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
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.
Video footage showed two activists ran onto the green and attempted to throw orange paint across the main playing area
A young man wearing a Just Stop Oil t-shirt spreads orange paint powder from a small bag
Groundspeople were then seen repairing the damage to the green
Jonny Bairstow of England removes a ‘Just Stop Oil’ pitch invader during Day One of the LV= Insurance Ashes 2nd Test match
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.
Speaking on BBC’s Test Match Special, commentator Jonathan Agnew said: ‘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.
