The start of one of the opening Ranji Trophy fixtures of the 2019/20 season between Andhra and Vidarbha was delayed today as a snake slithered across the outfield after the toss.
The game featuring former Indian opening batsman Wasim Jaffer and current India middle-order batter Hanuma Vihari was momentarily delayed after Vidarbha captain Faiz Fazal opted for his side to field first at the toss.
Where does this rank in the list of peculiar creatures/things that have halted play? 🐍#RanjiTrophypic.twitter.com/Vr28Yyi7wk
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) December 9, 2019
As the players took the field, the snake entered the playing area prompting a delay to proceedings. A number of ground staff subsequently approached the snake trying to usher it off the pitch.
It’s not the first time in 2019 that animals have halted a cricket match. During this summer’s World Cup, a swarm of bees led to a temporary pause in play in the 48th over of Sri Lanka’s innings in their group stage encounter against South Africa in Durham while earlier in the year, another swarm of bees forced players in England Lions’ clash with India A to take cover mid-match.
