It's just not cricket

PM's praise for England star who carried Off 'selfish' zealot

- Chris Riches

PRIME Minister Rishi Sunak has praised England wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow for not being stumped by Just Stop Oil activists and instead dragging one of them off the field.

Two eco-zealots ran onto the Lord's outfield and threw orange powder across the grass in front of the England fielders and Australian batsmen as the second Ashes Test began yesterday.

To cheers from the packed crowd, Bairstow grabbed one of the protesters and carried him off the field. England captain Ben Stokes stopped another protester getting on the pitch, assisted by other players.

The protest failed almost as soon as it -had started with Lord's ground staff using a petrol-powered leafblower to clean the powder off the outfield.

Mr Sunak's official spokesman said: "These selfish, guerrilla tactics that target events bringing joy to millions are exactly why the Government brought in new powers so the police can take swift action.