Australia banned fans from entering the Gabba due to protests. The start of Day 2 of the second Test against the West Indies was also under threat due to the Australian Day protest.
According to Code Sports, three fans triggered a security alert. One of them shouted: “We are on stolen land … always has been and always will be.”
The spectators were identified by security personnel but Cricket Australia took the precautionary measure of temporarily banning fans from entering the Gabba.
Several people protested outside the stadium were monitored by police and one was arrested.
Broadcaster channels were not allowed to function and all the journalists were removed from the playing area. However, they were given permission to resume their work after a while.
Australian players arrived an hour early to avoid getting stuck in protest. Some of the Cricket Australia officials didn’t wear team kit.
Not happy with playing surface
Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon were unhappy with the playing surface after Australia failed to dismiss West Indies on Day 1 of the second Test.
From 5-64, the visitors reached 8-266 after Kavem Hodge and Joshua Da Silva added 149 runs for the sixth wicket.
Mitchell Starc, who took 4 wickets, completed 350 scalps in Test cricket.
“The Pink Ball went soft pretty early over here. The wicket is not ideal for the bowlers. This is not what we expect as a team in a day-night Test,” Mitchell Starc said.
Lyon echoed his sentiments. “I could get in trouble. It is my personal opinion. The best ground to play a day-night Test is Adelaide Oval. It is good for the contest between the bat and ball. The wicket in Brisbane is good for a red-ball match,” he said.
Gabba curator David Sandurski didn’t leave much grass to avoid the match finishing in two or three days. The last game between Australia and South Africa finished inside two days.