Australia and England unite in tribute to Bondi victims

Australia and England have paid tribute to the victims of the Bondi Beach terror attack while Pat Cummins has urged people to donate blood.

Fifteen people died after gunmen opened fire on crowds gathered to mark the first night of Hanukkah, the Jewish holiday, on Sunday evening.

In a 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."

Posting on Instagram, Cummins 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."

Flags at Adelaide Oval, where the teams are preparing for the third Test, were flying at half-mast 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.

"Given the events that have 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 crescent sense of alertness just at the moment for the time being.

"I want to thank South Australian Police for their already active engagement with Adelaide Oval management in that regard."

Australia offspinner Nathan Lyon, who lives in Sydney, said: "It was a horrific day for everyone involved, and we stand by them, and our thoughts and prayers are with them. But nothing I'm going to say right now is going to make anyone feel any better. But other than that, we're thinking of them, and hopefully they can get through this."

Former England captain Michael Vaughan, who is in Australia commentating on the Ashes, 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 wrote in a column for the UK's Daily Telegraph "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 no one was leaving until it was safe. That was about 7pm, and we did not leave until almost 9pm.

"I have never experienced anything like it. You know what's happening around you, but you don't want to believe it's happening."

In Perth, Sydney Sixers players were given special permission to access their phones ahead of the opening BBL match against Scorchers. They were already under anti-corruption protocols which meant their phones had been taken away but were allowed to contact 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."

Sixers play their first home match of the season against Adelaide Strikers at the SCG on Wednesday and it's understood there is likely to be extra security in place at the venue.