During the third day of the second Test of the ongoing England’s tour of Sri Lanka in Galle, a monitor lizard became the center of attraction after it was spotted near the boundary rope. It all took place in the 64th over of the English innings when a cameraman saw the perilous reptile making its existence felt on the ground at the Galle International Stadium.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Sri Lanka's fielder out in the deep... 🦎📸👅<br><br>England 211-4, trail by 170 <a >#SLvENG</a> 🇱🇰🏴<br><br>📺 Watch 👉 <a >https://t.co/bT0CP9Q8No</a><br>📋 Scorecard 👉 <a >https://t.co/OhjL7lE8OU</a><br>📱 Blog / clips 👉 <a >https://t.co/cJNbB8VWVV</a> <a >pic.twitter.com/DbAGCBRFWW</a></p>— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) <a >January 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The Test match was looking set for a draw before the start of play on Day 4. On Day 4, the Sri Lankan team was stumbled out for 126 runs. England just required 164 runs more to win and things look pretty smooth for the English towards the end of Day 4.
But the appearance of the monitor lizard took away everyone’s attention. ICC Tweeted a cheeky message on the spotting of this lizard. The official handle wrote:
“The ICC is reviewing reports that Sri Lanka used an extra fielder against England in Galle today. The situation will be 'monitored' 😏”
Here’s the tweet:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The ICC is reviewing reports that Sri Lanka used an extra fielder against England in Galle today.<br><br>The situation will be 'monitored' 😏 <a >pic.twitter.com/88u7eDowRl</a></p>— ICC (@ICC) <a >January 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Many fans were also amused on seeing this creature on the field:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Uninvited reptile(monitor lizard) was spotted near the boundary rope yesterday at the Galle International Stadium. <br>During the third day of the second Test of the ongoing England's tour of Sri Lanka in Galle!<br>🦎<a >#monitorlizard</a> <a >#srilanka</a> <a >#england</a> <a >#slvseng</a> <a >#boundary</a> <a >#rope</a> <a >#test</a>… <a >pic.twitter.com/rRAlT51twY</a></p>— Cricket Universe (@CricUniverse) <a >January 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Monitor Lizard on field in Galle<a >#SLvENG</a> <a >#SriLanka</a> <a >#Galle</a> <a >#MonitorLizard</a> <a >pic.twitter.com/U06XAXpF6f</a></p>— Sultan (@smk_77) <a >January 25, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Visiting English Cricketer: What is that strange creature doing here?<br><br>Sri Lankan Monitor Lizard Looking at Englishman: Yeah what *is* that strange creature doing doing here? <a >https://t.co/a4X6IEB70s</a></p>— Martin Surridge (@MartinSurridge) <a >January 24, 2021</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
Nonetheless, the monitor Lizard took away everyone’s attention at least for a brief period.