England star drags invader off in bizarre Ashes delay

The second Test of the Ashes started in truly bizarre circumstances after ground invaders caused at least five minutes delay.

After James Anderson’s first over was completed, Stuart Broad was at the top of his mark ready to bowl at Usman Khawaja.

A significant disruption then occurred with two protesters storming onto the field at Lord’s.

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The culprits, who appeared to throw about orange powder, wore Just Stop Oil t-shirts, an environmental activist group from the UK.

England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow picked up one of the protesters and dragged them off Lord’s.

Bairstow then had to head into the change room, presumably to swap his clothes. 

Groundkeepers were forced to use a leaf blower to remove the orange powder from the ground, which managed to not reach the pitch.

Pictures also showed one protester confronting David Warner and Ben Stokes before they were tackled by two members of security.

“You never want to see that … disappointing start,” Aaron Finch said on Nine’s coverage. 

The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting a third protester was stopped before getting on to the ground, having emerged from the eastern side of the ground.

Australia’s players had been briefed by the ECB on the possibility of Just Stop Oil protests before the series.

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