Serial pest invades Boxing Day Test, facing huge fine

A pitch invader — who apparently has form in cricket matches — has been charged by police over his stupid act during the fourth Test.

Move over, Peter Hore.

The Boxing Day Test was briefly interrupted by a dancing pitch invader on Friday, with the individual charged and facing a huge fine.

During the first session of day two, with Australia batting in its first innings, the individual ran onto the MCG surface and began interacting with some of the Indian players.

Watch every ball of Australia v India LIVE & ad-break free during play in 4K on Kayo | New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited time offer.

The man in question, attempting to send a political message, tried to link up with Rohit Sharma, who managed to dodge out of the way.

The man then hugged Virat Kohli in the Indian slips cordon and attempted to pull off the “flossing” dance move before he was apprehended by stadium security and an Indian staff member.

Watch the moment the invader was apprehended in the video player above

India captain Rohit Sharma managed to avoid the invader. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

But Virat Kohli wasn’t so lucky. (Photo by William WEST / AFP)

Australian-born Hore became known as “the serial pest” after he disrupted a series of events in the late 1990s, including the Melbourne Cup, the Australian Open and a World Cup qualifier featuring the Socceroos.

This man is now making a name for himself, with suggestions this is not the first time he has broken protocol and interacted with Kohli and the Indian team.

The Nine Network’s Tom Morris reported the invader was a 25-year-old from NSW who was charged by Victorian Police and is facing a fine upwards of $10,000.

Making the moment even more bizarre, there was widespread suggestions on social media the offender was the same person that breached the field during last year’s ODI World Cup final and also interacted with Kohli.

Australian Peter Hore is the original serial pest.

This man is trying to take the title. (Photo AFP)

His latest stunt will prove a very costly move. Picture: Michael Klein

There was widespread reaction to the moment, with most slamming the pest over his act.

The Circle of Cricket account tweeted: “Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli’s safety was in danger on Day 2 of the Melbourne Test as a pitch invader first hugged the latter and tried to do the same to the Indian captain.”

An account called Cricadium Cricket offered: “Fan frenzy at the MCG! A pitch invader tries to hug Virat Kohli, causing brief chaos. Security steps in swiftly and the game resumes. Drama on and off the field!”

Another account wrote: “Major security breach at the MCG as a pitch invader attempts to hug Virat Kohli, nearly collides with Rohit Sharma.”

An account called Sports Trumpet linked the two incidents, as you can see below.

Looks like the serial pitch invader is at it again! From the ODI World Cup Final to the MCG—Virat Kohli’s unofficial biggest fan is making headlines once more!#INDvsAUS#ViratKohlipic.twitter.com/O5jXZvqQKe

— Sports Trumpet (@Sportstrumpet) December 27, 2024

It was a sour and potentially dangerous note to an otherwise enthralling day of play, with India losing three late wickets to leave the visitors in a tough spot with three days remaining.

Steve Smith’s 34th Test century – and second in two matches in this series – guided Australia to 474 all out in its first dig.

India was cruising at 2/153 in reply before Yashasvi Jaiswal’s run-out sparked a collapse of 3/6, leaving India 5/164 and still 310 runs behind.

Pat Cummins (2/57) and MCG hero Scott Boland (2/24) were Australia’s best with the ball.

Day three will commence at 10.30am on Saturday, with a 45 per cent chance of some rain in Melbourne.

Originally published as Serial pest invades Boxing Day Test, facing huge fine