Extra measures are being taken by police in Sydney to keep people safe ahead of the final Ashes cricket match between Australia and England. From Sunday, January 4, 2026, there will be an increased police presence at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). The ruling comes weeks after a shocking shooting that rocked Bondi Beach and the nation.
Super-Safety at the Cricket Ground
There will be a strong police presence with officers to be “out in force” around the stadium, as per the New South Wales Police. For the first time at a major sporting event in the city, some specialist officers will be equipped with long-arm rifles. But it’s unusual for Western Australia, and Police Commissioner Mal Lanyon stated the aim was to do so that the community felt safe and confident in large groups.
But apart from the armed officers, there will be mounted police, units of riot squads and extra security guards in the area. The SCG is less than 5 kilometres from Bondi Beach, where two gunmen killed 15 people attending a Jewish event in the middle of December. Right now, the police say there is no “active threat,” but they would be ready if one did materialise.
The opening day of the match is supposed to have a full house, as thousands are set to turn up at the stadium. It was part of similarly stringent security used during the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, and for New Year’s Eve celebrations in Sydney where thousands of police worked to keep the peace.
Honouring the Heroes
On Sunday, a special ceremony opened proceedings honouring the victims of the Bondi massacre prior to the first ball being bowled. Cricket Australia has scheduled a “guard of honour” on the field to thank first responders and police officers who arrived first at the shooting. They also want to recognise the courageous community members who risked their own lives to help save others during the crisis.
A round of applause for these local heroes will also be requested from the audience. There are expected to be black armbands worn by both the Australians and the English as a mark of respect. It follows a similar tribute in Adelaide last month where the teams observed a minute of silence and singer John Williamson sang his signature tune “True Blue.”
The New Year Begins on a Sad Note
The Bondi assault on December 14 rocked Sydney. And far from the usual merriment, many traditional holiday events were cancelled or muted out of deference to the grieving families. The seven others who were injured in the shooting are still in the hospital, with one person in critical condition.
Naveed Akram, the 24-year-old suspect believed to be one of the gunmen, now faces 59 charges, among them 15 counts of murder. So was his father, who had also participated, in an exchange of fire with the police. As the court case proceeds, the city is attempting to move on, still with a focus on safety.
As for the fans at the SCG, the extra security is a visible sign of how much things have changed in such a short period of time. But officials say that by being visible and ready, they can let everyone enjoy the cricket feeling protected and safe.
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