Security ramped up for third Ashes Test, Big Bash tributes after Bondi attack
Security measures will be ramped up for the third Ashes Test starting on Wednesday following the Bondi terror attack.
Security will be ramped up for the third Ashes Test starting in Adelaide on Wednesday as police take extra precautions following the Bondi attack on Sunday.
Fifteen people are dead and dozens injured after a two shooters opened fire at Bondi Beach in a terror attack targeting a Jewish festival.
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Tributes have flowed from athletes and teams around Australia and the sporting world as the country reels from the horrific events in Bondi and the lives lost.
Australian cricket captain Pat Cummins, who lives in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, wrote on Instagram: “Absolutely devastated by the horror last night in Bondi.
“My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the people of Bondi and our Jewish community during this time.
“If you can, please book an appointment to donate blood.”
The third Ashes Test will go ahead as planned at Adelaide Oval, but South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said security measures would be increased for the match.
“We don’t have any information whatsoever that indicates there’s a linkage between what happened in Bondi on the weekend and South Australia, particularly the Test match,” Commissioner Stevens told ABC News on Tuesday.
“But we have an obligation to make sure when people are attending mass gathering events in South Australia that they’re not only are safe, they also feel safe.
“So that extra policing presence that people will see when they arrive at the Oval and during the course of the event is there to assure people that we take this seriously and they should feel safe and come to the event with confidence it will be a well managed and properly handled event.”
Commissioner Stevens encouraged spectators to give themselves “a little bit more time to get through the checkpoints into the Oval”.
“We are working closely with the Adelaide Oval team and their security officers,” he said.
“They do bag checks as you enter the Oval, I would expect they will be applying more diligence on this occasion than they may ordinarily do. I suggest that people get there just a fraction earlier so they can get through that.”
In a joint statement released on Monday, Cricket Australia (CA) and the England Cricket Board said they were “horrified by the tragic events at Bondi Beach yesterday evening”.
“All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time,” the statement read.
“Our condolences go out to all those affected. We stand with you.”
A tribute is expected to be held at the SCG on Wednesday night before the Sydney Sixers host the Adelaide Strikers in their first home game of the Big Bash season.
As part of the tributes, players, support staff and match officials will stand side-by-side to remember victims, acknowledge those impacted and reflect.
Tributes will be read by the ground announcer and on the big screen, while there will also be a moment’s silence.
Throughout matches, players and officials will wear black armbands, flags will fly at half- mast and there will be no fireworks after a wicket or boundary.
CA adapted quickly on Sunday night by easing anti-corruption rules for the BBL match at Optus Stadium in Perth to allow players from the Sydney Sixers to access phones to contact their families and loved ones while the tragedy was unfolding to ensure everyone was safe.
Tributes began on Monday night at the Big Bash match in Geelong where players stood as one to remember those who were murdered.
CA is finalising plans for the Adelaide Test, with veteran spinner Nathan Lyon offering his condolences to the victims during his press conference on Monday.
“We’re extremely saddened,” he said.
“It was a horrific day for everyone involved, and we stand by them.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with them, but nothing I’m going to say right now is going to make anyone feel any better.
“Other than that, we’re thinking of them and hopefully they can get through this.”
- With NewsWire
Originally published as Security ramped up for third Ashes Test, Big Bash tributes after Bondi attack
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