Djokovic wants Australian Open to go ahead ‘for the sake of tennis’ TUESday, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 page 14 Bio-bubble to provide safe environ in Qatar for 2020 AFC CL East Zone matches: LOC Qatar will once again We have written the COVID best practices protocol and demonstrate its tested it at various events high standards including the West Zone matches of the AFC of hosting Champions League. We are excellence: QFA’s implementing the same bubble-to-bubble method Khalid Al Kuwari for the East Zone matches as well and the learnings Tribune News Network from the West Zone Doha matches will be applied Following the successful here with some fine tunings. organization of the COVID- Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, 19-delayed West Zone group and knock-out matches of Advisor to Minister of 2020 AFC Champions League, Public Health of Qatar Qatar is all set to step in yet on Sports Affairs again successfully as a central- ized venue for the East Zone safety protocols, policies and phase of Asia’s elite continen- implementation. “We are hap- tal competition, according to py to be back in Qatar follow- Qatar Football Association’s ing the successful organization Khalid Al Kuwari, who is also of the West Zone group and the Marketing and Communi- knockout matches,” he said. cations Director of the Local Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Musleh, Advisor to Minister of Public Health of Qatar on Sports Affairs, Qatar Football Association’s Khalid Al Kuwari, also Marketing & Communications Director “The East Zone matches Organizing Committee for the of the Local Organizing Committee for the 2020 AFC Champions League East Zone, and Avazdek Berdikulov, AFC Deputy Director of Competitions and Football Events Division at will witness more or less the 2020 AFC Champions League the press conference in Doha on Monday. same safety procedures and East Zone. we are quite comfortable with “It gives utmost satisfac- dynamic manner and are ably ards of hosting excellence on ID best practices protocol and ing guidelines, wearing of the world is such that one has it. There are some changes, tion to the LOC to align with supported by the Government multiple fronts especially the tested it at various events in- masks at all times and conduct- to be prepared for positive which are improvements after the AFC and bring to Qatar the of Qatar in matters such as tournament infrastructure cluding the West Zone match- ing temperature checks are the cases at all times. “We are ex- applying the learnings from distinguished East Zone phase COVID safety and testing pro- and the health and safety of es of the AFC Champions precautionary best practices pecting one to three percent the West Zone tournament. of the AFC Champions League tocols. It gives us an opportu- players and officials.” League,” said Dr. Al Musleh. that will be seen in the East of tests conducted during the Participating clubs from all after successfully hosting the nity to test the effectiveness of Dr. Abdul Wahab Al Mu- “We are implementing the Zone matches as well.” tournament to give positive nations have been cooperat- West Zone phase,” Al Kuwari the facilities that will be in use sleh, Advisor to Minister of same bubble-to-bubble meth- Dr. Al Musleh shed light on results. This is in line with the ing very well and they are all said while addressing the me- during the tournament – five Public Health of Qatar on od for the East Zone matches the policy improvements which general trend in the country. convinced that Qatar is a safe dia on Monday two days ahead bubble hotels, four stadiums Sports Affairs, shed light on as well and the learnings from the East Zone tournament In the case of a positive test for host nation capable of a high of the kick-off of the tourna- including the three fully com- the COVID safety policies the West Zone matches will will witness. “During the West a player or official, the Isola- level of hosting standard. We ment which will witness 15 pleted ones that will be used and protocols that will be in be applied here with some Zone tournament, we learned tion hotel facility will be pro- have put in place a mechanism teams battling it out across 40 in the 2022 FIFA World Cup place during the competition. fine tunings.W e have already things as we went by. There vided by the government free of working with the QFA and matches to decide the identity Qatar,” said Al Kuwari. “I thank the AFC for choos- conducted swab tests at the was a breach of the bio-bubble of charge. Players who have the LOC to attend to matters of the Finalist against Iran’s “The afternoon kick-off ing Qatar as the centralized airport on the teams who have by a particular team and we been in close contact will also at the highest possible levels Perspolis who had won the timings once again will en- venue for the East Zone AFC arrived in Doha and will be do- then had to frame a policy for be isolated in the same bubble in all necessary scenarios.” West Zone competition held able us to demonstrate the ef- Champions League after we ing so for all arrivals. the violation of the bio-bubble hotel and they can continue The East Zone phase of the between September 14 and ficiency of our pioneering sta- delivered a successful West “All teams will make their terms and conditions. In the training and participating in 2020 AFC Champions League October 3. dium cooling system which Zone competition,” said Dr. Al way to their designated hotel East Zone competition, we have the tournament as long as they will conclude with the Zonal “Life must go on but under had earned a lot of praise Musleh, who is overseeing the bubble. They will be tested been able to introduce all these don’t test positive.” final on 13 December which strict precautions and under during the West Zone tourna- health and safety aspects of every three or six days, which- policies right from the start of Avazdek Berdikulov, AFC will be followed by the AFC certain rules and regulations. ment, he added. the East Zone competition af- ever the case may be depend- the competition.” Deputy Director of Competi- Champions League Final on The 2020 East Zone AFC “Overall, I am confident ter essaying a similar role dur- ing on whether there are posi- The eminent medical advi- tions and Football Events Divi- December 19 at the Al Janoub Champions League LOC and that Qatar will once again ing the West Zone one as well. tive cases or not. sor added pragmatically that sion, concurred with Dr. Al Mu- Stadium, a venue for the FIFA the AFC are cooperating in a demonstrate its high stand- “We have written the COV- “Enforcing social distanc- the nature of COVID-19 across sleh regarding the health and World Cup Qatar 2022. Australia’s Perth Glory to face China’s AFC delegation praises Shanghai Shenhua first up on Wednesday Qatar’s preparations Tribune News Network tar – as well as the Jassim Bin Doha Hamad Stadium, home turf of Al Sadd Sports Club. The AFC delegation on Sun- The delegation on Sunday day visited the stadiums that praised the final preparations will host the AFC Champions and arrangements made by League East Zone matches the LOC to receive the teams from November 18. and the transportation plans The AFC delegation’s visit carried out. to the Nov 18-Dec 19 venues The Asian delegation ap- came per its main organiza- preciated ‘the great plans made tional tasks. The commission by the LOC, which spared no also held several meetings effort in providing all require- with officials of theL ocal Or- ments of the teams competing ganizing Committee (LOC) in the East Zone event’. besides undertaking trips to The AFC at the same time designated team hotels. commended the health proce- The venue’s visited by the dures and the strict medical delegation include the iconic protocol put in place by the Khalifa International Sta- LOC and the relevant authori- A Shanghai Shenhua FC player on arrival with the team at the Hamad dium, the Education City Sta- ties in Qatar toward staging International Airport in Doha. The Al Janoub Stadium which will play host to the AFC Champions League final on December 19. dium and Al Janoub Stadium the month-long event under – which are the 2022 FIFA trying circumstances because AFC the COVID-19 pandemic. champions Ulsan Hyundai FC three days later. and officials were required to World Cup stadiums in Qa- of the coronavirus pandemic. Doha The action begins in Group of Korea Republic and group Group H promises to be undergo COVID-19 testing be- F at 1pm (Mecca time) with leaders FC Tokyo. an exciting battle as Jeon- fore their departure from their The exciting race to join AFC Champions League debu- In Group E, two-time AFC buk Hyundai Motors FC from respective countries and again Iran’s Persepolis FC in the tants and 2018/2019 A-League Champions League runners- Korea Republic are bidding upon their arrival in Qatar while 2020 AFC Champions League Premiers Perth Glory facing up FC Seoul play against Bei- for the treble following a suc- subsequent tests will be con- final on December 19 will kick- China’s Shanghai Shenhua FC jing FC on Saturday as both cessful season in the domestic ducted every three to six days. off on Wednesday in Doha, who will be setting their sights teams are currently tied on league. They play Shanghai All players and officials Qatar as Asia’s top clubs from on an opening victory. three points alongside Mel- SIPG FC on Sunday after the will also be put under a bio-se- the East Zone restart their ea- Along with fellow Chinese bourne Victory who face Bei- Chinese side take on Sydney cure bubble which limits their gerly anticipated Group Stage clubs Guangzhou Evergrande jing FC on November 24. FC earlier on Thursday. movement only to the hotel, campaigns. and Shanghai SIPG FC, the On Sunday, South Korea’s The group leaders Yokoha- stadium and training sites. Similar to the AFC Cham- three clubs are the only sides Suwon Samsung Bluewings will ma F. Marinos from Japan are Like the AFC Champions pions League (West), which who have yet to feature in be looking to revive their hopes only in action on November League (West), the Video was successfully staged last this season’s AFC Champions of qualifying to the Round of 16 25 where they play Shanghai Assistant Referee (VAR) sys- month, players and officials League Group Stage. when they face 2013 and 2015 SIPG FC. tem will also be implemented will be placed under strict Shanghai Shenhua FC will champions Guangzhou Ever- To ensure the safety of in the 2020 AFC Champi- health regulations and meas- have a busy stretch of matches grande FC, who meet Group G everyone involved in the AFC ons League (East) from the The AFC delegation at one of the 2020 AFC Champions League East ures as a precaution against soon after as they meet 2012 leaders Vissel Kobe from Japan Champions League, players quarter-final stage. Zone matches venues in Qatar. 14 Tuesday, November 17, 2020 Sports

Al Annabi to meet South Korea in friendly in Austria today

Qatar will take on fellow Asian powerhouse Korea Republic in a friendly in Vienna, Austria, on Tuesday. The match will be bring back memories of the 2019 Asian Cup quarter-final tie where the two sides met and which saw Qatar emerge victorious 1-0 en route to lifting the continental trophy for the first time ever. Qatar’s squad in Austria consists of: Mishal Barsham, Pedro Miguel, Tariq Salman, Abdel-Karim Hassan, Boualem Khoukhi, Hassan Al-Haydos, Akram Afif, Musab Khudar, Muhammad Waad, Yousif Abdulrasaq, Ahmed Suhail, Al-Moez Ali, Karim Boudiaf, Ismail Muhammad, Abdullah Abd al-Salam, Mahdi Ali, Ahmad Alaa al-Din, Moayed Hassan, Humam Ahmad, Abdullah Maarifieh, Ahmed Fathy, Ahmed Moein, Abdel Aziz Hatem, Fahd Younis, Mohammed Abu Nada and Issa Ahmed. Johnson showed Al Rayyan, Gharafa complete Sunday poise to Ooredoo Cup semis line-up win Masters, sees Tribune News Network more to come Doha AFP Al Rayyan and Al Gharafa Augusta (US) booked their places in the semi-finals of the 2020-21 Dustin Johnson proved to Ooredoo Cup on Monday. himself he can hold a last-day While Al Rayyan edged Al lead to win a major, taking the Khor 1-0 in the fourth quarter- Masters title he most desired. final at the Al Arabi Stadium, And the world number one is Al Gharafa defeated Al Sadd just getting started. 4-2 at the Qatar SC Stadium. Johnson delivered an im- For Al Rayyan, Abdulrah- pressive closing Sunday at Au- man Al Harazi scored the all- gusta National to win in record important goal in the 43rd fashion, handling the tension to minute. set a Masters 72-hole record of Both teams fielded almost 20-under 268 with a final-round full-strength squads, as they 68 for a five-stroke triumph. did previously in the tourna- “Growing up so close to here, ment, and the seriousness since I played my first Masters, reflected on the pitch as they it’s been the tournament I want- played a charging game from ed to win the most,” he said. the onset. “This one was just something It was end-to-end attack that I really wanted to do.” and counter-attack, and both ACTION FROM THE QUARTER-FINALS: Al Gharafa vs Al Sadd at Qatar SC Stadium (left); and Al Rayyan vs Al Khor at Al Arabi Stadium on Monday. After going winless in four Dustin Johnson is awarded the sides had chances galore. majors with a lead entering the Green Jacket by Masters champi- Al Rayyan’s Ahmed Ab- Awad hit one over the bar and more organised side and they recover from a 0-2 deficit, but cross from the flank, but his last round, the kid who grew on Tiger Woods during the Green delmaqsoud came up with a Ibrahim Masoud’s shot was progressed to the semi-final. late strikes from Hanni and Al shot was pouched by the goal- up an hour’s drive away now Jacket Ceremony after winning thumping shot off a corner parried by Al Khor goalkeeper Yahri helped Al Gharafa to a keeper. wears a 42-long green jacket. the Masters at Augusta National kick in the 17th minute and it Baba Djibril. Late strikes power commanding win. In the 19th minute, Talal “I proved I can get it done Golf Club on Sunday. (Getty/AFP) went inches wide. Then came the goal, with Al Gharafa In the seventh minute, Al Abdulla of Al Sadd was shown on Sunday with the lead at a At the other end, Al Khor’s the move originating from Two late goals powered Al Gharafa’s Hanni received a the red card for a front-on major, especially in tough con- for more major success after Leonardo De Souza had his Ahmed Abdelmaqsoud and Gharafa to a 4-2 win over Al neat low cross from skipper tackle on Abdollah Ali. Ref- ditions,” Johnson said. his Masters breakthrough. header go wide of the target a Ibrahim Masoud setting up Al Sadd in the third quarter-final. Abdulghani Muneer just a few eree Moatasem Al Mazyed re- “I proved to myself that I “I dream of winning a lot of couple of minutes later. Harazi, who brilliantly made Sofiane Hanni (27th and metres away from the Al Sadd viewed the foul on VAR and do have it. There was doubts majors. Just hadn’t quite hap- Leonardo was in the thick his way into the box and put 83rd minute-penalty), Koo box. Despite being chased by then decided to send Abdulla in my mind, just because I had pened yet,” he said. “Hopefully of action the very next minute the ball into the left corner of Ja-Cheol (48th minute) and two defenders, Hanni hood- off the field as Al Sadd players been there. I’m in this position this one will help, though, give as he almost scored with a chip the net. Othman Al Yahri (86th min- winked goalkeeper Jehad Mo- remonstrated on the decision. a lot of times. Like when am I me a little spring. shot over the head of goal- In the second half, A Khor ute) were the goal heroes of hammed with a neat left-foot- Al Gharafa grabbed the going to have the lead and fin- “The first major’s the hard- keeper Saoud Al Hajri, who pressed hard for an equaliser, Al Gharafa. ed tap that narrowly missed lead when Hanni, after a long ish off a major? It definitely est, but then I would say the had left his charge, and Dami with Ioannis Fetfatzidid pull- Rodrigo Tabata (52nd the far goalpost with nobody cross from the centerline, ran proved I can do it.” second one is just as hard. Traore had to effect a goalline ing strings from the midfield, minute) and Santiago Cazorla on the goal-line. for a few metres before calmly Johnson, whose only other They’re all difficult to win. It’s save to avert danger. but could not make a break- (73rd-minute penalty) helped Two minutes later, Muneer slotting the ball between the major title came at the 2016 just hard to get it done in a Al Rayyan’s Mowafak through. Al Rayyan were the reigning champions Al Sadd produced a header on a long goalkeeper’s legs. US Open, sees the door open major for some reason.

Ooredoo Doha Marathon postponed, new date soon Djokovic wants Australian Open to

Tribune News Network has been decided. Doha go ahead ‘for the sake of tennis’ Sabah Rabiah Al Kuwari, Director PR at Ooredoo, said: In the interest of health and “The Ooredoo Doha Marathon AFP and the tournaments before, because safety for all participants, is one of the most popular Melbourne obviously you have to leave quite in ad- Ooredoo has announced that events on the sporting calen- vance, actually, I think two-and-a-half the Ooredoo Doha Marathon dar in Doha, and it’s an in- Novak Djokovic said on Monday he or three weeks prior to the first match. 2021 has been postponed. credible event every year. It’s hopes the Australian Open goes ahead “So let’s see how that goes. But I’m The much-anticipated an- an honour for us to support “for the sake of tennis”, admitting the just hoping for the sake of tennis and nual event, which draws thou- it as part of our commitment sport faces a challenging time as it gears sake of players that we will have the sands of international and to promoting a healthy, ac- up for the 2021 season. Australian Open and also the possibil- local runners and spectators tive lifestyle for all. In order The world number one is playing ity of the ATP Cup and a couple more each year, was scheduled to to ensure everyone’s health in the ATP Finals in London at the end tournaments at least.” take place in January 2021. and safety – but still put on an of a coronavirus-truncated season but The plan for Australia would re- While restrictions have event of the calibre for which the new campaign is due to start in just portedly involve more than 500 in- eased since full lockdown the Marathon is known – it’s seven weeks’ time. ternational tennis players arriving in earlier in the year, organisers in everyone’s interests to post- Tennis Australia earlier on Monday Victoria and undergoing two weeks of took the view that postponing pone until a later date. We look flagged plans to move numerous Aus- mandatory quarantine. until a later date would allow forward to sharing this new tralian Open warm-up events to the The players, many of whom travel the best – and safest - possible date with everyone as soon as state of Victoria, but received a blunt with large entourages, would be re- event for all involved. we can, and wish everyone the warning from the state premier that he stricted to hotels but have access to A new date will be shared best of luck with their training would scupper any event that risked re- tennis courts. with all parties as soon as it in the meantime!” igniting Melbourne’s COVID-19 crisis. Serbia’s Novak Djokovic serves against Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman in their men’s Once they had completed quar- Under the plan, tournaments origi- singles round-robin match on day two of the ATP World Tour Finals tennis tournament antine and twice tested negative for nally planned for Sydney, Brisbane, at the O2 Arena in London on Monday. (AFP) Covid-19, they would be able to move Perth, Hobart, Adelaide and Canberra freely around Victoria. would all be played in Victoria before ian Open going ahead without everyone utant Diego Schwartzman 6-3, 6-2 in Andrews noted that it was a huge the Open at Melbourne Park from Jan- (all players) in Victoria, and we didn’t his opening match at London’s O2 Are- logistical undertaking involving com- uary 18 to 31. have that guarantee previously,” he told na, said he had “not noticed much of a plex quarantine arrangements, saying Tournament director Craig Tiley Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper. doubt” over whether the tournaments “the notion this is all tied up with a bow, said the move was because virus re- But Victoria Premier Dan Andrews would go ahead. it’s a done deal, that’s simply wrong”. strictions meant that state govern- said the plans were “not a done deal”, “I want to play in Australia, Aus- Tennis Australia seemingly jumped ments could not guarantee overseas particularly since Melbourne only re- tralian Open,” added the Serbian, who the gun with its announcement, with players contesting warm-ups outside cently emerged from a month-long is an eight-time winner of the season- Tiley confidently predicting the Vic- Victoria would be free to travel to Mel- lockdown to eliminate a second wave opening Grand Slam and the reigning toria state government would allow bourne for the Grand Slam. of COVID-19. champion. crowds of at least 25 percent capacity “There is now no risk of the Austral- Djokovic, who beat Argentine deb- “I’m not sure about the ATP Cup at Melbourne Park. Sports Tuesday, November 17, 2020 15 Aussie cricket great Steve Waugh captures spirit of India through camera lens

AFP has embraced since a meeting dec- Sydney ades ago with the late nun and mis- sionary Mother Teresa. Australian great Steve Waugh Waugh, who made his interna- has long held a deep affection for tional debut against India and cap- India, firsttouring the country in tained Australia through a golden 1986. But his experiences were all era from 1999 to 2004, took about too often fleeting glimpses, before 17,000 photos and had to whittle he got the chance to return and them down to 220 for the book. photograph everyday cricket in the sport’s powerhouse. Bamboo crutches Travelling from one ground to “That was harder than taking the next as a player, and function them because you don’t want to leave to function as Australia’s captain, any out. Every one brings back a Waugh felt he never got to properly memory,” he said. see and feel the melting pot of life in “There were so many great scenes the teeming, South Asian nation. – playing cricket with monks in front But those small peeks into back- of the Himalayas was something I streets and alleyways from Kolkata to never thought I’d see or do and the Jodhpur never left his mind. physically challenged cricketers were Waugh, one of most successful incredible. skippers in cricket history, recalls “These guys had missing limbs being overwhelmed by “the absolute or polio, things like that, and to see and complete bombardment of my them flying through the air landing senses”, and vowed to one day go on these sort of bamboo crutches as back when his star was shining a lit- they bowled was an amazing life ex- tle less brightly. perience.” It was a memorable trip “It’s something that’s always for Waugh, who had always been in- been in the back of my mind, I was terested in photography. always fascinated by what I saw out He said he hoped the end prod- of the bus window, everyday life, uct would help people better under- the spirit of the people,” Australia’s stand what cricket means to Indians. most capped player told AFP in an “It’s hard to do it justice unless interview. you’ve been there, but there’s 1.4 “I couldn’t comprehend really billion people who almost all know how important cricket was to the something about cricket and all feel people and how it was almost a connected,” he said. religion.” Waugh, 55, put it off for “Particularly for the people years, until the Australian team living below the poverty line, were plunged into crisis in 2018 which is probably 800 million, it by the ball-tampering scandal in gives them hope and it gives them South Africa. This handout picture taken on January 19, 2020 and released by Steve Waugh/Sams Marketing on November 15, 2020 shows children playing cricket in the something to be proud of, they With Australian cricket at a low desert in Osian, India’s Rajasthan state. (Photo by Steve Waugh/Sams Marketing Pty Ltd/AFP) feel connected and in some way point, he began planning a “feel- responsible for their team doing good” project which culminated in well.” “It doesn’t take much mon- an 18-day journey through far-flung know, 18 months or so ago people Parke, Waugh set off in January He met cricketing monks, a Cricket – and a documentary due to ey to play cricket -- a bat and ball parts of India with his camera to cap- were saying that cricket had lost its before the coronavirus pandemic 100-year-old player, and a three- air ahead of a India’s limited-overs and the rest is up to your imagina- ture the essence and simple joys of soul after what happened in Cape changed the world. year-old Instagram batting sensa- and Test tour of Australia. tion,” he added. the game, and raise money for sick Town,” Waugh said. “I just wanted to His journey took him to the de- tion, while being inspired by blind Proceeds will support his work “You don’t have to be physically children at the same time. do a feel-good project that I was pas- sert of Rajasthan, the foothills of the and physically challenged players. with charities in India and the big or imposing to play and they sionate about.” Himalayas and the teeming streets of Old friends like Sachin Ten- Steve Waugh Foundation, which have these role models and heroes 100-year-old cricketer Accompanied by a mentor in Mumbai, stopping wherever he saw dulkar got involved and the end raises funds for children with rare so cricket, they really are fanatical, “It was just a fun project. You professional photographer Trent the game being played. product was a book – The Spirit of diseases, a philanthropic role he passionate about it.”

Australia virus cluster Track Days are back after a break causes jitters over at Losail Circuit Sports Club India tour Down Under AFP South Australia, where they Adelaide had been playing Sheffield Shield cricket, Australian me- Snap restrictions to curb a dia reported. coronavirus outbreak in South South Australian state Australia complicated prepa- premier Steven Marshall said rations for India’s blockbuster he was hopeful the outbreak cricket tour Monday, with could be brought under con- Australian captain Tim Paine trol in time to avoid disruption reportedly forced into isola- to the Test tour. tion and questions raised over “The cricket is still some the first Test in Adelaide. time down the track and we’ll Australian health and deal with this as quickly as we cricketing authorities on Mon- possibly can,” he said. day said it was too early to tell “If we act quickly and de- what a rapidly emerging clus- cisively, we get in front of this, ter of virus cases around Ad- I’m hopeful that we can get this Action from the first Track Day of the season held on Saturday following the health and safety measures issued by the Ministry of Public Health elaide would mean for India’s resolved in the coming weeks.” (MoPH), maintaining all the precautions to host a successful event. tour, which gets underway on Australian captain Tim Paine has Paceman and vice-captain November 27. been reportedly forced into isola- Pat Cummins indicated there Tribune News Network The return of Track Day safety requirements for eve- the protocols. Virat Kohli’s men are sched- tion and questions raised over was still uncertainty about the Losail was organised following the ryone’s safety,” stated LCSC All the participants (includ- uled to play a series of ODIs and the first estT in Adelaide. impact of the outbreak. health and safety measures is- Vice-President and General ing co-drivers, mechanics, help- T20s in relatively virus-free “To be honest I’m not sure The return of circuit motor- sued by the Ministry of Public Manager Khalid Al Remaihi. ers, media, etc ...) had to register Sydney and Canberra before Australian states on Mon- how that might affect us in a sport activities kicked off with Health (MoPH), maintaining “We are working to organ- in advance and the registration travelling to Adelaide for the day rushed to reimpose re- few weeks when we’re due to a successful track day Losail all the precautions to host a ize very soon other events as the closed at 2pm the day prior to first Test on December 17-21. strictions on domestic travel go over there,” he said. Circuit Sports Club (LCSC) successful event. opening of the karting, but it the event. For safety reasons, The South Australian city that could complicate the “Cricket Australia have organised on Saturday No- “We are very happy that will be announced when all will there was no onsite registration. has become the epicentre of squads’ movements. thought of every continency... vember 14, the first Track Day we could resume again the be in place,” added Al Remaihi. The next Track Day will be on Australia’s efforts to suppress Australia’s Test captain coming up with different op- of the season after all the pub- circuit activities with a Track There was a great attend- the 28th November. To partici- the pandemic, with 17 cases Paine and several other play- tions, different plans. So I’m lic events were forced to be Day and we had a good at- ance of participants and it pate register through the web- linked to an outbreak in hotel ers from multiple states were sure whatever we have to do stopped due to the coronavi- tendance. We followed all the was fully booked as per the site www.lcsc.qa or download- confinement. told to isolate after travel to we’ll find a way.” rus (COVID-19) pandemic. MoPH protocols and kept the capacity allowed following all ing the app LCSC.

Quick read England’s Buttler wary of ‘fantastic’ De Kock ahead of SA tour South African cricket crisis nears end as board set to be appointed AFP But attention will be fo- limited to two venues – in this London cussed on the shortest format case Cape Town and Paarl – Johannesburg: The crisis engulfingS outh African cricket was given there are Twenty20 with players from both sides seemingly averted on Monday as the interim board of the country’s England’s Jos Buttler World Cups in both 2021 and based in bio-secure bubbles. governing body looked set to be appointed hours before England were has said he is a “huge fan” of 2022. Buttler is one of several due to fly to Cape Town for a limited overs tour. Judge ZakY acoob, South Africa captain Quinton And the clash between England players who gained chairman of the interim board of Cricket South Africa (CSA), said in de Kock as the two wicket- Buttler and De Kock, both dy- further experience of bubble a message sent to reporters that the body’s members’ council had keeper-batsmen prepare to go namic batsmen and athletic life while playing in this year’s made the decision to recognise the board after a weekend of un- head-to-head in an upcoming keepers, could go a long way to Indian Premier League where certainty. Yacoob said that the decision had been made on Monday Twenty20 series. deciding the series. one of his team-mates at the afternoon and that there would be a meeting between the members’ England travel to South “I’m a huge fan of his,” Rajasthan Royals was England council -- representing the presidents of South Africa’s provincial Africa on Monday, despite Buttler told reporters on Mon- quick Jofra Archer. unions -- and the interim board on Monday evening. Yacoob’s remarks administrative chaos within day before the squad left for South Africa’s Quinton de Kock (left) and England’s Jos Buttler. Even though the Royals followed a weekend of uncertainty during which the members’ council South African cricket that Cape Town. finished bottom of the table, reportedly initially refused to bow to pressure from sports minister threatened the trip, for a tour “He is a fantastic player “He is one of my favourite added Buttler. fast bowler Archer was named Nathi Mthethwa, who has the power to withdraw government recogni- that includes three interna- with an excellent cricket brain. players in the world at the mo- The tour will, as happened the tournament’s most valu- tion of CSA as the controlling body of cricket in South Africa. (AFP) tional T20 matches and three I really enjoy how he views the ment, and is brilliant with the with England’s recent home in- able player after taking 20 one-day internationals. game and looks to take it on. bat and as a wicketkeeper,” ternational series, see matches wickets in 14 matches.