Sports Tuesday, June 2, 2020 13 I admire what Kohli has done for Indian cricket: Smith Agencies discussion in the background NEW DELHI and trying to find the right way forward. Hopefully we can get Former cricketers Gautam Gambhir of India and Pakistan’s Star batsman Steve Smith there soon rather than later. Shahid Afridi (right). says the experience of having I probably see more changes played more pink ball games coming in. But if you can’t put than India would give Australia saliva on the ball and shine it Waqar Younis urges ‘slight advantage’ when the two up, I guess it’s a disadvantage sides clash under flood lights in for bowlers in a way,” he added December but the Virat Kohli- Gambhir & Afridi to led side has the batsmen to Additional duties stand up to the challenge. Meanwhile, Smith also end social media war Cricket Australia last week urged senior Australia play- confirmed that India will tour ers to be ready to assume AFP calm down,” said Waqar. Down Under for a full tour additional duties like giving New Delhi “It has been going on for comprising four Tests, three throw-downs to teammates in way too long. My advice to ODIs and three T20Is. The sec- practice if further cost-cutting Former Pakistan star them is to maybe catch up ond Test will be a day-night af- means fewer support staff. Waqar Younis has called on somewhere around the world fair, starting from December 11 Cricket Australia (CA) has Shahid Afridi and Gautam and talk it out if you cannot in Adelaide. furloughed about 80 percent of Gambhir to end their so- really calm it down.” “We played a few more pink its workforce due to the coro- cial media war, and for In- India and Pakistan have ball games, perhaps, than India navirus pandemic and state dia and Pakistan to resume not played a series since which might be a slight advan- associations have made deep playing cricket. 2012-2013 and have hit a tage,” the Aussie star batsman staff cuts in recent weeks. After being fierce on-field new peak in tensions over said in a Facebook session, CA chief Kevin Roberts rivals, Pakistan’s Afridi and Kashmir, which they have hosted by Sony Sports India. suggested on Friday there former Indian opener Gamb- fought over since their inde- “India played pretty well in India skipper Virat Kohli with Australian star batsman Steve Smith. (BCCI) could be another round of cost- hir have become involved in pendence in 1947. the day-night game they played cutting to shore up the board’s heated social media exchang- India frequently accuses at Kolkata. It’s a different game Smith ‘in best shape’ despite not picking up bat in months finances. es over the troubled Kashmir Pakistan of organising mili- but they certainly got the bat- “Particularly the senior region, which is claimed by tant attacks in the sector of ters that can stand up to the SYDNEY: Australia star Steve ably the best shape I’ve been year-and-a-half since the World players being able to maybe both countries. the Himalayan region that it conditions when it gets tough Smith admitted on Monday in years. Lots of running, lots Cup and Ashes and summer take a bit of time off your own Gambhir is now a law- administers. with the Pink Ball. And their he has barely picked up a of gym stuff,” Smith said. “It’s here. “I’m refreshed and ready game and help someone else maker in the Indian parlia- Waqar, 48, said a cricket bowlers, they stand the seam bat since cricket shut down, been a couple of months of to go,” he added. If the virus out at training or something ment, while Afridi has his series would boost relations up with quality.” but said he was in his best good hard work and now back had not struck, Smith would like that,” Smith said after re- own foundation and is a vo- between the arch-rival neigh- “They are world class play- physical shape in years. The with the boys, which is great.” have been in the plane to turning to training with his cal activist. bours. ers who are able to adapt to an- 30-year-old, the world’s number But with no net practice, he Bangladesh this month for a New South Wales teammates Waqar advised the pair “I think that it would be ything, so I see it being a pretty one Test batsman, has been has barely picked up his bat. two-Test series, after playing in on Monday. to “calm down” in an online the biggest hit of the world,” amazing contest,” he said. out of action since March, “I haven’t touched a bat, really. the postponed Indian Premier “They (support staff) all chat show. said Waqar. India will first clash with when Australia’s one-day series A couple of little drills at home League. He was one of six have a role to play, particularly “The banter between “I think Pakistan (and) Australia in a T20I series be- against New Zealand was but that’s about it,” said Smith, Cricket Australia-contracted as the game evolved and got Gautam Gambhir and Shahid India should play, and ginning October 11 and then abandoned due to the corona- who has plundered more than players in the New South more professional. Afridi has been going on for a should play on a regular ba- return to defend the Border- virus pandemic. He returned 7,000 Test runs. “I’ve just Wales squad who rejoined “We’ve got people in differ- while now. I think they both sis to avoid depriving crick- Gavaskar Trophy with the to training with his New South tried to switch off from it a bit, their state teammates Monday, ent areas of expertise to help got to be smart, sensible, and et lovers.” opening match at Gabba, Wales teammates on Monday which I don’t do very often. including David Warner, Mitch- the team prepare and get ready where the hosts have tremen- as they await the green light I was just focusing on get- ell Starc and Nathan Lyon. to play. dous record. for competitive cricket to start ting myself fit and strong and The squad has been divided “Guys might have to throw “Our record at Gabba (Bris- again, targeting a home one- refreshing mentally. “It’s been into four groups who alternate to one of the other batters or bane) against anyone, is good day series against Zimbabwe a bit different but I’m sure in morning and afternoon indoor help out the bowlers in some to be fair, that is a fortress for in August. “I feel like I’ve had the long run it will probably gym and skills sessions as way. Gayle claims he is victim of racism us, we wanted to play first Test a pre-season the last couple of be a good thing to freshen up part of COVID-19 return-to- “If that happens, it will take there for a long period of time,” months. Got myself into prob- after what was a pretty long training protocols. (AFP) a bit of adjusting.” Agencies the 30-year-old said. On the proposed ban on Kingston (Jamaica) using saliva to polish the ball, Phenomenal average You got to admire someone like ty amazing for cricket.” ing swing bowlers around the Smith thinks it could disrupt West Indies opening bats- Smith, one of the world’s that and what he has done for The top-ranked Test bats- world out of play. There needs the game’s bat-ball balance. man Chris Gayle on Monday best Test batsmen, also ad- Indian cricket.” man hoped there’s some solu- to be a solution.” “I’ve always been one for said that racism is not just re- mired the way the Indian Asked about his compari- tion for bowlers who are likely “What it is? I’ve no idea. a fair contest between bat and stricted to football but exists captain goes about chases in sons with the Indian icon, he to be affected by the ICC ban on I’m sure someone will come ball. Even as a batter if that’s in cricket too. white-ball cricket. said, “I admire Virat a lot. using saliva to shine the ball. up with something and we will taken away, I don’t think that’s His remark comes as ‘Black “Look at his average in win- He’s an amazing player. The “For me, even though I’m a be able to move forward with great,” Smith said. Lives Matter’ protests are tak- ning chases in one-day cricket. way they play the game now, batter, I still want to see an even our great game and see some “I actually spit on my hands ing place throughout the US It’s phenomenal. He’s so good the sheer passion he has for contest between bat and ball. I quality contests. I don’t know most balls and that’s how I get after an African-American man under pressure and calm. Just cricket... His body sort of trans- think that’s really important the answer right now. It’s still grip and stuff. So that might - George Floyd - passed away gets the job done and unfortu- formed over time. He’s so fit, for the game. You don’t want to obviously early days. Wait and take some adjusting to certain after having a knee pressed into West Indies fiery opener nately for an opposition player. strong and powerful now. Pret- see the ball doing nothing, tak- see. I”m sure people having things like that.” his neck by a police officer iden- Chris Gayle. tified as Derek Chauvin. “Black lives matter just like his Instagram story. any other life. Black people “Racism is not only in matter, p***k all racist people, football, it’s in cricket too. Former world No. 1 golfer Singh stop taking black people for Even within teams as a black Lanka cricket team fools, even our own black peo- man, I get the end of the stick. ple wise the p***k up and stop Black and powerful. Black and opts out of Korn Ferry Tour start bringing down your own! I have proud,” he added. trains with eye on travelled the globe and experi- Ever since the demise of AFP to play their way onto the US behalf that in addition to being ence racial remarks towards me Floyd, protests erupted from Los Angeles PGA Tour. a member of the Hall of Fame, because I am black, believe me, demonstrations in cities from international restart “Do you know how much he’s a big part of the PGA Tour’s the list goes on,” Gayle wrote in San Francisco to Boston. AFP The squad consists mostly Former world number one those points and money could success which financially subsi- Colombo of bowlers, with governing Vijay Singh won’t tee it up on do for a young kid?” 35-year-old dizes, and always has, the KFT,” body Sri Lanka Cricket saying the developmental Korn Ferry journeyman Schnell - who has Mickelson tweeted. Sri Lanka’s national team on Sunday they needed more Tour in June after all, Golf missed five of six cuts on the “He has earned the right to trained together on Monday for conditioning before returning Channel reported on Sunday. Korn Ferry Tour this season - play when and where he wants.” Bumrah seeks ‘alternative’ the first time in more than two- to competitive games. Golf Channel said the PGA tweeted. Schnell later apologized, and-a-half months to sharpen Among those training were Tour had confirmed that the “He’s writing, “a different approach their skills and fitness ahead of Suranga Lakmal, Kasun Raji- 57-year-old Fijian has decided a complete should have been taken in order to saliva on cricket ball a potential restart of the inter- tha, Lahiru Kumara, Vishwa to withdraw from the Korn Fer- turd for play- to get my point across.” AFP national game, skipper Dimuth Fernando, Isuru Udana, Lasith ry Tour Challenge June 11-14 at ing. He’s got his Singh, who owns a total New Delhi Karunaratne said. Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sanda- TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra money and he’s of 34 US PGA Tour titles, Cricket in the country came kan, Dasun Shanaka and Nu- Beach, Florida. got his career. has missed eight Indian paceman Jasprit to a halt on March 13 when the wan Pradeep. The three-time major Just wait another of nine Tour Bumrah said cricket should visiting England team pulled They will not be allowed to champion’s decision to enter month and roll cuts in the past seek an “alternative” for shining out on the second day of a four- leave their hotel in Colombo or the event had sparked criticism with your senior two seasons. the ball if the game’s governing day practice match ahead of the practice venue for personal in some quarters, even though friends.” He finished body ban the use of saliva dur- their two-Test series. errands, the cricket board said. his lifetime US PGA Tour Five-time 29th in his lone ing the coronavirus pandemic. “I think it is high time to Sri Lanka has reported membership allows him to en- major winner Phil Champions tour The International Cricket train ourselves and get back to 1,633 coronavirus infections, ter any KFT event in a week in Mickelson - who for 50-and-over Council (ICC) is likely to imple- our fitness level and skill lev- including 11 deaths so far. which he is not eligible for the has had a sometimes players start this year, ment a ban for the game’s re- els,” the captain told reporters The Test series against main tour tournament. testy relationship with at the Mitsubishi Elec- turn when they meet next week in the capital Colombo. England was put off indefi- One KFT player, Brady Singh - was quick to tric Championship in after receiving medical advice “We want to start interna- nitely after the pandemic Schnell went so far as to call defend the Fijian. Hawaii. that spit poses a COVID-19 In a file photo, Indian cricketer tional cricket. That’s why we halted major sporting events Singh “a piece of trash” on “It’s no secret VJ transmission risk. Jasprit Bumrah prepares to bowl are starting practice.” worldwide. Twitter, saying the KFT should and I aren’t close, but Fiji’s golfer Vijay Singh: Handshakes, celebratory during a practice session. (AFP) A 13-member squad began Coach Mickey Arthur had be left to young golfers striving I’d like to say on his Sparking criticism high-fives and hugs are also a 12-day training session with customised home-training re- likely to be off-limits when in- ers. The grounds are getting indoor fitness drills on Mon- gimes for many players in the ternational cricket resumes shorter and shorter, the wickets day. Ground training will start national team after the lock- with safety protocols in place. are becoming flatter and flatter. on Tuesday. down was imposed. MotoGP revises 2020 race calendar “I was not much of a hug- So we need something.” ger anyway, and not a high-five Pace bowlers usually try to Red Bull Ring AFP cuit on July 19 and 26. September 13: San Marino Grand Prix at person as well, so that doesn’t make the ball swing through Paris Aside from the proposed Misano trouble me a lot,” Bumrah said the air by shining one side on double act at Jerez, three oth- September 27: Aragon Grand Prix at Alcaniz in an ICC video chat with the their clothing aided by using October 4: Thailand Grand Prix at Buriram The 2020 MotoGP season lost er races — France, Italy and November 1: Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang former West Indies pace bowler sweat or saliva and leaving the another race on Monday when Catalonia — are also awaiting November 15: Grand Prix of the Americas at Ian Bishop and the ex-captain other half to become scuffed. the Japanese Grand Prix was a confirmed slot in a season Austin, Texas of South Africa, Shaun Pollock. Anil Kumble, chairman of cancelled. The first 11 races of that was due to have begun in November 22: Argentinian Grand Prix at Termas “The only thing that inter- the ICC cricket committee that de Rio Hondo the season have been either Qatar in March. November 29: Valencia Grand Prix at Ricardo ests me is the saliva bit,” added recommended banning saliva, postponed or cancelled due to Tormo circuit the 26-year-old Bumrah. insisted the move was only an the coronavirus pandemic. Revised calendar Races cancelled: Qatar Grand Prix at Losail “I don’t know what guide- “interim measure”. MotoGP organisers Dorna July 19: Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez (to be con- German Grand Prix at Sachsenring lines that we have to follow Australian cricket ball man- firmed) Dutch Grand Prix at Assen are awaiting Spanish govern- July 26: Grand Prix of Andalusia at Jerez (to be Finnish Grand Prix at KymiRing when we come back, but I feel ufacturer Kookaburra is de- ment approval to start the confirmed) British Grand Prix at Silverstone there should be an alternative. veloping a wax applicator that Sri Lanka’s medical officials brief national cricket team members on meas- truncated season with back- August 9: Czech Grand Prix at Brno Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi “If the ball is not well main- allows players to shine the ball ures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in Colombo on Monday. (AFP) to-back races at the Jerez cir- August 16: Austrian Grand Prix at Spielberg’s Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island tained, it’s difficult for the bowl- without using saliva or sweat.