Metropolitan Police have confirmed three Just Stop Oil protestors have been arrested for aggravated trespassing after disrupting the Ashes Test at Lord's.
The activists ran onto the field at Lord's and attempted to spread orange powder across the pitch. England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow picked up one of the protesters and carried him towards the boundary, while captain Ben Stokes stopped another.
Some of the powder landed on the square at Lord's, but it was soon cleared up by ground staff and play resumed. It is the latest major sporting event to be disrupted by Just Stop Oil after rugby union's Premiership final and the World Snooker Championship.
Just Stop Oil were established last year and are calling for the UK Government to stop licensing all new oil, gas and coal projects. Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who own Lord's, have condemned the action "in the strongest possible terms".
Metropolitan Police released a statement on Wednesday morning's protest. "We are aware of protesters on the Lord's Cricket Ground pitch today, Wednesday, 28 June," It read. "Police have arrested three people and taken them into custody. Updates to follow."
The Ashes Test was just one over old when the protests entered the field from the Grandstand at Lord's. Bairstow was forced to leave the field to change his white shirt and wicketkeeping gloves after being covered in orange powder.
What's your opinion on Just Stop Oil? Let us know in the comments below!
MCC's CEO Guy Lavender has said: "MCC condemn in the strongest possible terms today's pitch incursion and 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."
Just Stop Oil have defender their actions in a lengthy statement. A 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.
"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 judgement and expert advice."
