‘Where’s Sam Kerr?’: ‘Idiots’ invade first Ashes Test at the Gabba

The Gabba needs some Sam Kerr shoulder charge energy as pitch invaders continue to wreak havoc at sporting events around the world.

The pitch invaders are back at the cricket as the second day of the first Test was stopped twice for fans running onto the field.

After lunch, Australia were running away with the game as Marnus Labuschagne and David Warner built a 156-run partnership, each scoring half-centuries.

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But a fan ran onto the field, forcing security to run from everywhere to catch the young man.

While TV coverages generally shy away from filming pitch invaders if they can help it, on radio, Triple M’s coverage had no issues jumping on the action on the field.

“I think there’s a streaker,” Mark Howard said in the call. “Extraordinary scenes, this is where TV needs to be better. You need to show this.”

One half of comedy duo Hamish and Andy, Andy Lee added: “He has got clothes on, which is disappointing,” Andy Lee commented. “But he’s evading well! It’s a try, he’s made it across the other side. Needed four people to bring him down.

“And what I like is there are just security guards taking off from the other side of the field now to help out and I think they’re using their opportunity to get onto the Gabba.”

A streaker is snatched by security on the Gabba. Photo: Twitter, @Sportsbetcomau.

The bucket head is a nice touch but it just ain’t streaking. Photo by Dan PELED / AFP

Lee said he used to wait at the AFL when someone kicked a milestone goal until one of his mates jumped on to distract the security guard.

Howard added: “This is the difference between television and radio broadcasting too — TV you don’t mention it, Triple M it’s like ‘let’s see the streaker’. Probably be in the highlights of the day.”

Lee then criticised the effort.

“Too sunsmart for mine,” he began. “He’s gone a shirt and long sleeves but he should have gone the nude, even wearing a hat. Disappointing as far as streakers go but the courage of him, fantastic.”

Howard asked: “Dare I say un-Australian being fully kitted when you’re a streaker?

Lee finished: “Normally you’ve got to go completely in the nude and no grooming — that’s how a streaker is best served.”

But while they were discussing streaker etiquette on Triple M, social media all had some similar jokes after Sam Kerr went viral for her shoulder charge of a pitch invader overnight.

"There seems to be a pitch invader at th...BAH GAWD THAT'S SAM KERR'S MUSIC!!!"#Ashespic.twitter.com/g85toVTn5X

— Sportsbet.com.au (@sportsbetcomau) December 9, 2021

Pitch invader at the Gabba.

Gerard: "We need Sam Kerr!"

— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) December 9, 2021

‘First idiot of the summer has emerged’ says Tim Lane after a pitch invader… forgetting all about how WA lost their test. #ashes#cricket

— Mark Gottlieb (@MarkGottlieb) December 9, 2021

Cricket commentator Geoff Lemon also tweeted that the pitch invader was manhandled for his trouble.

So 11 guards piled onto that kid who ran on. Tackled him into the fence. Got both arms in armlocks. Marched him off while one of them kept grabbing the back of his head and shoving his neck down onto his chest.

The company is called Asset Protection. Shithouse.

— Geoff Lemon Sport (@GeoffLemonSport) December 9, 2021

After tea, Australia had lost 4/29 to drop to 5/195 after Warner fell for 94 as the ball held in the pitch and Cameron Green inexplicably shouldered arms in subsequent balls.

The second pitch invader ran onto the field and while there wasn’t vision on the Fox Sports coverage, the commentators couldn’t help but mention it.

Like I said, it just ain’t streaking. Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

“Some idiot has decided to run onto the ground,” Australian cricket great Shane Warne said. “I don’t know why some people do this.”

Former Test spin bowler Kerry O’Keeffe said: “Where’s Sam Kerr?”

Another pitch invader in the 1st test. Sam Kerr please report to the Gabba #ASHES

— Duncan Huntsdale (@duncs_h) December 9, 2021

Cricket statistician Ric Finlay tweeted: “Massive pile-on as half-a-dozen security guards jump onto a ground invader. One of the latter hobbles off in worse shape than the offender.”

Pitch invasions have appeared to become much more common in recent times as fans return after the Covid-19 pandemic kept fans away.

UK invader Jarvo has made an art of it, invading Lord’s dressed in Indian team whites when they played England, London’s NFL match between the Jacksonville Jaguars and Miami Dolphins last month and rugby matches where he dressed up as an All Blacks player and a Japanese player in successive weeks.

Recently a kid grabbed the Champions League match ball after Liverpool’s match between Liverpool and Porto FC, before going viral for his escape.

Clearly Australia is not immune either, after the 2020 Grand Final was interrupted by invaders as well as the 2020 Origin III and even the Burnie Gift, to name just a few.

Pitch invasions can also be sweet as well after a German star Kai Havertz gave a young fan his jersey after the kid onto the field earlier this month.

Originally published as ‘Where’s Sam Kerr?’: ‘Idiots’ invade first Ashes Test at the Gabba