Australia media and England security get into ugly spat at the Adelaide and Brisbane airports respectively.
England security in airport clashes with Australia media.
As the touring party began to feel the spotlight ahead of a crucial third Ashes Test, England’s security personnel got into fights with local reporters in Brisbane and Adelaide on Saturday.
The first instance included security addressing a Channel 7 camera operator at the airport in Brisbane. The broadcaster’s footage shows the security guy shoving the camera operator away as he tries to get a close-up look at the players. The players had driven down from Noosa, where they had been taking a mid-series break. After England lost at the Gabba last week and fell behind 2-0 in the Ashes, the trip itself was mocked.
A local journalist attempted a copycat stunt after the delegation landed in Adelaide, where the third Test would start on Wednesday. Ben Stokes and managing director Rob Key quickly put an end to it before security intervened once more.
Cricket Australia’s directive to all media during the series is that both teams should be respected when traveling between Tests, including at airports. All CA media briefing documents for the series contain the following: “The Australian and England teams will not be available for interview while in transit between matches during the NRMA Ashes series. All airport, hotel and transit is vision only, to be captured from a respectful distance.”
In a statement, Channel 7 said: “While conducting routine filming in a public space, the camera operator was physically confronted despite acting respectfully and professionally. The safety and wellbeing of our staff is paramount. This matter is being taken seriously and is now being managed through the appropriate channels.”