An operator of Fox Cricket’s Spidercam has been stood down from the remainder of the Boxing Day Test after the camera collided with South Africa’s Anrich Nortje.
The incident occurred on the second day of the Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, when the ‘Flying Fox’ Spidercam made a low sweep from a height of around two metres. Nortje was sent flying by the camera, which is suspended by wires above the pitch.
Following the incident, Fox Sports issued an apology to Nortje and the South African team.
According to regulations agreed upon by Fox Sports, Cricket Australia, and the International Cricket Council, the Spidercam must not travel less than 3.5 metres above the ground unless it is stationary for on-field interviews with players.
The camera was back in operation on Day 3 of the Test after Fox Sports agreed to raise the minimum working height of the camera to 4 metres.
Play was briefly held up midway through Day 2 when players noticed Nortje lying on the ground, but he was able to continue after the collision.
“I saw cables and then I moved my head and then I saw the camera and I was a little bit too late. It was quite quick,”
“I didn’t know what really hit me, to be honest. It didn’t really change my mindset or anything. I tried to stay focused.
“The one thing we’ve spoken about earlier is how low it is, and it probably shouldn’t be … unless for interviews or something. I don’t think it should be travelling at head height.”
Australian Cricketers Association Chief Executive Todd Greenberg has sought a response from the broadcasters and Cricket Australia over the incident.
Source – The Age
