Pakistan established a strong position during the New Year’s Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground by swiftly claiming two wickets before Lunch on Day 3. This breakthrough dismantled a sturdy 79-run partnership for the third wicket, bolstering Pakistan’s chances of securing a first-innings lead.
Despite Australia standing 125 runs shy of their score of 313, the formidable duo of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne succumbed within a brief span of six balls, commencing a crucial turn of events triggered by an unusual distraction related to the sight screen.
The interruption surfaced when Hasan Ali finished the 70th over, prompting Smith to signal the umpire regarding a distracting element in the distance. Initially inconspicuous even under the scrutiny of high-definition cameras, a closer inspection revealed a crumpled piece of tape lying at the center of the vast tarpaulin covering the seats behind the sight screen.
Even the Pakistan players struggled to identify the cause of delay until Babar Azam directed his teammates’ attention to what seemed like a minuscule black speck from nearly a 100-meter distance. A groundsman dashed onto the pitch to assess Smith’s concerns but ended up stranded beside the white tarp, unable to address the issue.
Eventually, two groundsmen sprinted from another section of the crowd, wielding a large broom, drawing the attention of the entire audience. However, the instrument fell short, necessitating them to ascend the tarp regardless. A courageous young staff member volunteered and cautiously climbed the polyester amidst the crowd’s enthusiastic support, with collective gasps and cheers echoing at every precarious moment.
— Travis Head (@TravisHead8441) January 5, 2024
— Travis Head (@TravisHead8441) January 5, 2024
Finally, the piece of tape was safely retrieved, eliciting a thunderous cheer from the crowd. While a section of Twitter criticized Smith for what they deemed an unnecessary delay, the temporary lapse in focus caused by the incident resulted in his dismissal, providing not only cricketing action but also a substantial dose of entertainment.