POWDER PUFF

Bairstow tackles protester but bowlers can't stop the Aussies

- MIKE WALTERS

JONNY BAIRSTOW foiled Just Stop Oil anarchists' attempted sabotage at Lord's but England's Ashes hopes went up in a puff of orange dust.

On a day of drama and disappointment in the second Test, Bairstow was hailed as a hero by team-mates for grabbing a protester and carrying him 50 yards off the pitch.

But England's bowlers were branded shambolic by ex-skipper Kevin Pietersen as the Aussies reached 339-5 after being put into bat, with nemesis Steve Smith ominously unbeaten on 85.

Bairstow reacted fast when eco-warriors tried to spread their signature orange powder on the strip, with England skipper Ben Stokes helping to block another interloper.