Tent stops play in Australia tour opener

CANTERBURY, United Kingdom (AFP) — Streakers have been something cricket has had to worry about ever since a naked Michael Angelow leapt over the stumps during a Test match against Australia at Lord's in 1975.

But there was a bizarre twist in the final session of play during Australia's tour opener against Kent in Canterbury yesterday when a spectator pitched a one-person tent on the outfield and went inside it before emerging in a pair of shorts and flying helmet.

He returned to his tent again, with security staff first trying to bundle him off the outfield while he was still in it. He re-emerged, bowed to spectators and was then escorted off the outfield.

"That's the first time I've ever seen anything like that," said Kent paceman Matt Hunn, who took three wickets as Australia ended the day on 348 for three. "It was quite funny."

A man calling himself #Discoboy @Leeplumberdj, who had those words displayed on his chest, later claimed credit for the stunt.

"I just wanted a better view," he tweeted, before adding: "Apparently camping is forbidden. I thought I had the right season."

A Kent spokesman said the pitch invader had been ejected from the ground.