Prankster sparks Cricket World Cup security fear before India beat Australia by six wickets

CHENNAI – A pitch invader breached heavy security and fencing to break onto the field at the Cricket World Cup game between India and Australia on Sunday, getting to within touching distance of players, including superstar Virat Kohli.

British YouTube prankster Daniel Jarvis stunned the crowd of around 30,000 at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium where he appeared wearing a blue India team shirt with “Jarvo 69” written on the back. Kohli appeared to speak with Jarvis before security escorted him away.

On the field in Chennai, Kohli and K.L. Rahul hit defiant half-centuries as India survived an early shock to win by six wickets.

Chasing a tricky target of 200, India were three down for two runs before Kohli (85) and Rahul (97 not out) put together a stand of 165 to achieve their aim with 52 balls to spare.

Earlier, spinner Ravindra Jadeja returned figures of 3-28 to help bowl out Australia for 199 in 49.3 overs. 

On the incident, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said it will consider “if additional security measures are required to prevent it happening again”.

“The individual concerned has been banned from attending any further games at the event and the matter is in the hands of the Indian authorities.”

Jarvis has become a serial pitch invader, making it onto the field three times during England’s home Test Series against India in 2021. He was charged with aggravated trespass after colliding with England player Jonny Bairstow at the Oval.

“How has Jarvo managed to get a visa when not a single Pakistani journalist has one?” asked Wisden cricket journalist Ben Gardner on social media on Sunday.

Pakistan media and fans have been frustrated in their attempts to get to India for the World Cup

due to visa delays.

Meanwhile, South Africa’s Aiden Markram confidently expects his record-breaking century, as well as his team’s all-time tournament best total, to be broken before this World Cup is over.

He smashed a 49-ball century while the South Africans piled up 428 to defeat Sri Lanka by 102 runs in their opening fixture at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Saturday.

The 29-year-old Markram, who went on to make 106, beat the previous record for the fastest World Cup century, which was claimed by Ireland’s Kevin O’Brien off 50 balls against England at Bengaluru in 2011.

South Africa surpassed the previous World Cup best total of 417 made by Australia against Afghanistan at Perth in 2015.

Their 428-5 was also the ninth-highest total in all one-day internationals.

“The way batters are playing nowadays, you wouldn’t be surprised if that record is broken in this competition as well,” said Markram, who ended his innings with 14 fours and three sixes. “There’s a see-ball-hit-ball sort of mentality. We’re thankful that we got a belter of a wicket there tonight.”

Markram’s first 50 on Saturday came from 34 balls while he needed only 15 more deliveries to add the next 50.

Rassie van der Dussen (108) and Quinton de Kock (100) also hit centuries in the first World Cup match to feature three tons in the same innings. AFP