England caught up in Ashes media fallout over security guard’s row with TV crew

England’s embattled tour of Australia suffered a public relations setback on Saturday following a testy altercation between a member of security staff and a local camera operator at Brisbane airport.

In footage released by Channel Seven, England’s minder Colin Rhooms is heard repeatedly telling the camera operator Nick Carrigan to “get out of my face, mate” and eventually pushing him back as he attempted to film players in transit.

The team were en route to Adelaide for the third Ashes Test that starts on Wednesday, with Channel Seven, the host broadcaster, later defending their crew’s conduct and suggesting the matter could be taken further.

“While conducting routine filming in a public space, the camera operator was physically confronted despite acting respectfully and professionally,’’ a spokesperson told Code Sports. “The safety and wellbeing of our staff is paramount. This matter is being taken seriously and is now being managed through the appropriate channels.”

England have declined to comment but privately the flare-up has been viewed as stupidly needless, not least given relations between the players and the very same broadcast crew had been cordial while the squad enjoyed a mid-tour break in the Queensland resort of Noosa.

The subject of numerous headlines and photographs, the trip itself had passed without incident. Despite being 2-0 down in the series and the subject of ridicule locally, Ben Stokes and his players accepted requests for selfies from the public and allowed their time playing golf to be filmed.

Broadcast journalists at airports have become a feature of Australia tours in recent years. This series has seen Cricket Australia’s media manager send out multiple requests for players to be given space and that no questions be asked, requests that have not always been adhered to.

It follows India’s visit here 12 months ago when Virat Kohli was involved in a heated exchange with a broadcast journalist at Melbourne airport after reportedly believing that his children had just been filmed.