A Cricket Match Abandoned by Bees in 1950 New Zealand

sportsPublished 08 Mar 2026

Image by Lionel Allorge, CC BY-SA 3.0

Quick Summary

What: A cricket match in Blackball, New Zealand, was interrupted by a swarm of bees, leading to play being abandoned for the day.
Where: Blackball, New Zealand
When: January 1950

In January 1950, in Blackball, New Zealand, a cricket match was underway, excitement buzzing in the air.

But then, chaos erupted. A swarm of bees descended upon the field, overwhelming players.

Players scrambled for cover, abandoning their positions as the buzzing cloud thickened.

Officials had no choice but to halt play for the day, marking a bizarre chapter in cricket history.

How often do bees interrupt a game? This unusual event left everyone buzzing, and it wasn’t just the bees.

This incident serves as a reminder that nature can disrupt even the most thrilling sports events.

Did You Know?

Bee swarms can contain tens of thousands of bees and are usually a temporary phenomenon as they search for a new home.