Ethan Hall: Seven-year-old boy battles hiccups to sing the Australian national anthem at baseball game

The boy got a big cheer from the crowd and high fives from the players after completing the song

A seven-year-old boy has been roundly praised after persevering with a rendition of the Australian national anthem in front of thousands - despite being struck with an ill-timed bout of hiccups.

Ethan Hall was preparing to sing the anthem ahead of a televised baseball game in Adelaide when the involuntary spasms began.

But rather than let that bring a premature end to his big moment, he took a deep breath and continued singing to those assembled at the ground - with brief pauses as he failed to suppress the contractions.

As he finished the song, the crowd erupted into loud applause and players on both teams took turns to high five him.

Commentators covering the match between the Adelaide Bite and Brisbane Bandits called Ethan’s performance “priceless”.

One is heard saying: "The old adage 'the show must go on' - and what a lot of courage from the youngster, he could have completely fallen apart.”