Ashes protester explains disruption as 69-year-old grandma among those involved

Just Stop Oil have released a statement explaining their decision to disrupt the second Ashes Test between England and Australia after three people were arrested following the incident on Tuesday morning. Two protesters were seen invading the pitch before throwing orange powder across the field of play at Lord’s, while England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow took matters into his own hands by dragging one of the activists off.

A brief delay followed as ground staff used leaf blowers to clear the orange powder from the grass, with proceedings getting back underway after a stoppage of just a few minutes. The incident took place as Stuart Broad was preparing to bowl England’s second over of the day after Jimmy Anderson had taken the new ball for the first over.

Judit, a 69-year-old grandmother from Epsom, has since explained her decision to get involved in the protest via a statement on the Just Stop Oil website. She said: “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 1980s. 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.”

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Just Stop Oil added: “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.”

It was later revealed that three people had been arrested following the incident, which was the latest in a string of Just Stop Oil protests targeting major sporting events. The group disrupted the World Snooker Championship and Premiership Rugby final earlier this year, while Animal Rising activists wreaked havoc at the Grand National back in April and the Epsom Derby at the start of this month.

A spokesperson for the Marylebone Cricket Club responded to Tuesday’s protest at Lord’s by telling Sky News: “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.”

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