Cricket: Commentator goes rogue in international T20

Nasser Hussain casually joining the slips cordon. Photo / Twitter

If you thought Roaming Brian was innovative, wait until you see Roaming Nasser.

Channel 7 AFL commentator Brian Taylor has been responsible for some of footy's most entertaining — and awkward — moments when he ventures into the winnings team's changeroom post-match armed with a camera and a microphone and goes rogue.

But former England cricket captain Nasser Hussain has him covered — actually going onto the field during play in his role as a commentator for Sky Sports in Britain.

The West Indies were playing a Rest of the World XI at Lord's on Friday in a Hurricane Relief T20 Challenge for charity. The clash was put on to raise money to repair five cricket grounds in the Caribbean that were damaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria late last year.

Although it was for charity, the match was still granted full international status. That means any runs scored or wickets taken will be included in players' stats for their international careers.

That's why cricket lovers weren't altogether impressed with Hussain taking his place at first slip for the World XI with a microphone in his hand and a GoPro camera on his head.

Although some appreciated the sentiment, they argued the match shouldn't be given international status if the match wasn't going to be taken seriously.

Don't let your eyes deceive you, that is indeed @nassercricket in the slips 😂#CricketRelief#LoveLords pic.twitter.com/o16VtVivA8

— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) May 31, 2018

Nasser Hussain as Reporter on the field in an International Game... This isn't allowed anyway #CricketRelief pic.twitter.com/vwfbwdqVDp

— Abhijeet ♞ (@TheYorkerBall) May 31, 2018

The #HurricaneRelief T20 is being played for all the right reasons, but with sights like 'roving reporter/commentator' Nasser Hussain on the field at first slip, does it deserve international status? #WIvsWorldXI

— ESPNcricinfo (@ESPNcricinfo) May 31, 2018

Nasser Hussain, on commentary, at first slip for the opening over. This is why these games - wonderful as they are - should never have international status. #WIvRoW pic.twitter.com/T3caRzOEEA

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) May 31, 2018

The background to Roving Nas is that Sky are distributing their feed for free, which is great of them. With it, they wanted to try something new. As for international status, it was given to ensure the game itself was taken seriously. To be fair, the first innings was. #WIvRoW

— Adam Collins (@collinsadam) May 31, 2018

This is a full international, but apparently the West Indies playing the Netherlands in the World Cup Qualifiers was not https://t.co/ATSoJ8832N

— Tim Wigmore (@timwig) May 31, 2018

Good morning.Just turned on Facebook Live. Please tell me that's a hologram of Nasser Hussain pretending to be on the field of play and not the real thing.

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) May 31, 2018

Commantror in the Field ??@ICC please explain is it International match or List A Game ???? @nassercricket #WIvsWorldXI #WorldXI pic.twitter.com/zIPrSK3pww

— Ejaz Wasim Bakhri (@ejazwasim) May 31, 2018

Evin Lewis's quickfire fifty and economical bowling from spinner Samuel Badree led the West Indies to an emphatic 72-run victory over the World XI.

Lewis struck 58 off 26 balls, including five sixes and as many fours in a West Indies' total of 4/199 with Marlon Samuels contributing 43 and Denesh Ramdin 44 not out.

Badree then took two wickets in his first two overs before finishing with figures of 2/4 as the West Indies proved too strong.

Sri Lanka's Thisara Perera made a fine half century, his 61 coming off 37 balls but the World XI never had any chance of winning this match after slumping to 4/8.

But he was the only World XI player to score more than 12.

And, with Tymal Mills unable to bat, the World XI were all out nine wickets down when Mitchell McClenaghan was dismissed with the team on a total of 127.

Kesrick Williams took 3/42 and Andre Russell 2/24.

World XI skipper captain Shahid Afridi donated $20,000 to Hurricane relief from his foundation, while all the players donated their match fees to the charity.

Afridi, who retired from mainstream international cricket two years ago, received a guard of honour at Lord's.

"That's something I'll never forget," said the big-hitting former Pakistan all-rounder. "For that to happen at the home of cricket, it's massive.

"The cause was everything tonight, and to have been able to help, it's fantastic.

"Thanks to everyone who came out and supported this."

West Indies captain Carlos Brathwaite said: "For those affected by the hurricanes, there have been people left homeless, and have had their lives devastated.

"So it's important for those of us who can to be able to use our profile for the greater good.

"Hopefully there will be a psychological boost for the communities, as well as obviously the money going into rebuilding, and infrastructure and all those kinds of things."