Mel McLaughlin act captured on camera after jinxing Australia in Boxing Day Test

Sports commentator Mel McLaughlin brought bad luck everywhere she went on day three of Australia's Boxing Day Test against Pakistan. The Channel 7 star was first caught up in a freakish elevator incident with cricket umpire Richard Illingworth that led to a delay in play after lunch.

McLaughlin was trapped in the MCG's underground car park lift, with the pair and eight others locked inside, leading to the TV personality needing to call for help. Play in the session after lunch was held up as a result and after being freed she joined co-commentators Justin Langer and James Brayshaw for the start of play for the sole purpose of telling the elevator story and things went from bad to worse.

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As she started to tell her story about the elevator mishap Australia capitulated to 4-16, with fast bowler Mir Hamza on a hat-trick as McLaughlin clearly flustered, forgot that the camera is always on. In her first over in the commentary box, Australia lost two wickets in as many balls and she was seen covering her mouth to contain her shocked laughter from being broadcast but her embarrassed reaction was still caught on camera.

McLaughlin had just sat down as David Warner was dismissed for just six and then could not contain herself as Travis Head was clean bowled the very next ball. The Channel 7 personality was seen looking around wondering if she was just bringing about bad luck wherever she went as the wickets tumbled.

The sports commentator ended up being able to tell her story of being trapped in an elevator and Steve Smith and Mitch Marsh managed to steady the ship and put Australia back in the driver's seat. Australia finished day three with a 241-run lead and four wickets in hand heading into day four.

"We [she and Illingworth] were having a bit of a chat ... and the doors open and then close and then didn't move again," McLaughlin said about the elevator incident. "He's standing in the corner and he went, 'Do you have a phone? Can you please call someone and let them know I'm in the lift, I'm going to be a little bit late?' So yeah, everyone got to work and we got freed, I don't know, 10 minutes later. Sorry everyone!"

Cricket Australia made fun of the lift ordeal

Both Cricket Australia and the MCG social media accounts produced light-hearted banter in response to the strange delay to play, which lasted a total of seven minutes. Cricket Australia took to X, formerly known as Twitter to write: "The game is delayed because the third umpire ... is stuck in the lift".

The MCG then quickly chipped in with the reply: "Sorry". As Illingworth ran up to his seat at 1.32pm, Cricket Australia then added: "A wild Richard Illingworth appeared".

Mitch Marsh rescues struggling Aussies

Despite not managing to bring up a century, Mitch Marsh's knock of 96 was instrumental in the second Test after coming in four wickets down with a lead of just 70 runs. The Aussie batsman said he was "disappointed" to not be able to secure a maiden international MCG hundred but was happy to do his part.

“There are a lot of voices inside your head at four for 16,” Marsh said. “But I think it just comes back to being true to myself (and) being really clear on my role within this team and knowing that how I play my best.

“I guess getting on the counterattack and being positive in that situation … it can almost put more pressure on you when there’s a couple of guys building a partnership. It was just about getting myself in and then playing the way I have for the last like six months.”

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