South African Anrich Nortje taken out by Spidercam during Boxing Day Test against Australia at MCG

Fox Sports were forced to apologise to Anrich Nortje and the South Africa team following a harrowing incident that saw the fast bowler felled by their spidercam on the second afternoon of the Boxing Day Test.

Nortje was walking between overs shortly after lunch in Melbourne when he was inadvertently sent crashing to the turf by the 300kg mobile camera as it zipped along its wires.

Thankfully, the 29-year-old avoided serious injury and was able to continue bowling after being struck on the left shoulder and elbow, but later revealed the South Africans already held reservations about the technological innovation – designed to take television viewers to the heart of the action – endangering player safety.

South African fast bowler Anrich Nortje was lucky to escape serious injury after he was struck from behind by a flying 315kg camera

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‘I saw the camera, but I was a little bit too late. It was quite quick,’ Nortje said.

‘The one thing we’ve spoken about earlier is how low it is and it probably shouldn’t be unless (its) for certain interviews or something. But I don’t think it should be travelling head height.’

Broadcasters Fox did not respond publicly but in saying sorry to Nortje privately confirmed human error triggered the episode.

Nortje was thrown to the ground as a result of the collision, but fortunately he was able to continue in the match after being checked over by South African medical personnel

Camera staff were seen attending to ‘Spidercam’ after the collision at the MCG

Relief for Anrich Nortje after he claimed the prized scalp of Aussie superstar Steve Smith. It came after he was struck from behind by Spidercam

South African skipper Dean Elgar (left) and umpire Richard Kettleborough (right) check on Anrich Nortje after the collision. Fortunately the South African quick appeared unharmed as was able to continue

The camera was immediately retired for the day but will be used later in a match thus far dominated by the Australians.

Nortje struck a blow of his own before the close on day two when Cameron Green was rapped on the gloves and suffered a cut on the right index finger that forced him to retire hurt.

David Warner also retired with cramp issues but only after marking his 100th Test appearance with an unbeaten double hundred, his first first three-figure score in almost three years, as the home team closed on 386 for three – a lead of 197 runs.