Cricket fans were briefly disallowed from entering the Gabba on Friday afternoon after the Brisbane venue went into lockdown following a security breach.
Invasion Day protesters converged outside Gate 2 ahead of day two of the pink-day Test between Australia and the West Indies, holding signs that read “No Justice, No Sport”.
According to witnesses, at least two protesters entered the venue through Gate 1, which triggered a security alert and forced Cricket Australia to put the Gabba into lockdown as a precautionary measure. Broadcasters Channel 7 and Foxtel were asked to vacate the playing surface, while staff inside the Gabba weren’t permitted to leave the facility or walk between sections of the venue.
Once Queensland Police and security staff were satisfied the situation was under control, the gates opened and patrons began entering the venue. The lockdown only lasted about ten minutes, and the match started on time.
“The security staff and the police did a fantastic job,” CA chief executive Nick Hockley told SEN on Friday afternoon.
“That has been appropriately handled.”
During the first over of the day, another protester holding an Aboriginal flag entered the field of play, lying down in the outfield before security staff escorted them off the ground.
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Around 100 protesters with megaphones confronted police outside the Gabba, chanting “What’s today? Invasion Day” and “Always was, always will be”. Other signs read “We are better than the British bloody Empire” and “No pride in genocide”.
Most of the protesters dispersed once play got underway at 2pm local time.
It comes after thousands of Invasion Day protesters filled Brisbane’s CBD on Friday morning, demanding a change to the date of Australia Day.
CA’s decision to schedule the second Test between Australia and the West Indies on January 26 caused a stir within the sporting community.
“We have received criticism this year, but we have also received a huge amount of support,” Hockley continued.
“It is a really fine balance. We just try to be as sensitive and respectful to everyone as we possibly can.”
On Tuesday, Australian Test captain Pat Cummins called for the public holiday’s date to be changed.
“I absolutely love Australia. It is the best country in the world by a mile,” Cummins said.
“We should have an Australia Day, but we can probably find a more appropriate day to celebrate it.
“Once you start realising January 26 and why it is chosen, Australia Day is meant to be a celebration of everything Australia and our history.
“We could choose a better date.”
Australian vice-captain Steve Smith echoed Cummins’ comments on Wednesday: “As Australians, you want all Australians to celebrate that day, and all Australians don’t the way it is at the moment.”
Meanwhile, CA backflipped on its decision not to acknowledge the public holiday at the Gabba on Friday, with a ground announcer referring to ‘Australia Day’ while recognising the day meant different things to different people.
The West Indies were 8-266 at stumps on day one of the Gabba Test.
