Just Stop Oil protesters briefly disrupt Ashes cricket test between England and Australia

Two protesters from the Just Stop Oil group ran onto the field at Lords and briefly disrupted play about five minutes after the start of the second Ashes test between England and Australia today.

The environmental activists tried to spread orange powder on the field but the England and Australia players intervened.

England's Ben Stokes grabs a Just Stop Oil protester, during day one of the second Ashes Test cricket match at Lord's Cricket Ground. Photo / AP

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow tackled one protester and carried the person about 50 metres before leaving him in the hands of security over the boundary hoardings. England captain Ben Stokes and Australia batter David Warner corralled the other protester.

Some orange powder was released but only on the grass, away from the pitch.

Security grab a Just Stop Oil protester during day one of the second Ashes Test cricket match at Lord's Cricket Ground. Photo / AP

“Police have arrested three people and taken them into custody,” London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement.

Bairstow went to the England changing room to clean himself of some powder, Lord’s staff quickly cleaned up what little orange fell on the grass, and play resumed about five minutes later.

Are you watching @leedsrhinos 👀#Ashes pic.twitter.com/AB64rimeXH

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MCC statement from CEO Guy Lavender: pic.twitter.com/UXj8gQ4bvk

— Lord's Cricket Ground (@HomeOfCricket) June 28, 2023

Just Stop Oil protesters have disrupted other major sporting events in Britain this year. They held up the England team bus briefly during the test against Ireland in London this month, and have targeted Premier League soccer matches, the Premiership rugby final at Twickenham, and the world snooker championship in Sheffield.

The activists want the British government to stop new fuel licensing and production.

England's Ben Stokes and Australia's David Warner (right), watch a protester pushed to the ground during day one of the second Ashes Test match at Lord's Cricket Ground. Photo / AP