The threat of Just Stop Oil causing disruption to the Ashes series materialised today, as, after just one over of the match, two protestors ran onto the field. Both were carrying the trademark orange powder paint which was also used by the group to disrupt the the World Snooker Championships at The Crucible earlier this year.

Bairstow, however, took a typically no-nonsense approach to the interruption. One of the two men who ran onto the field was brought to the ground by stewards before he could reach the pitch, Bairstow took on the other one-on-one. He ran straight towards the protestor and picked him cleanly up off the ground, before marching with him in his arms off the field. When he reached the boundary, he dumped him over the rope to be dealt with by the stewards.

The protestor seemingly knew better than to resist Bairstow’s grip and didn’t try to break free, settling instead for a defiant raised-arm salute. While thankfully no harm came to any of the players on the field, Bairstow’s whites were soiled with orange paint, meaning there was a delay to play getting back underway as he went back up to the dressing room to change.

This is Bairstow’s latest show of displeasure at disruption from Just Stop Oil. When England played Ireland at Lord’s earlier in the month, he posted a photo on his Instagram story of protestors holding up the team bus on the way to the ground. He captioned the photo: “If we’re a bit late it’s not our fault,” adding some facepalm emojis.

&Watch: Jonny Bairstow carries protestor off the field after Just Stop Oil pitch invasion

😭 pic.twitter.com/W0nVIuPjRq

— Ollie (@cricollie) June 28, 2023

Good start to the 2nd test.
Bairstow has done some heavy lifting already😂😂 #Ashes2023 pic.twitter.com/f0JcZnCvEr

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) June 28, 2023

A brief delay at Lord's due to protestors invading the pitch, but they're swiftly dealt with – with Jonny Bairstow helping remove one of them from the field. pic.twitter.com/xkp315Y9I2

— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) June 28, 2023