In an incident involving Just Stop Oil activists, two protesters dashed onto the outfield from the Lord’s Grandstand simply moments earlier than Stuart Broad commenced the second over on the primary day of the match.
Despite the activists dispersing their signature orange powder on the grass, their efforts have been thwarted from reaching the pitch itself on account of Bairstow’s swift intervention. Promptly, the English cricketer seized one of many demonstrators and promptly eliminated them from the taking part in space, eliciting cheers from the spectators, whereas stewards managed to apprehend the opposite intruder.
A 3rd protester was promptly tackled earlier than even getting access to the outfield.
Tongue expressed his perception that had the pitch been tainted by the powder, the match would have suffered vital disruptions, probably resulting in its cancellation.
“I saw Jonny running after him. If they had put the powder on the wicket, who knows where the game would have been,” stated tempo bowler Tongue.
“Jonny doing what he did, who knows, the game could’ve been called off (otherwise).
“Bit of a hero to be truthful, if he did not cease him, they might’ve acquired on the pitch and accomplished one thing.”
Tongue, playing in only his second Test for England, admitted he would not have been as brave as Bairstow.
“I would not go in direction of them myself in case they’d anything on them,” he said.
Just Stop Oil, which wants an end to new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, has disrupted a series of sporting events, including the British Formula One Grand Prix and English Premiership rugby union final.
Protesters have tied themselves to goalposts during Premier League football matches and thrown orange powder on the green baize at the World Snooker Championship.
Just Stop Oil also delayed the England team bus taking the side to Lord’s for the Test against Ireland earlier this month.
Australia opener David Warner revealed his team had been warned about the potential for a pitch invasion from the activists.
But he didn’t expect Bairstow’s moment of crowd control because the players had been told not to get involved.
“We had been warned earlier than hand it would occur,” Warner said. “We did not actually know what to do. We have been advised to face away, not man-handle them like Jonny!”
The burly Bairstow seemed to handle the incident with no fear, but his bold actions could have ended in injury.
In 1982, Australia bowler Terry Alderman damaged his shoulder while tackling a fan who invaded the Perth pitch during an Ashes Test.
“We wished to guard the wicket, we did not need it broken,” Warner said. “It is a sensitive state of affairs. You do not need to be concerned in that, however the whole lot’s advantageous.”
After the protest drama, Australia were largely in control, reaching 339-5 at stumps following England’s decision to bowl first in overcast conditions.
Two wickets late in the day from off-spinner Joe Root gave England renewed hope.
“We have been actually unfortunate within the first hour, there have been plenty of play and misses. They may have been three or 4 wickets down,” said Tongue, who removed both of Australia’s openers.
“The two wickets Joe acquired have been essential. They have been scoring at an excellent price.”
Warner, who made 66 before being bowled by Tongue added: “It was fairly difficult, superb bowling circumstances. We felt they bowled extraordinarily properly with the brand new ball, swung round a bit.
“We stuck to our game-plan. All in all, I think it was a good day.”
(With inputs from AFP)
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com