Rifle-carrying police, flag at half-mast: Bondi terror tragedy leaves a shadow on Ashes Test cricket at Adelaide

As the first day of the Test began, SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said every bag would be searched as they entered the Oval each day.

“The Test match in Adelaide is the first major event in Australia since the tragic incident at Bondi,” Commissioner Stevens said. “So we are exercising that level of vigilance as a reassurance piece and also to make sure that we’re taking advantage of all the authorities available to police to provide a safe and secure environment.”

A moment’s silence at Adelaide Oval was held prior to the start of play to pay respect to the victims of the Bondi tragedy. Singer-songwriter John Williamson led a moving rendition of his popular “True Blue”, which portrays Australians from all backgrounds sharing the same hopes and aspirations. Marnus Labuschagne was seen with his eyes closed, while Nathan Lyon looked on the brink of tearing up.

The police commissioner stressed there was no specific intelligence that suggested any higher level of threat for the South Australian community but just that they wanted to be extra careful.”We are doing this as a measure to reassure the community of South Australia that they are safe when attending the Test,” he said.

“It will be obvious to people attending that there are extra police in and around the venue, particularly around on the outside of the perimeter. You will see our security response section personnel in and about the venue every single day of the Test, and they will be carrying rifles as they are trained and authorised to do so.”

Cricket Australia’s chief executive officer Todd Greenberg said in a statement that it was a tragic time for all Australians. ”While sport can seem insignificant at times like this, we have the unusual opportunity to bring millions of people together to pay tribute, to console and to contemplate what we want our nation to be,” Greenberg said.

Former England captain and a commentator now Michael Vaughan was at the Bondi beach when the episode happenned. “Yesterday was a surreal day that I don’t really want to go through again. I’m deeply saddened by everything that has gone on. To be 300 yards away, in a pub locked away, scary times.” I look at Bondi and Sydney in particular – it’s like my second home. Australia is an amazing country, and it’s probably one of the countries in the whole world where I always say it’s the safest. It’s the safest place,” Vaughan told the BBC.

The cricket boards of England and Australia released a joint statement, paying their tributes to those who lost their lives in the attacks on Sunday.
“Everybody at Cricket Australia and the England & Wales Cricket Board is horrified by the tragic events at Bondi Beach yesterday evening. All of our thoughts are with the victims, their friends and families, the Jewish community and the people of Australia at this deeply distressing time. Our condolences go out to all those affected. We stand with you,” the statement said.