Cricket test delayed after umpire stuck in lift

Day three of the Boxing Day Test between Australia and Pakistan was delayed for six minutes after an umpire got stuck in a lift returning from lunch.

Fans and players were left waiting for the afternoon session of day three of the Boxing Day Test to resume after an umpire got stuck in an elevator.

Players took to the field to resume the match between Australia and Pakistan after lunch on Thursday when on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough were informed the third umpire, Richard Illingworth, had been held up after being trapped in one of the lifts at the MCG.

Australian opener David Warner was seen breaking out into laughter after learning what happened, as well on-field umpires.

Players and on-field umpires were left waiting when Richard Illingworth didn’t return from lunch. Picture: Fox/X

On-field umpires were later infromed Illingworth was stuck in a lift. Picture: Fox/X

Reserve umpire Phillip Gillespie was eventually seen racing up the stairs toward the umpire room before play resumed after six minutes of waiting.

Moments later Illingworth emerged after he managed to be freed from lift, having missed the first two balls.

“Sorry,” the MCG’s official Twitter account posted.

Sorry. https://t.co/fh7EHBJxFr

— Melbourne Cricket Ground (@MCG) December 28, 2023

Pakistan resumed its innings on Thursday morning at 6/194 and were all out for 264 midway through the morning.

The Aussies went out to bat with a 66 run lead but were immediately in trouble as Shaheen Afridi ripped through with the new ball.

Usman Khawaja fell for a two-ball duck, and Marnus Labuschagne was joining him in the sheds shortly after with an edge through the keeper.

Australia lead by 60 going into the lunch break.