Fans left in stitches as Darth Vader thrown out of cricket ground by security during Ashes Test

A fan dressed as Darth Vader was escorted out of Edgbaston by security during the first Test of the Ashes series between England and Australia.

The opening two days of the Test match saw searing heat as both sides racked up high first innings totals, with England's Joe Root and Australia's Usman Khawaja scoring centuries.

But day three saw a reduction in temperatures prior to an afternoon rain delay - which perhaps encouraged one fan to don the infamous Darth Vader suit.

Security have been busy during the match so far, popping beach balls and footballs that have been bounced around the Eric Hollies Stand - dubbed the 'Party Stand'.

But those on duty on Sunday morning and afternoon surely won't have envisaged marching Darth Vader out of the ground - on Father's Day, no less.

Darth Vader escorted out of Edgbaston

Flanked by two stewards and a member of the Birmingham ground's 'Pitch Team', the fan walked through the concourse area in front of the stand before exiting through a double door.

Live on Sky Sports, commentator and former England Test captain Michael Atherton quipped: "Darth Vader being led away to the stocks. I wonder what he's done to deserve that."

BBC Test Match Special commentator, former England fast bowler Jonathan Agnew, jokingly spoke of the fan being 'arrested'.

Darth Vader not setting a good example as a father again #EnglandCricket #Cricket #EngAus pic.twitter.com/UfDmBfAHMo

— Mark (@mglover1981) June 18, 2023

Predictably, viewers took to Twitter to give their responses to the incident.

One wrote: "Only in England could you see Darth Vader being escorted out of a cricket ground by security."

Another added: "Nothing says English summer more than Darth Vader being kicked out of a cricket match for making a pint glass snake."

A third said: "Never thought I'd see Darth Vader getting marched out of the cricket."

And there were, of course, Star Wars references: "Darth Vader has been escorted out of the Ashes. Big win for the Rebel Alliance."

Fortunately for the fan inside the costume, however, they didn't miss too much of the action, with play suspended due to rain shortly after lunch during England's second innings.

When play did get back underway - for just five overs - Australia got the wickets of both Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett before another downpour forced the players off again.