The Australia and England cricket boards, which are involved in The Ashes 2025-26, have jointly paid tribute to the Bondi Victims. Australia and England came together to pay the Bondi victims tribute ahead of the Adelaide test.
Sixteen people have died after gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah on Sunday evening.
In the joint statement, the two boards said, “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,” added the statement.
Flags at Adelaide Oval, where the teams are preparing for the third test, were flying at half-post 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,” he 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.
We stand together. pic.twitter.com/Tp1EziHNlW
— England Cricket (@englandcricket) December 14, 2025
“Given the events that 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 heightened sense of alertness just at the moment, for the time being.”
“I want to thank the South Australian Police for their already active engagement with Adelaide Oval management in that regard.”
The Australia captain Pat Cummins has reacted to the incident and wrote, “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,” on Instagram.
Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who is commentating in the Ashes 2025-26, was having dinner with family in Bondi when the restaurant he was at went into lockdown.
“As we waited for our table at the restaurant, we were having a drink in the Royal pub next door, and I was on the phone outside,” Vaughan told the media.
“The bouncer walked over with his hands in a gun sign and told me to get inside. By the time we were sat down, we knew there had been an attack…The restaurant locked the doors and made clear that no one was leaving until it was safe. That was about 7 pm, and we did not leave until almost 9 pm.”
“I have never experienced anything like it. You know what’s happening around you, but you don’t want to believe it’s happening.”
Meanwhile, the Sydney Sixers, who played in the first match of the BBL 2025-26, were given special permission to access their phones to contact their family.
“We had our phones locked away. We were allowed to use them to just sort of check in with family and friends,” Sixers quick Charlie Stobo said. “It’s all happened pretty quickly.”
Sydney Sixers will play their first home match against Adelaide Strikers at Sydney Cricket Ground on Wednesday, and it’s understood there is likely to be extra security provided at the venue.
