Now Just Stop Oil target the Ashes: Jonny Bairstow carries eco-zealot off the pitch
Activists from invaded the pitch at in on Wednesday and threw orange powder across the grass - as England's Jonny Bairstow was seen picking up one of the protesters and carrying them off the pitch. Ahead of the second over of the morning session at Lord's, two Just Stop Oil protesters raced onto the pitch and attempted to throw orange paint across the main playing area. Jonny Bairstow showed officers how to deal with the saboteurs as he took matters into his own hands, to the delight of fans at the ground. Meanwhile England captain Ben Stokes stopped the other protester as he guarded the pitch closely, assisted by other players. Today marks the first day of the Ashes 2nd Test match between England and Australia at Lord's Cricket Ground. The protesters are believed to have had tickets for the event, and ran onto the pitch from seats in the crowd. It follows similar disruptive action to snooker games at the Crucible earlier this year, as amid the climate crisis. It was not the first time Bairstow has got hands-on at the Ashes - after allegedly headbutting a member of the opposing team at a bar in 2017. Three people were arrested at the scene on suspicion of aggravated trespass and public nuisance, the Metropolitan Police said. Superintendent Gerry Parker, Metropolitan Police Service, said:'Today has yet again seen more criminal and disruptive behaviour by Just Stop Oil. Three of its members forced the cricket match at Lord's Cricket Ground to stop play by running onto the outfield and opening a bag of powder dye. 'Entering the field of play is reckless and potentially endangers those who are playing, working within the stadium and the protesters themselves. 'We will not tolerate criminal or anti-social behaviour. There are consequences for those who engage in criminal acts. If caught, you will be arrested and our specialist detectives will thoroughly investigate and ensure we have the strongest evidence against you for prosecution.' The two young people who burst onto the pitch were both wearing white t-shirts that identified them as eco-activists from Just Stop Oil. Marshals and players were quick to respond, and the protesters were swiftly removed from the area. Jonny Bairstow ran straight up to one of the activists and simply picked them up in his arms as he walked towards security marshals at the edge of the spectator stands. As he reached them he handed the protester over and returned to the pitch. Bairstow did then have to briefly leave the field to change his top, after it was covered in orange powder, before returning ahead of Broad starting his spell from the Nursery End. The second activist was tackled by security staff in bright blue jackets before being escorted off the pitch. Although the duo did succeed in throwing some orange paint, they were blocked from throwing it onto the batting area by players from both England and Australia. Police were pictured carrying the protesters out of the grounds shortly afterwards. A statement from the Metropolitan Police said: 'We are aware of protesters on the Lord's Cricket Ground pitch today, Wednesday, 28 June. Police have arrested three people and taken them into custody.' Speaking on BBC's Test Match Special, commentator Jonathan Agnew said: 'Oh no, I don't like the look of this. We've got people running on. This is terrible. 'Bairstow's there. Orange smoke and dust. They're trying to keep them off the pitch, protesters two of them. They've managed to keep them off the pitch. 'Jonny Bairstow is taken one the protesters off, carrying him towards the grandstand. Another one is prostate on the ground. 'They haven't managed to damage the pitch but they've thrown some orange stuff around. We have been expecting this, but their mission to wreck the test has been unsuccessful and they're being taken away.' He added: 'Jonny Bairstow's dander was up there, he was like a flanker. Let's hope this doesn't happen again, let's hope that's the one attack on the Ashes this year.' Ricky Ponting, speaking in the Sky Sports studio, felt for the players after the hotly-anticipated match was halted so early in the battle. 'As a batter in the build-up you just want to get out there and under way. Delays are not ideal for anyone,' he said. 'The batters just need to put something like this out of their mind.' Bairstow ran into trouble at the Ashes in 2017 after it was reported he had 'headbutted' Australia's Cameron Bancroft during a night out in Perth. It was said at the time that members of the Test squad bumped into Australian players, and that Bairstow's head at one point connected with the side of Mr Bancroft's. But no formal action took place, with a swift apology said to have been made. After today's incident, groundskeepers were then seen sweeping the field so that play can get back underway. Downing Street said the situation at Lord's was 'unusual', in response to questions about whether other citizens should follow England cricketer Jonny Bairstow's lead in tackling protesters. 'I think, obviously, there is a reason we empowered the police to take action, and that's what we see day-to-day,' the Prime Minister's official spokesman said. 'Obviously these were unusual circumstances.' Later, Mr Sunak's official spokesman said: '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. 'The Prime Minister is pleased play was able to resume quickly and thanks security staff, the swift hands of Jonny Bairstow and other England players who stepped in.' Watching at home, cricket fans were quick to praise the wicket keeper's quick-thinking. One said: 'Dear Met Police - please take note from Jonny Bairstow.' In response to the Just Stop Oil protest at the Lord's cricket Test, Energy Secretary Grant Shapps said: 'I will never surrender our economy and security to these anarchist stunts.' In a reference to the Labour Party - which has accepted donations from Just Stop Oil backer Dale Vince - Mr Shapps said: 'Labour might have surrendered to Just Stop Oil but England never will.' It comes as the Met Police confirmed that eight of 28 people arrested in Canary Wharf after a energy firm's head office was sprayed with orange and black paint had been charged with offences. The remaining 20 people have been released on bail. Those charged were aged between 19 and 28. Two people were put in the back of Met Police vans outside Lord's Cricket Ground after play was disrupted by a Just Stop Oil (JSO) protest. Both vans arrived with sirens sounding and lights flashing outside the Grace Gates on Wednesday. In separate action at the cricket ground on Wednesday, Just Stop Oil praised environmentalists who held a large banner which read: 'JP Morgan stop bankrolling new oil and gas.' In a statement on social media with a picture of the banner, Just Stop Oil said: 'We don't know who these people are but we [love] them.' A 69-year-old grandmother was named by Just Stop Oil as one of the three protesters arrested at Lord's during the second Ashes Test on Wednesday. In a statement, the group named Judit, a grandmother of seven from Epsom, Surrey. She is quoted as saying: 'My family were refugees from Hungary in 1956 when I was a young child. 'I despair for all the desperate people who have to leave their homes and countries because they are no longer able to feed their families or eke out a livelihood. 'It is estimated that there will be over 1.2 billion displaced people by 2050 because of the climate emergency. 'I have worked in environmental education since the 1980's. We knew about the dangers of global warming then, yet nothing much has happened. 'I have to take action for my seven beautiful grandchildren. I can't bear to imagine the suffering that they will have to endure because of this Government continuing to licence new oil, coal and gas, against all better judgment and expert advice.' Earlier this month, the England cricket team's coach was held up by Just Stop Oil protestors ahead of their Test match against Ireland at Lord's. And Bairstow shared a photo on his Instagram story showing demonstrators in the middle of the road captioned: 'If we're a bit late it's not our fault.' Just Stop Oil have targeted a number of sporting events this year including the snooker World Championships in Sheffield and the rugby Premiership final at Twickenham while Wimbledon, which begins next week, is expected to be another target for them in an attempt to raise awareness for their cause. The climate change group has been staging daily protests since April 24, disrupting other high profile events including the Chelsea Flower Show, as well as holding daily slow marches on major London roads. On Monday, Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist told LBC that policing the action has cost 5.5 million since April alone, on top of the 7.5 million spent policing the series of protests JSO staged between last October and December. Earlier this month, protest laws were tightened up to allow officers to intervene earlier where protesters are marching in the road, forcing them onto the pavement where disruption is felt to be more than minor. 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? 'We can no longer afford to distract ourselves when the sports we play, the food we eat, and the culture we cherish is at risk.' '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. 'When our children ask us 'what did we do' to avert this crisis, we better have a good answer.' The Marylebone Cricket Club, who own Lord's Cricket Ground, released a statement condemning the actions of the protestors. MCC CEO, Guy Lavender, said: 'MCC condemn in the strongest possible terms today's pitch incursion and with the behaviour of the protestors involved. 'Their actions not only endanger themselves and those who work at the ground, but they have consistently shown complete disregard for the people who pay to attend events, not just here at Lord's but around the country at other sporting venues.'