Lord’s is under lockdown for the third Test between India and England, thanks to big crowds, high stakes and past issues.
Firstly, there are more security guards and fans are being checked randomly. Some guards are undercover in the crowd. The point is to stop protests or pitch invasions which have been happening more often.
During the Ashes 2023 series, a Just Stop Oil protester ran onto the field and threw orange paint and stopped the game. Officials don’t want that to happen again.
So, no flags or banners are allowed in the ground. Protection for players has been increased, mostly around the pavilion. Last year, some MCC members verbally abused Australian cricketers, especially Alex Carey, for running out Jonny Bairstow in a way many thought was unfair. A few MCC members were banned and the distance between players and members was increased for safety.
Lord’s is full for this Test match with the biggest crowd in two years. Over 30,000 fans are expected daily and many Indian fans are spending a lot of money to be here. So it makes sense that officials are being careful.
While security is a big concern, the game on the field has been exciting. England won the toss and chose to bat but had to work hard for every run as India’s bowlers were playing well in swinging conditions.
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Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett started slowly but both were out in the same over by Nitish Reddy who was playing his first match. Joe Root and Ollie Pope then added 109 runs.
After tea, Ravindra Jadeja got Pope out on the first ball for 44 and Jasprit Bumrah removed the dangerous Harry Brook. India tried to come back but Root (99*) and Ben Stokes (39*) held firm and added 79 runs and put England in a good position at the end of the day.
India will try to take early wickets on Day 2 with the new ball which is only three overs old.
