Cricket Australia (CA) and the England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) on Monday put up a united stance with a joint statement expressing solidarity with the victims of the Bondi Beach terrorist attack.
A gun attack on a Jewish Hanukkah celebration at Sydney’s Bondi Beach on Sunday evening killed 15 people, including a 10-year-old girl, and injured dozens after assailants opened fire on a crowd of about 1,000. Police said a father and son were responsible, with the father killed in a shootout and the son critically wounded, leading authorities to declare it a terrorist attack that drew strong domestic and international condemnation.
“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.
Australia captain Pat Cummins issues a separate statement, urging his countrymen to donate blood.
“Absolutely devastated by the horror last night in Bondi. My heart goes out to the victims, their families, the people of Bondi and our Jewish community during this time. If you can, please book an appointment to donate blood,” he wrote on social media.
The incident happened only days before the start of the third Ashes Test in Adelaide. Flags at the Adelaide Oval have been hoisted at half-mast while security has been tightened.
“There is a major event occurring in South Australia starting on Wednesday with the Ashes Test match at Adelaide Oval,” South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said on Monday. “As is always the case with any major event, particularly those at Adelaide Oval, there are ongoing risk assessments that occur in the lead up to these events.
“Given the events that have occurred yesterday in Sydney, there will be additional protocols put in place at Adelaide Oval. This is done only as a precautionary measure, but it is appropriate that we are at a crescent sense of alertness just at the moment for the time being.
“I want to thank South Australian Police for their already active engagement with Adelaide Oval management in that regard.”
