Ashes 2023: Yorkshire deploy ‘sprint stewards’ at Headingley to stop Just Stop Oil group from pitch invasion

Headingley Stadium. (Photo Source: Twitter)

Security concerns have prompted Yorkshire Cricket Club to enhance safety measures ahead of the third Ashes Test at Headingley. The decision comes after a pitch invasion during the Lord’s Test, where three individuals were charged with aggravated trespass. Daniel Knorr, 21, and Jacob Bourne, 26, managed to breach security and ran onto the field carrying orange powder paint, while Judit Murray, 69, was apprehended before reaching the playing surface.

Despite the security lapse, players defied England and Wales Cricket Board’s security briefings and intervened quickly to prevent the protesters from disrupting the match. Among those who took action were David Warner, Ben Stokes, and Jonny Bairstow. Knorr, Bourne, and Murray have been granted bail and will appear in Westminster Magistrates Court on July 31.

Just Stop Oil, a coalition of environmental action groups, orchestrated the pitch invasion as part of their ongoing campaign. This coalition has previously disrupted several high-profile sporting events in the UK, including Premier League football matches, the Premiership rugby union final, and the World Snooker Championship. The group criticized Lord’s Cricket Ground for its sponsorship deal with JP Morgan Chase, labelling it as “the world’s worst ‘fossil bank'” in reference to the 2021 report ‘Banking on Climate Chaos’.

In response to the incident, Yorkshire Cricket Club has employed a team of agile “Sprinter stewards” to prevent potential damage to the pitch if protesters manage to breach the initial perimeter security. The club emphasized its commitment to ensuring the safety and enjoyment of all visitors during the Ashes Test. They will work closely with ECB and West Yorkshire Police to implement proportionate safety measures for the fixture.

Australia skipper Pat Cummins not in favour of disruptive protests to solve climate issues

England captain Ben Stokes and Australian counterpart Pat Cummins anticipate a boisterous atmosphere at Headingley. Stokes compared the anticipated crowd support to the passionate Australian fans at the Melbourne Cricket Ground during Ashes matches. Cummins, who supports climate action and carbon neutrality in cricket, suggested that there are alternative ways to advocate for change rather than disruptive protests.

Cricket fans are anxiously awaiting the battle between these two cricketing giants, with tickets for all five days of the Leeds Test having sold out. As the spotlight switches to Headingley, the emphasis will be on the increased security measures put in place to ensure a smooth and uninterrupted event. The Yorkshire Cricket Club is determined to provide a memorable and incident-free Ashes experience, putting players, officials, and fans’ safety first.