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DohaDoha 22019019 long-jump Winning Dhoni's championchampio Mihambo trust key to to work with getting captaincy, Carl Lewis says Kohli

MONDAY 1 JUNE 2020 Liverpool’s training return a ‘massive lift’ for Klopp

AFP – LONDON

Jurgen Klopp admitted yesterday that it has been a “massive lift” to see his Liverpool squad back training together as they prepare for the return of the Premier League. The English top flight is set Dortmund’s English midfielder Jadon to restart on June 17 and teams Sancho scores his team’s second goal have been able to resume against SC Paderborn 07 during their group training after weeks of German match played isolation due to the corona- Benteler Arena in Paderborn, yesterday. virus lockdown. It has been an especially frustrating time for Liverpool boss Klopp, whose side were two wins away from clinching Bundesliga: Sancho keeps Dortmund the Premier League title when the season was halted because of the pandemic in March. “We never had nine weeks without football training in our in title hunt with brilliant hat-trick lives since we played football, pretty much. That’s all dif- REUTERS – PADERBORN behind champions and league Dortmund a 54th-minute lead It turned out to be a false broke away at the halfway line ferent but interesting as well,” leaders Bayern Munich, while from close range after keeper dawn as Sancho scored Dort- barely 60 seconds later and Klopp told Liverpool’s website. England forward Jadon Sancho Paderborn remained rooted to Leopold Zingerle, who had mund’s third two minutes later with Paderborn throwing eve- “We enjoy the situation, capped a blistering individual the foot of the standings on 19 made a string of good saves, with a fine left-foot shot from rybody forward for a corner, he that’s really all good. And it performance with a second-half points. failed to deal with an Emre Can inside the penalty area and Pad- had all the time and space to makes all the difference for us, hat-trick which helped Borussia With prolific 19-year-old cross from the left. erborn fell apart in the closing put the icing on the cake with a to be honest, to come together Dortmund to a 6-1 win at Norway striker Erling Haaland Sancho made it 2-0 with a stages. clinical finish. and have this hour or two here Paderborn yesterday and kept sidelined by a knee injury, the simple tap-in from two metres Achraf Hakimi drilled in the Dortmund, the 1997 Cham- together. alive their slim Bundesliga title visitors missed a string of three minutes later thanks some fourth in the 85th minute with pions League winners who last “You get this contact, hopes. chances in the first half but good work from Julian Brandt a crisp shot into the far corner won the German title in 2012, feedback as well on the pitch The result left Dortmund Sancho lit up the second as before an Uwe Hunemeier and Marcel Schmelzer added are at home to ninth-placed directly, not via a computer or second on 60 points from 29 Dortmund ran riot. penalty briefly rekindled Pad- the fifth in the 89th from close Hertha Berlin in the next round a screen. It’s a massive lift.” games with five rounds of , who took erborn’s challenge in the 72nd range. on Saturday while Paderborn Liverpool have a 25-point matches remaining, seven Haaland’s place up front, gave minute. The unstoppable Sancho visit fifth-placed RB Leipzig. lead over second placed Man- chester City, putting their first English title for 30 years BUNDESLIGA: within touching distance if the STANDINGS Thuram, Plea shine in Gladbach rout of Union season does restart. The Reds’ first game back Ranking/Team Points REUTERS – BERLIN Moenchengladbach’s French forward Marcus Thuram reacts after scoring is scheduled to be the Mer- 1: FC Bayern Munich 67 a goal during the Bundesliga match against Union Berlin in Moenchengladbach, seyside derby against Everton 2: 60 Marcus Thuram and Alassane Plea combined to score three western Germany, yesterday. and Klopp is building his 3: Borussia M’gladbach 56 goals as Borussia Moenchengladbach crushed Union Berlin players’ fitness towards that 4: Bayer 04 Leverkusen 56 4-1 yesterday to reclaim third place in the Bundesliga with date. five matches left. “We don’t have to be 5: RB Leipzig 55 The 22-year-old Thuram headed in at the far post from match-fit now. We try it with 6: VfL Wolfsburg 42 fellow Frenchman Plea’s cross in the 41st minute after increasing intensity, day by 7: TSG 1899 Hoffenheim 42 had put the hosts ahead in the 17th with day, but we have to be fit on 8: SC Freiburg 38 a solo run. the 19th or 20th, whichever 9: Hertha Berlin 38 Thuram went down on his knee in memory of George day they will give us against 10: FC Schalke 04 37 Floyd, an unarmed black man who died in Minnesota after Everton, I think,” Klopp said. 11: FC Köln 34 a white police officer knelt on his neck, sparking wide- “That’s the moment when 12: Eintracht Frankfurt 32 spread protests in the United States. we want to be at 100 percent. 13: FC Augsburg 31 Sebastian Andersson briefly cut the deficit for the vis- It’s round about three weeks 14: FC Union Berlin 31 itors five minutes after the restart. until then, that’s good. We 15: FSV Mainz 05 28 But the hosts, playing fluid football in front of empty want to use that and we will. stands filled with cardboard cutouts of fans, were far “It’s our pre-season; how BUNDESLIGA: superior, constantly finding space to attack. I said, we don’t expect a long LEADING SCORERS Thuram, the son of 1998 World Cup winner Lilian break in between the seasons, Thuram, grabbed his second goal on the hour, tapping in so this is a very important 27: Lewandowski (Bayern at the far post after Plea threaded another pass through period for us.” Munich) the Union defence. Liverpool are now 24: Werner (RB Leipzig) Plea turned scorer himself with a well-timed left-footed awaiting confirmation on 14: Sancho (Dortmund) shot to join Thuram on 10 goals this season and put schedules and venues after 12: Hennings (Fortuna Gladbach back in the mix for a Champions League spot senior police chiefs raised con- Dusseldorf), Quaison (Mainz) with their first win in three games. cerns about the club playing The Foals, who next travel to Freiburg, are third in the any possible title-clinching 11: Andersson (Union standings on 56 points, ahead of Bayer Leverkusen on match at Anfield or another Berlin), Córdoba (Cologne), goal difference. team’s stadium. Gnabry (Bayern Munich), RB Leipzig, fifth on 55, take on Cologne today. Pro- All matches will be played Niederlechner (Augsburg), moted Union have now gone six games without a win to behind closed doors and it was Reus (Dortmund), Weghorst drop down to 14th, four points above the relegation playoff suggested Liverpool may have (Wolfsburg) spot. to move to a neutral venue in 10: Haaland (Dortmund), Bayern Munich lead the standings on 67 following their a bid to stop fans gathering Havertz (Bayer Leverkusen) 5-0 demolition of Fortuna Duesseldorf on Saturday. outside. Mercedes set to oppose F1 reverse-grid qualifying race plan REUTERS – LONDON Media, the governing FIA and the the overall points leader last on behind closed doors for the first The crew of Mercedes moves Lewis Hamilton's car ahead of competitors, and Mercedes were the grid. The aim is to make the time and the unprecedented sit- practice at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France in this A Formula One proposal for an unconvinced. A vote is expected action less predictable when the uation of two races at some cir- June 20, 2019 file photo. experimental reverse-grid qual- after Formula One publishes its same layout is used and provide cuits. Formula One’s plans ifying race when Austria hosts revised calendar early next week, more interest for broadcasters. envisage races in Asia, the two grands prix in July looks and unanimity is required. The experiment was mooted Americas and Middle East but unlikely to be accepted due to The idea would see qualifying already last year, before that could change. opposition from champions replaced by a 30 minute race on COVID-19 played havoc with the The sport was due to Mercedes. the second Saturday, with drivers calendar, with Formula One keen introduce major changes for 2021 Spielberg’s Red Bull Ring is starting in reverse order of their on having three reverse grid aimed at making races more due to start the season on July 5 previous finishing position. This races in 2020. That was dropped competitive but the bulk of those with a second race there, also non-points scoring sprint race when two teams, one of them have been pushed back to 2022. without spectators, a week later. would determine the grid for Mercedes, voted against. Teams have already accepted Team sources confirmed the Sunday. The season is already going a form of handicapping for next proposal was made at a meeting The experiment would be to be considerably reduced from year, with less successful outfits on Friday with commercial rights continued at other circuits the record 22 races originally able to do more aerodynamic holders Liberty hosting back-to-back races, with scheduled, with grands prix going work than the top ones. 06 SPORT MONDAY 1 JUNE 2020

Resumption of racing Horse racing under starters crucial, says BHA

REUTERS – LONDON

The government’s decision to give the green light orders on road to redemption for top-level competitive sport in England from today has been welcomed by the British AFP – LONDON Horseracing Authority (BHA) which says liveli- Star Catcher ridden by Frankie Dettori winning the 3.40 hoods in the multi-billion pound industry are English racing will offer a Ribblesdale Stakes during the Royal Ascot at the Ascot threatened. beacon of hope today after Racecourse in this June 20, 2019 file photo. Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden outlined months of nationwide gloom stage three of the government’s elite and pro- when it becomes the first fessional sport guidance on Saturday, saying sport in Britain to emerge competitive sport can return without spectators from coronavirus lockdown. under strict health criteria. Criticised for pressing British sport has been suspended since March ahead with the Cheltenham as part of the country’s response to the novel Festival as the pandemic coronavirus pandemic. took hold in March racing There has been no horse racing since March now finds itself in the news 18 at any of Britain’s 59 courses, but action will in an altogether more pos- resume with a meeting at Newcastle today. itive light. The first major sporting event in Britain since It returns at Newcastle the lockdown will be the classic 2,000 Guineas with a surreal feel with no flat race next Saturday at Newmarket. spectators to watch the 10 Royal Ascot will start on June 16, also without flat races restricted to 12 crowds. runners per contest and “This is an important stage towards a com- trainers, jockeys and grooms plete return for our industry and will help protect wearing masks. livelihoods and businesses,” BHA Chief Exec- There will be none of the utive Nick Rust said. usual celebratory hugs or “The timing is crucial for the breeding sector shake of the hands between and we thank the government and officials at jockeys and trainers as social DCMS (Department for Digital, Culture, Media distancing officers will be on & Sport) and Public Health England for their hand to ensure people stay coincides with the day the “The sport is only able to our horses out of training assistance in planning a safe return to racing. two metres apart. Government allows more go ahead on Monday and we stuck to that,” “There is still a tough battle ahead before we However, leading flat people to meet outside,” because of the thousands of Phoenix Thoroughbred’s can get fully back in business but this is a resilient trainer Hugo Palmer told Palmer said. horses owners have con- CEO Amer Abdulaziz Salman and world-leading industry and we are ready AFP morale at his Kremlin “My mother would have tinued to pay to have in This is an told AFP. for the task.” Horse racing will adopt a three- Cottage Stables in New- been furious if she caught training. unprecedented “For us, we need to race stage screening process in order to comply with market has been high due to me watching TV on a sunny “The overwhelming opportunity for racing not just for the prize money the government guidelines. the “sunniest spring for day! “However, we have to majority of staff were not in the UK to raise its but also for the breeding side Those working at the course will undergo years” but admits it might hope people will stay inside furloughed and we have not profile. With no other of our operation.” medical checks before departure and on arrival, have dipped had racing “not and watch the racing. It is a existed on government sport to watch, you Salman takes the same social distancing officials will be in place and no been around the corner”. real opportunity to pick up handouts. would hope a whole view as Palmer that it could spectators will be allowed. The genial Englishman new followers.” “We all owe them (the new audience and even be a new dawn for the The Jockey Club said the resumption of horse -- who established himself Palmer says racing owes owners) a huge debt of sport. racing was a huge boost to an industry worth generation will tune in: among the top rank with a huge debt to the loyalty of gratitude. “This is an unprece- around £4bn ($4.94bn). champion miler Galileo Gold owners through the crisis. “If they had pulled them Trainer Hugo Palmer dented opportunity for “The lockdown has been an incredibly hard in 2016 -- says racing Palmer said they could out of training then we racing in the UK to raise its period for our industry and it will be a long road resuming for the first time have cut their training costs would not have been in a profile,” he said. back to recovery,” Group Chief Executive Delia since March 17 is a “tre- by taking them away whilst position to put sport on at -- will have one runner “With no other sport to Bushell said. mendous opportunity” for the sport was shut down. all.” today. watch, you would hope a “Across British Racing, a huge amount of the sport. “People largely own Phoenix Thoroughbreds “We made a com- whole new audience and planning, effort and care has gone into ensuring “There is precious little racehorses for pleasure and -- who have over 60 horses mitment at the start of the even generation will tune we are ready to resume fixtures in the most else to watch although it amusement,” he said. in the United Kingdom lockdown not to take any of in.” responsible way.”

World long-jump champion Malaika Mihambo Former in action during the IAAF World Athletics Future of stadiums, Championships, Doha 2019 at the Khalifa Olympic International Stadium in Doha in this file photo. arenas promises high sprint champion tech, low capacity AP – KANSAS CITY Lines at restrooms and Morrow dead concessions will be limited. The coronavirus pandemic Congregating in the corridors AP – SAN BENITO, TEXAS that brought sports to a stand- will no longer be allowed. still for months has everyone “There’s the old saying, Bobby Joe Morrow, the wondering what games will ‘Necessity is the mother of Texas sprinter who won be like when spectators are invention.’ I would say we’re three gold medals in the finally allowed back in. It will in a heightened situation of 1956 Melbourne Olympics almost surely be different in necessity right now,” while a student at Abilene ways big and small. Appleman said. “There are a Christian University, died Fans could have their lot of really smart people on Saturday. He was 84. every move scrutinised by coming up with really cool Morrow’s family said cameras and lasers. There initiatives that could just be a he died of natural causes might be nobody in the next new way of doing things, and at home in San Benito. seat to high-five after a new isn’t always bad. Some- Morrow won the 100 touchdown. The idea of times change is good. Some- and 200 meters in Mel- Doha 2019 long-jump champion passing cash to a beer vendor times we have to adapt.” bourne and anchored the between innings will be a Those plans bring both United States’ champion memory. Temperature hope and fear: hope that some 400 relay team, matching screenings and medical fans will be able to see their the world record of 20.6 Mihambo to work with Carl Lewis checks could be mandatory. favorite teams in action, and seconds in the 200 and Virtual tickets will be the fear that places that rely helping the relay squad set AFP – BERLIN “I can learn a lot from them, norm. heavily on ticket sales will be a world record. that’s irreplaceable.” It all begs the question: able to make ends meet. Earlier in 1956 he suc- Reigning world long-jump German Mihambo won Will fans even be able to enjoy Mercedes-Benz Stadium, cessfully defended his champion Malaika Mihambo world gold in Doha in October the experience again? the home of the Falcons and AAU 100-yard title and revealed yesterday that she with a personal best leap of I have the feeling that now “There’s a wealth of unan- Atlanta United, already has swept the sprints for plans to move to the USA to be 7.30m and was voted her coun- is the right time for such ticipated casualties, I guess, cashless systems in place for Abilene Christian at the trained by athletics legends Carl try’s athlete of the year in 2019. a big step. Carl Lewis and that are going to be part of merchandise and concessions. national college champi- Lewis and Leroy Burrell. Only former East German Leroy Burrell, who will this, things we all took for Several professional teams onships. He was honored “I want to develop as an athletics legend Heike Drechsler, be my sprint coach, were granted as part of the live are in talks with motion ana- as “Sportsman of the Year” athlete and as a person,” who managed 7.48m in 1988, among the best in the game-day experience,” lytics company iinside, whose by Sports Illustrated, and Mihambo told German daily has jumped further for Germany. world for years. I can learn explained Nate Appleman, SafeDistance system uses Bild. won the AAU’s James E. Having got to know Lewis a lot from them, that’s director of the sports, recre- lasers to map spaces and Sullivan Award the fol- “I have the feeling that now and Burell in online video calls, ation and entertainment measure crowd density. At irreplaceable: Malaika lowing year. is the right time for such a big 26-year-old Mihambo plans to practice for Kansas City- KeyBank Center in Buffalo, “Our thoughts and step. quit Germany in August -- if Mihambo based architectural firm HOK. New York, a company called prayers are with the “Carl Lewis and Leroy travel restrictions due to the Some leagues are WaitTime utilises an app to Morrow family,” Abilene Burrell, who will be my sprint coronavirus allows -- for the returning with few or no fans, tell Sabres fans how long lines Christian tweeted on its coach,coach, were amongamong the States.States. a desire to improve her Spanish, including soccer in Germany, are at restrooms and sports account. best in the SheShe wwantsants to move to because “around 40 percent of stock car racing in the US and concessions. Morrow spent most of wworldorld forfor Houston,Houston, Texas,Texas, to be coached the population in Houston, baseball in Japan. But as It all sounds a bit his life in the Rio Grande years.years. by Lewis, 58,58, a nine-time where I will train and live, are sports ramp up, The AP found Orwellian - like Big Brother Valley along the Gulf of OlympicOlympic chachampionm in long Spanish-speaking”. during interviews with more is watching you. The systems Mexico near the Mexican jumpjump and sprints, and However, news of her plans than two dozen experts in dance a fine line between border. Burrell,Burrell, 53,53 a former ws greeted with disappointment stadium design and infra- informative and intrusive. But He was born in Har- Olympic anandd world 100m by the German Athletics Asso- structure that the only thing they also could mitigate the lingen and grew up in San relay champion.champi ciation (DLV). that might look the same is threat of spreading a virus, Benito. LewisLewis wrotewro himself into Top German female athletes what happens on the field of and that could make it all He starred in track and OlympicsOlympics folklorefolk with four Konstanze Klosterhalfen, a play. worthwhile. football at San Benito High gold medals, in the 100m, 5,000m world bronze medallist, The biggest short-term “We’re extrapolating off School, where the football 200m, 4x100m aand long jump, and Gina Lueckenkemper, the change will be social dis- these trends that have already stadium is named Bobby atat the 1984 Los AAngelesn Games. reigning European 100m tancing, which already has existed, and I think we’re Morrow Stadium. MihamboMihambo sayssa Lewis has champion, have already moved permeated everyday life. going to kick-start into 2025 “Mr. Morrow’s legacy told her hhee is convinced of their training to the US. Ticket sales will be capped. even though it’s only 2020,” will live on forever in San her potential.potentia “If athletes are looking for a Entire rows and sections said Jason Jennings, director Benito,” the San Benito “When the best long new challenge to develop blocked off. of strategy and digital inte- school district said on jumperjumper in the world further, we can’t stop them,” Seats on the aisle left open gration for the sports and Facebook. says somethingso like DLV president Juergen Kessing to keep a buffer from fans entertainment group at Morrow was inducted that,that, it’s a nice sign said. walking up the stairs. Fans Mortenson, which is wrapping into the National Track andand encourages He wished Mihambo “all the will be given an entrance time up construction on the and Field Hall of Fame in you,”yo she added. best”, but pointed out that “title to prevent crowding at the Raiders’ new $2.4bn stadium Sprint legend Carl 1989. She is part wins are certainly achievable gates. in Las Vegas. Lewis motivated by within our support system”. MONDAY 1 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07

Fognini US Open plan in works, including says he had arthroscopic group flights and COVID-19 tests surgery on

AP - NEW YORK has been suspended by the ATP, his ankles WTA and International Tennis Charter flights to ferry US Open Federation since March and is AP - ROME tennis players and limited on hold until late July. entourages from Europe, South The French Open was post- Former top-10 player Fabio America and the Middle East to poned from May to September; Fognini said on social media New York. Negative COVID-19 Wimbledon was canceled for that he had arthroscopic tests before travelling. the first time since 1945. surgery on both ankles on Centralized housing. Daily There is no established Saturday. temperature checks. COVID-19 protocol for tennis, The 2011 French Open No spectators. Fewer on- a global sport with several gov- quarter-finalist, who reached court officials. No locker-room erning bodies. a career-high No. 9 in the ATP access on practice days. “Everybody would agree to rankings last year, posted two All are among the scenarios the fundamental principles, I’m messages on Twitter. being considered for the 2020 sure: protecting the health of The first announced he US Open -- if it is held at all participants, following the local would have the operations, amid the coronavirus pan- and the second included a demic -- and described photo of him in a hospital bed. by a high-ranking official Fognini said he had trouble at the Grand Slam Members of the public play tennis at Kinburn Tennis Club in St Andrews, Scotland, as with his left ankle for 3½ years tournament. the Scottish government eased lockdown restrictions during the novel coronavirus and learned to “cope with” it. “All of this is still COVID-19 pandemic. Then he developed a problem fluid,” Stacey Allaster, the with his right ankle over the US Tennis Association’s past two years. chief executive for pro- practice, and and less likely” spectators temperature checks and... some He wrote that he “hoped fessional tennis, said in a return to the would be at the US Open this nasal or saliva or antibody the various issues would go telephone interview Sat- hotel.” year. That, Sherr said, means testing.” away” during a two-month urday. “We have made The USTA pre- “forgoing ticketing revenue, CHARTERS: Paris, Vienna, break from competition while no decisions at all.” sented its opera- forgoing hospitality revenue, Frankfurt, Buenos Aires and the tennis tours were sus- With that caveat, tional plan to a forgoing a portion of your spon- Dubai are among the cities pended because of the coro- Allaster added that if the medical advisory sorship revenue.” But TV and where players could catch a navirus pandemic. But the USTA board does decide Tennis players Czech Republic’s Petra Kvitova and group Friday; now digital rights fees, plus flight to John F. Kennedy Inter- issues “were still there” when to go forward with the Karolina Muchova are seen wearing masks after their that will be dis- remaining sponsorship dollars, national Airport on an airline he resumed practicing. Open, she expects it to be final on Thursday. cussed with city, are “significant enough that it’s that is a tournament partner. "After medical exami- held at its usual site and state and federal still worth it to go forward with Afterward, players might be nation and a long discussion in its usual spot on the government a no-fans-on-site US Open,” he taken to where they play next; with my team, I decided to calendar. The main draw is laws and minimizing the risk of officials. said. tournament sites in later Sep- have arthroscopic surgery on scheduled to start August 31. the transmission of the virus,” “The fundamental goal here Other areas Allaster tember could include Paris, both ankles. I believe it’s the “We continue to be, I would said Stuart Miller, who is over- is to mitigate risk,” Allaster said. addressed: Madrid or Rome. right thing to do while the Tour say, 150% focused on staging a seeing the ITF’s return-to- Governors around the SCORING: Having best-of- ENTOURAGES: “A player is on this enforced break. I safe environment for con- tennis policy. “But then you country, such as New York’s three-set matches in men’s coming with an entourage of can’t wait to be back playing ducting a US Open at the Billie have to get down into the spe- Andrew Cuomo, who are open singles “has hardly been dis- five, six, seven, eight people is again!" Jean King National Tennis cific details.” to allowing professional sports cussed,” she said. “If the players not something that’s in the Fognini, No. 11 in the ATP Center in New York on our One such detail: The USTA resume say that should be came to us and said, ‘That is plan,” Allater said. One possi- Rankings, started this season dates. It’s all I wake up -- our wants to add locker rooms - without fans. something we want to do,’ we bility: Tournaments could by representing Italy in the team wakes up -- thinking including at indoor courts that “We are spending a lot of would consider it. But we will provide physiotherapists and inaugural ATP Cup and about,” Allaster said. “The idea housed hundreds of temporary time and energy on all the not make a unilateral decision masseuses so players don’t reaching the fourth round of of an alternative venue, an hospital beds at the height of models, including no fans on on that without player input.” bring their own. the Australian Open. He picked alternative date... we’ve got a New York’s coronavirus out- site,” Allaster said. “The gov- TESTING: Before travelling OFFICIATING: Matches up his first ATP Masters 1000 responsibility to explore it, but break - and improve air fil- ernment will help guide us.” to New York, players would could use fewer line judges than title last April in Monte-Carlo it doesn’t have a lot of tration in existing spaces. Also In 2019, about 850,000 need proof of a negative usual, with more reliance on and, two months later, became momentum.” being considered: no locker- people attended the US Open COVID-19 test. “Once they come line-calling technology. “It’s a the oldest first-time member An announcement should room access until just before a site from the week before the into our, let’s say, ‘US Open hard one,” Allaster said. of the Top 10 since 1973. come from “mid-June to end of match. So if anyone goes to main draw through the finals. world,’” Allaster said, “there will BALL PERSONS: The current He is married to 2015 US June,” Allaster said. Flushing Meadows just to train, Lew Sherr, the USTA’s chief be a combination of daily health plan is to have them -- only Open champion Flavia All sanctioned competition Allaster said, “You come, you revenue officer, said it is “less questionnaires, daily adults, no kids. Pennetta. Winning Dhoni’s trust key ON THIS DAY: June 1, 2002: Hansie to getting captaincy: Kohli Cronje, SA's tainted cricketer, died REUTERS - JOHANNESBURG REUTERS - NEW DELHI team mate Ravichandran Ashwin Kohli is enjoying the in a chat on YouTube. responsibility. All-rounder Hansie Cronje, who died India cricket captain Virat Kohli “I was always in MS’s ear, “I looked at it this way -- if on this day in 2002, flirted with believes he landed the job largely standing next to him and saying I’m getting this opportunity, I greatness but succumbed to temp- because his predecessor ‘We can do this, we can do that, need to work as hard as I can, tation, exposing the dark world of Mahendra Singh Dhoni was what do you think?’. because not many people get this bribery in cricket before his tragic impressed with his reading of “He would deny a lot of things chance,” said Kohli, who led India death in a plane crash at the age of 32. situations in matches. but he would discuss a lot of to Under-19 World Cup title in The perennially scowling South Kohli, 31, replaced Dhoni as things as well. I think he got a lot 2008. African averaged above 36 with the test captain in 2014-15 and took of confidence that I can do this Kohli led India to the top of bat both in tests and one-dayers and over the limited-overs reins in after him. the world test rankings in was more than a handy medium pacer. early 2017, becoming India’s all- “A large portion of me October 2016 where they But it was his inspirational skill as a format leader as well the team’s becoming captain was to do with remained until Australia replaced leader which stood out. batting mainstay. him observing me for a long them this month. India lost in the Under the Bloemfontein-born Fielding in the slips, Kohli had period of time. It just can’t semi-finals of last year’s one-day Cronje, South Africa registered series easy access to wicketkeeper happen that he goes and the World Cup in England. victories against every other major Dhoni and he felt their chats in selectors say, ‘Okay you become “I was always inclined to cricketing nation except Australia. between deliveries earned him captain’.” taking responsibility (but) In his 53 Tests in charge, the the trust of the former skipper. Leading the national team of becoming captain of India was Proteas won 27 and lost only 11 “You start talking to the a cricket-mad country is one of not even in my wildest dreams matches, although his hopes of leading captain regularly,” Kohli told the toughest jobs in the game but to be honest,” Kohli said. South Africa to a World Cup title never South African captain Hansie materialised. Cronje leaves the field after “Hansie was a great leader,” team being caught by England’s Alec mate Gary Kirsten said in his tribute after Cronje’s tragic early death. Stewart off Dominic Cork on the Sri Lanka’s cricket team resumes fourth day of the fourth Test at “He was an inspiration to me when I first came into the national team and Trent Bridge, Nottingham, in he gave me confidence. It was impos- this July 26, 1998 file photo. outdoor training after virus halt Cronje died on on June 1, 2002 sible not to respect him.” AFP - COLOMBO 1,620 infections and 10 deaths since the first virus Succeeding Kepler Wessels in the in a plane crash. case was detected on January 27. job, Cronje forged a fruitful part- Sri Lanka’s cricket team will resume training today Coach Mickey Arthur had customised home- nership with Bob Woolmer, a coming under strict health measures after a two-and-a- training regimes for many players in the national together of an uncompromising leader half-month hiatus forced by coronavirus, the coun- team after the lockdown was imposed. and an innovative coach. try’s governing body said. Meanwhile the England and Wales Cricket Board Their chemistry and tough-minded approach to the job was best illustrated in the 1999 Cricket came to a halt on March 13 when the (ECB) will step up plans to restart the sport behind World Cup. visiting England team pulled out on the second day closed doors after the British government gave the In their tournament opener against India, Cronje had to be asked by the match referee to of a four-day practice match ahead of their two- green light to return to action. remove an earpiece he wore to communicate with Woolmer. But together they led the side Test series. Government officials have confirmed cricket through to the semi-final, where they were eliminated after a tied match against Australia. A 13-member squad will take part in a 12-day and other sports will be able to resume from next Two years before his death, Cronje’s admission that he had taken bribes from an Indian training session, starting with fitness sessions from week after the publication of health and safety bookmaker to fix matches shook the sport to its foundations. today at a hotel in the capital Colombo, Sri Lanka guidelines designed to prevent the spread of Delhi Police had been probing an unrelated extortion case when they stumbled upon a Cricket said yesterday. coronavirus. tape that eventually led to the unearthing of the scandal. Ground training will start tomorrow, the gov- The ECB will now study the document to After initially denying fixing charges, Cronje confessed his role to an inquiry commission erning body added. The players will be joined by a determine how it can help the process of its sport in South Africa and was subsequently banned from the game for life. four-member team of coaches and assistants. emerging from the pandemic lockdown. “In a moment of stupidity and weakness I allowed bad influences and the world to dictate “Members taking part in the camp will not be “We are extremely heartened by Saturday’s terms to me,” Cronje, a devout Christian, said in a confession to a church leader. “The moment allowed to leave the hotel premises or the practice announcement from the Secretary of State, which I lost my focus, my whole world turned dark.” venue to attend personal matters,” it added in a will support the return of professional, domestic The lapse of judgment was all the more damaging coming from a charismatic leader who statement. cricket behind closed doors, and provides a mean- commanded absolute loyalty in his team mates. “The players taking part in the camp represents ingful next step for recreational players to begin The widespread scandal also resulted in life bans for former India captain Mohammad a general squad chosen from across all formats, playing at their clubs again,” an ECB statement said Azharuddin and ex-Pakistan skipper Salim Malik, while several others were implicated. and primarily consist of bowlers, as they need more yesterday. The International Cricket Council (ICC) subsequently ramped up anti-corruption measures time for ‘conditioning’ before going into active “Over the coming week, we will seek to under- but traces of the scandal continue to haunt the game. In February, extradited London-based competition.” stand the specific guidance from Government’s Indian bookmaker Sanjeev Chawla, accused of involvement in an affair eventually nick- The Test series against England was put off medical teams so that we can provide support for named “Hansiegate”, was taken into police custody in New Delhi. He was granted bail in May indefinitely after the pandemic halted major cricket clubs who will be eager to see their com- but the case continues. sporting events worldwide. Sri Lanka has reported munities safely playing in small groups.”