An unprecedented stoppage occurred at the World Snooker Championship on Friday when play had to be paused for a pigeon.
Seemingly not content with a perch in the rafters, the winged spectator decided to get a closer look at the second-round match between Mark Selby and Yan Bingtao. The latter was startled by the pigeon's sudden appearance before laughing along with the other onlookers.
The bird took up roost near the corner pocket and proceeded to amble along the table. A referee could be seen creeping up on the bird before he swiftly moved onto another seat at the famed Sheffield venue.
The competition has witnessed streakers and punch-ups in the past, but a pigeon parading on the table appears to be a tournament first.
Clearly incredulous as to what they were witnessing, the Crucible crowd was briefly stirred into a frenzy at what was unfolding. Eurosport commentator Dominic Dale asked the question on everybody's lips, wondering: "Has he bought a ticket?"
"I have never, ever seen that before," added 1997 World Open-winner Dale. "I saw a sparrow once at the Welsh Open a few years ago but never a pigeon at the Crucible." The bird's eye view was quickly broken up, although it took a minute or so for organisers to be sure the feathered intruder was gone for good.
Last year's runner-up, Shaun Murphy—who exited the first round at Stephen Maguire's hands—joked Selby took so long sizing up his shot, "the pigeon thought he was statue." Numerous others followed with jibes of their own, with some supporters encouraging the officials to get the pigeon a "pool coo."
Both Selby and Bingtao took the incident in their stride before getting back to their match. World No. 2 Selby took the opening frame but quickly fell behind to trail 4-2.
The pair are battling to advance to the quarter-finals, where the victor will go on to face No. 8 seed Mark Williams. The Welsh star hammered compatriot Jackson Page 13-3 earlier on Friday to become the first player to book their berth in the last eight.
