Ashes Test at Lords disrupted by Just Stop Oil protest

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Now Just Stop Oil target the Ashes: Jonny Bairstow carries eco-zealot off pitch while crowd boos demonstrators after dry orange paint was released during match

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PUBLISHED: 06:12 EDT, 28 June 2023 | UPDATED: 06:35 EDT, 28 June 2023

 

 

Activists from Just Stop Oil invaded the green at the Ashes in London on Wednesday and threw orange powder across the grass - as England's Jonny Bairstow was seen picking up one of the protesters and carrying them off the pitch.

Ahead of the second over of the morning session at Lord's, two Just Stop Oil protesters raced onto the pitch and attempted to throw orange paint across the main playing area.

Today marks the first day of the Ashes 2nd Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground.

Three people were arrested at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said.

It follows similar disruptive action to snooker games at the Crucible earlier this year, as Just Stop Oil continues its campaign to try and force the UK government to ban new fossil fuels licences amid the climate crisis.

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Video footage showed two activists ran onto the green and attempted to throw orange paint across the main playing area

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 A young man wearing a Just Stop Oil t-shirt spreads orange paint powder from a small bag

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One of the activists is tackled by a member of the security staff

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Players intervene to limit the disruption caused by protesters on day one of the test

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Jonny Bairstow of England removes a 'Just Stop Oil' pitch invader during Day One of the LV= Insurance Ashes 2nd Test match

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One of the two activists is tackled to the floor by two event marshals

The two young people were both wearing white t-shirts that identified them as eco-activists from Just Stop Oil. 

Marshals and players were quick to respond, and the protesters were swiftly removed from the area.

Jonny Bairstow ran straight up to one of the activists and simply picked them up in his arms as he walked towards security marshals at the edge of the spectator stands.

As he reached them he handed the protester over and returned to the pitch.

Bairstow did then have to briefly leave the field to change his top, after it was covered in orange powder, before returning ahead of Broad starting his spell from the Nursery End.

The second activist was tackled by security staff in bright blue jackets before being escorted off the pitch. 

Although the duo did succeed in throwing some orange paint  

Police were pictured carrying the protesters out of the grounds shortly afterwards. 

Speaking on BBC's Test Match Special, commentator Jonathan Agnew said: 'Oh no, I don't like the look of this. We've got people running on. This is terrible.

'Bairstow's there. Orange smoke and dust. They're trying to keep them off the pitch, protesters two of them. They've managed to keep them off the pitch.

'Jonny Bairstow is taken one the protesters off, carrying him towards the grandstand. Another one is prostate on the ground. 

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Police officers escort one of the group's protesters from the Lord's grounds

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Two people wearing jackets reading 'Event support' dive on top of a protester

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Police officers picked up the activists and carried them in front of cricket fans

'They haven't managed to damage the pitch but they've thrown some orange stuff around. We have been expecting this, but their mission to wreck the test has been unsuccessful and they're being taken away.'

He added: 'Jonny Bairstow's dander was up there, he was like a flanker. Let's hope this doesn't happen again, let's hope that's the one attack on the Ashes this year.'

Ricky Ponting, speaking in the Sky Sports studio, felt for the players after the hotly-anticipated match was halted so early in the battle.

'As a batter in the build-up you just want to get out there and under way. Delays are not ideal for anyone,' he said.

'The batters just need to put something like this out of their mind.'

Groundskeepers were then seen sweeping the green so that play can get back underway. 

This is a breaking news story and is being updated.