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.
๐ BREAKING: Just Stop Oil Disrupt the Ashes
โ Just Stop Oil (@JustStop_Oil) June 28, 2023
๐จ At 11am, three Just Stop Oil supporters stormed the pitch at Lordโs Cricket Ground in a cloud of orange powder paint and disrupted the #Ashes2023 Second Test between England and Australia.
โก๏ธ More at https://t.co/7BzUVS02dZ pic.twitter.com/cbkTPn452G
A third demonstrator was tackled before making it onto the outfield at Lord's, the spiritual 'Home of Cricket' in north-west London.
Spectators booed the protesters as they were led away by stewards.
Following a delay of several minutes while the orange powder was removed by ground-staff, play resumed with Broad bowling from the Nursery End.
Bairstow picking up a pitch invader#Ashes pic.twitter.com/vCWCkXb3IA
โ England's Barmy Army ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐บ (@TheBarmyArmy) June 28, 2023
This match was the latest British sports event to be disrupted by Just Stop Oil following similar protests at the Premiership rugby final at Twickenham and the World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
Are you watching @leedsrhinos ๐#Ashes pic.twitter.com/AB64rimeXH
โ England's Barmy Army ๐ด๓ ง๓ ข๓ ฅ๓ ฎ๓ ง๓ ฟ๐บ (@TheBarmyArmy) June 28, 2023
Just Stop Oil also delayed the England team bus taking the side to Lord's for the lone Test against Ireland earlier this month.