Gary Lineker has jokingly requested if the Just Stop Oil protesters can bowl for England as Ben Stokes‘ aspect struggled on the primary day of the second Ashes Test. The match was briefly delayed shortly after play commenced on Wednesday and the Match of the Day presenter has taken a dig at England’s efficiency.
Three protesters ran onto the Lord’s outfield only one over into the day’s play. Orange powder was thrown however the gamers prevented any of the substance from getting on the 22-yard strip.
Wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow took issues into his personal palms and carried one of many protesters off the pitch. Stokes additionally stopped one other from getting onto the wicket.
Groundstaff hoovered up the powder earlier than play might re-commence a number of minutes later. The Metropolitan Police have made three arrests for what has turn out to be a typical protest at sporting occasions.
England had chosen to area first after shedding the primary Test at Edgbaston final week. The hosts have been hoping for a constructive begin as they try to win again the Urn.
However, there was only one wicket earlier than lunch and only a additional one by the tea interval regardless of beneficial bowling circumstances. Lineker could not assist himself from making a jibe in direction of the under-performing England group.
He responded to a tweet which reported the incident from earlier within the day. He joked: “Can he bowl please?”, referring to one of many protesters.
Australia have been rampant at 190-2 on the time of Lineker’s tweet. The vacationers’ two greatest batters Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have been placing England to the sword.
England did get a wicket shortly after tea when Ollie Robinson had Labuschagne caught behind. That solely introduced Travis Head to the crease, who scored a blistering 77 off simply 73 balls. Former captain Joe Root, taking part in as England’s sole spinner, got here up with the products late on to get each Head and Cameron Green within the area of 4 balls. But it was very a lot Australia’s day after being inserted as they reached 339-5, with Steve Smith unbeaten on 85.
The Met Police, in the meantime, confirmed in a press release that arrests had been made following the protest. The assertion learn: “We are aware of protesters on the Lord’s Cricket Ground pitch today, Wednesday, 28 June. Police have arrested three people and taken them into custody. Updates to follow.”
Despite the protestors stealing the headlines, England have been unable to flee Kevin Pietersen’s wrath as the previous batsman laid into the house aspect following a below-par displaying. He stated: “It’s just not good enough, it really isn’t. These guys are expected to bowl Australia out today and it’s just getting sloppy. Not enough balls in the right area. And the speeds haven’t been up.
“(Ollie) Robinson, in his first couple of spells, was bowling at 78 miles an hour and David Warner was sweeping him. It all simply seems to be somewhat bit too simple right here for Australia.”
He added: “Not quite a bit has caught my eye from an English perspective, it has been shambolic. Absolutely shambolic. You have overhead circumstances, you might have a wicket that fits your bowlers and you’ve got bowlers working in at 78, 79mph. Now it’s one factor to have, strolling right here and swanning round and saying ‘hey this can be a fantastic group to play in, we’re creating the very best atmosphere’.
“But this is not Ashes cricket. I’ve played Ashes cricket, I’ve played 13 Test matches against Australia. The Australians were out here to bat before the English bowlers. The English bowlers this morning should have been on those stairs saying ‘we want to bowl at Australia, we are desperate to bowl at Australia’.”
