Mel McLaughlin act proves to be Australia’s downfall

Channel 7 presenter Mel McLaughlin was left squirming in the commentary box after the cameras captured an awkward moment.

Mel McLaughlin’s debut in the Channel 7 commentary box proved to be a jinx as Australia crashed to 4/16 on Day 3 of the Boxing Day Test.

The popular sports presenter on Thursday appeared in the Seven box at the MCG as Australia resumed its innings after 20 minutes of madness inside the iconic venue.

Australia was 2/7 when the second session of play was delayed for an extended period when third umpire Richard Illingworth was nowhere to be seen.

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Players took to the field to resume play after lunch when on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough were informed Illingworth had been held up after being trapped in one of the lifts at the MCG.

Former Aussie coach Justin Langer announced on the Channel 7 broadcast McLaughlin was also among the group stuck in the same lift.

Mel McLaughlin watches the drama unfold. Photo: 7Cricket.

The moment Mel McLaughlin realised the impact of her work. Photo: 7Cricket.

McLaughlin brought the same miserable luck with her when she was called into share the story with Channel 7 viewers during play only for her appearance to coincide with the moment Australia collapsed to 4/16.

The 44-year-old appeared mortified about the jinx with Channel 7 sharing the vision of her shocked reactions as Mir Hamza knocked over David Warner and then Travis Head for a golden duck.

It was only after Hamza’s hat-trick delivery fell flat that McLaughlin was able to tell the inside story of why play had been held up.

Langer said “you wouldn’t believe it” after Warner’s dismissal and said “there’s drama everywhere” when introducing McLaughlin.

.@mel_mclaughlin spent one over in the commentary box, brought two wickets, and forgot that the camera is always on 😂 #AUSvPAKpic.twitter.com/KFdzBqt59j

— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2023

“Firstly, thanks for having me,” McLaughlin said.

“I’m glad it took me getting stuck in a lift to finally make my debut here.”

She went on to say there were around 10 people stuck in the lift, including a baby and a man eating chips.

“We were all just trying to keep things calm and to keep talking to keep Richard entertained,” she said.

“We were having a bit of a chat ... and the doors open and then close and then didn’t move again

“He’s standing in the corner and he went, ‘Do you have a phone? Can you please call someone and let them know I’m in the lift, I’m going to be a little bit late?’ So yeah, everyone got to work and we got freed, I don’t know, 10 minutes later. Sorry everyone!”

Illingworth bolted up the stairs to reach his umpire’s box moments later.

Warner and the on-field umpires were all seen breaking out into laughter after learning what happened.

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

On-field umpires were later informed 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.

Pakistan could easily have added to the madness when Mitchell Marsh was dropped.

Marsh was put down by Abdullah Shafique in a costly moment that could have left Australia 5/46.

Instead Australia recovered to reach 262 in its second innings with Marsh blasting 96.

Pakistan on Friday lost two early wickets in its fourth innings chase of 316.