Unforeseen stoppages: Five times when animals stopped play on the field

In modern times, there is a large amount of security which is present on the ground while there is an international match going on. However, at some stadiums, it is easier for an animal to sneak in and enter the field of play. This has happened several times in cricket and some of these moments have been quite amusing. Let’s take a look at the 5 instances when animals stopped play on the field:

5. Dog’s intervention in India vs New Zealand ODI match

This incident took place at the Nehru Stadium in Guwahati when India were facing New Zealand in the first ODI of their home series in 2010. During the second innings of the match, while the visitors were chasing a total of 276, this funny incident happened. The dog somehow managed to dodge all the security officials and entered the field of play. Before one could stop it, it found its way to the middle of the pitch. The play had to be halted as the officials got together to get him out of the playing arena. As this happened, Indian player Suresh Raina added a pinch of humour by hiding behind New Zealand player Grant Elliot, while the dog passed them.

4. Pig named after English cricketers sent in

This incident was one of the most hilarious moments to have happened on a cricket field. During the 1983 World Series, arch-rivals Australia and England were up against each other in one of the matches. While the play was on, some Australian fans managed to release a pig on the field. On either side of the animal, ‘Botham’ and ‘Eddie’ was written referring to English cricketers Ian Botham and Eddie Hemmings, who were at the time quite famous players. Eventually, a policeman came and escorted the animal outside the playing field.

3. When a monkey ran through the India v Sri Lanka Test

This incident took place in 2015 when Sri Lanka and India were playing a Test at the Galle International Stadium. Moments after the tea break, as the players were rejuvenating their spirits, a monkey ran into the playing area and went straight to the pitch. As the play was halted, it was seen that the monkey was going somewhere else and the pitch happened to fall in its direction. Eventually, the monkey ran away to the outside of the stadium.

2. When a duck fielded during New Zealand v England Test

During the 2013 Test between New Zealand and England, a duck appeared on the field and was seen roaming around on the ground for most of the Test match. As the duck stayed there for some time, it gained a lot of popularity. In fact, some people also opened a Twitter profile based on this. Interestingly, every time the ball came on its way, the duck would take a flight and then come back to being where it was.

1. When a cat helped Pakistan get six runs

It is very rare that an animal can affect a change in play in cricket. But this is what happened when Pakistan and England were playing in an ODI match in 2016. As the ball hit by Anwar Ali was going to the boundary, Chris Woakes failed to stop it from going over the fence. That was only because a cat had intervened at the boundary, which got him distracted and the ball went for a six.