SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 EnglandE better Ex- Younis placedp for Euro Khan named successsu in 2021, Pakistan's new says Southgate coach

WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2020

QFA holds La Liga season returns but workshop on second division not without compromise restart protocols QNA – DOHA AFP – MADRID As part of the arrangements and La Liga President Javier Tebas said the procedures announced by the Qatar games would have to go on and from Football Association (QFA) to tomorrow they will, with stadiums full complete the sports season of virtual fans, crowd noise from a 2020/2019, a workshop was held, to computer game and fewer than 300 discuss the protocols for the people allowed to attend. resumption of Second Division As Ligue 1 in was called off training and matches for the current and the Premier League, still the season. benchmark for Spanish football, tied The workshop was attended by itself in knots, La Liga has been representatives from the QFA Com- steadfast in its pursuit of completion. petitions Committee and officials of “I always believed we would play the clubs through remote video tech- again,” said Tebas on Sunday. nology. The workshop discussed The government in Spain had indi- matters related to dates of training cated it would be good for morale, sessions and dates for medical checks perhaps even important for their will be discussed, and a brief expla- standing in the world, while the coun- nation of the medical protocols that try’s infatuation with football meant was adopted by the Ministry of Public Real Madrid players train ahead of the the prime minister was often Health (MoPH). restart of La Liga season yesterday. addressing the question of its return. PIC: TWITTER / @REALMADRIDEN Yet driving La Liga’s determination, as Tebas admitted, was the fear of QSL players, officials financial meltdown. Cancellation Instead, La Liga has answered to Both sets of players will have their matches -- that will then be adapted would cost clubs a billion euros, he the health authorities, who have temperatures taken before entering and implemented according to the flow enter team hotels repeated, and no team would be always had the power to scrap even stadiums and will arrive wearing of the action. spared. the most advanced plans at any given masks and gloves. All communal areas Tebas has insisted the risk of THE PENINSULA – DOHA Even with the season about to moment. like changing rooms will be disinfected infection once games are in play is resume, Barcelona and Real Madrid So when Sevilla host Real Betis and aired before, during and after “practically zero” given the amount of As part of arrangements for the players’ have had to impose pay cuts. Atletico tomorrow to begin a 39-day sprint games. physical contact but the summer heat training ahead of the resumption of Madrid said they enforced a drop in finish with matches every day, they Only 270 people will be allowed in Spain must be considered too. 2019-20 season QNB Stars League wages “to guarantee their future”. will do so according to strict guidelines inside stadiums, including club players Some regions in Spain have moved (QSL) and according to the general plan Public opposition to the season that even this week were still being and staff, doctors and security per- faster through the government’s de- and protocol, the players as well as continuing has therefore been fleeting. updated. sonnel, matchday and club officials, as escalation programme than others and technical and administrative staff who Eibar’s players said last month they “We’ve planned everything to the well as press and technicians. Tebas has said he would be in favour have undergone COVID-19 tests will were “afraid” to go back to training last millimetre,” Tebas said. During the match, fans watching of clubs bringing supporters back when enter the team hotel at the Kempinski while Valencia’s Gabriel Paulista was Players will be tested for corona- on television can choose to adopt a they can. Hotel in The Pearl today. one of the few to say it felt rushed. virus within 24 hours of kick-off and virtual experience that puts images of That could accelerate the league’s The protocols have been developed Among the governing bodies, the visiting teams will use exclusive flights seated supporters, wearing the colours initial timetable for 30 per cent of fans by the Qatar Stars League and players’ union (AFE) was sidelined and and hotels, before travelling to sta- of the home team, in the stands. to return in September, 50 per cent in approved by the Ministry of Public even the conflict between La Liga and diums in two buses to ensure social There will be artificial sound too November and 100 per cent in January Health. the Spanish football federation (RFEF) distancing is maintained. Home team -- taken from the computer game FIFA, 2021. Until then, everyone will have to Teams will resume training at the was largely put on hold. players will arrive in their own cars. using audio recorded from real adapt. Khalifa International Stadium, Indoor stadium in Aspire, Training grounds for Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup and Cafu inspires delegates at Josoor Institute masterclass Clubs’ training grounds.

THE PENINSULA – DOHA “Barriers are placed in Amiens, Toulouse your life for you to overcome Two-time FIFA World Cup them. I overcame many bar- avoid relegation winner Cafu was the special riers and I am here today, REUTERS – guest during a masterclass for Barriers are placed speaking with all my Josoor Institute delegates, in your life for you authority. Chase after what during which he shared inspi- to overcome them. you want, your dreams, your France’s highest administrative court rational advice about I overcame many goals.” yesterday rejected an appeal by three achieving success. barriers and I am here Reflecting on his current clubs to reverse a decision to end the The former Brazil captain, today, speaking with role with the SC, Cafu said: Ligue 1 soccer season early amid the who lifted more than 20 tro- all my authority. Chase “Everything I have is thanks COVID-19 crisis, but ruled that rele- phies during his glittering after what you want, to my professional career. It gation for Amiens and Toulouse would career, outlined the impor- your dreams, your opens doors to the entire be suspended. tance of education and his goals: Cafu world. Of course, experi- The French football league’s tips for achieving success – encing the World Cup from decision to end the season with 10 both on and off the field. the field is completely dif- games remaining meant that Olym- Cafu is an ambassador for He continued: “It is no use Brazilian legend Cafu (left) ferent from what I’m doing pique Lyonnais failed to qualify for the Supreme Committee for educating only a professional with a delegate during a today, backstage. Organising Europe through the Ligue 1 standings, & Legacy (SC) and athlete, you need to educate masterclass at Josoor Institute. and preparing the World Cup while Amiens and Toulouse were works closely with the Josoor the human being. Because the so that everything can happen relegated. Institute – a FIFA World Cup professional athlete has a in 90 minutes is amazing, I’m The decision came after the gov- Qatar 2022 legacy pro- short career – they can play about how the world of everything. Every day you really enjoying this ernment said in April that the no pro- gramme which is a centre of for 15 to 20 years – but will football works. I took English have something different to experience.” fessional sport would be allowed to excellence for the sports and be a human being for the rest classes because I knew com- learn. We usually say life is a Josoor Institute is making return before September. events industries. of their lives.” municating was extremely lesson, right?” more content and resources Given that two teams have been “Education is important Cafu also emphasised important for me – espe- Cafu said he had never available on their web site, promoted from Ligue 2, the State in every sense,” said Cafu. how education has helped to cially in my role as an shied away from obstacles www.josoorinstitute.qa to Council ordered the LFP to review its “I think through edu- shape his post-football ambassador,” the legendary during his career, during ensure its educational championship for the next season. That cation you raise great people, career. defender said. which he famously turned out offerings continue uninter- could ultimately lead to a 22-team great athletes, great players “I took UEFA courses to Summing up, he said: “I for AC Milan and Roma in rupted during the ongoing league for the 2020-21 campaign. and great citizens.” enhance my knowledge think knowledge is Italy’s Serie A. coronavirus pandemic. Hensey appointed Al Shaqab Racing Olympic tennis spots based on COO as part of restructure plan post-French rankings in 2021 AP – LONDON rankings points for the 2020 Games THE PENINSULA – DOHA training grounds for 15 Qatar, France, England, originally had been Monday, the day years, providing him with Ireland, the USA and The tennis rankings that come out after this year’s was Paul Hensey has been considerable experience Australia. after the 2021 French Open will be supposed to end. appointed Chief Operation across all elements of the Haras de Bouquetot cur- used to determine who qualifies for But because of the coronavirus Officer of Al Shaqab Racing international Thoroughbred rently stands eight stallions the postponed Tokyo Olympics. pandemic, the Olympics were and Breeding worldwide as racing industry. including the likes of Shalaa, The International Tennis Feder- pushed back a year from next month Al Shaqab undergo exciting Al Shaqab Racing is H Toronado and Olympic ation said yesterday that its eligibility to July 2021. The 2020 French Open restructure. E Sheikh Joaan Bin Hamad Glory in France, while rules will be the same as originally also was postponed and is now Prior to working for Rifa Al Thani’s private Thor- Mehmas and Galileo Gold set up for Tokyo, with requirements scheduled to start in September. Mustang Europe as CEO for oughbred and Arabian stand at Tally Ho Stud in related to minimum participation in Next year’s French Open will end the past three years, Hensey racing and breeding oper- Ireland, and Mshawish as Fed Cup or - and an on June 6, so the WTA and ATP had been running The ation, which has well as Khozan stand in the appeals process for players who do rankings of June 7 will be used to Paul Hensey Curragh Racecourse and worldwide bases including USA. not meet those standards. help determine who qualifies for the The cutoff for ATP and WTA Olympics. 06 SPORT WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2020 AFL bubbling with enthusiasm ahead of restart REUTERS – MELBOURNE secure its restart date, putting “Showdown” derby between the In better times, the out its match schedules in four- teams in “hubs” to avoid crip- Adelaide Crows and Port clash between the week blocks in the hope that The Australian Football League pling quarantine restrictions. Adelaide Power has raised Tigers and Magpies, two COVID-19 restrictions might will resume tomorrow after a Players are also operating hopes that other states will of the competition’s disappear across the country to three-month hiatus due to the in strict biosecurity “bubbles” follow suit and open their sta- allow genuine home-and-away coronavirus shutdown with which bar them from many of diums to fans. most storied clubs, competition. reigning champions Richmond the social activities now being “I’m so pumped to hear would draw a crowd of While there has been some Tigers meeting Collingwood enjoyed by Australians with the there’s 2,000 people coming to 80,000-plus to the MCG grumbling about the makeshift Magpies at an empty Melbourne easing of COVID-19 restrictions the stadium,” Crows captain but the only voices heard arrangements, most clubs and Ground. in recent weeks. Rory Sloane told reporters of a at the hulking stadium will players have sounded happy to The Australian Rules top In better times, the clash game that typically draws be from players and staff. make sacrifices to get the show flight, the country’s most between the Tigers and Magpies, 50,000 to Adelaide Oval. on the road. popular winter sporting com- two of the competition’s most “Good luck getting a ticket. “Anything we can do to get petition, was suspended in storied clubs, would draw a (But) to have that is a great sign it going we’re up to, and we’ve March after a single round when crowd of 80,000-plus to the for our fans.” The AFL’s restart Championed by energetic got stay adaptable and agile to travel restrictions aimed at MCG but the only voices heard comes two weeks after the chairman Peter V’landys, the do that,” Collingwood coach curbing the spread of COVID-19 at the hulking stadium will be resumption of the National NRL was the first of Australia’s Nathan Buckley told reporters made it untenable. from players and staff. Rugby League, the rival winter pro leagues to resume after the yesterday. With some state borders Still, a decision by South competition which dominates coronavirus shutdown. “As a football club we’re limited to essential travel, the Australian authorities yesterday the sporting market in the The path ahead is not open-minded into how we AFL has had to work through to allow 2,000 spectators onto eastern states of Queensland entirely clear for the 18-team share that load across the 18 huge logistical challenges to the terraces for Saturday’s and New South Wales. AFL, however, which is working clubs.”

Brazil withdraws Madrid from race to host England better placed for Euro could host 2023 Women’s World Cup success in 2021: Southgate CL final,

REUTERS – RIO DE JANEIRO says Mayor LONDON AFP – play all of their group games REUTERS – MADRID Brazil has withdrawn its candidacy at Wembley and then the to host the 2023 Women’s World England manager Gareth semi-final and final there if Madrid’s mayor has said Cup, with the Brazilian Football Southgate believes a year- they get that far. Spanish capital is in talks about Confederation (CBF) saying the long delay to the European Southgate, who has expe- hosting this year’s Champions government did not consider it wise Championship could benefit rience of playing in a home League football final if organ- to offer financial guarantees in the his side as key players will be tournament at Euro 96, is isers decide to move it from midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. fit and rising stars will hoping his side will benefit. Istanbul due to the coronavirus “Because of the fiscal and eco- mature. “We have an advantage in crisis. nomic austerity brought on by the Euro 2020, which was our group matches,” he said. European football’s biggest COVID-19 pandemic, (the gov- due to begin on Friday, was “But so do Italy, who play game was scheduled to be ernment) thought it would not be moved back 12 months their games in Rome, Spain played at Istanbul’s Ataturk recommended to right now sign the because of the coronavirus play in Bilbao, Holland (Neth- Stadium on May 30 until the guarantees asked for by FIFA,” the pandemic. erlands) play in Amsterdam. competition was postponed CBF said in a statement yesterday. England captain Harry “It’s only a true advantage at the last-16 stage in March Brazil has hosted a string of inter- Kane and Manchester United in the latter stages of the com- due to the pandemic. national sporting competitions in striker Marcus Rashford petition, semi-final, final, if we “I know arrangements recent years - including the World would have been major are good enough to get to that are being made, and I want Cup in 2014, the Olympic Games in doubts for the initial dates due point. But without doubt we to declare the city hall’s 2016 and the Copa America in 2019 to injury. have to view it positively.” absolute support for this - and the CBF also felt they were out- Rashford, 22, was one of Southgate led England to a Champions League siders to host yet another major four English players named first World Cup semi-final for final being held in event. among the top five most 28 years in 2018 and has been Madrid,” yesterday’s Brazil’s withdrawal means highly valued players in the linked with a return to club Marca newspaper Colombia, Japan and a joint bid from world by the CIES Football management at Tottenham quoted the city’s Australia and New Zealand are the Observatory on Monday. and Manchester United over mayor Jose Luis remaining contenders to host the The others are Raheem the past two years. Martinez as telling 32-team tournament. Sterling, 25, Trent Alexander- In his first managerial job, network 13tv. Arnold, 21, and Jadon Sancho, Southgate was sacked after No official 20. three years at Middlesbrough announcement has “At one point we were in 2009 and admitted he will been made about English League possibly looking at being be far better prepared for the whether the re- without Marcus Rashford and club game when his time in arranged final will One and Two Harry Kane, or at the very charge of the national team take place in Istanbul. best both of those not having is up. A New York Times seasons curtailed a lot of football,” Southgate “I am not going to be report last month said the told Sky Sports. England manager for 20 showpiece event will not AFP – LONDON “The age of the team you years,” he said. “I would like be held in the Turkish city would hope would be better to coach and manage for a and alternative venues Football clubs in the third and fourth in a year’s time but we have reasonable period, I don’t were being considered. tiers of English football voted to go and prove that on the know how long exactly. UEFA said that a yesterday to end the season and pitch.” If the tournament “At some point that working group had been decide standings on a points-per- remains in the same format decision will be ahead of me. set up and “a variety of game basis, the English Football across 12 cities in 12 different I don’t see it in the near options” were being looked at, League announced. countries, England would future." adding that an Executive Com- The cost of coronavirus testing Gareth Southgate mittee meeting on June 17 and extending player contracts were would provide more clarity. major factors in the decision. The Premier League and second- tier Championship have invested in a testing programme, with both Would players go? Questions remain US Tennis leagues set to resume next week. Promotion and relegation have Association been retained in League One and League Two, while playoffs to as fate of US Open yet to be decided cuts 110 jobs determine a final promotion place in each division will still take place. AP – NEW YORK “They want to hold the Djokovic called that policy Allaster spoke about “cen- as virus hits In League One, Coventry and tournament at any cost for “simply unthinkable, because tralised” housing. Rotherham are promoted to the is fretting economic reasons, which is you need a tennis coach, WILL THERE BE FORMAT AFP – NEW YORK Championship, while Oxford, Port- about “harsh” restrictions on completely understandable to fitness trainer, then a physio- CHANGES? smouth, Fleetwood and Wycombe players’py entourages g and other me. But on the other side,, the therapist;p; a great g team of The USTA won’t changeg The United States Tennis will contest the playoffs. “extreme”“extreme” chanchangesges proposed question is whether all this is people.”people.” tthehe scorinscoringg systemsystem -- some Association is laying off 110 Bolton, Southend and Tranmerenmere forfor the US OOpen,pen, if it is achievable and how manymany uunsanctionednsanctioned eexhibitionsxhibitions employees as it battles the are relegated to League Two. pplayedlayed starting in players want to participate HOWHOW WOULDWOULD HHEALTHEALLTH BBEE taking place have used a first- financial impact of the Crewe, Swindon and Plymouthmouth August.August. underunder ththoseose coconditions.”nditions.” PROTECTED?PROTECTED? to-4-gamesto-4-games format -- and coronavirus pandemic, a take their places in League One.ne. As things stand Last week,week, Nadal was PlayersPlayers would need to wwouldn’touldn’t sshortenhorten men’s statement said. At the bottom of the table,e, StSte-e- now, defending asked whether he pplannedlanned to proveprove they had tested negative matchesmatches to bestbest-of-three-sets-of-three-sets The USTA said it was venage could be saved fromm relerele-- championchampion enter thethe tournament. forfor COVID-19 before travelingtraveling unlessunless plaplayersyers lobbied for that. eliminating the positions -- gation by a further points deductionduction wouwouldld nnotot wwantant to be in “Today,”“Today,” he said, “I will onon charter flights the USTA ButBut it’s ppossibleossible the total roughly 20% of its work- for Macclesfield for failing ttoo papayy FlushingFlushing Meadows at all. While say, ‘No.’ In a couplecouple ofof wouldwould ororganizeganize from a handful nunumbermber of eeventsvents -- wwhichhich force -- in order to reduce players on time. thethe tennistennis worldworld awaitsawaits a months?months? I dodon’tn’t knknow.”ow.” of cities. There would likely be usuallyusually includes qualifying, overheads which have been Exeter, Colchester, Cheltenhamenham decision,decision, which could come as WOULDWOULD FFANSANS BBEE ALALLOWED?LOWED? dailydaily health questionnaires doubles,doubles, juniors and wheewheel-l- strained by the COVID-19 and Northampton will contestest the soonsoon as next week,week, from the It sounds unlikelyunlikely andand temperaturetemperature checks, cchairhair tetennisnnis -- coucouldld crisis. League Two playoffs, starting oonn June US TennisTennis Associa-Associa- that spectatorsspectators along with occasional be rreduced.educed. “We have an oppor- 18. ttion’sion’s boardboard about wouldwould be abablele nasal,nasal, saliva or tunity to re-imagine the The League Two play-offff final whetherwhether to hholdold ththee to atteattend.nd. aantibodyntibody testing; structure of the organi- will take place at Wembley oonn June GrandGrand SlamSlam tournamenttournament in StaceyS tacey Djokovic said he was sation to better serve the 29. NewNew YoYorkrk amidamid thethe corona-corona- toldtold therethere wouldwould bbee tennis community in the The Championship is duedue to virus pandemicpandemic -- and if so, twotwo or three tests pperer United States,” USTA chief return on June 20 with the remainingmaining with what precautionsprecautions -- there Allaster,Allaster, week.week. DjokovicDjokovic saidsaid executive Michael Dowse nine rounds of fixtures crammedmed in are plenty of questions susur-r- thethe USTA’s players would not be said in a statement. to just over a month. roundingrounding the event.event. chiefchief eexec-xec- allowedallowed to go into “This new structure However, should a spike inn infec-infec- A lolookok at sosomeme ooff ththee utive for ppro-ro- MManhattan;anh attan; allows the USTA to be more tions cause the season to be curtailedurtailed issues: fessional tennis,tennis, agile and more cost once more, points-per-game would WOULDWOULD PLAYERSPLAYERS GGO?O? saidsaid her groupgroup has effective.” also determine the standingss of the The toptop two men in the beenbeen tryingtrying to ffigureigure The cost-cutting second tier. rankings,rankings, No. 1 Djokovic and outout how to “engage fans measures will also see the Leeds are on the verge of eendingnding No. 2 NadaNadal,l, winners of the last virtually.”virtually.” Last yyear,ear, about USTA shutter its office in a 16-year wait to return toto the eighteight major titles, expressed 850,000 people went to the White Plains, New York. top-flight. ambivalence in recent days.days. NationalNational TennisTennis CenterCenter overover The restructuring had Marcelo Bielsa’s men leadd West “The“The rules and regulations thethe three weeks of qualifying been floated as a long-term Bromwich Albion by a point at the theythey informed us about, that anandd main-main-drawdraw actionaction.. project in 2018 but was top of the table and hold a seven-seven- wewe wouldwould havehave to ffollowollow in WHATWHAAT ABABOUTOUT ENTENTOURAGES?OURAGES? Today, I will say, ‘No.’ (to enter the tournament) In a brought forward to counter point advantage over third-placedplaced casecase we play in the U.S. Open, “A“A player coming with an couple of months? I don’t know: The defending US the impact of the corona- Fulham. are reallyreally extreme,” DjokovicDjokovic entourageentourage of five, six, seven, Open champion Rafael Nadal does not want to be in virus, which has decimated saidsaid in aann ininterviewterview withwith eight is not something that’s in Flushing Meadows right now the tennis calendar. Serbian channel TV PrvaPrva. the planplan,”” Allaster told the APAP. WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07

Pakistan axes Windies’ arrival in England a training camp ahead of ‘huge step forward’ for cricket England tour AFP - LONDON Bravo and Hetmyer’s absence deprives the tourists over virus fears West Indies captain Jason of two top-order batsman, Holder said international with Paul less of a loss given AFP - KARACHI cricket will take a “huge step he is a back-up for Holder, forward” following the coro- the world’s top-ranked Pakistan’s cricket squad have cancelled a navirus shutdown as his allrounder. routine training camp ahead of a tour of team arrived yesterday for a Former interim head England next month, the country’s cricket Test series in England. coach Floyd Reifer will fill in board said yesterday, citing a steep rise in Fans who have had to as batting coach for Monty novel coronavirus cases in the country. make do with months of tel- Desai, who is based in India The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had evision repeats can now look and cannot join the tour due planned to hold tightly monitored prepa- forward to the real thing to travel restrictions. ration sessions in the eastern city of Lahore again, with England captain “There is expectation in ahead of the tour. saying of the West the air that we will defend However, cases of COVID-19 have Indies’ decision to tour: “It A man walks past Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester, northwest the and we soared in recent weeks with Pakistan must be extremely scary and England where West Indies will play England in a Test series yesterday. will certainly put in the work recording more than 100,000 cases of I think the whole cricketing and give it our all to keep coronavirus, as hospitals warned they are world will be grateful to see hold of it,” insisted Holder. running out of beds to treat patients. some cricket again.” Whereas players usually meeting on Wednesday, will 50-percent pay cut on all But it could be Root who “Taking into account the Covid-19 The three-match contest spend evenings during a Test be in place. players and staff. is the most significant outlook in Pakistan in the coming weeks, was originally meant to be away from the ground, they “Our main objective is to The West Indies, who absentee from the first Test. (due to) the operational and logistical played in June but will now will now instead find them- deliver a safe environment hold the Wisden Trophy after Root’s wife is expected to matters the PCB has decided not to hold a start on July 8 instead selves in a protective bubble for all stakeholders,” said beating England at home last give birth to the couple’s training camp for the national team,” PCB because of the COVID-19 at two venues which both England and Wales Cricket year, have selected a second child in the first week said. The country’s cricket board said it pandemic. have onsite hotels. Board events director Steve 25-strong squad. of July. remains in touch with the host England and “This is a huge step Southampton’s Ageas Elworthy. They will complete a That may mean Root has Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and was looking forward in cricket and in Bowl will stage the series Yet there is no escaping 14-day quarantine period to then self-isolate for seven into leaving earlier for the tour. sports in general as we travel opener from July 8, with the the financial impact of the combined with initial days, putting a question Once in the United Kingdom, the over to England for this next two Tests at Old virus. training at Old Trafford mark against his partici- Pakistan team will enter quarantine and series,” said Holder. “A lot Trafford. Going ahead with major before heading south from pation at Southampton. be closely monitored to prevent the squad has gone into the prepara- All the West Indies matches is seen as vital, with Manchester for the first Test. Root has backed vice- from being exposed to the coronavirus. The tions for what will be a new players have tested negative the ECB estimating it could Despite the ECB’s efforts, captain Ben Stokes to do a team is scheduled to spend nearly a month phase in the game.” for the virus, although they lose £252m ($316m) if there three West Indies players -- good job in his absence but in the country before playing the first of But rather than matches will be retested when they are no fixtures at all this , Shimron , recalling his three Tests in Manchester from August 5. before crowds at , arrive in Manchester. summer. One of cricket’s Hetmyer and -- own brief stint as England The remaining two Tests will be in Edgbaston and Lord’s, a now Health measures, poorest major teams in the declined to tour, with Cricket skipper, was wary of adding Southampton (August 13-17 and 21-25). back-to-back series will take including a ban on applying West Indies is now helping West Indies insisting it will to the star all-rounder’s The three Twenty20 internationals will place behind closed doors at saliva to the ball set to be one of its wealthiest, despite not hold this against them burdens and suggested wick- all be played in Southampton on August the more ‘bio-secure’ Ageas rubber-stamped at an Inter- the Caribbean outfit’s cricket when it comes to future etkeeper Jos Buttler for the 28, 30 and September 1. Bowl and Old Trafford. national Cricket Council board having to impose a selection. role instead. Tendulkar Ex-captain Khan and Lee back using named Pakistan's wax to new batting coach shine ball for England tour REUTERS - NEW DELHI AFP - KARACHI Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar and former Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan was named as batting coach Australia speedster Brett Lee for the upcoming tour of England yesterday as international cricket have backed the idea of using slowly returns after the coronavirus shutdown. wax as an alternative to saliva Younis, 42, is Pakistan’s highest run-scorer in Tests with 10,099 to shine the ball ahead of a runs in 118 matches in a career that stretched from 2000 to 2017. crucial International Cricket Pakistan will also have the services of former spinner Mushtaq Committee (ICC) meeting Ahmed as spin bowling coach to assist head coach Misbah-ul- yesterday. Cricket chiefs allow virus Haq during the tour, where they are set to play three Tests and The ICC yesterday an equal number of Twenty20 internationals. announced a temporary ban Pakistan are set to play the first of three Tests in Manchester on applying saliva on the ball from August 5 while the remaining two Tests will be in South- -- a time-tested practice to substitutions in Tests ampton (August 13-17 and 21-25). generate swing -- as the gov- The three Twenty20 internationals will all be played in South- erning body seeks to restart AFP - LONDON The regulation for rule mandating that neutral ampton on August 28, 30 and September 1. the game after the COVID-19 COVID-19 replacements would umpires stand in Tests. International cricket, halted like other sports because of the shutdown. Test teams will be allowed to not be applicable in limited- The ICC said given there coronavirus pandemic, is finally coming back to life with the West While cricketers can still field substitutes for players overs internationals. may be “less experienced” offi- Indies arriving in England on Tuesday for a rescheduled, three- use sweat to shine the ball, displaying coronavirus Other changes ratified by cials on duty it would increase Test tour. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) said the two appoint- Tendulkar said players hardly symptoms, the International the ICC’s chief executives com- the number of unsuccessful ments were made to help Misbah and bowling coach Waqar Younis. perspired in countries with Cricket Council said yesterday. mittee include a ban on appeals per innings for each “The appointments have been made to provide head coach cooler climates, such as The new regulation is one applying saliva to the ball, a team to three for Tests and two Misbah and coach Waqar the necessary and essential England and New Zealand. of several interim changes method employed by fast for white-ball formats. resources that can help them further uplift the performance of “If you’re not going to designed to prevent the spread bowlers on one side of the ball Concerns had been the side,” said the PCB in a statement. allow saliva, and there are of COVID-19 when cricket to make it swing. expressed that the pandemic Pakistan are currently seventh in the Test rankings but they places where you don’t sweat, resumes, including a ban on A team can be issued with might lead to Chris Broad -- the have enjoyed strong tours in England in recent years, drawing why not use wax or some saliva being used to shine the up to two warnings per innings only English official on the elite 2-2 in 2016 and 1-1 in 2018. external substance?” Ten- ball. but repeated use of saliva on panel of referees -- adjudi- “I am delighted that Younis has agreed to join the Pakistan dulkar said during his chat As happens with concussion the ball would in a five- cating on incidents involving an cricket set-up and his work ethic, commitment to match prepa- with Lee in the Indian’s 100MB substitutes, any replacement run penalty to the batting side. England team featuring his son, ration, game awareness and tactics in the English conditions will online app. would be able to play a full part But the ICC explained in a . The new regula- be invaluable,” said PCB chief executive Wasim Khan. Teams could be given a in the match but it would be statement that “the umpires will tions are set to apply for the first Younis said he plans to draw on his experience to help shepherd “quota” of wax per innings, the down to the match referee to manage the situation with some time when England face the the team during the tour. former India captain approve the nearest like-for- leniency during an initial period West Indies in the opening “We all know English conditions demand not only precise recommended. like switch. of adjustment for the players”. match of a three-Test series at technique but patience and discipline, and if you can master these, Australian cricket-ball Previously, substitutes were International travel restric- the bio-secure venue of South- then you will not only excel in England but anywhere in the world,” manufacturer Kookaburra said restricted to fielding. tions have seen the ICC relax its ampton, starting on July 8. said Younis. last month it had developed a wax applicator to enhance shine and aid swing. Lee said denying the Sammy urges IPL team-mates to bowlers an alternative would be “unfair”. “Maybe try a new sub- clear the air on alleged racist calls stance that they can potentially use that everyone agrees on, AFP - NEW DELHI I played for Sunrisers in 2013 and 2014, I was that the batsmen are happy being called the exact same word he described with, that the bowlers are Former West Indies captain Daren Sammy has that was degrading to us black people.” happy with,” said Lee, who called for his teammates Sammy said he would get in touch with those retired from international to clear the air and apologise over alleged racist players. “Because if it was in any way, shape or cricket in 2012. slurs during 2013-14. form what Minhaj said it meant, I’m very disap- “I like the idea of having a Sammy said he recently found about the pointed and I’d still be angry and deserve an tub of wax... it’s a very good meaning of a “degrading” name he said was often apology from you guys,” he said. idea.” directed at him by his Sunrisers Hyderabad team- Top athletes including cricketers have spoken The Australian felt a saliva mates in the Twenty20 tournament. out against racism in sport after the death of ban would be tough to police “I was listening to Hasan Minhaj (Indian- George Floyd, an unarmed black man in police and match officials should be American comedian) talking about how some of custody in Minneapolis. Sunrisers declined to lenient. the people in his culture view or describe black comment on Sammy’s allegations when con- Sri Lanka’s former cricket skipper Sanath Jayasuriya practises “There has to be a lot of people,” Sammy wrote on Instagram yesterday. tacted. Sammy said the word was also used to boxing at a public park as gyms and fitness centres are still leniency, maybe 2-3 warnings He wrote in an earlier post Sunday that the word describe Sri Lanka’s Thisara Perera. per player because I can guar- banned from reopening as a preventive measure against the was ‘kalu’ -- which means black man in Hindi “I assumed it meant something else that was antee you, if the players are COVID-19 coronavirus, in Colombo, yesterday. Considered as one -- but did not specify which players used it. uplifting. But every time I was called it, it was me told they can’t do it, they won’t of the greatest batsmen of his era, Jayasuriya is well known for “I was angry after listening to him describing and Thisara, there was always laughter in the do it on purpose but I think it his powerful striking and match-winning all-round performances a word that they use to describe black people, moment,” he wrote. “But you could understand will happen through natural in One-Day International (ODI) cricket. He played 110 Tests and which he was saying is not in a good way... and my frustration and my anger when it was pointed instinct,” he added. 445 ODIs for Sri Lanka from between 1989 and 2011. it was degrading. Instantly I remembered when out to me that it wasn’t funny at all.”