The camera operator who accidentally floored South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje with 'Spidercam' has now been stood down for the remainder of the Boxing Day Test at the MCG.
Nortje was fortunate to escape serious injury in a terrifying moment on day two against Australia as he was taken out by Fox Sport's camera equipment in the field. The 29-year-old was struck completely blindsided by the wire-guided 'Spidercam' as he returned to his mark at square leg and instantly hit the deck.
There was huge concern for Nortje as the camera, that usually hovers over players to showcase a different TV perspective, was piloted into the bowler in an ugly collision.
Regulations agreed by the Fox, Cricket Australia and the ICC state that 'Spidercam', also often used in rugby union, cannot travel at less than 3.5 metres above the ground.
But Nortje was lucky to be immediately back up on his feet as the low sweeping camera struck him at around a two metre height from the MCG pitch.
Broadcasters Fox later issued an apology to Nortje and the Proteas after the incident that grabbed the headlines in the festive fixture. And most would have agreed with Nortje's assertion after the collision that the Spidercam should not have been travelling at such a dangerous height.
“I saw cables and then I moved my head and then I saw the camera and I was a little bit too late," he said. "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.”
The Spidercam was back in operation for day three of the Test, albeit well above the heads of the players as a similar incident was avoided. There were no further dramas as Australia closed in on a series-sealing victory by declaring on a mammoth total of 575-8 in reply to South Africa's first innings 189.
But the Fox operator responsible was stood down from the rest of the match after day two and Australian Cricketers Association chief executive Todd Greenberg insisted the alarming mistake will not be repeated.
“I have spoken to [Cricket Australia] about that and to the broadcasters who I understand have formalised some things," Greenberg said. "Clearly it’s an error that shouldn’t happen and won’t happen again.”
