- Commentator explained erratic events in commentary
- The game was postponed after the lunch break at the MCG on Thursday
- The news emerged as Australia were struggling in their second innings
Sports commentator Mel McLaughlin has revealed she was at the center of a bizarre incident with a cricket umpire that forced play to be postponed during Thursday afternoon's Boxing Day Test.
The Channel Seven star was catching a lift from the MCG's underground car park with third referee Richard Illingworth when the lift malfunctioned, trapping her and eight other people and forcing her to use her phone for help to call.
Play in the post-lunch session was held up as a result of the scare, with McLaughlin describing what happened in the lift as she subsequently joined her co-commentators Justin Langer and James Brayshaw.
McLaughlin (pictured left with fellow Seven star Ricky Ponting) was stuck in the lift with a very 'distracted' referee as play had to be held up at the MCG on Thursday
'We [she and Illingworth] “We were chatting a little bit… and the doors opened and closed and then didn't move again,” she said.
“He stood in the corner and said, 'Do you have a phone?' Can you please call someone and let them know I'm in the elevator because I'm going to be a little late?'
“So yeah, everyone went to work and ten minutes later we were released, I don't know. Sorry everyone!'
Brayshaw asked what the conversation was like in the elevator and McLaughlin replied, “There were ten of us, so that was one thing. There was a nice family there, a young baby, and there was a man eating hot fries that we all tried to get a bit of.
'But the rest of the time our EP [executive producer] Jonesy is on the phone, Sam, our production manager, she's also trying to help move things along quickly. Pip, the make-up artist – we're all trying to keep things calm and keep Richard talking and entertained, because we knew he was a bit distracted and he needed to get out.
“He ran straight upstairs real fast!”
McLaughlin joined her fellow commentators, cricket legend Justin Langer (centre) and James Brayshaw (right) to explain what happened in the lift
Third referee Richard Illingworth (pictured) 'ran straight up quite quickly' as he was freed from the lift, McLaughlin said
The Seven star was accompanied by her executive producer and a make-up artist from the broadcaster when the lift broke down
The game had to be postponed because the third referee – although he does not take a position on the pitch – sits in a broadcast booth and is responsible for making the final decision on dismissals referred to them by the two referees on the ground.
They can also serve as an on-field referee in case of injury or illness.
Cricket Australia and the MCG both reacted lightly to the curious delay, which lasted seven minutes.
“The match has been postponed due to the third umpire… being stuck in the lift,” Cricket Australia's social media arm posted on X, formerly known as Twitter.
The MCG quickly replied: 'Sorry.'
The chatter continued as Illingworth finally returned to his seat at 1.32pm, with Cricket Australia posting: 'A wild Richard Illingworth appeared!'
McLaughlin broke the news just as Australia were struggling badly against a rampant Pakistani bowling attack that reduced them to 4-16, with fast bowler Mir Hamza on a hat-trick.