Bizarre: ‘Goose shit’ brings cricket match to a halt in England

In the past too games have been called off for bizarre reasons in Leicestershire; prominent ones being landing of a glider on the outfield, bright sunlight reflecting off car windscreens making play impossible and unseasoned snow.

You have seen and heard that cricket matches get interrupted due to rain, sandstorm, streaker or dog invasions, but this recent incident of interruption will leave you surprised! Recently, during an English County club-level game between club sides Syston and Woodhouse Eves, a flock of low-flying birds caused one of the most bizarre halts in the history of cricket. ALSO READ: 16 instances where cricket matches were stopped for unusual reasons.

According to a report by Leicester mercury, around 50 Canada geese sabotaged the pitch during the closing stages of a game between Syston and Woodhouse Eaves. The match, being played as a Talent Cricket County Cup fixture, was dominated by the host team Syston who were on the verge of victory on Sunday evening when the birds flew about 20 feet over the ground and deposited a mass of droppings on the 22-yard strip.

The match was halted for about five minutes while the mess was cleared up. Umpire Michael Shipman, who has been a player and official for more than 60 years, had to deal with the tricky situation. “It was utterly bizarre. Never in all my time in the game have I seen Canada geese deposit their droppings on a pitch. It was right on a length (where the ball lands). We had to stop the game,” he said. ALSO READ: BIZARRE: When a cricket match came to halt for 12 stolen iPhones.

Other Umpire Alan Pearce said of the incident: “I was at square leg and Michael was at the bowler’s end.  Almost as if out of nowhere what I assume were geese were flying very low across the ground and making a hell of a noise. Some of the players were covering their heads because of the droppings.” Syston member Andy Corbett, who was sitting among the spectators, rushed to the help by gathering loads of tissues from a tea lady and going out himself to clear up the mess.

Umpire Shipman, who went over to the pavilion for help, had an interesting statement to make: “I think umpires going to Syston are going to have to wear crash helmets in future.” In the past too games have been called off for bizarre reasons in Leicestershire. Some of them include landing of a glider on the outfield, bright sunlight reflecting off car windscreens making play impossible and unseasoned snow to name a few.

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