Lord's Ashes Test is disrupted by Just Stop Oil demonstrators

 

Two climate change protestors from the activist organisation Just Stop Oil briefly interrupted the first morning of the second Ashes Test at Lord's. They entered the pitch carrying orange powder paint but were stopped by players and security personnel before they could get to the strip.

The two individuals in Just Stop Oil t-shirts sprinted from the Grandstand past perimeter security and reached the playing field before to the start of the second over. One was stopped by Ben Stokes and David Warner from getting on the ground before being pounced on by officials, while the other was grabbed up and hauled off the pitch by Jonny Bairstow before being escorted away by police.

While the MCC grounds crew cleaned up and blew off the powder paint that had spilt on the outfield, Bairstow sprinted to the dressing room to don a new pair of whites. The whole delay in play was about six minutes.

A third demonstrator was detained as well but was unable to enter the pitch. Speaking on behalf of the MCC, a spokeswoman said: "Following the earlier pitch incursion, three people have been arrested for aggravated trespassing and taken into police custody and it is now a Metropolitan Police matter."

Over the last 18 months, a coalition of environmental action organisations called Just Stop Oil has interrupted a number of high-profile sporting events in the UK, including Premier League football games, the Premiership rugby union final, and the World Snooker Championship.

"Cricket is a significant component of our national heritage, but how can we enjoy England vs. Australia when much of the cricketing world is turning into an unfit place for humans to live in?" a Just Stop Oil representative said. When the sports we play, the food we eat, and the culture we value are at danger, we can no longer afford to let ourselves become distracted.

It's time for cricket fans and anybody else who recognises the gravity of the situation to take to the streets and demand that this criminal, illegitimate administration take action. We should have a solid response prepared for our kids to ask us "what did we do to prevent this crisis?"

The organisation also blasted Lord's for their sponsorship agreement with JP Morgan Chase, calling it "the world's worst fossil bank," in a statement, citing the 2021 study "Banking on Climate Chaos."

"MCC condemn in the strongest possible terms today's pitch incursion and the behaviour of the protestors involved," said Guy Lavender, the chief executive of MCC, in a statement.

The people who pay to attend games, not only here at Lord's but at other athletic facilities around the nation, are repeatedly ignored by their activities, which put them and those who work at the stadium in risk.

Cricket was ready for its introduction to the group. For the World Test Championship final, groundskeepers at The Kia Oval built a backup pitch in case protesters were able to interfere with the original one.

MCC increased security before England's Test against Ireland at Lord's at the beginning of this month out of concern that they may be targeted. Protesters blocked the England team bus as it travelled to Lord's on the first morning even though no one entered the pitch during the game.

During the first Ashes Test, Warwickshire increased security and set up a backup pitch at Edgbaston, but the game went on as scheduled.