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3w ago

Armed Police Patrol SCG as Ashes Opens With Tribute to Bondi Heroes

Police leaders say there is no active threat, framing the visible rifles as a reassurance measure.

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See It: Bondi Heroes Receive Standing Ovation From 40,000 at Sydney Cricket Ground
Street artist Jarrod Grech poses for a photo next to his painting of Ahmed al Ahmed, a 43-year-old Syrian-Australian shopkeeper who disarmed one of the attackers of Sydney's Bondi Beach shooting, in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Dec. 28, 2025. (Rod McGuirk/AP Photo)
Emergency responders and members of the public who helped out during the Bondi attack are given a guard of honour by England and Australia players at the SCG.

Overview

  • Uniformed, mounted and Public Order and Riot Squad officers, some carrying long‑arm rifles, conducted high‑visibility patrols at the sold‑out Sydney Cricket Ground.
  • Before play, Australia and England formed a guard of honour for first responders and civilians, with a prolonged ovation for Ahmed al Ahmed, who helped disarm a gunman.
  • Cricket Australia’s ceremony also acknowledged the 15 victims, as emergency services and community groups were recognized on the field.
  • The operation mirrors measures at Melbourne’s Boxing Day Test, where specialist officers with semiautomatic rifles patrolled stadium precincts and nearby transport hubs.
  • Authorities continue to investigate the Dec. 14 Bondi attack attributed to father and son Sajid and Naveed Akram, with Naveed facing 59 charges including 15 counts of murder, while news reports vary on how many victims remain hospitalized.