Watch: Jayden Seales was forced to pull out of his bowling run-up after a dragonfly flew in almost causing an eye injury during the second day of the West Indies-South Africa second Test in Georgetown, Guyana.
Cricket has always found bizarre ways to delay games. Cats, dogs, monkeys, foxes and even snakes have invaded grounds in the past. Now, you can dragonflies to the list.
Seales, bowling his first spell of the second innings of the match, was interrupted by a dragonfly while in his run-up. The insect dashed into the pacer’s right eye, and he flinched as a result, leading to a sudden stop in his bowling stride. Seales had no choice but to reload his run-up.
The disruption was captured in slow motion and was released by the official X handle of West Indies.
Dead ball by Dragonfly attack!🪰
— Windies Cricket (@windiescricket) August 16, 2024
Seales pulls out of his runup after crossing paths with a Dragonfly.#WIvSA #MenInMaroon pic.twitter.com/AP67Pz8RHN
After 17 wickets fell in the first day on the lively Georgetown surface, where Seales supported with 3-45 to wrecker-in-chief Shamar Joseph (5-33), West Indies were bowled out for 144 in reply to South Africa’s 160.
Seales was yet again among the wickets in the second innings and was the pick of the hosts’ pacers. He ended the second day with 3-52, removing Tony de Zorzi (39), Tristan Stubbs (24) and David Bedingham for a duck. South Africa will resume day three at 223-5, with a 239-run lead. The visitors will be happy with the effort, given how the surface has played till now.
West Indies’ first task in the morning will be to take the remaining five wickets as quickly as possible. Delaying would lead to the match going out of their hands.
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