Snake scare during Bengal-Vidarbha Ranji Trophy match

Kolkata: Bengal encountered an unlikely 'visitor' during their Ranji Trophy group A cricket match against Vidarbha when about a four-feet long snake slithered into the field, halting the proceedings briefly at the Jadavpur University second campus ground in Saltlake on Saturday.

The incident happened in the pre-lunch session when Vidarbha seamer Swapnil Bandiwar was getting to his run up to bowl the penultimate delivery in the 22nd over as the snake, believed to be a non-poisonous one, entered from the pavillion end.

As Bandiwar was caught unaware, a Bengal support staff was soon pressed into action and was seen shooing the reptile away.

"The snake was also spotted near the Bengal dressing room but we put chemicals to shoo it away," a Bengal cricket official said.

"We're taking all precautionary measures so that no snake is spotted in the remaining days," he added.

The match is being held at the JU second campus ground in Saltlake as Eden Gardens ground is closed for repair.

The area was previously filled with dense jungle and was converted into the ground a few years back.