Australia Day protest forces Gabba venue into lockdown before play begins between Australia and West Indies
The Gabba was placed in lockdown ahead of day two of the Test between Australia and West Indies after protesters entered the Brisbane cricket venue.
Groups flying Palestinian and Aboriginal flags gathered outside the stadium on Friday, with police making at least two arrests about 90 minutes before day two was due to start.
Customers queuing were not allowed to enter, with staff informing them that the stadium was on lockdown.
Extra police were stationed outside the Gabba while the players arrived earlier than normal to avoid any potential disruption.
Waiting customers were banned from entering The Gabba ahead of day two of the Australia vs West Indies Test after protesters entered the Brisbane cricket venue
A Cricket Australia spokesperson confirmed that several protesters had entered the venue, temporarily increasing security, which those already in the stadium were apparently unaware of.
“There was a slight delay as police made sure everything was safe,” Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley told SEN Radio.
CA came under fire from some groups this week for not using the words ‘Australia Day’ in marketing around the Gabba Test.
The organization dropped the term from their marketing in 2021, when some Big Bash League clubs began wearing Indigenous-inspired strips during play on January 26.
The decision was opposed by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who said Cricket Australia should have “a little more focus on cricket and a little less focus on politics.”
Groups flying Palestinian and Aboriginal flags had gathered outside the stadium on Friday, with police making at least two arrests 90 minutes before day two was due to start.
But the governing body’s position was largely backed by cricket’s playing group, headlined by Test captain Pat Cummins and opener Steve Smith this week, calling for the date of the national celebration to be changed.
“It’s nothing different than everything we’ve done for the last four or five years,” Hockley said.
‘We’ve had some criticism this year, but also a huge amount of support… it’s a nice balance.
“We just encourage respectful debate.
“(In Cummins we have) a very talented individual, but (also) someone who knows himself very well, has a lot of confidence in his own skin.”
Opener Usman Khawaja has campaigned this summer in support of those affected by the conflict in Palestine, releasing a charity T-shirt and auctioning boots with the slogans ‘all lives are equal’ and ‘freedom is a human right ‘.
Plans to wear the boots in December’s opening Test against Pakistan fell through after his actions were found to have flouted International Cricket Council rules.
The 37-year-old, announced as the ICC Men’s Test Cricketer of the Year on Thursday, vowed to continue raising awareness and took to the crease with a bat etched with a dove of peace as he returned to Big Bash League duty. .