Watch: 'Bizarre Interruption!' India vs South Africa 3rd T20I suspended due to flying ants in Centurion
Published - 13 Nov 2024, 11:15 PM | Updated - 13 Nov 2024, 11:17 PM
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An absolutely bizarre incident happened in the third T20I of the four-match series between India National Cricket Team and South Africa National Cricket Team on Wednesday, November 13.
After the first over of the second innings, India and South Africa were asked to leave the field as the play was suspended for a few minutes due to the flying ants at the SuperSport Park in Centurion.
Also Read: Watch: Tilak Varma's special 'flying kiss' celebration after sensational T20I ton vs SA
Play halted due to bizarre reason in India vs South Africa 3rd T20I
Batting first, India registered a big score of 219/6 on the board. Tilak Varma slammed his maiden T20I hundred, while Abhishek Sharma slammed a brutal 50 runs.
As the second innings began and the players of both teams came to the field, a lot of flying ants were seen on the ground. Arshdeep Singh started off the innings with the ball for the visitors and conceded just 7 runs in the over.
Just after that, the umpires were seen having a discussion, and the decision was made to leave the field because there were a lot of flying ants all over the place. A lot of insects were also on the pitch so the groundsmen had to use a machine to remove them.
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— Drizzyat12Kennyat8 (@45kennyat7PM) November 13, 2024
Flying ants are running amock at the stadium - Cricket South Africa
The Cricket South Africa (CSA) took to their official X handle to inform that the umpires made the decision to suspend the play for some time due to flying ants in the stadium.
CSA also stated that the play will only resume after the flying ants totally disappear from the ground.
"Play has been haulted due to a small pest problem. "Flying ants" are running amock at the stadium, so we will wait for them to disappear before resuming play," Cricket South Africa wrote on X.
Play has been haulted due to a small pest problem😅
— Proteas Men (@ProteasMenCSA) November 13, 2024
"Flying ants" are running amock at the stadium, so we will wait for them to disappear before resuming play.#WozaNawe #BePartOfIt#SAvIND
South Africa struggled with the bat vs India in 2nd T20I but still won
South Africa’s chase of a modest 125 against India was far from a smooth ride in 2nd T20I, as they encountered significant hurdles along the way.
The opening duo of Ryan Rickelton and Reeza Hendricks made a steady start but couldn't capitalize on it. Rickelton fell early, caught by Arshdeep Singh for 13, and captain Aiden Markram soon followed, managing only 3 runs before being clean-bowled by Varun Chakravarthy. Hendricks contributed a valuable 24 off 21 balls, but his dismissal in the eighth over left South Africa at a vulnerable 44/3.
The innings seemed to fall apart with a flurry of quick wickets. Heinrich Klaasen and David Miller failed miserably and got dismissed on back-to-back balls. Marco Jansen struggled to find a rhythm and was bowled for 7.
Varun Chakravarthy was the one to do the most damage, leaving South Africa in a precarious position at 66/6 in the 12th over.
Amid the crisis, Tristan Stubbs held firm at one end, playing a cautious yet crucial knock of 47* from 41 balls. He was well-supported in the latter stages by Gerald Coetzee, whose explosive 19 off just 9 deliveries brought South Africa back into contention. The duo together steered South Africa across the finish line with an over to spare.
