Pakistan vs Australia: Day 3 Post-Lunch Session Delayed Due To This Bizarre Reason

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In one of the rare and bizarre incidents in international cricket, Day 3 of Pakistan vs Australia 2nd Test was delayed post-lunch, leading to funny scenes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday (December 28).

Players walked out to resume the session on Day 3 with Australia at 6/2 in 3 overs in their second innings. However, the action didn't resume for several minutes as third umpire Richard Illingworth was stuck in a lift at the iconic stadium.

On-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough were notified that Illingworth had not arrived at his MCG station. The cameras were panned toward his vacant seat by the official broadcasters as well.

"The game is delayed because the third umpire...is stuck in the lift," Cricket Australia's social media arm posted on X, formerly Twitter.

While making his way back to his assigned seat from the eating area, the Englishman was stuck in an elevator. David Warner, the opening player for Australia, found humor in the situation and was observed laughing when backup umpire Phillip Gillespie hurried to the box to replace Illingworth as the third official.

Warner's batting partner at the time, Steve Smith, was heard to ask Wilson if he might take a seat until Illingworth came back. After a short while, Illingworth exited the elevator and made his way to his seat, and the play eventually started again.

"A wild Richard Illingworth appeared!" Cricket Australia's said in another post on X.

Meanwhile, Australia lost its first four wickets for 16 runs in its second innings but a 153-run stand between Steve Smith and Mitchell Marsh had the hosts in a good position with two days to play in the second cricket test against Pakistan.

Marsh was out for 96 and Smith for 50 to leave Australia at 187-6 at stumps Thursday and with a 241-run lead going into the fourth day at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Marsh fell just short of his fourth test century after Salman Ali Agha hung onto a spectacular diving catch in the slips. Smith battled his way to his first test 50 since the Ashes from 176 balls, the second-slowest half-century of his career.