By 
South African pace bowler Anrich Nortje was knocked to the ground after being hit by the Spidercam on the second day of the second Test at the MCG on Tuesday. The incident took place between overs and thus was not broadcasted live on TV.
Fortunately, Nortje was lucky not to suffer any serious injury from the blow when the camera, which usually moves well above the players, went too low and struck the pacer from behind while he was walking to his place in the field between overs.
Nortje was walking to his fielding position when the camera came from behind and crashed into his shoulder, knocking him onto the ground.
While the incident was only caught on replay, Australian batsman Steve Smith saw it while the time it happened and was concerned enough to check that Nortje was okay.
The official broadcaster later showed the incident on television. “Nortje walking quietly to his spot… BANG,” commentator James Brayshaw said. “That should not be happening,” he was quoted as saying by media reports.
Who said cricket isn’t a contact sport?
South African player Anrich Nortje hit by the aerial camera at the #BoxingDayTest
Meanwhile Warner has his century & Australia only two wickets down and 2 runs away from SA’s first innings total (Warner on 115 & Smith on 39) pic.twitter.com/ZafPYIJPue
— The Sage (@SarkySage) December 27, 2022
However, Cricket Australia host-television broadcaster Fox Sports apologised to Anrich Nortje and the South Africa team after the bizarre incident.
After the end of play on the second day, Nortje said that he was fine despite being hit on his left shoulder and elbow as he continued to bowl at a high pace after getting hit and remained on the field.
“I didn’t know what hit me, to be honest,” Nortje said. “So far so good. It just knocked the [left] shoulder and the [left] elbow. The elbow is a bit sore but otherwise seems to be okay. I’ll just monitor it and see how it goes with the [doctor].
“I saw cables and then I turned around or moved my head and then I saw the camera, but I was a little bit too late. It was quite quick. It didn’t really change my mindset or anything. I tried to stay focused.
“I think the one thing we’ve spoken about earlier is how low it is and it probably shouldn’t be unless [it needs to be] for certain interviews or something. But I don’t think it should be travelling head height. That’s just my opinion. And then for Marco [Jansen] as well, they must take him into consideration [for his height],” he added.
South Africa’s medical team treated Norjte on the ground as he continued to stay on the field while the Australian batters kept piling on runs in the first innings. Playing in his 100th Test match, Australia’s David Warner smashed a brilliant double century to add a 239-run partnership with Steve Smith for the third wicket as the home team went past South Africa’s first-inning score of 189.
Comments