Richard Illingworth, a highly esteemed umpire in the cricketing world, earned his rightful place among the best in the business. At the World Test Championship (WTC) final held at The Oval, where India was pitted against Australia, the 59-year-old took charge as an on-field umpire alongside Chris Gaffaney.
Over the course of three days, Illingworth displayed his expertise by making astute decisions. However, it was during the final session on Day 3 that his actions garnered significant attention.
The incident occurred when Steve Smith, the Australian batsman, expressed his displeasure towards a spectator sitting near the sight screen. The spectator, donning a bright red t-shirt, wished to sit with his friends, but his attire was proving to be a distraction for the batsman at the crease.
Despite attempts by Kumara Dharmasena to reason with the spectator, he remained adamant about staying in his current position. As the camera turned towards Illingworth, the English umpire lightheartedly folded his hands, appealing to the fan to change his seat.
Whether it was the impact of Illingworth’s gesture or the insistence of the support staff, the spectator eventually moved, allowing the game to resume uninterrupted.