AUS vs PAK: Play delayed at MCG as third umpire gets stuck in elevator

MCG, Dec 28 (WWOS) -A dodgy MCG lift has caused a some-seven minute delay to the start of the second session on day three of the Boxing Day Test.

With players and umpires all standing around ready to go, play was unable to get underway because third umpire Richard Illingworth was stuck in an elevator.

Cameras caught umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough having a chuckle when they were notified of the situation, as did the players once that message was passed on the lift.

"I know the lift ... could be a while this," former England skipper Michael Vaughan said in commentary for Fox Sports.

Cricket rules dictate the third umpire must be in position and ready before play can commence, much the same as the two umpires on the field.

"Everyone is finding this funny at the moment, except Richard Illingworth," Adam Gilchrist said.

Legendary former Pakistan quick Wasim Akram suggested a dodgy lift was something he would expect in the sub-continent. 

"There's always a first time. I can understand this happening in our part of the world, but here?" he said.

Earlier, the start of play – which had already been brought forward a half-hour to 10am to make up for time lost on day one – was delayed some 45 minutes due to persistent drizzle around Melbourne. 

Vaughan said this latest delay was the last thing the Test needed.

"Do you think cricket is the number one sport that had stoppages for the most bizarre things? We've got a stop in play because the third umpire is stuck in a lift," Vaugh said.

"You've got the two umpires ready to go in the middle, you've got the Pakistan team ready to go, the two batters are ready to play, we've had an hour out of the day earlier because of a little bit of drizzle, now everything is ready to go and we've got a third umpire stuck in a lift."

Play did eventually get underway with fourth umpire Phil Gillespie sitting in the third umpire's seat for two balls.

Upon making his return to the box, Illingworth gave cameras a wave.

Later, Gillespie was called back into action when Wilson came from the field briefly.