The ongoing second Test between Australia and Pakistan saw an unprecedented scene as the post-lunch play got delayed on Day 3 due to a bizarre reason at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Thursday. The incident happened just after the lunch break on day 3 when all players and on-field umpires had to wait to resume the match as third umpire Richard Illingworth was stuck in a lift and could not take his official seat.

The players were confused about the delay, so the on-field umpires Joel Wilson and Michael Gough pointed out the issue. However, it was quickly rectified when Illingworth assumed his place and the play started.

"The game is delayed because the third umpire...is stuck in the lift," Cricket Australia's social media arm posted on X, formerly Twitter.

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The Englishman was trapped in a lift while returning from the dining area back to his designated seat.

Australia opener David Warner saw the funny side to the situation and was seen laughing while reserve umpire Phillip Gillespie ran towards the box to substitute Illingworth as the third official.

Steve Smith, who was batting with Warner at that time, was overheard asking Wilson whether he could sit down until Illingworth returned.

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A few minutes later Illingworth got out of the lift and proceeded to his seat, and play resumed after a few minutes.

"A wild Richard Illingworth appeared!" Cricket Australia said in another post on X.

Earlier, captain Pat Cummins took his 10th five-wicket total in Test matches to help Australia earn a 54-run first-innings lead over Pakistan.

But Pakistan came back from the innings break to take the wickets of Usman Khawaja for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne for five, leaving Australia two wickets down for only six runs and an overall lead of 60 at lunch.

(With inputs from agencies)

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