Just Stop Oil protesters slammed as Jonny Bairstow creates cricket image for the ages

Forget the urn. A single image has won the Ashes overnight, with an English player earning praise for swiftly dealing with “selfish” pitch invaders minutes into the second Test.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 28: Jonny Bairstow of England removes a "Just Stop Oil" pitch invader during Day One of the LV= Insurance Ashes 2nd Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground on June 28, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images)

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow wrestled a protester to the ground as climate activists briefly interrupted play on the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s on Wednesday.

Just before Stuart Broad bowled the second over, two protesters from Just Stop Oil ran out of the Grandstand and onto the outfield, sprinkling the group’s trademark orange powder on the square but not on the pitch.

Bairstow grabbed one of the demonstrators and carried them off the playing surface, with the other apprehended by stewards.

A third demonstrator was tackled before making it onto the outfield. Spectators booed the protesters as they were led away by stewards. Metropolitan Police later said that they had arrested three people.

The farce quickly gained attention around the world, even in countries that don’t follow cricket. Bairstow was universally praised for his theatrical removal, with many comparing it to Andrew Symonds’ famous belting of a streaker at and ODI several years past.

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Following a delay of several minutes while the orange powder was removed by ground-staff, play resumed with Broad bowling from the Nursery End.

Just Stop Oil, which wants an end to new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, has disrupted a series of sporting events, including the British Formula One Grand Prix and Premiership rugby union final.

Bit going on here.

Out you go.

Protesters have tied themselves to goalposts during Premier League football matches and thrown orange powder on the green baize at the World Snooker Championship.

Just Stop Oil also delayed the England team bus taking the side to Lord’s for the lone Test against Ireland earlier this month.

A Just Stop Oil spokesperson said: “Cricket is an important part of our national heritage, but how can we enjoy England vs Australia when much of the cricketing world is becoming unfit for humans to live in?

🏏 #JustStopOil protester handled at the #Ashes

Bairstow with the grab, then three policemen rather amusingly lifted him😂

Absolute moron. pic.twitter.com/8qJaxYdA5h

— Charles Hague-Jones (@chaguejones) June 28, 2023

Mental you can’t get tickets for the ashes and a protester managed to get a ticket run on the pitch after 5 minutes! Joke

— Sean Glade (@seanglade) June 28, 2023

That protester deserved the Roy treatment #Ashespic.twitter.com/LwimjQZKkZ

— Tas Mavridis (@Tas_Mavridis) June 28, 2023

“It’s time for cricket lovers and all those who understand the severity of this situation, to get onto the streets and demand action from this illegitimate, criminal government.”

Rishi Sunak’s spokesman said the UK Prime Minister was “pleased play was able to resume quickly and thanks security staff, the swift hands of Jonny Bairstow and other England players who stepped in”.

UK police forces were controversially granted new anti-protest powers by the government earlier this year following years of disruptive demonstrations by environmental activists.

“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,” Sunak’s spokesman added.

Marylebone Cricket Club chief executive Guy Lavender said he “condemns in the strongest possible terms” the action.