Ben Sandall spent four hours in the cells after his cheeky dash but was not charged with an offence. Photos / Getty Images
Ben Sandall spent four hours in the cells after his cheeky dash but was not charged with an offence. Photos / Getty Images
A "lethal" combination of sun, cider and peer pressure led to the arguably one of the greatest streaks in sporting history.
Nelson College alumni Ben Sandall pulled off a miraculous naked dash onto the pitch during New Zealand's losing Cricket World Cup pool game against England on July3.
The 33-year-old showed lightning speed and agility to not only make it to the middle but spend almost a full minute showing off his "glory" before eventually being caught by security.
However, he wasn't done yet.
While being escorted off the field by five marshals, Sandall decided to continue his streak - brushing off would-be tackles in an elusive display that Jonah Lomu would be proud of.
Everything about Sandall's streak was spur of the moment, including the decision to attend the game.
"We got tickets a bit last minute and right in the front too."
As Sandall and his friends soaked in the sun and cider, the banter began.
"There was a lot of reverse psychology going on."
While being escorted off the field by five marshals, Sandall decided to continue his streak.
The constant calls of 'you won't do it' started to get to Sandall and, as the game slipped away from the Black Caps, he took it upon himself to try turn things around.
"The boys looked like they needed a bit of a pep talk and the crowd needed a bit of a morale boost. I just wanted to get out there and lift some spirits, so I took my kit off and away I went.
"I knew I wasn't going to be out there for too long, so I would have to get a bit of pace up but then I got to the middle, looked over my shoulder and there were no marshals."
After being turned down for a fist bump by New Zealand batsmen Tom Latham and Mitch Santner, the burly prop offered the pair some advice.
"I just told them to dig deep, keep chipping away and bring it home, obviously that didn't work so just continued on my merry way, did a cartwheel, always a crowd pleaser."
Sandall says the marshals "took their sweet time to get me off," and when they did, little restraint was used.
He was then simply given a caution, with no fine or bans.
"They saw it in the light. It was supposed to be."
Sandall has set up a GoFundMe page to raise money and says he wants to use his 30 seconds of fame to help the juniors at his local rugby club and help "raise the next generation of streakers".
"If you got a laugh out of it and wanted to chuck in a few bucks that would be awesome."
While Sandall has streaked at rugby games, birthdays and weddings, he says his days of naked runs are now likely behind him.
"It will be a big ask to top it, but never say never."
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