Three Oil Protestors Arrested After Pitch Invasion On Day 1 Of The Second Test Match At Lord's - Reports

The iconic Lord’s Cricket Ground in London is currently hosting the second Test match between England and Australia in the Ashes 2023 series. However, the match was halted for a brief period of time in the first session on the opening day of the match on Wednesday, June 28, due to oil protestors.

Two protesters, wearing orange t-shirts, from the Just Stop Oil movement entered the field and ran towards the pitch. Protesters had orange-coloured chalk and paint on their hands. However, the England and Australian players managed to protect the pitch from the two protesters.

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The incident took place just before the second over in Australia’s innings on Day 1 of the second Test. England captain Ben Stokes and Australian opener David Warner managed to stop one of the protestors. Wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow lifted the other protestor and dropped him near the boundary ropes.

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Three Oil Protestors Arrested – Reports

Following the brief interruption, ground staff cleared the scattered powder, and the match resumed after a five-minute delay. However, protesters faced consequences, as Metropolitan Police announced on Twitter that three individuals had been arrested and taken into custody shortly after the incident.

“We are aware of protesters on the Lord’s Cricket Ground pitch today. Police have arrested three people and taken them into custody,” the Metropolitan Police said on Twitter according to Reuters.

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We Wanted To Protect The Wicket – David Warner

Speaking at a press conference after Day 1, David Warner stated that the players decided to protect the pitch from protestors.

“In that instance, we wanted to protect the wicket. We were told to stand away and be careful,” David Warner told reporters.

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“We know what they are trying to do to the wicket, so for us, it was about protecting the wicket and the best interests of what we felt out there. I don’t know what that chalk could have done to the wicket, but it would have been a long delay,” he added.

The Pat Cummins-led team ended the day with a score of 339 runs for the loss of five wickets. David Warner provided a good start, scoring 66 runs in 88 balls. Steve Smith scored an unbeaten half century of 85 runs, following his two failures in the first Test in Birmingham.

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