World Cup: Streaker interrupts England, New Zealand match

It was not easy for the security officers to catch hold of the middle-aged fan, who did a cartwheel on the square leaving the players stunned.

Security officials with the streaker during the England-New Zealand match at the Riverside Ground on Wednesday.

 

Tom Latham and Mitchell Santner were in for a shock as a fan streaked across the pitch during New Zealand’s crucial World Cup fixture against England here on Wednesday.

At the Riverside, a streaker with a green wig stormed into the field of play to have a chat with the two New Zealand batsmen in the 33rd over.

Before the stewards rushed to the spot, he ran around the ground amid fits of laughter from the stands. It was not easy for the security officers to catch hold of the middle-aged fan, who did a cartwheel on the square. The incident left the players stunned.

In Pakistan’s last group league game against Afghanistan in Leeds last week, a group of fans had invaded the ground to shake hands with the players, but this was completely different — a wobbly human frolicking across the grass.

In 2016, a Brisbane-based Australian fan was sentenced to a week in jail for streak at Pallekele stadium as Australia played Sri Lanka. He was also imposed a fine of $28 for ‘public exposure’.