Snail-paced security guard watches as protesters interrupt one-dayer

The first taste of international cricket for the season started with a truly bizarre moment as security gave a leg-up to two protesters.

Protesters forced off the SCG...eventually.

A protest of a $1 billion loan to mining company Adani by the State Bank of India has spilt onto the SCG with two men running onto the field during Friday’s one-dayer between Australia and India.

The pitch invaders made their way out to the middle after six overs of the game and spent a long time just walking around before security decided to take action.

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There was one guard in particular who did not seem to be in a hurry.

Calm down, everything is under control.

The two invaders were holding signs that read “NO $1B ADANI LOAN” underneath the State Bank of India.

A reported group of 50 protesters were seen outside the SCG before the game, with police keeping an eye on proceedings.

The Galilee Blockade, an activist group against the Adani Carmichael coal mine released a press release after the protest, identifying the protesters as Father of two Ben Burdett and Sydney musician Josh Winestock.

The players looked like even they were wondering where the security was.

The pair were protesting a potential $1 billion loan by the bank after Indian media reports suggested it was close to a deal with Adani.

In the release, Burnett said “Millions of Indian taxpayers who are watching the first game of the Indian cricket tour have a right to know that the State Bank of India is considering handing their taxes to a billionaire’s climate wrecking coal mine”, while Winestock added that the protest was aimed at pressuring the State Bank of India to “reassure Indians and Australians that they will play no part in supporting it”.

Protestors outside the SCG before the start of today's game https://t.co/lHxEaaLWro

— Rick Eyre on cricket (@rickeyrecricket) November 27, 2020

Cricket Australia later confirmed the invasion did not impact the players’ biosecurity zone.

But fans were also quick to point out how slow security was to react to the invasion.

“There isn’t much urgency from security at the moment,” Adam Gilchrist said in commentary.

Shane Warne added: “There’s not one security guard on the ground”.

Warner may have been wondering if he needed to step in.

Sports reporter Bernie Coen wasn‘t happy with what he was seeing unfold in front of his eyes.

“What disgraceful security here @scg two people walk out to the cricket pitch holding signs for 30 secs before anyone moved! WTF! the players should be concerned for their safety over that!” he wrote.

2GB’s Mark Levy added: “Hello security???? Protestors make their way to the centre of the SCG holding signs and security nowhere to be seen. At least they were good enough to stay off the pitch. I think we’ll hear more about that.”

The Australian’s cricket reporter Peter Lalor wrote: “Two protestors made way onto ground with NO $1B ADANI LOAN signs and in extraordinary scenes were left there without being escorted off for some time. Social distancing security ?”

Well that was possibly the oddest pitch invasion I’ve ever seen. #AUSvIND

— Melinda Farrell (@melindafarrell) November 27, 2020

Just operating on their own time the security guards at the SCG!!! 🤣🤦‍♂️#AUSvIND

— Tim Hipsley (@TimHipsley) November 27, 2020

Security guards at the SCG.#AUSvIND #AUSvsIND #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/G7osNgTxAu

— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) November 27, 2020

Stop #Adani protest at the cricket - calling on State Bank of India not to fund Adani's Australian coal mine to the tune of $1 billion (following recent media reporting that this deal is currently underway) #AUSvIND https://t.co/KBORZ7gXKJ

— Sophie McNeill (@Sophiemcneill) November 27, 2020