PHIL BINNER got the bird – literally – during Embsay's Mewies Solicitors Craven League First Division match at Foulridge.
The Embsay bowler's delivery was missing off stump until it was deflected onto the wickets by a fast-flying bird, which was killed, and the umpire gave Foulridge skipper John Lickess out.
Foulridge player Fred Brooker-Carey explained: "The bowler bowled a decent ball just outside off stump. John played the line of the ball on off stump just in case it swung in.
"The ball kept its line outside off stump. However, a swallow or swift chose this moment to fly across the wicket just in front of John.
"The ball hit the bird and deviated onto the wicket and the umpire gave him out!"
Lickess was doubly unlucky, though, as the umpire should not have raised his finger.
The incident is covered in MCC Law 23.4 (b) (vi) regarding when a dead ball should be given.
It states if "the striker is distracted by any noise, movement or in any other way while he is preparing to receive or receiving a delivery. This shall apply whether the source of distraction is within the game or outside it."
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