Sports Monday, May 4, 2020 13

MGM draws plan for NBA to Vinales becomes third different finish season in Vegas:Report AFP Virtual winner at Jerez Los Angeles MGM Resorts International has The Monster Energy pitched a proposal to the NBA to Yamaha rider tastes win complete the coronavirus-halt- ed 2019-20 season on courts in in third digital race Las Vegas convention centers, the New York Times reported. Tribune News Network The plan, according to the DOHA newspaper, would have players and their families, plus other Monster Energy Yamaha essential personnel, stay in a MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales quarantined area in MGM ho- finally tasted Virtual MotoGP tels along the Las Vegas Strip glory after capitalising on late while practicing and competing crashes by ’s on courts in the same facilities. and Repsol Players and broadcasters ’s Alex Marquez in Sun- MotoGP race winner Maverick Vinales (also inset) crosses the finish line would have access to the usual day’s Red Bull Virtual Grand at the Red Bull Virtual Grand Prix of Spain in Jerez on Sunday. resort facilities while in the pro- Prix of Spain. The Spaniard was tected area under the plan by beaten by both Marquez and MGM, which has 13 Vegas re- Bagnaia at Mugello and then sort properties. by Bagnaia in an epic last-lap The plan would convert scrap at the Red Bull Ring but MGM convention centers into he beat both of them at Jerez to Alex after the pair had re- Results (Virtual Spanish GP) (From left) Moto2 race winner , MotoGP race 24 basketball courts, five of clinch victory on Sunday. found their form following ear- champion Maverick Vinales and Moto3 race winner Gabriel Rodrigo them equipped with cameras The opening corner was lier crashes. The pair swooped MotoGP after the Red Bull Virtual Grand Prix of Spain on Sunday. to permit television coverage, nothing short of chaos with through on the number 93 # Rider Nat. Team Time and players would reside in con- six riders going down includ- after a mistake at Turn 2. The 1 Maverick Viñales sPA Monster Yamaha 13 laps to take the final top five spot VR46) in qualifying by 0.006 nected or nearby hotels. 2 Alex Marquez sPA +2.364s ing poleman trio were split by nothing on 3 Francesco BagnaiA itA Pramac Ducati +5.452s ahead of the Italian. seconds. And Baldassarri ESPN has reported the NBA (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and lap five but the gaps would 4 Marc Marquez sPA repsol Honda +18.329s Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s made no mistake in the race is looking at a similar quaran- eventual race winner Viñales. quickly grow as Alex Marquez 5 Alex Rins SPA suzuki Ecstar +20.102s came across to pick up his first victory of tined area in Orlando involv- At the front, Bagnaia and edged clear of Viñales for sec- the line ahead of Quartararo, 2020, going one better than ing hotels and courts in private Marquez were looking to es- ond, as Viñales did the same to Moto2 who took the hon- he did at the Qatar GP. Disney World areas. The NBA cape before Marquez crashed Marc Marquez. 1 Lorenzo Baldassarri itA Flexbox HP 40 8 laps our. The final finishers were “I think this race was even halted its season in March after out after contact with the Ital- Behind, Quartararo and 2 Jake Dixon GBR Petronas Sprinta Racing +3.025 Lecuona in ninth, Aprilia’s tougher than the others. It Utah’s Rudy Gobert tested posi- ian in the final sector. Lecuona came together again as 3 Bo Bendsneyder neD nts RW Racing GP +5.210 test rider in was not easy to achieve vic- tive for the deadly virus and the 4 ITA sky Racing Team VR46 +8.941 Red Bull KTM Tech 3’s the Frenchman simply couldn’t 5 Jorge Martin sPA red Bull KTM Ajo +10.024 tenth on his virtual debut and tory,” said Baldassarri after league has announced no plan found himself stop crashing; the same issue (Reale Avintia Rac- the race. “I was sweating and for resuming games or even a in second after he managed that cost him in the opening Moto3 ing) in eleventh. so nervous that I had trou- timetable for returning to com- to stay clear of the carnage in two Virtual MotoGP races. At 1 Gabriel Rodrigo Arg kömmerling Gresini Moto3 8 laps ble controlling my fingers. I petition. The league will allow front of him but his chances half race distance, Viñales ran 2 Albert Arenas sPA Gaviota +4.347 Baldassarri on top wouldn’t be surprised if I was players to conduct individual of finishing on the podium wide allowing Marc Marquez 3 Raul Fernandez sPA red Bull KTM Ajo +5.462 Lorenzo Baldassarri diagnosed with compartment workouts at team facilities start- evaporated on lap three when back through for third but he 4 Deniz Oncu tur red Bull KTM Tech 3 +8.527 (FlexBox HP40) confirmed his syndrome,” joked ‘Balda’, ing Friday in areas where stay- he crashed at the penultimate didn’t hold the final podium 5 Tony ArbolinO itA rivacold Snipers Team +22.723 love affair with the Circuito de who reviewed his initial bat- at-home laws allow, the first corner. In an incident that place for long, crashing out just Jerez – Angel Nieto after tak- tle with Marini and Jake Dix- small step toward resumption. also saw Quartararo caught moments later. coped with the pressure in Marc Marquez ended up ing victory in the Moto2 Virtual on (Petronas Sprinta Racing) No plan among those floated up in, suddenly Marc Marquez Then with just three laps the closing stages and took fourth, despite slowing up on Race. on the opening laps. in US media has included spec- (Repsol Honda Team) was remaining, Alex Marquez the chequered flag for a first the final two laps to have a The Italian has now won “I first had contact with tators at games, most focusing promoted to second and had crashed out of second at Turn virtual victory. Alex Marquez fight and some fun with Duca- three races on the spin in An- Luca. So suddenly, Jake hit me. on a one-site bubble where play- a debut Virtual rostrum finish 2, only for the leader Bagnaia finished second, with Bagnaia ti Team’s , who dalucia and took the maiden Honestly, I was lucky I didn’t ers might live and play and only in his sights. to crash as well at the penulti- third meaning the same three eventually crashed out dur- Virtual Moto2 race honours fall. Once I was in the lead, I once coronavirus tests are avail- The world champion was mate corner allowing Viñales riders were on the podium ing the self-made scrap. Ec- having started from pole, tried to stay calm and in the able in sufficient numbers to the put under all sorts of pressure to go from third to first in the again but in a different order star Suzuki Team’s Alex Rins edging out compatriot Luca end managed quite well. It was public and the NBA has enough by both Viñales and brother space of a lap. The Spaniard for a third time running. pounced on Petrucci’s error Marini (SKY Racing Team definitely a good race.” tests for everyone involved. Mir extends Lee, Hazlewood took my Haider tells why he had to flee Suzuki contract from SA ODI series in 2010 by two years sleep away: Rohit Sharma Tribune News Network informing anyone,” he said in DOHA an interview. Haider’s promis- AFP Tribune News Network closely and noticed that he ing career ended following that Paris DOHA was consistently bowling at Pakistan’s former wicket- episode in November 2010. the speed of around 150-155 keeper-batsman Zulqarnain He said the three-year ban Spanish MotoGP rider The thought of standing up to kmph. The thought of a young- Haider has blamed Umar Ak- on Umar for not revealing spot- extended his con- Brett Lee’s thunderbolts had ster like me facing that kind mal for his disappearing act fixing approaches is too lenient. tract with Suzuki until 2022, taken Rohit Sharma’s ‘sleep of speed took away my sleep,” Rohit Sharma has during an ODI series against “He has been involved in two weeks after teammate away’ when he first started Rohit said of the former Aus- racked up 29 ODI South Africa in 2010, say- shady dealings and not only and compatriot Alex Rins, out but among the current lot, tralian speed merchant on Star hundreds and six ing he was threatened by the does he deserve a life ban even the team announced on Sat- Josh Hazlewood is one speed- Sports’ ‘Cricket Connected’. centuries in Test tainted player for not conniv- his property and assets should urday. ster the India swashbuckler Since making his debut in cricket, besides four ing with him to lose a match. be seized,” Haider said. “The pairing provide a ‘doesn’t want to face’ in Tests. 2007 as a precocious talent, three-figure mark in Haider claimed that he was Haider, who is 34 now, solid and competitive unit for Rohit said he will have to Rohit has gone on to become the T20 Internationals. forced to leave his team hotel in had sought asylum in London Suzuki as they look towards be mentally prepared to face one of the world’s most prolific (ICC/Twitter) Dubai and fly out to London un- after leaving the team hotel in the future and aim high in Hazlewood when India tour batsmen, and his exploits in der mysterious circumstances Dubai without informing the terms of results,” said a team Australia for a Test series later limited overs cricket are sec- after receiving threatening mes- management. statement. this year, provided the COV- ond to none. sages from his then teammate The wicketkeeper, who Rins, the Moto3 cham- ID-19 pandemic subsides, ac- Rohit has racked up 29 hit said South African pace Rohit said he continues to Umar and a few others after he scored 88 runs in the only pion in 2017, made his debut cording to rediff.com website. ODI hundreds and six cen- great Dale Steyn has also giv- face quality bowlers in the pre- refused to under-perform in the Test he played at Birmingham in the premier class in 2019. Asked to name the tough- turies in Test cricket, besides en him nightmares because of sent day with Hazlewood being third One-Day International of in 2010 in place of Kamran His contract was due to end est pacers he has faced so far, four three-figure mark in the his ability to swing the ball at among the best . the same series, according to Akmal, claimed that he had after this season. Rohit said, “One bowler is T20 Internationals. great speed. “I have watched him rediff.com website. reported the matter of Umar The team statement said Brett Lee because he didn’t let “Currently, someone whom “I have two retired favour- enough to understand that. I “I remember telling him telling him to under-perform that in “pre-season tests he me sleep the previous night I don’t want to face in Test ite bowlers who I never wanted know for a fact that if I have to to just do his job and carry the to the management. was showing fantastic form on my first tour to Australia in cricket would be Josh Hazle- to face, one was Brett Lee and go to Australia to play a Test, drinks. But later he (Umar) and “But the threats and pres- and pace.” 2007, as I was thinking how to wood because he’s disciplined the other was Dale Steyn. I then I have to be mentally some others directly threat- sure were too much for me to The MotoGP season play this bowler who bowls in and does not move away from never wanted to face Steyn be- prepared to be disciplined ened me and kept on badger- bear and I left. I was also get- should have started in March excess of 150 kmph.” that length. He does not give cause playing pace and swing while facing Josh,” said the ing me so much that I came ting threats from some un- but is on hold due to the cor- “In 2007, Brett Lee was at you loose balls,” he said. at the same time was a night- scorer of three double hun- under psychological pressure known persons to under-per- onavirus pandemic. his peak. I used to watch him Among the retired lot, Ro- mare, it was just unreal.” dreds in ODIs. and flew to London without form,” he said. Jason Roy desperate to return to cricket AFP but then as soon as that ball’s SHADOW BATTING to take the risk of returning to England captain Joe Root London done you hear the crowd go- “I’m shadow-batting in action despite the virus. and his West Indies counter- ing absolutely berserk and over the mirror, I’m looking pretty Roy said: “If an individual part Jason Holder have now England opener Jason Roy there when that was the case good,” he joked. “So that’s all I wants to go onto the front line been involved in talks over is desperate to get back to play- it was dead silence, it was the can do, to be honest, hitting a and put himself at risk then the rescheduling. ing cricket, even if matches strangest thing.” tennis ball against my wall here good on him but if someone “Positive ongoing dis- have to take place behind The PSL, a Twenty20 com- at home, going a bit stir crazy.” doesn’t want to, then I don’t cussions with the ECB and closed doors due to the corona- petition, closed its doors to Roy said the ongoing dis- think they should be ashamed CWI continued on Friday,” a virus pandemic. spectators in March before sus- ruption meant it could make of it either. spokesperson for the England Roy, who was part of pending the competition days sense to postpone the T20 “Whatever’s right in that and Wales Cricket Board said. England’s World-Cup win- later due to coronavirus. World Cup, scheduled for situation. If the country des- “Both boards were rep- ning team last year, had a Despite that experience, Australia in October, but he perately needs us to play resented including captains, taste of playing in an empty Roy, a destructive opening said the players would make cricket to make themselves coaches, administrators and stadium in the Pakistan Su- batsman, wants to get back to sure they were ready if it feel better... but I’m not sure the chief medical officers from per League (PSL) earlier this playing, with the start of the went ahead. that’s the case.” the respective boards. year and said it was a bizarre English season delayed until He said he was happy to Meanwhile, the Daily Tel- “Discussions were wide- experience. July 1 at the earliest. start playing again when asked egraph reported that England ranging including dialogue “No atmosphere,” said “I’m more than happy to to by his bosses because he could begin their rescheduled around revised schedules and the 29-year-old. “Simple as play behind closed doors,” he trusted their judgement, de- three-Test series against the COVID-19 medical and bios- that to be honest. It was a said. “I think it would be nice scribing himself as a “pawn in West Indies on July 8. ecurity planning. very strange feeling. just to get out there.” the sporting world”. The series was originally “Meetings will be ongo- “You’re used to, as a bats- The Surrey player said the Roy was asked about com- due to start on June 4 at the ing over the next few months man, with the bowler running British government’s lockdown ments made by Barcelona foot- Oval. However, the spread of to reach an outcome of when in, it being relatively quiet. You meant he was severely limited baller Ivan Rakitic, who told the coronavirus scuppered international cricket could po- England’s Jason Roy plays a shot during the Cricket World Cup final against learn to block out the crowd in his ability to practise. the Spanish press he was ready the plans. tentially return.” New Zealand at Lord’s Cricket Ground in London on July 14, 2019. (AFP)