Follow UsA bizarre delay happened before the start of the third ODI between England and the West Indies at The Oval in London when road closures caused a traffic jam. That forced the English players to use e-bikes as an alternative mode of transport to reach the stadium, as they had to leave their team bus.
Meanwhile, the West Indies team bus was stuck in traffic for so long that the toss was delayed by 40 minutes, and the start of the game was pushed by an hour.
“Due to a delayed arrival of one of the playing teams, who are stuck in heavy traffic north of the river, the scheduled start of play will be delayed," an ECB statement said on the matter.
"Once all members of the playing teams arrive, the match officials will coordinate updated timings and discuss any impact on the schedule of play."
At the toss, Windies skipper Shai Hope jokingly suggested that his team should have rather walked, instead of taking the bus, which got them stuck in traffic. Meanwhile, England skipper Harry Brook informed that the entire team decided to leave the bus and reach The Oval on bikes after he won the toss and chose to bowl first in the third and final ODI.
"We were on the bus for a while, then we all decided to get off and get some Lime bikes. We were in a little bit earlier than the West Indies boys, but we're here now and ready to go,” Brook said.
England have already won the three-match ODI series 2-0, however, the third ODI isn’t a dead rubber as both teams are playing for points that will help them in direct qualification for the 2027 ODI World Cup in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia.