Huge snake stops play in Sri Lanka T20 cricket match – leaves stars stunned before brave official chases him off the pitch
Huge snake stops play in Sri Lanka T20 cricket match – leaves stars stunned before brave official chases him off the pitch
- Snake slid onto the field during the T20 match
- The game stopped while the reptile remained on the ground
- Cricket fans were amazed by the images
Players in a Sri Lankan T20 match were collectively stunned after a huge snake entered the field, causing a stoppage in play.
It is clear that the unwelcome visitor at R. Premadasa Stadium when Galle Titans hosted rivals Dambulla Aura was an ordinary rat snake.
The species is not venomous, but will bite if it feels threatened.
In notable scenes, a Titans bowler informed the umpire that the snake had slipped onto the field after crossing the boundary.
An umpire tried to drive it off by stamping on the ground before a brave official tried to clear it off the field by walking behind it until it crossed the boundary rope.
‘Oh god, look at that… that scares me. I just don’t want to be near anything,” one of the TV commentators told viewers before the match.
‘What a view. Never seen anything like it on a cricket ground. I think we should wait for him to just leave.’
After a local wildlife rescue team was called in, the snake was removed from the ground before the game continued.
Galle Titans and Dambulla Aura players saw the funny side of the unique situation when the legless pitch invader stopped play (pictured)
Lanka Premier League later shared the scenes on their Twitter page.
‘Hello stranger. Where is your accreditation card?’ read the accompanying caption.
“Even the Sri Lankan wildlife can’t resist the action at the LPL!”
The bizarre stoppage in play amazed cricket fans around the world.
“It’s just here to enjoy the game,” joked one supporter, while another wrote: “An occasional entry of dogs and cats is normal, but when a snake appears in the field, it is extremely dangerous for anyone .’
Once play resumed, the Titans won a thriller in a super over after both sides plundered 180 runs from their 20 overs.