Wicketkeeper-batter Jonny Bairstow took to social media on Thursday to share how England team bus was held up by protesters while on its way to the Lord`s for the opening day of the one-off Test against Ireland. The protesters under the aegis of `Just Stop Oil` demanded that the British government should “halt all licences and consents for new oil, gas and coal projects”.
Taking to Instagram, Bairstow wrote: “If we`re a bit late it`s not our fault”, even as several `Just Stop Oil` protesters and security personnel can be seen surrounding the bus in the middle of the road.
`Just Stop Oil` protesters released a video on social media and wrote, “Just Stop Oil supporters march In Kensington and Battersea. And apparently, that`s the @englandcricket team bus. They might know a bit about a batting collapse, but the climate crisis is no one-day international — it`s our biggest test.”
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“At 8:00am (UK time), around 50 `Just Stop Oil` supporters, in five groups, began marching on roads around Hyde Park and Battersea Park. At around 8:37 a mini march of four people walking on Kensington Gore was seen delaying the England Cricket Team, who were travelling by coach. Police arrived on scene within minutes and placed a Public Order Act (Section 12) notice on the march, ending it by 8:43. All teams were off the road by 10am. Further marches are expected later this morning. Just Stop Oil has been marching six days a week since April 24th,” read a statement issued by the organisation on their website.
The match, however, wasn`t delayed as the team bus arrived at the Lord`s on time. England won the toss and elected to bowl, reducing Ireland to 32/3 in 12 overs. Speedster Stuart Broad accounted for all three wickets.
(With PTI inputs)
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