India vs England pitch invader Jarvo arrested on suspicion of assault

Daniel Jarvis, a self-ascribed YouTube prankster, invaded the field of play in ongoing India vs England five-match Test series for the third time on Friday. Jarvo slipped past the stewards and ran onto the field before he collided with England’s Jonny Bairstow at the Oval.

This incident raises further questions about the England and Wales Cricket Board’s security arrangements. He was arrested on suspicion of assault, London’s Metropolitan Police said in a statement when asked about the intruder.

“He remains in custody at a south London police station,” the force said.

The man in question, dressed in full cricket whites, sprinted toward the wicket with a ball in his hand and hurled it down the pitch. After which he crashed into Bairstow at the non-striker’s end.

Stunned by the incident, Bairstow spoke to one of the umpires as the intruder was escorted off the field by security to jeers. India captain Virat Kohli was also seen in conversation with umpires after the incident during the first session of Day 2 of the fourth test.

The self-ascribed YouTube prankster calls himself ‘Jarvo’ and has 123,000 subscribers on YouTube.

The man has breached the field of play in each of the last three tests of the series, wearing a cricket uniform on each occasion.

“Any pitch invasion is completely unacceptable,” the ECB said in a statement after being contacted by The Associated Press.

“The ECB and our host venues do not tolerate any such behavior which risks the safety of players, officials and staff. The ECB works closely with all our venues to share information and enhance their security operation,” the England and Wales Cricket Board said in a statement.

The on-pitch stewarding was visibly increased at the lunch and tea intervals at the Oval.

Some Indian players were seen laughing when ‘Jarvo’ walked out with them onto the field at Lord’s during the second test. He tried to protest his innocence when security got involved and argued he was one of the team.

In the third Test at Headingley last week, the intruder got onto the pitch wearing pads, helmet and a bat.

(With inputs from Associated Press)