Young couple caught in the act on big screen at MCG cricket Test

Oh to be young and in love.

An unsuspecting couple has been caught red-handed by an overzealous camera-man during the cricket Test between Australia and Pakistan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Optimistically seeking some privacy in the nosebleeds of the stadium – which seats 100,000 people – the pair thought they would go unnoticed as they, umm... expressed themselves. But an eagle-eyed camera operator had other ideas.

In a feed broadcast on the big screen at the MCG, the camera zoomed in on the couple as the crowd erupted in cheers. Video of the incident was posted to social media and went viral after the third day's play on Thursday, with it quickly getting the attention of even Australia's cricketing greats.

The vision shows the pair reacting in horror as they realise they've been sprung on the big screen. The young woman quickly leaps away while her partner is then seen in what can only be described as a walk of shame as he trots down the stairs with his jumper hiding his face.

Read more: Pat Cummins' massive Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne call amid Test form slump

Commentating the scene, SEN Cricket commentator Adam Collins said the young man received "a standing ovation from the crowd" as he slinked off.

"Obviously they’re not meant to be having a kiss and cuddle up there at the back of the Ponsford Stand and the whole crowd has risen as one to them," he remarked.

A viral clip of the moment had the cricket puns flying thick and fast overnight with Aussies accusing the couple of "ball tampering" and "stroking one through the covers".

"I was there today and this was very funny," one person wrote.

Test great Greg Blewett also offered his spin on the matter.

"Maybe they’re embarrassed or maybe they’re not officially boyfriend and girlfriend," he said on Triple M Cricket. "The immediate thing that came to my mind was that they’ve been sprung. That they’re not meant to be in that position."

MCG back in the good graces heading into fourth day

Australia will head to the MCG on day four of the second Test today with a lead of 241, largely thanks to Mitchell Marsh's sparkling 96 amid a barrage of Pakistani swing bowling.

Marsh joined Steve Smith when Australia were reeling at 4-16 on Thursday, but their 153-run stand has likely batted Pakistan out of the match on a wearing pitch.

The last team to score more than 300 in the fourth innings of an MCG Test was Pakistan in a losing cause back in 1990.

Marsh joked that Australia's tail could still push their lead up to 500 when Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc resume at 6-187 on Friday.

"I think if we were all out now we would feel very much in the game," Marsh said. "I don't necessarily want to put a number on it for our bowlers, but we know that they can certainly hold the bat.

"A couple of good partnerships with some tired bowlers now, hopefully we can get up towards the 300 mark, but I guess anything from here we'll take."

Marsh praised MCG curator Matt Page for putting together a pitch that has resulted in two entertaining days of cricket once the rain cleared after a dreary opening on Tuesday.

The MCG was infamously slapped with a "poor" rating by the International Cricket Council following a dull Ashes draw in 2017. But in the years since, the MCG has become one of the best wickets in the country and is on track to produce a result for a sixth straight Test.

with AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.