England cricket star Jonny Bairstow carries eco yob off pitch at Lord’s as three arrested after protesters disrupt Ashes
ENGLAND cricket star Jonny Bairstow carried an eco yob off the pitch at Lord’s after Just Stop Oil protesters disrupted the game.
The cricketer, 33, picked up the pitch invader as he ran on the field during the second Ashes Test match between England and Australia at Lord’s.
Three people were subsequently arrested and taken into custody, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.
Two were seen being put in the back of police vans outside the ground before they were taken away.
One man, dressed in a blue plastic overshirt, was escorted to the back of a van while an officer carried a number of evidence bags.
Another man, wearing a white Just Stop Oil t-shirt with orange stains on it, was placed in a separate van.
Three vehicles had arrived with sirens sounding and lights flashing outside the Grace Gates.
The protesters were student Daniel, 21, environmental scientist Solomon and 69-year-old grandmother Judit from Epsom, Surrey.
The trio revealed their identities in a video taken ahead of the demonstration.
Ben Stokes’ men suffered a horror day as Australia finished the evening session on 339 for 5 with England’s nemesis Steve Smith not out on 85.
Meanwhile, Bairstow has been praised for his quick response to the stunt, with the Yorkshire player receiving cheers from the crowd.
Rishi Sunak’s official spokesman said: “These sorts of selfish, guerrilla tactics that target events bringing joy to millions are exactly why the Government brought in new powers so the police can take swift action.
“The Prime Minister is pleased play was able to resume quickly and thanks security staff, the swift hands of Jonny Bairstow and other England players who stepped in.”
It came after footage showed Bairstow then carrying the protester off the pitch and back towards security stewards as he thrust his fist into the air.
Part of his kit and wicket keeping gloves were doused in orange spray following the incident.
Do you know the protester? Get in touch by emailing jamie.phillips@mcb777.fun or call us on 020 7782 4100.
England captain Ben Stokes and Australian opener David Warner were also seen confronting the eco mob, who were tackled before reaching the 22-yard strip.
The protesters were booed by the thousands of spectators in attendance as they were escorted around the boundary edge and out of the ground.
They had somehow evaded security and stormed the pitch during the opening stages of the second Ashes Test this morning.
The protesters ran onto the pitch just five minutes into the match, with only a single over from Jimmy Anderson having been completed before the disruption.
There was further chaos as the Just Stop Oil eco yobs then chucked orange paint on the pitch – an act that has become their hallmark.
Groundskeepers had to sweep the playing surface to rid of the orange paint thrown by the eco mob, with the hotly-anticipated match delayed for a short period.
Commentating on the BBC’s Test Match Special, 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.”
When the cricket got back underway, Australia made the most of being put into bat despite the ideal bowling weather conditions.
Josh Tongue dismissed Usman Khawaja and David Warner with two rippers.
Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith put on a third wicket stand of 102 before the former edged Ollie Robinson behind.
Joe Root got Travis Head and Cameron Green in a superb over but the day belonged to Smith, who finished on 85 not out, as Australia closed on 339-5.
A Met Police spokesman said: “Today has yet again seen more criminal and disruptive behaviour by Just Stop Oil after three of its protesters stopped play of a cricket match at Lord’s Cricket Ground by running onto the outfield and opening bags of dye; all three were arrested for aggravated trespass and public nuisance.”
A statement added: “Just Stop Oil protests continue to have a significant impact on London. In the last twen weeks there have been 250 slow marches, we have imposed conditions in relation to 200 of those slow marches and arrested 144 people where they have not complied with conditions.
“Our policing response is now over £5m in costings and has required more than 17,000 officer shifts. These officers could have been focused productively on other important local community policing priorities, tackling crime, supporting victims and keeping people safe.”
Marylebone Cricket Club CEO Guy Lavender said he “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the protesters.
In a statement, Mr Lavender added: “(We) condemn in the strongest possible terms today’s pitch incursion and with the behaviour of the protesters involved.
“Their actions not only endanger themselves and those who work at the ground, but they have consistently shown complete disregard for the people who pay to attend events, not just here at Lord’s but around the country at other sporting venues.”
Two police vans remain outside the ground following the disruption.
In response to the stunt, Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said: “I will never surrender our economy and security to these anarchist stunts.”
Members of the group have disrupted a number of sporting events in recent months, including the Gallagher Premiership final at Twickenham last month
Saracens and Sale Sharks were engaged in a tight battle, with the scores tied at 6-6, when activists stormed the field.
The eco-zealots let off smoke bombs and flares and threw orange powder over the pitch.
Samuel Johnson, 40, and Patrick Hart, 37, were later charged with aggravated trespass and criminal damage in connection with the incident.
A yob also defaced a snooker table at the Crucible with orange power in April.
The environmental crackpot jumped out of the stands and then climbed on to table one during the first-round match between Robert Milkins and Joe Perry on day three of the World Snooker Championship.
In a coordinated attack, a woman tried to climb on to table two — Mark Allen was playing Fan Zhengyi — but she was stopped by Belgian referee Oliver Marteel.
The action was suspended and both protesters were detained by security backstage.
The climate change group has been staging daily protests since April 24, also disrupting high profile events like the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as holding daily slow marches on major London roads.
On Monday, Met Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist told LBC that policing the action has cost £5.5m since April alone, on top of the £7.5m spent policing the series of protests JSO staged between last October and December.
Earlier this month, protest laws were tightened up to allow officers to intervene earlier where protesters are marching in the road, forcing them onto the pavement where disruption is felt to be more than minor.
Meanwhile, England are trying to level the series with Australia after narrowly losing the opening Test by two wickets.
