Play had to be stopped for a brief while during Day 1 of the ongoing second Ashes Test match at the Lord's in London on Wednesday. The disruption happened after two climate change protesters who identified themselves with the activist group Just Stop Oil, invaded the pitch carrying orange powder paint. However, they could not reach the pitch and were stopped by the players and security officials. The incident happened before the start of the second over of the match itself when two men who had worn Just Stop Oil t-shirts came onto the ground running from the Grand Stand.
The protesters managed to get past the security and were running towards the playing surface. However, while one of them was stopped from reaching the pitch by Ben Stokes and David Warner before stewards got hold of him, the other was not only picked up but even lifted off the pitch by Jonny Bairstow. Both the protesters were taken away by police. After the incident, the MCC groundstaff were quick to sweep up and blow off the powder paint that had spilled on the field. Bairstow too ran and came back after having donned a fresh jersey. There was, in total, a delay of about six minutes due to the pitch invaders.
This is not the first time that Just Stop Oil, which happens to be a combination of environmental action group, have tried to stop or pause some high-profile sporting event to draw attention to their cause. They have made apperances in Premier League football matches and were spotted even at the final of the rugby union's Premiership as well as the World Snooker Championship. However, this was perhaps their first attempt at disrupting a significant cricket game. While the sport was perhaps anticipating a disruption from the group, the protestors still managed to make it onto the pitch and delay the game.