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United Kingdom may face another lockdown in Christmas if we don’t act soon

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United Kingdom may face another lockdown in Christmas if we don’t act soon

A prominent adviser to the UK government on Covid-19 has said he is very fearful of another Christmas lockdown, as he urged the public to do everything possible to reduce the spread of the virus. Public and health officials need to act soon to take extra precautions to curtail

Professor Stephen Reicher says vaccines are “not quite enough” on their own and “other protections” are now needed – as a fellow expert says he is fearful of another “lockdown Christmas”.

Prof Peter Openshaw, a member of the New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group (Nervtag), said the current number of cases and deaths rates were unacceptable, and reiterated the importance of measures such as working from home and mask wearing.

His intervention comes after the prime minister resisted calls from health leaders, including the head of the NHS Confederation and the council chair of the British Medical Association, who urged “categorically” that the “time is now” for tighter restrictions.

Asked on Friday about the possibility of a winter lockdown, Boris Johnson said there was “absolutely nothing to indicate that that is on the cards at all”. The chancellor, Rishi Sunak, also said the vaccine rollout and booster jabs made a lockdown or “very significant economic restrictions” unlikely.

Cases and deaths as published 23 Oct 2021
Cases and deaths as published 23 Oct 2021. Vaccinations as % of total population (including under 18s), published 22 Oct 2021. Weekly change shows difference from 7 days ago. Source: data.gov.uk.

The health secretary, Sajid Javid, conceded earlier this week that new cases could reach a record 100,000 a day, but Downing Street insisted there was still spare capacity in the NHS and that “plan B” winter measures, including the mandatory use of face masks and working from home guidance, would only be activated if it came under significant pressure.

Speaking in a personal capacity, Openshaw told BBC Breakfast on Saturday that he feared “another lockdown Christmas if we don’t act soon”. He said: “We know that with public health measures the time to act is immediately. There’s no point in delaying. If you do delay then you need to take even more stringent actions later. The immediacy of response is absolutely vital if you’re going to get things under control.”

He said getting measures in place now in order to “get transmission rates right down” was key to having “a wonderful family Christmas where we can all get back together”.

Openshaw said it was “unacceptable to be letting this run at the moment … I think hospitals in many parts of the country are barely coping actually. Talking to people on the frontline, I think it’s just not sustainable to keep going at this rate.”

The UK recorded its highest number of Covid-related deaths since March last week.

Openshaw said: “At one stage last week there were 180 deaths in a single day. That is just too many deaths. We seem to have got used to the idea that we’re going to have many, many people dying of Covid and that I think is just not the case,.”

He urged the public to take matters into their own hands to slow down transmission of the virus, rather than waiting for the government to reintroduce measures, including avoiding public transport and crowded spaces if possible, getting vaccinated and accepting the offer of the booster jab.

“The sooner we all act, the sooner we can get this transmission rate down, and the greater the prospect of having a Christmas with our families,” he said.

england covid stats as on 22nd October 2021
England covid stats as on 22nd October 2021

Members of the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (Sage) said in minutes of a meeting published on Friday that a further huge rise in infections as seen in January was increasingly unlikely. Other experts predict a series of broader, flatter peaks as the virus continues to spread.

In its meeting dated 14 October, however, Sage said measures contained in the government’s plan B would be most effective if implemented in unison and earlier rather than later.

Trade union leaders representing 3 million frontline workers attacked the government’s “laissez-faire approach to managing the pandemic” on Friday. They said it risked “another winter of chaos” without urgent action, including mandatory mask wearing in shops and on public transport.

And at least a dozen local public health chiefs in England have broken from the government’s official guidance and recommended plan B measures, including mask wearing and working from home, to combat a surge in Covid infections in their areas.

England reach Cricket World Cup 2019 final beating Australia

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England surged into their first World Cup final

England surged into their first World Cup final for 27 years with a sensational eight-wicket demolition of Australia at Edgbaston. 

The hosts will have the chance to lift the trophy for the first time when they meet New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday. 

A first win in a World Cup knockout match since 1992 was secured over the defending champions on a day that will live long in the memory, justifiably alongside anything from the 2005 Ashes or the 2010-11 tour of Australia.

It was built on a riotous opening seven overs, when Australia were reduced to 14-3 by the new-ball brilliance of Chris Woakes and Jofra Archer. 

Steve Smith, so often England’s nemesis, held Australia together with 85, helping them to a total of 223 that at least gave them something to bowl at. 

But home nerves over the menacing presence of Mitchell Starc were allayed by a prolific opening partnership between Jason Roy and Jonny Bairstow, who added 124 for the first wicket.

Roy crashed 85 before Joe Root and Eoin Morgan took England to their target with 17.5 overs to spare.

The ease of England’s progression to the final was such a contrast to the group-stage defeat by Australia that left them on the brink of elimination. 

Since then they have beaten India, New Zealand and turned in this, their best performance of the tournament to date.

England revel in Edgbaston party 

Until Saturday’s final round of group games, England were set to play India in this match.

Although they would never admit it, the opportunity to play their oldest enemies at a ground where Australia have no win of any kind since 2001 and England had won their previous 10 matches was absolutely perfect. 

The toss seemed like a huge boost for Aaron Finch’s men – batting first has been a big advantage in the tournament – but that was to discount the carnage that would follow. 

Edgbaston exploded with noise as Finch, David Warner and Peter Handscomb were removed, cheers that were matched in volume by the boos for Warner and Smith.

Although Smith ensured what the crowd knew could have been a tricky chase – they cheered as Roy defended Starc’s first over – Roy injected belief with an outrageous flick for six off the left-armer.

As it became clearer that England were strolling, the party moved through the gears. 

Starc was serenaded with the song that tortured Mitchell Johnson, and the Hollies Stand howled as Smith was launched for three consecutive sixes by Roy.

By the end, as the rain fell, the whole of Edgbaston was telling the world that cricket is coming home.

Magnificent England peaking at the right time

This was a complete display by England, who were magnificent with the ball, sharp in the field and dominant with the bat.

Woakes (3-20) and Archer (2-32) nipped the new ball around on a full length. Archer trapped Finch lbw with his first ball, Woakes got one to climb that Warner fended to first slip, then bowled Handscomb through the gate.

Archer also left Alex Carey needing stitches from a blow to the chin, but the left-hander recovered to make 46 in a stand of 103 with Smith.

At 117-3, the game was delicately poised, before Carey needlessly holed out off Adil Rashid, who removed Marcus Stoinis in the same over and later had Pat Cummins caught at slip in a lovely spell of 3-54.

Smith remained through it all, only to be run out by wicketkeeper Jos Buttler’s direct hit that somehow went between the batsman’s legs – an action symptomatic of a day when everything went right for England.

After the dangerous Starc’s early overs were negotiated, Roy cut loose with fearsome power – the third of his sixes off Smith was a monstrous hit into the top tier of the stand.

Although Bairstow was trapped leg before by Starc for 34 and an angry Roy was wrongly adjudged to have hooked Pat Cummins behind, Root and Morgan were untroubled in an unbroken stand of 79.

After the match, Roy was fined 30% of his match fee and given two demerit points for showing dissent at his dismissal.

England team winning semi finals against Australia cricket world cup2019
England team winning semi finals against Australia cricket world cup2019

Australia blown away 

Given their team for this tournament only really came together at the last minute, it is to Australia’s credit that they made the semi-finals with such ease. 

But here they were ambushed by England and now must regroup before the Ashes begin on this ground on 1 August.

As his team-mates crumbled around him, Smith stood tall, blocking out the abuse to accumulate with his trademark fidgety efficiency. 

Indeed, had Carey hung around, England’s task could have been difficult but, after he departed, wickets fell with regularity.

When Smith was beaten by Buttler’s throw to become the eighth man out, he shook his head all the way to the pavilion, unable to conceal his disappointment. 

To stand any chance, Australia needed early wickets and when they failed to materialise, they were powerless to prevent Roy’s awesome hitting.

‘I’m speechless, it was an incredible performance’

England captain Eoin Morgan: “This final is a huge opportunity for us.

“Looking back to where we were in 2015 compared to now it’s such a dramatic improvement and everyone in the dressing room deserves a huge amount of credit. 

“Making the most of it would be brilliant but getting to the final alone is awesome.”

Man of the match Chris Woakes, who took 3-20 in eight overs: “I’m pretty speechless. It was an incredible performance from the whole team.

“It started with the bowling performance and then the way they knocked that off was outstanding.

“There were some nerves around this morning but that’s natural going into a semi-final.

“The way we produced the goods just showed how good we are and where we are at as a team.”

Former England captain Alastair Cook on Test Match Special: “I can’t believe I have just watched that.

“You always think there will be a twist in the tail but there was no twist. England were so good.”

Ex-England captain Michael Vaughan on TMS:?”England are so big and strong, they might do this to New Zealand on Sunday.”

Australia captain Aaron Finch: “We were totally outplayed today. The way they set the tone with the ball in those first 10 overs was a huge part in the game.

“You always want to win the trophy but there have been a lot of positives

“A lot of hard work has gone in from a lot of people. I’m proud of how the group has progressed but this still hurts.”

Don’t miss out on the Cricket World Cup 2019

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Don’t miss out on the ICC Cricket World cup 2019.

The world cup this time is hosted by England and they are rather doing well so far. England fans can rejoice as the host team is into the semi-finals. Tourists can plan a match or two to see this most famous sporting event after football. This time there are 10 qualified cricketing nations playing against each other in the world cup. Book your Cricket world cup ticket from “Here”

Where can you see the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019?

The ICC Cricket World Cup is happening in England and Wales this time. Following are the venue where all matches will be played and in the end, the final will be played in the legendary Lord Stadium.

  1. Trent Bridge Nottingham– At the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 it will host five matches, including England v Pakistan. Hosts England have a great record at Trent Bridge, having won both their previous World Cup games at the venue: wins against New Zealand in 1975 and Zimbabwe in 1999.
trent bridge cricket stadium england
Trent Bridge Cricket Stadium Nottingham

2. The Riverside Durham – At the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, Durham will host three fixtures, including England v New Zealand and it will be the home for two Sri Lanka games.

the riverside cricket stadium england
The Riverside Cricket Stadium England

3. The Oval – The Oval, London will host five fixtures at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, including the opener between England and South Africa. Set just a stone’s throw from the River Thames, the Oval home of Surrey County Cricket Club was the scene for the first-ever Test match on English soil between England and Australia in 1880 and has gone on to host over 100 Tests since. It has also played host to a number of big World Cup matches, with ten fixtures taking place at the Oval across 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999 editions.

the oval cricket stadium london
The Oval Cricket Stadium London

4. The Old Trafford Manchester – Old Trafford, home of Lancashire County Cricket Club, will be the busiest venue at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, as it will play host to six games, including a semi-final. It also will be the venue for the most-watched fixture in international cricket when India takes on Pakistan. The ground itself is no stranger to World Cup cricket having been used in the 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999 editions of the tournament.

old trafford manchester england cricket stadium
old Trafford manchester England cricket stadium

5. Lord’s Cricket Ground London – There are few cricket grounds in the world as iconic as Lord’s. First opened in 1814 and home to international cricket since 1884, Lord’s has hosted 10 ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures, including the finals of 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999 editions. At the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, the Home of Cricket will host five fixtures, and will once again be the venue for the World Cup Final.

lord cricket ground london
Lord Cricket Ground London

6. Headingley Cricket ground Leads – Headingley will once again play host to some of the world’s best cricketers this summer, having been part of the 1975, 1979, 1983 and 1999 editions of the ICC Cricket World Cup. It will host four matches at the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, including England v Sri Lanka, and will be where Afghanistan play two of their round-robin fixtures. The Windies will also appear at Headingley, where they claimed a heroic Test win against England in 2017.

headingley leads cricket ground
Headingley Leads Cricket Ground

7. Hampshire Bowl Southhampton – The Hampshire Bowl will host ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures for the first time in 2019, with five matches taking place at the venue. It won?t be the first time that Hampshire has hosted World Cup cricket though, as fixtures in the 1983 and 1999 editions were played at the old Northlands Road Ground in Southampton. The Hampshire Bowl, home of Hampshire County Cricket Club, was opened in 2001 and sits on the outskirts of Southampton on the south coast of England.

hampshire bowl southhampton cricket ground
Hampshire Bowl Southhampton Cricket Ground

8. Edgbaston Cricket Ground Birmingham – Having been established in 1886, it’s fair to say that Edgbaston the home of Warwickshire County Cricket Club. has been the venue for some historic moments, including Brian Lara’s knock of 501*, the highest score by a batsman in first-class cricket. It has been a venue at four previous ICC Cricket World Cups and was a semi-final location in the 1979, 1983 and 1999 editions. It will host five games at the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019, including one semi-final and the high-profile meeting of England and India.

edgbaston birmingham cricket stadium
Edgbaston Birmingham Cricket Stadium

9. County Ground Taunton – Three ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 fixtures will be held at the County Ground Taunton, home of Somerset County Cricket Club. Overlooked by the towers of three churches, the County Ground Taunton is one renowned for its character and history. It has been in use since 1882, and staged one game in the 1983 World Cup and two in 1999, including India?s clash with Sri Lanka, where they racked up a huge 373/6.

County Taunton Cricket ground
County Taunton Cricket ground

10. Cardiff Wales Cricket Stadium – The Cardiff Wales Stadium is no stranger to hosting ICC tournaments, having been a venue for the last two editions of the ICC Champions Trophy, as well as the ICC Cricket World Cup in 1999. At the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2019, the Cardiff Wales Stadium ? home of Glamorgan County Cricket Club – will host four fixtures, adding to the sole World Cup game played there in 1999.

cardiff wales stadium cardiff cricket ground
Cardiff Wales Stadium Cardiff Cricket Ground

11. Bristol County Ground – Three matches will be played at the Bristol County Ground during the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019. Those three fixtures will double the number of Men’s World Cup games the ground has held, following one in 1983 and two in 1999. More recently, the Bristol County Ground hosted eight fixtures at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2017, including England’s dramatic semi-final win over South Africa.

bristol county cricket ground
Bristol County Cricket Ground

You will enjoy watching cricket on all the cricket grounds in England and Wales. Book your ICC World Cup tickets from here. Book ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 ticket here.