Cricket World Cup 2019: Bee swarm stops play during South Africa victory over Sri Lanka

Players and umpires were forced to hit the deck as nature made a stand

Players lay down on the pitch to avoid a swarm of bees during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Emirates Riverside. Getty Images

Sri Lanka players and the umpire lie on the ground to avoid bees. Action Images via Reuters

A South Africa player lies on the ground to avoid bees. Action Images via Reuters

A swarm of bees swept over the ground shortly before the end of the innings, forcing players and umpires to lie flat during the ICC Cricket World Cup group stage match. PA Wire

Players and umpires lie on the pitch after a swarm of bees sweeps over the ground. PA Wire

Suranga Lakmal of Sri Lanka lays down to avoid a swarm of bees. Getty Images

A South Africa player and the umpire lie on the ground to avoid bees. Action Images via Reuters

A South Africa player lies on the ground to avoid bees. Action Images via Reuters

Cricket is a sport very sensitive to the conditions.

While it doesn't have to be hushed quiet like tennis, the scene does have to be just right for play to progress.

Sky too dark - head to the pavilion. Bad light stopped play.

And quite the opposite too - for bright lights have even stopped play as batsmen complain of the sun shining in their eyes.

Among the ever growing list of wacky reasons why cricket matches have been temporarily stopped, is a swarm of bees.

On this occasion, the match in question was the World Cup clash between Sri Lanka and South Africa at Durham.

Onlookers unfamiliar with what was going on would have been forgiven for thinking something apocalyptic was occurring as the South African fielders, umpires and Sri Lankan batsman were strewn face-down across the ground.

Meanwhile, spectators at the stadium were able to happily remain in their seats and watch the nature-related action unfold.

South Africa captain Faf du Plessis revealed how he saw this happen a couple of years ago during an international match.

"I remember the last time, it was at Johannesburg against Sri Lanka, the same thing happened," he said. "It is very funny. Looks like someone's just had a machine-gun through all the players on the field and everyone is down on the ground!

"Yeah, you are not brave enough when there is a swarm of bees flying. I'm brave, but not that brave."

South Africa went on to win at Chester-le-Street by nine wickets, reaching their winning total with 12.4 overs to spare after Sri Lanka had been bowled out for just 203. Du Plessis scored 96 not out.

____________

World Cup kits ranked

The Cricket World Cup 2019 captains show off their lovely kits for the tournament. Find out how they're ranked by tapping right. Courtesy ICC

10th: Afghanistan. The fact they are advertising an away kit is a serious offence in cricket and instantly puts them at the bottom off the kit table. The home shirt isn't bad, otherwise. Courtesy ACB via Twitter

9th: South Africa. This is not cool, South Africa. Three cricket countries share green as their sporting colour and the Proteas have trampled on Pakistan's ground with this neon green top. Courtesy CSA via Twitter

8th: Bangladesh. A bit too plain an offering from Bangladesh. It's a dull grass green that will get lost in the outfield. There's rumours of an 'alternative' kit which would relegate them to the bottom of this list. Courtesy BCB via tigercricket.com.bd

7th: West Indies. The men in maroon are going into the World Cup as underdogs but will cause a few shocks during the tournament. Calypso cricket is back in business but the vibrancy will be in the performances rather than their outfits. Getty Images

6th: Australia. I've never taken to Australian sports teams in canary yellow and green. It feels like the country has strayed off the reservation. The 2007 World Cup win in green and gold was their zenith. This shirt is a bit Norwich City. Courtesy Cricket World Cup

5th: New Zealand. On first glance, it looks a little plain, but I actually dig the Black Caps aligning themselves closer to their rugby bretheren for this edition. Courtesy ICC

4th India. A nice understated electric blue strip for Virat Kohli and his team. India swings wildly in kit choices at world cups from 90s abominations to the 2011 vintage. This is a safe, refined choice. BCCI via Twitter

3rd: Pakistan. There's been some pretenders to Pakistan's throne as the team with the premier green strip. Sarfraz Ahmed's charges will be looking sharp in their slight-throwback retro kit. It's a tidy outfit that will make Imran Khan and his cornered tigers proud. Courtesy PCB via Twitter

2nd: England. The most dominant one-day side over the past four years dropped a statement of intent - a retro sky-blue shirt to channel their inner-1992 run to the final. It's gorgeous. Courtesy Cricket England via Twitter

1st: Sri Lanka. There can be only one winner and Sri Lanka's kit wins on two levels. Firstly the print of a sea turtle leaving deep waters for a sandy shore is an incredibly original use of the team's traditional yellow and blue colour scheme. Secondly, the kit is made from recycled ocean plastic, so it's probably the most environmentally friendly kit ever made. Courtesy SLC via Twitter