion T20I between South Africa and India

The third T20I match between India and South Africa become a spectacle of the sudden when play was halted as a result of an invasion of flying ants at SuperSport Park in Centurion. This incident, which occurred on November 13, 2024, showcased not solely the unpredictability of nature but additionally the distinctive challenges confronted on the planet of cricket.

A swarm of disruption in third T20I

As South Africa started their chase of a frightening goal of 220 runs, the match was interrupted simply after the primary over. Hundreds of flying ants had been noticed close to the floodlights, creating an uncommon distraction for gamers and umpires alike. Arshdeep Singh had simply bowled his first over when these bugs started to swarm, prompting umpires to seek the advice of with each staff captains earlier than deciding to take the gamers off the sector for security causes. The delay lasted roughly half-hour, throughout which floor employees employed vacuum cleaners in an try and clear the pitch of those pesky intruders.

Right here’s the video:

Play suspended as a result of FLYING ANTS! 🐜🤯 pic.twitter.com/pfeQsgpwDW

— Sky Sports activities Cricket (@SkyCricket) November 13, 2024

Additionally READ: SA vs IND: Netizens go gaga over Tilak Varma’s blistering ton towards South Africa in third T20I

Cricket’s uncommon interruptions which occurred earlier than

Cricket has at all times been riddled with controversies and weird incidents, and cricket is not any exception. Whereas rain delays and poor mild are widespread interruptions, this explicit incident shouldn’t be remoted; cricket has seen its justifiable share of weird interruptions over time. For example:

Air pollution halts play: In 2017, a Check match between India and Sri Lanka in Delhi was repeatedly stopped as a result of hazardous air pollution ranges, with gamers affected by extreme respiratory difficulties. The scenario escalated to a public well being emergency, resulting in vital delays

Blinding daylight: Throughout a Check match between India and New Zealand at Napier in 2019, play was halted when Shikhar Dhawan complained about being blinded by the setting solar. Umpires acknowledged this unprecedented scenario, resulting in a break of over half-hour.

Bee swarm: In one other curious occasion in 2017, a swarm of bees invaded the pitch throughout a Pink ODI match in Johannesburg. Gamers had been instructed to lie down whereas floor employees labored to clear the world utilizing pesticides.

Complete photo voltaic eclipse: Some of the outstanding delays occurred throughout a Check match between India and England in 1980 when a complete photo voltaic eclipse led to the cancellation of play for a complete day as a result of security considerations.

Tilak Varma’s stellar efficiency takes India residence

Regardless of the interruption brought on by flying ants, India’s innings was highlighted by Tilak Varma‘s excellent efficiency. He scored a powerful 107 runs off simply 56 balls, marking his maiden worldwide century and serving to India set a formidable whole of 219 runs. His explosive batting included seven sixes and eight fours, showcasing his potential as a rising star in Indian cricket.

Whereas flying ants could have brought about an uncommon disruption throughout this T20I match, in addition they served as a reminder of cricket’s unpredictable nature and the assorted challenges that gamers face on the sector. As India took a 2-1 lead within the sequence following their slender victory by 11 runs, followers had been left with one more memorable chapter in cricket historical past.