Pollution stops play in India-Sri Lanka New Delhi test match in first for cricket

Sri Lankans complain to umpires before officials halt play for 20 minutes in first ever test to be paused due to air quality

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Umpire Nigel Llong, third from right, explained the decision to Sri Lanka players. Photo: AP

Published: 5:03pm, 3 Dec 2017Updated: 5:03pm, 3 Dec 2017

Hazardous smog interrupted the third test between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi on Sunday, with players wearing face masks as air quality dipped in the world’s most polluted capital city.

Many of Sri Lanka’s fielders returned from lunch on the second day of the test against India wearing masks amid visible haze at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.

A short while later play was halted for around 20 minutes as Sri Lanka complained to the umpires about the smoggy conditions.

Sri Lanka cricket team captain Dinesh Chandimal was among the players to wear a pollution mask. Photo: AFP

The US embassy website on Sunday showed levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants in Delhi at 328 – more than ten times the level considered safe by the World Health Organisation.

The match was halted as the umpires consulted the match referee, team doctors and physiotherapists before deciding to resume play.

Play is routinely suspended due to poor weather, low visibility, lightning or rain but a stoppage as a result of pollution is almost unheard of.

Pollution stops play in India-Sri Lanka New Delhi test match in first for cricket

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Sri Lankans complain to umpires before officials halt play for 20 minutes in first ever test to be paused due to air quality

Sri Lankans complain to umpires before officials halt play for 20 minutes in first ever test to be paused due to air quality