The final match of the World Cup 2023 witnessed a dramatic pause not only from the explosive cricket being played but also due to a protest that broke the security at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. On Sunday, November 19, Wayne Johnson, a Pro-Palestine supporter made headlines after he stormed the pitch during the high-stakes match. The local court has since remanded Johnson to custody for a one-day period lasting till 5 PM IST (Indian Standard Time) on November 21.
Wayne Johnson, an Australian of Chinese-Filipino heritage, was immediately picked up by the authorities after his protest and taken into custody at the Chand Kheda Police station. The news was confirmed by PTI (Press Trust of India). In the 14th over of the Indian team’s innings, just before the first drinks break was to be taken, Johnson managed to make his way to the pitch and approached Indian batting maestro Virat Kohli. His T-shirt bore the inscriptions “Free Palestine” and “Stop bombing Palestine”, indicating his intent to raise awareness about the Israel-Palestine conflict.
The game was held at bay momentarily, but quickly resumed. Fans were then treated to a competitive performance as Australia dominated on the field. Despite the interruption and under the pressure of Australia’s formidable pace attack, which included Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, the Indian batting lineup stumbled. Starc, a left-arm pacer and the spearhead of Australia’s bowling, was remarkable, clinching three wickets and yielding only 55 runs in his allotted 10 overs. His teammate Cummins also had a significant impact, taking two wickets, one of them being the critical dismissal of Virat Kohli who was then standing at a score of 54 from 63 balls.
Josh Hazlewood, although giving away 60 runs in 10 overs, made crucial breakthroughs for the team by taking the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja and Suryakumar Yadav. These important captures dashed the hopes of the Indian team to secure a high total, contradicting prospects of attaining a score range of 280 to 290.
As cricket fans grapple with this unexpected event that has overshadowed parts of the final match, many are actively following the repercussions that await Johnson for his sudden pitch invasion. While some admire his courage to stand up for a cause, others are focused on the ramifications of breaking the security protocol during an international sporting event, assessing that such acts not only pose a risk to the players but also interrupt the experience for fans around the world.
The World Cup 2023 has been pulsating with top 10 worthy moments, each match adding to the legacy of the tournament. The shock element of Johnson’s protest thus becomes an unusual addition to the already vibrant narrative of this year’s World Cup.
In other news, the cricket world continues to turn its wheels with Pakistan announcing its Test squad for the upcoming Australia tour, which introduces Shan Masood as their new captain. Moreover, the much-anticipated Legends League Cricket 2023 is just around the corner, with a full schedule, squads, broadcast, and live streaming details already being released for the ardent followers of the game.
While the focus is gradually shifting back to the on-field sportsmanship and anticipation for future matches, this incident has indeed left an indelible mark on the World Cup 2023, reminding us of the intertwined nature of sports and social causes, and the extensive visibility that international events can provide to activist movements – even those sparking from unanticipated corners of a cricket stadium.