IND A vs NZ A: Man on a scooter stops play, leaves cricketers in splits
A man on a scooter brought play to a brief halt during India A’s second unofficial Test against New Zealand A in Christchurch on Saturday, October 31, leaving the players and commentators amused by the unexpected interruption.
The incident took place late on Day 1 at Hagley Oval when New Zealand A pacer Brett Randell was preparing to bowl the 83rd over. Randell had to pull out of his run-up after India A batter Akash Deep asked him to stop, having spotted a man riding a scooter across the ground in front of the sight screen.
The bowler turned around, seemingly unsure of what had prompted the interruption, before the situation became clear. The elderly man was making his way across the ground on his scooter, apparently looking for a suitable spot to watch the final few overs of the day’s play.
Akash Deep ensured that the bowler waited until the man had crossed safely, briefly bringing the action to a standstill. The unusual sight left the Indian players amused, while the commentators also had a laugh at the incident, jokingly congratulating the man on finding one of the best spots to watch the game.
Hagley Oval is known for its picturesque setting, with open green spaces beyond the boundary where spectators can settle down to enjoy the cricket. However, a spectator navigating the ground on a scooter in the middle of play was an unexpected sight for the visiting Indian contingent.
JUREL LEADS INDIA A RECOVERY
Away from the unusual interruption, India A captain Dhruv Jurel produced a resilient unbeaten 99 to guide his side to 291 for seven at stumps on the opening day of the second unofficial Test.
India A had looked well placed after a 91-run opening partnership between Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan. Sudharsan scored 41 before falling to Jarrod McKay, while Padikkal made a half-century before his dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse.
India A lost four wickets for just seven runs to slip to 137 for five, with Yash Rathod, Padikkal and Ravichandran Smaran falling in quick succession. Washington Sundar also departed cheaply, leaving Jurel with the task of rebuilding the innings.
The captain found support from Manav Suthar, with the pair adding 62 runs for the seventh wicket. Suthar contributed 22 before being dismissed, but Jurel shifted gears in the final session, taking on McKay with a sequence of four, six and four.
Akash Deep then joined Jurel and helped India A finish the day without losing another wicket. The pair put on an unbeaten 69-run stand for the eighth wicket, with Akash Deep on 25 and Jurel stranded just one run short of a century on 99 off 155 balls.
After the batting collapse threatened to undo their promising start, Jurel’s innings gave India A a strong platform heading into the second day.
– Ends
