AUS vs SA | Twitter reacts as Richard Kettleborough turns Lungi Ngidi's 'emergency assistant' helping him to deal with cramps

12/27/2022

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Umpires rarely get involved in the action during a fixture being played between two sides but sometimes they intervene for the good of the players. Richard Kettleborough was involved in a piece of the action in the MCG Test as he assisted Lungi Ngidi when the bowler was struggling with cramps.

Australia dominated on the second day of the Test match against South Africa as they posted a total of 386/3 in the first innings at stumps. David Warner retired hurt on a score of 200 while Steve Smith played a knock of 85 runs. Although the play was dominated throughout by the Australian batters, a few of them struggled with the cramps due to heat. However, the effect was not limited to the Australian side and South African pacer Lungi Ngidi also suffered cramps during the innings.

During the 89th over of the innings, Ngidi was seen struggling after the first ball of the over. He was soon holding his leg with the difficulties while walking. Soon after, on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough intervened in the matter and helped Ngidi to stretch his legs after he lay down on the floor. The helpful act from the umpire was soon praised by the viewers and they shared some words of appreciation for Kettleborough.

Ouch!

— MINI BUS 2022 (@minibus2022)

Great umpire!

Good guy umpire Richard Kettleborough helping Ngidi out with his cramp
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket)

Everyone on that!

Now Ngidi and Nortje are cramping up…so it’s not just something for Aussie wimps after too much festive cheer. All this is a bit contagious…I’m starting to cramp up on the sofa
— Mark Coleridge (@ArchbishopMark)

Ice bath needed!

Ngidi looking for dibs on the ice bath.
— Beth watches cricket (@FirstDropBeth)

Third casualty

Now Ngidi is leaving the field!

He's the third casualty of the session!
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket)

Helping

Now Ngidi is cramping up. Umpire helping him out
— Cricket Australia Fan (@CricketAustFan)

Extreme heat

Even ngidi also off the ground left bowling in the middle of over extreme heat 🤯
— Rajesh 🇮🇳 (@RaoRajesh_)

Favouring everyone!

Richard Kettleborough doing everyone a favour there. I'm not sure there was a single player on the ground who wanted to play another over.
— Patrick Gray (@PatrickM_Gray)

Brutal day

A brutal day of "Test" cricket in every sense of the word. Attrition rate for both sides high, with Starc (from yesterday), Warner and Green temporarily at least out of the game, and Ngidi limping off for South Africa. These guys earn every cent they receive...
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay)

Suffering