Jonny Bairstow seemed prepared for the catch of the Ashes.
A pitch invader spotted on the charge. A rapid reaction from the England player.
Matters taken into his own hands to limit the disruption at Lord’s on the first day of the second test.
There was enough notice his intervention might be required.
From the World Snooker Championships in Sheffield to the Rugby Premiership final at Twickenham, powder protests have become the hallmark of Just Stop Oil.
So it seemed all too familiar when the genteel surroundings of the “Home of Cricket” were disturbed by the unfamiliar figure heading towards the square.
Even from a distance, it was clear Bairstow had picked up the protester – not missing a chance for a show of strength. Dragging him towards the boundary.
Across the outfield, Ben Stokes was a less formidable barrier to the second emerging threat.
Quickly another cloud of orange powder appeared – defiling the grass.
But they were quickly wrestled away and the vacuums could get to work removing all trace of the protests.
Just Stop Oil had already made its mark.
Why they particularly targeted the prestige cricket series of the year – beyond securing maximum attention – was less obviously clear.
A cricket banking sponsor’s funding of fossil fuel companies emerged as the justification.
The booing inside Lord’s is unlikely to deter Just Stop Oil from unleashing their powder pouches at another sporting event soon.
Spoiling the spectator experience – and being arrested themselves – is deemed worth it to pressure the government to stop issuing new licences for oil, gas and coal projects.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
But Bairstow has shown the hands-on approach to curtailing the campaigning. Even if no-one in sport or security would officially recommend it.
The Lord’s stewards won’t be the last to be caught out by activists on a mission.
It’s almost as if they were prepared.
