EXCLUSIVE: Sky Sports enlist BODYGUARDS to protect Australian pundits at Headingley after England fans’ anger was directed at them at Lord’s
- Sky will deploy bodyguards to protect Australian pundits after Lord’s debacle
- Fans were known to voice their opinions to Ricky Ponting in London
- While Ponting is not in Leeds, Mark Taylor and Mel Jones will both be protected
Sky will bring in bodyguards to protect their Australian experts when the controversial Ashes series resumes at Headingley on Thursday.
Amid toxic scenes at Lord’s – triggered by the controversial dismissal of Jonny Bairstow – ex-Aussie captain Ricky Ponting was barricaded by angry onlookers while working for the broadcaster in the outfield.
And after Mail Sport revealed that security at the Yorkshire home needs to be beefed up after concerns things could boil over in what will be a hostile environment, Sky have decided to take measures of their own.
It is clear that the broadcaster will deploy its own security guards to look after ex-Aussie opener Mark Taylor and former Australian female star Mel Jones. Ponting will not be at the third test and will instead be on a trip to France with his family.
The move is being taken as a precaution by Sky, keen to ensure the safety of their talent. While there is confidence that the increased security will not be necessary, the move highlights heightened tensions ahead of the match.
Sky’s Australian pundits Mark Taylor (2nd from left) and Mel Jones (4th from left) are protected in Leeds
Ricky Ponting has been targeted by fans at Lord’s but he will be absent for the third Test this week
The broadcaster expects further reactions from Headingley after last week’s incidents
Bairstow’s dismissal from Yorkshire – and Australian captain Pat Cummins’ failure to recall him – was greeted with outrage by many in attendance at Lord’s.
Three MCC members were suspended after, in extraordinary scenes, the tourists were berated as they left the field for lunch. With England chasing an improbable victory, Bairstow ducked under a boundary and marked his crease before wandering downfield to speak to batting partner Ben Stokes, believing the ball dead and the over complete.
However, Aussie keeper Alex Carey threw down the stumps and the disbelieving Yorkshireman was forced to leave. Stokes, the England captain, and Joe Root have subsequently said they would have acted differently if the situation had been reversed.
There will be an increased police presence in Headingley, with a particular focus on the often rough Western Terrace. Officials must also take steps to prevent Just Stop Oil protesters from invading the pitch, as they did at Lord’s with specially trained sprinter stewards on the watch.