England's security staff clash with camera operator ahead of 3rd Ashes Test

Footage aired by Australia's Channel Seven showed a security guard pushing away a camera operator who attempted to move closer to the England players at Brisbane airport

England’s Ashes tour took an unexpected turn off the field when a member of the team’s security staff was involved in a brief altercation with a television camera operator at Brisbane airport, just days before the third Test. The incident occurred as England’s squad departed for Adelaide, where the must-win day-night Test begins on Wednesday. With the visitors already trailing 2–0 in the series, scrutiny around the team has intensified, amplifying even minor flashpoints.

 

While England players have largely handled media attention with patience throughout the tour, this episode marked a rare moment of visible tension. Coming midway through a demanding Ashes campaign, the incident has underlined the growing pressure surrounding the team as they attempt to revive their fading hopes in Australia. 

 

 

Check full video of the incident below:

 

Ashes tension rarely extends beyond the playing field, but it did on Saturday in an ugly incident at Brisbane Airport. An aggressive security guard for the England cricket team manhandled a 7NEWS camera operator simply doing his job. Players didn’t seem bothered. pic.twitter.com/OHQJ7TiwCh

— 7NEWS Queensland (@7NewsBrisbane) December 13, 2025

Airport incident caught on camera

Footage aired by Australia’s Channel Seven showed a security guard pushing away a camera operator who attempted to move closer to the England players at the airport terminal. The squad had arrived by road from Noosa, where they spent a short mid-series break following defeat in the second Test at the Gabba. While no injuries were reported and the situation did not escalate further, the images quickly drew attention given the high-profile nature of the Ashes and England’s current struggles.

 

Cricket Australia has clear guidelines in place for the series, advising media that teams should not be approached for interviews while in transit and that filming should be conducted from a respectful distance. Broadly, broadcasters are permitted “vision-only” coverage at airports and hotels, without direct interaction. The footage suggested the camera crew had complied with these conditions, making the confrontation stand out as an exception rather than the norm.

Heightened scrutiny after tough results

England’s poor on-field performances have inevitably sharpened the focus on their movements and mindset. Having lost the first two Tests inside six days of cricket, the touring side faces mounting pressure from fans and former players back home. The loss in Brisbane followed a heavy defeat in Perth, leaving England with no margin for error heading into Adelaide.

 

The mid-series trip to Noosa itself attracted criticism, with some observers questioning the timing of a break after consecutive defeats. That backdrop has ensured intense media presence wherever the squad travels, particularly as England must now win to keep the Ashes alive.

A generally relaxed approach tested

Until this incident, England had largely responded calmly to attention. Players were filmed playing golf ahead of the opening Test and joked internally that drone footage made them feel like professionals on tour. In Brisbane, captain Ben Stokes downplayed criticism after players were photographed riding e-scooters without helmets, while Ollie Pope later remarked that rules simply needed to be followed next time.

 

Media encounters continued during the Noosa stay, including light-hearted exchanges on the beach, where Stokes posed for photos during a team football game. Such moments reinforced England’s reputation for maintaining a relaxed, approachable attitude despite results not going their way.

Preparation questions add to pressure

Concerns around England’s preparation have also lingered. The team played just one warm-up match against England Lions and opted against a floodlit fixture before the day-night Test in Brisbane. After the second defeat, head coach Brendon McCullum suggested the side may have “over-prepared”, a remark that fuelled further debate.

 

Against that backdrop, the airport confrontation has been viewed as a small but telling sign of strain. With three Tests still to play and the series hanging in the balance, England now head to Adelaide knowing that both their cricket and composure will be under close watch in the weeks ahead.