Over the past, there have been many instances when the hoovering Spider Cams have invaded and caused obstruction in the field. A similar incident took place in the ongoing boxing day test between Australia and South Africa. Pacer Anrich Nortje was involved in an unusual situation when he was thrown over by a spider cam on day 2 at the MCG.
Called as the ‘Flying Fox’ camera of fox sports, had swooped in too low and hit Anrich Nortje from behind when he was fielding in the backward square-leg position. However, the pacer escaped any form of injury after he was knocked over and was on his feet immediately.
The spider cam, a cable-suspended camera system that can move both vertically and horizontally, was seen unintentionally hitting Nortje in a video that is becoming viral on social media. Nortje, who was assigned to the mid-wicket area, was struck from behind as he was returning from the middle to take his position on the field.
Watch: Spider cam knocks down Anrich Nortje
Steve Smith and the other players rushed to have a check on Nortje as everyone was quite concerned and surprised at the bizarre situation. The physio too was called in.
Questions were raised on the broadcasters for this incident which threatened the safety of the players. It could have been a turning point in the series had Nortje been injured severely.
When other videos of the incident from different angles were released, it showed how dangerous the incident could have been if the camera had his Nortje’s head. The pacer was extremely lucky to survive a serious injury which could have really devastating for South Africa who are already behind in the series.
Nortje bowled brilliantly on day 2 despite the Australian batters continued to made South Africa toil hard. He bowled a fiery spell of extreme pace which resulted in the wicket of Steve Smith for 85 and broke the 239-run stand between Warner and Smith.
However, Warner continued to make his 100th test special by scoring a magnificent 200 and thus becoming the second player to do so in the history of test cricket after Joe Root. Australia who lead the series 1-0, ended day 2 at 386/3 in response to South Africa’s first innings total of 185. Travis Head batting on 48* and Alex Carey on 9* will resume day 3 with a lead of 197 runs and would look to continue to pile up runs.
