Ashes 2025-26: Cricket Australia, ECB share grief for Bondi Beach victims, Pat Cummins urges public to donate blood

After the horrific shooting incident at the Bondi Beach in Sydney, both Australia and England cricket teams have expressed their shock at the mishap, which took place on Sunday, December 14. The shooting is reported to have taken the lives of sixteen people already, with many families terrified as well. The cricketing boards from both the countries, who are currently competing in the Ashes 2025-26, have come ahead to forward their condolences.

Australia captain Pat Cummins, who is yet to play his first match of the series, has also taken to his official social media account, advising the locals to donate blood. Cummins himself belongs to the New South Wales, the province where the Bondi Beach is located, and as a result, he was in a state of shock and shared his grief with the victims and the Jewish community around.

"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," CA and ECB said in a joint statement as per ESPNcricinfo.

"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," Cummins shared in a post on his Instagram handle.

Security tightened at Adelaide Oval

Meanwhile, the third Test of the ongoing is kick-starting on December 17 and will be played at the Adelaide Oval, about 1383 kilometres off Bondi. However, the security protocols have been tightened than ever to ensure a smooth conduct of the game in Adelaide. The same was confirmed by South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas.

Flags at Adelaide Oval, where the teams are preparing for the third Test, were flying at half-mast on Monday. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas said there would be additional security for the event.

"There is a major event occurring in South Australia starting on Wednesday with the Ashes Test match at Adelaide Oval. 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," Malinauskas said. 

"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," he added.

Meanwhile, England have already named their Playing XI for the upcoming encounter, making one change to their line-up from the one that took the field in Brisbane.