Sports Friday, July 17, 2020 11 QSL meeting held with club Media Officers Sibley and Stokes steady England ship The two share unbroken 126-run stand as hosts reach 207-3 on Day 1 AFP As part of the ongoing preparations ahead of the resumption of QNB Stars League, the Qatar Stars League Manchester (QSL) held a co-ordination meeting with Media Officers of clubs on Thursday via visual communication technology in the presence of Hassan Rabiah Al Kuwari, Executive Director of Sales, Marketing and Com- Dom Sibley’s painstaking un- munication. The meeting discussed a number of points related to the approved media protocol, most im- beaten 86 helped England re- portant among them being organisation of pre-match press conferences, which will be conducted by clubs cover from an early collapse to as per the precautionary measures. The importance of having co-operation with various media outlets was be 207-3 at stumps on the first also emphasised by the Media Officers in order to ensure extensive media coverage.(TNN) day of the second Test against the West Indies at Old Traf- ford on Thursday. Warwickshire opener Sib- ley batted out the day’s 82 overs during more than six England’s Archer apologises hours at the crease on the way to posting his second succes- sive fifty of the series. for breaching virus bubble England, in a match they England’s Ben Stokes (left) is congratulated by England’s Dom Sibley (right) after reaching his fifty on the have to win to level the three- opening day of the second Test against the West Indies at Old Trafford in Manchester on Thursday. (AFP) AFP management movement be- match contest, were in trouble Manchester tween Tests. at 29-2 after off-spinner Ros- James Anderson. Scoreboard Archer’s contravention of ton Chase took two wickets in West Indies’ quicks, how- England paceman Jofra the rules is likely to provoke two balls either side of lunch. ever, made a wayward start England 1st Innings Fall of wickets: 1-29 (Burns), 2-29 (Crawley), 3-81 Archer apologised on Thurs- an angry response from offi- But the twice dropped Sib- in a match where a win would R. Burns lbw b Chase 15 (Root). D. Sibley not out 86 Bowling: Roach 20-4-37-0 (1w, 3nb); Gabriel 10-1- day after he was ruled out of cials after they made strenu- ley and Ben Stokes (59 not see the Caribbean side secure Z. Crawley c Holder b Chase 0 32-0 (4w, 2nb); Joseph 15-3-41-1; Holder 20-8-33-0; the second West Indies Test ous efforts to persuade both out) got England back into the a first Test series victory in J. Root c Holder b Joseph 23 Chase 16-1-53-2; Brathwaite 1-0-1-0; for breaking coronavirus rules, the West Indies and Pakistan game with an unbroken stand England for 32 years. B. Stokes not out 59 West Indies: Kraigg Brathwaite, John Campbell, Shai Extras: (b4, lb6, nb5, w9) 24 Hope, Shamarh Brooks, Roston Chase, Jermaine dealing a blow to his side’s to tour England despite tens of 126 after they lost the toss But on the stroke of lunch, Total: (For 3 wkts, 82 overs, 362 mins) 207 Blackwood, Jason Holder (capt), Shane Dowrich (wkt), chances of levelling the series. of thousands of coronavirus in overcast, bowler-friendly Chase struck with just his sec- To bat: O Pope, J Buttler, C Woakes, S Curran, D Bess, S Alzarri Joseph, Kemar Roach, Shannon Gabriel. Both teams have been liv- deaths in Britain. conditions. ond ball to have Rory Burns Broad. Toss: West Indies. ing in “bio-secure bubble” Ireland and Australia are England suffered a setback lbw for 15. sites at the Ageas Bowl, the also scheduled to visit this before play started when they And the first ball back saw Southampton – was off the Sibley had another worry- venue for last week’s first Test, season. were forced to leave out Jofra England’s 29-1 become 29-2 field injured. ing moment on 82 he survived and Emirates Old Trafford, Earlier in the campaign, Archer after the fast bowler when Zak Crawley fell for a But young paceman Alzarri an lbw appeal from fast bowler where the final two matches of there was real concern that admitted to breaking corona- golden duck after tamely turn- Joseph, using the width of the Kemar Roach on umpire’s call. the series will take place. COVID-19 could wipe out the virus protocols. ing Chase straight to West In- crease, lured Root, then on 23, Meanwhile the normally Sussex fast bowler Archer entire 2020 home English Archer left the bio-secure dies captain Jason Holder at into chasing a ball outside off fluent all-rounder Stokes, back broke the rules by going home cricket programme, with the bubble where his teammates leg-slip. stump, with second slip Hold- among the ranks after stand- to Brighton on Monday fol- ECB predicting losses run- were staying to go home to England captain Joe Root, er catching a thick edge. ing in as skipper at Southamp- lowing the end of the first Test, England paceman Jofra Archer. ning into hundreds of mil- Brighton on Monday follow- who missed his side’s four- Sibley had a let-off short- ton, needed 119 balls to reach before the team travelled up to lions of pounds. ing the end of the first Test, wicket loss in last week’s first ly before tea when, on 44, a fifty on a day where a sluggish Manchester. cols at their Old Trafford head- Barbados-born quick before the team travelled up Test at Southampton to attend tough chance went down at outfield deprived England of His removal from the quarters had “not been breached Archer burst onto the inter- to Manchester. the birth of his second child, short leg off Chase. several boundaries. squad was announced just or impacted in any way”. national scene last year when His absence deprived survived the hat-trick. And he was reprieved As happened during the three hours before play was Archer, who had been re- he bowled the decisive Super England of genuine speed He helped Sibley add again on 68 when the usu- first Test, players from both due to have begun in Manches- tained in the squad while fel- Over in England’s World Cup on a pitch that traditionally 52, with much of that stand ally reliable Holder dropped teams and the umpires took ter. He apologised for putting low quicks James Anderson final win over New Zealand at assists fast bowlers after the compiled while West Indies a routine slip chance off Ga- a knee in support of the Black his teammates in “danger” and and Mark Wood were rested, Lord’s. hosts had already decided to fast bowler Shannon Ga- briel, who had come back on Lives Matter campaign before will now undergo five days of will need two negative tests for His absence deprives Eng- rest Mark Wood, as well as briel – man-of-the-match at to bowl. play started at Old Trafford. self-isolation. COVID-19 before his isolation land of genuine speed on an “I am extremely sorry for period is lifted. Old Trafford pitch with a repu- what I have done,” Archer, “The West Indies team tation for aiding fast bowlers. who played in last week’s first have been made aware and are The 25-year-old hit the 90 Pakistan player returns to squad in England after positive virus test Test, said in an England and satisfied with the measures miles-per-hour mark during Wales cricket Board (ECB) that have been imposed,” the a return of 3-45 in the sec- AFP ries starting in Manchester on positive test result for the rem- name the player, Pakistan me- statement. ECB statement said. ond innings at Southampton Manchester August 5, with those matches nants of a previous COVID-19 in- dia identified him as uncapped “I have put, not only my- A spokesman said the – although the West Indies set to be followed by three fection and in consultation with left-arm spinner Kashif Bhatti. self, but the whole team and breach had come to light late still won the first Test by four An unnamed Pakistani crick- Twenty20 internationals. Public Health England and a Thursday’s announce- management in danger. I fully on Wednesday. He could not wickets. eter has rejoined the squad “A Pakistan player has been virologist, a safety-first approach ment came on the same day accept the consequences of my confirm if Archer would face “No (not ideal),” said in England after self-isolating cleared to return to the squad was taken to isolate the player. that England fast bowler Jofra actions, and I want to sincere- disciplinary action in addition returning England captain following a positive test for after undergoing a precaution- “The player has since re- Archer was ruled out of the on- ly apologise to everyone in the to missing the second Test on Joe Root. coronavirus, it was announced ary period of self-isolation,” turned two negative tests with going second Test against the bio-secure bubble.” health grounds. Stuart Broad returned with on Thursday. said an England and Wales no risk of infection to other West Indies at Old Trafford A Lancashire spokesman The spokesman added that fellow pacemen Chris Woakes Pakistan are in England Cricket Board spokesman. players and staff.” after breaching bio-security stressed the bio-secure proto- England do not track player or and Sam Curran also recalled. preparing for a three-Test se- “The player had returned a Although the ECB did not regulations.

Team talk Hamilton wants records, justice ahead of Hungarian GP Russell and Latifi AFP wait long to be back in the car staying at Williams Budapest so let’s hope Hungary is better while while Bottas for us,” said Vettel, humbled to remain at Four days after one of his by events that have left team most consummate and memo- chief Mattia Binotto under Mercedes rable triumphs, Lewis Ham- fierce criticism in Italy. Budapest: George Russell said ilton returns to one of his fa- Binotto said Ferrari were on Thursday that Williams have vourite circuits this weekend losing a second a lap to Mer- refused to allow him to leave with more than another For- cedes in Austria, an admission next season, ending speculation mula One record in his sights. that exasperated the team’s that he might replace Valtteri As he prepares for the Hun- fans and the Italian media. Bottas at Mercedes. Williams, garian Grand Prix at the tight Former Ferrari boss Ross who were put up for sale be- and twisty Hungaroring circuit, Brawn, who oversaw Schu- fore the coronavirus-delayed 25 kilometres north of Buda- macher’s five titles with Ferra- season started two weeks ago pest, the six-time world cham- ri, observed: “They aren’t go- in Austria, also confirmed that pion will draw on his experi- ing to turn it around overnight Canadian rookie Nicholas Latifi ence and his momentum as he and there’s a long road ahead. would continue next season. pursues twin goals of a seventh They need to find out if there Russell has been linked with drivers’ title and making last- is a fundamental problem with a switch to Mercedes, where ing progress in the global anti- the car – and they need to find he came through the junior racism campaign for equality, out fast – because clearly they programme and remains part diversity and justice. are some way off the pace.” of their young driver stable, for Hamilton has enjoyed sev- As at the previous two several months. en previous victories in Hun- weekends, the race will be run The confirmation by Williams gary and on Sunday can draw behind closed doors and un- suggests that the champions level with Michael Schumach- der very strict protocols with have decided to re-sign Bottas er’s landmark of claiming Mercedes’ Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas (;eft) and Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton address the drivers’ press conference for the Formula the Hungarian government to run alongside six-time cham- eight at the same Grand Prix. One Hungarian Grand Prix at the Hungaroring circuit in Mogyorod near Budapest, Hungary, on Thursday. (AFP) insisting all involved, but no- pion Lewis Hamilton. Schumacher reeled off eight tably those from outside the “I’ll be staying with Williams for triumphs at the French Grand Hungary. The Dutchman came “I don’t know,” he said. ment lasted only three corners European Union, must stay in 2021 – you heard it here first,” Prix, at Magny Cours, between “Budapest and Montreal home third behind Hamilton “But, for sure, I hope it’s going at the Red Bull Ring before their hotels except when going Russell told an official video 1994 and 2006, a feat that you’d probably say have been and his Mercedes team-mate to be better.” their drivers collided, leaving to the circuit or the airport. news conference at the Hunga- Hamilton hopes to emulate. my strongest so I’m excited to Valtteri Bottas, who won the them as red-faced as their cars. “These restrictions apply roring circuit. “I have no hard “Whenever I am reminded go back -- it is a track where season-opener at the Red Bull Ferrari under fire Four-time world champion from the moment you enter feelings or anything towards Mer- of the records that Michael the Red Bulls usually do well Ring, on Sunday and admitted Behind Red Bull’s expected Sebastian Vettel, linked with a Hungary,” said Mercedes boss cedes, there’s nothing more they had, it’s just still mind-blow- so it’s not going to be easy.” he did not have the outright bid to catch Mercedes, there switch to Aston Martin-Racing Toto Wolff. can do,” the 22-year-old Briton ing to me,” said Hamilton Red Bull’s Max Verstappen speed to match them. could be a closely-fought scrap Point next season after being “We are going to enter late added to Sky Sports F1. “Claire when he looked ahead to the seeks to end Mercedes’ win- His team boss Christian as under-performing and un- told this is his last year at Ferra- as nobody wants to be stuck in (Williams, deputy team chief) Budapest weekend follow- ning start to the COVID-19 de- Horner, however, believes Red der-pressure Ferrari seeking ri, retained his dignity as Charles a hotel room from Monday to was very firm that she’s not ing his victory at the Styrian layed season and prevent the Bull can close that gap at the some solace after a bruising Leclerc accepted the blame and Thursday before we go to the ready to let me go and I have to Grand Prix last Sunday. champion team completing a slower Hungaroring, but Ver- weekend last time out. apologised immediately. track – and so we will main- respect her decision. (AFP) “I’ve always loved it, season-opening hat-trick. stappen is less certain. The Italian team’s involve- “At least I don’t have to tain our bubble in Austria.”