SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 PL teams prepare Will saliva ban for restart with threaten practice games at Cricket's kings stadiums of swing?

MONDAY 8 JUNE 2020 New 2022 venue to welcome teams for QSL action on July 24 set to host first match

RIZWAN REHMAT The completion of the state-of-the-art take on (4:45pm) THE PENINSULA stadium, which overlooks the picturesque while Al Shahaniya will battle Education City Golf Course, will be marked Al Ahli at Brand new Education City during a ceremony on June 15. and in the day’s final fixture, Al Stadium, a venue that will host Wakrah will play Al Sailiyah at the Qatar 2022 FIFA World Cup Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium matches, has been listed to (7:00pm). stage the first Qatar Stars The battle for points will League (QSL) match after resume next month with football activity was stalled in leaders Al Duhail (42 points the country to prevent the after 17 rounds), (38), spread coronavirus pandemic Al Sadd (32) and Al Gharafa (28) in the middle of March. holding on to the top four slots According to the fixtures list in the 12-team league. announced by QSL yesterday, It may be noted that the Qatar SC will play their ‘home’ kick-off timings and venues of match against Al Rayyan on July matches in the last two weeks 24 at Education City Stadium (21 and 22) will be finalised later based on the results and QSL ROUND 17 FIXTURES standings of teams in the table, The venue has cooling technology that will allow as the QSL is keen to provide July 24 the match to be conducted in near-perfect playing all clubs with equal 4:45pm: Qatar SC vs Al Rayyan at conditions. opportunities. Education City Stadium Meanwhile the annual leave 7:00pm: Al Gharafa vs Al Arabi at for players - that started on May Al Janoub Stadium with kick-off set for 4:45pm. of Culture and Sports and engineering and plumbing Stadium hosted matches during 17 - officially ended 7:00pm: Al Sadd vs Al Khor at The venue has cooling tech- Supreme Committee for works are also complete at the the 24th Arabian Gulf Cup held yesterday. nology that will allow the Delivery and Legacy.” imposing football stadium. in November-December last Coronavirus (COVID-19) Al Sadd Stadium match to be conducted in near- Qatar’s Supreme Com- Also on July 24, former year. tests will be conducted for all July 25 perfect playing conditions. mittee for Delivery and Legacy champions and currently In the day’s last match, a technical as well as adminis- 4:45pm: Al Duhail vs Umm Salal Last week Ahmed Khellil (SC) last week announced that placed fourth on the points round 18 clash between hosts trative staff and players today at Education City Stadium Abbassi, Executive Director of building works inside the Edu- table, Al Gharafa will take on Al Sadd and Al Khor will be and tomorrow, according to a 7:00pm: Al Shahania vs Al Ahli at Competition and Football cation City Stadium have ended Al Arabi at Al Janoub Stadium played at Jassim Bin Hamad QSL circular issued last month. Al Janoub Stadium Development at QSL said: “Yes, whereas installation of stadium - another 2022 FIFA World Cup Stadium, another venue with The training sessions will

air-conditioned stadiums will envelope, seats, arch finishes venue that was inaugurated state-of-the-art cooling start on Wednesday, 10th

7:00pm: vs Al Sailiya be used after co-ordination and and roof structure has also been with fanfare for the Amir Cup technology. June, 2020, the statement at Al Sadd Stadium co-operation with the Ministry completed. The mechanical, final in May 2019. Al Janoub On July 25, Al Duhail will added. Schalke draw at Union Berlin Liverpool mayor says Everton to stretch should host Merseyside derby winless run AFP — LONDON

REUTERS — BERLIN Liverpool’s potential title- winning clash against Schalke 04 equalled a club record by Everton should be played at going 12 consecutive league matches Goodison Park instead of a without a win as they rescued a 1-1 Schalke’s Jonjoe Kenny neutral venue, according to draw at Union Berlin yesterday, celebrates scoring their first the city’s mayor Joe scoring for only the second time in goal yesterday. Anderson. their last five Bundesliga games. The Merseyside derby The Royal Blues, who were bat- will be the first match for tling for a Champions League spot and had carved out three good Jurgen Klopp’s side once the midway through the season, have chances before Robert Andrich was Premier League restarts fol- now failed to win since January 17, sent clear by Anthony Ujah in the 11th lowing the coronavirus equalling the club’s worst ever minute to beat keeper Alexander interruption. winless run set in the 1993/94 season. Nuebel. If second placed Man- They stayed in 10th place on 38 It was Andrich’s first goal of the chester City lose at home to Liverpool’s players celebrate after scoring a goal against Southampton points. season from his 48th shot. Arsenal on June 17, then during their Premier League match, in this February 1, 2020 file photo. Union, who have gone seven Union still had Schalke on the leaders Liverpool can wrap games without a win, climb up to 13th backfoot when the visitors equalised up their first English title for on 32, four points above the rele- against the run of play thanks to a low 30 years with a victory over previously said it was not a Athletic website. “We have Goodison and Liverpool’s gation playoff spot. drive from Everton’s on-loan fullback their city rivals. good idea to restart the had the opportunity since games at Anfield.” Both teams’ players as well as the Jonjoe Kenny. At present the game is season because fans would then to speak to fans and the Merseyside Police have match officials went down on one Bayern Munich are top on 70 scheduled for Goodison on not stay away. clubs have done their part no objections to the derby knee before kickoff in tribute to points, seven ahead of second-placed June 21, but there have been Yet Anderson has and got the message across being played at Goodison. George Floyd, an unarmed black man Borussia Dortmund with four games calls from police chiefs to changed his mind and that supporters need to stay The matter will be dis- whose death in US police custody has remaining. move it to a neutral venue to believes the match could away. cussed at Liverpool City triggered protests around the world. avoid fans congregating safely be staged at Goodison. “Both clubs have made Council’s Safety Advisory Some 30 Union fans had gathered BUNDESLIGA RESULTS outside in violation of social “We are in a better place it clear. Jurgen Klopp has Group meeting on today. outside the stadium, empty of spec- distancing rules. than we were four weeks made it clear. Liverpool are 25 points tators due to coronavirus restrictions, Werder Bremen 0 Wolfsburg 1 (Weghorst 82) The fixture was on a list ago and we’ve been able to “So I would have no clear at the top, making a chanting and cheering but they kept Union Berlin 1 (Andrich 11) Schalke 1 (Kenny 28) of ‘high risk’ games drawn convey why it’s so important objection to the games being title triumph almost inevi- to social distancing rules. Augsburg 1 Cologne 1 up by police chiefs last nobody congregates outside played at our clubs’ home table in their remaining nine The hosts got off to a strong start month and Anderson or near grounds,” he told The grounds, both the derby at games. Love prevails to win 1,000 Guineas Former US gymnast

REUTERS — LONDON On Saturday, Qatar Racing-owned 10-1 shot Kameko, ridden by champion Thomas dies at 64 Love put daylight between her and the jockey Oisin Murphy and trained LOS ANGELES contenders to win the 1,000 Guineas at a by Andrew Balding, ended red hot AFP — 1976 Montreal Olympics, but 4-1 shot yesterday to give trainer Aidan favourite Pinatubo’s unbeaten run to lost a chance to go for a O’Brien a sixth win in the second Classic at win the 2,000 Guineas in record time. Former Olympian Kurt medal in a second Olympics Newmarket. Thomas, the first American when the Americans boy- The victory was O’Brien’s fourth in five was the one to beat today and she was in to win the world champi- cotted the 1980 Moscow years as Love, ridden by jockey Ryan Moore control of the race from a long way out. She onship gold in gymnastics, Games. (pictured), pulled clear in the closing stages won as she liked, really.” died from the complications In the 1978 worlds in to beat Cloak of Spirits (12-1) by more than The race was run without spectators of a stroke. He was 64. Strasbourg, he cap- four lengths while the 11-4 unbeaten while jockeys and support staff wore face Thomas suffered a stroke tured gold in the floor favourite Quadrilateral finished third. masks. on May 24 which was caused exercise for the US’s first “She’s a very uncomplicated filly. She’s On Saturday, Qatar Racing-owned 10-1 by tear in the basilar artery men’s title. a typical Galileo filly,” Moore said in a post- shot Kameko, ridden by champion jockey of the brain stem, the family He repeated the floor race interview with ITV. Oisin Murphy and trained by Andrew Balding, said. He died on Friday. exercise gold in the 1979 “If it wasn’t for her last run, last year, ended red hot favourite Pinatubo’s unbeaten Thomas competed in the worlds in Fort Worth, Texas. you’d have been pretty confident that she run to win the 2,000 Guineas in record time. 06 SPORT MONDAY 8 JUNE 2020

Golf: Asian Tour Family, focus and football have eyes September return with event helped me see the light: Cafu in South Korea CAFU - QATAR 2022 around the world, and before this lockdown provided me REUTERS — SINGAPORE Today (June 7), I turn 50. A the opportunity to get milestone birthday, but it’s involved in coaching sessions Golf’s Asian Tour said yesterday it is going to be a very different with them. Alongside my planning to resume its 2020 season in celebration this year. Due to fellow ambassadors – Xavi, September with the Shinhan Donghae the ongoing pandemic, I will On his 50th birthday, Samuel Eto’o and Tim Cahill Open in South Korea as governments be away from many of those Cafu, the Supreme – we get to see the joy on around the region move to loosen who are close to me. And Committee for these kids’ faces when we measures aimed at containing the spread after a year that I could never Delivery and Legacy’s arrive and play a game with of the novel coronavirus. have imagined in my worst Ambassador and FIFA them. The $1.181m tournament will tee off in nightmare, I feel as though World Cup winning That kind of thing, I miss the South Korean city of Incheon on Sep- today is a good time to talk terribly. I know the pro- tember 10, with back-to-back events in about and confront the captain talks about gramme has been conducting Taiwan and Japan lined up in the following emotions of loss that millions the tragic passing of lots of online sessions to weeks, said the governing body for men’s of us across the world are his son, dealing with reach out to the kids trapped professional golf in Asia. feeling. the ongoing pandemic at home. The Asian Tour season, which started We all have days in our and the importance of This is admirable and a in January in Hong Kong, was suspended lives we will never forget. Our mega-sporting events great innovation during this in March as governments imposed lock- wedding day, the births of our time. But I’m sure we’ll all downs and travel curbs to contain the like Qatar 2022. children, and for a lucky few agree that seeing the joy on coronavirus outbreak. – winning the World Cup for children’s faces first-hand, “We are targeting a conservative our country. Glorious mem- when they play football, is restart in September because of the current ories that remain with us irreplaceable. It’s the thing predicament with restrictions on air travel forever. that gives me the most joy, and large gatherings,” Asian Tour chief But we also have days and it’s one of the things I executive Cho Minn Thant said in a that we can never forget for miss the most. statement. other reasons; days that we As I told myself every day Governments in Asia have started to cannot explain and moments when I had my struggles last slowly ease lockdowns as the rates of Cafu receives his Qatar 2022 jersey from Secretary-General of the Supreme Committee for of inexplicable tragedy that year, this pain and negativity infection slows in some countries but there Delivery & Legacy Hassan Al Thawadi, in this file photo. you cannot plan for, avoid or will not last forever. While are concerns about a second wave of infec- prevent. is now. He is looking out for loss. I want to relate and through it. My family is big. I I’m sure we will never forget tions when economies fully reopen. On 4 September 2019, us and laughing from above share. I want to use this letter am one of six brothers. But this time, this time will pass. “The ultimate lifting of quarantine God took my son, Danilo Feli- at everything we are doing to open up about how my not only at that moment did And when this is all over periods will determine the Tour’s ability ciano de Morais. He was just down here. I pray that no family and I have drawn I draw strength from them, and we return to normal life to resume full-scale operations,” Cho said. 30 years old. Some events in other parent experiences this strength from each other but now in the current crisis we will, I’m sure, cherish the The Asian Tour was targeting between this world are inexplicable. heartbreak. A father should during very difficult times. I the family is the pillar of eve- small things that we took for 10 to 12 events from September to There is no rhyme or reason. never have to bury his own want to share how our pas- rything. We renew our granted so much more. December, he said. I lost my son in my arms. I son. sions, including sport, are strengths everyday together, For example, my other While they hoped to recover much of tried to save him and to help Until today, I have not helping us to recover. so we can get over that pain passion in life is motorcycles, the season, Cho said there were already him, but he left us. It was – spoken publicly about this Before I move on though, and look to the future and I know that when I get plans to extend it into 2021. and is – a feeling of emp- tragic incident and while I do as this is the first time I have together. back on the road – even for He also said the early tournaments tiness; it’s a terrible feeling. not intend to go into detail spoken directly about my I have also done so much a journey I have done 1,000 would look different due to heightened Sometimes we feel helpless. about the events of that day son’s passing, I must say work in recent months with times before – it will be the health and safety regulations. We feel so strong in our or the immediate days, weeks thank you to the thousands Qatar’s Supreme Committee sweetest journey of all. “If we need to minimize the number bodies and our minds, but in and months after his passing, of people who got in touch to for Delivery & Legacy, the We are experiencing dark of foreign travellers travelling into a host a moment like that your I do feel the time is right to send me their thoughts and 2022 World Cup organisers, times right now, but as people country, we may have to do without physical strength doesn’t talk about certain things. prayers. for whom I am a global say, it’s always darkest just private caddies, entourages, and support mean anything. It doesn’t I feel like this as so many Words cannot express ambassador. before dawn. staff,” said Cho. help. When you cannot save other millions of people how much this meant to me My work with them – and I urge you all to stay safe, The US PGA Tour restarts in Texas on your own son, you feel around the world – and and my family at that time, their Generation Amazing stay home, stay strong, stay Thursday, while golf in Europe resumes incredibly weak. increasingly every day in my and from the bottom of my programme – has brought me together. Look out for each with the British Masters on July 22. But God took him and I’m beloved Brazil – are suffering heart I thank each and every into contact with hundreds other and remember that one sure he is very well where he similar feelings of sudden one of you that helped us of young football fans from day soon this will all be over. AIU says Naser Chinese U-19 missed four tests players suspended as she pleads for breaking virus innocence curfew REUTERS — LONDON World 400 metres champion Salwa Eid Naser was provisionally suspended for AP — BEIJING registering four “whereabouts failures”, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said The Chinese Football Association says six Action during match between Arsenal yesterday. members of the national under-19 squad and Charlton at the Emirates Stadium. The Bahrain athlete, who won gold at have been suspended for six months for PIC: COURTESY ARSENAL WEBSITE the World Championships in last violating coronavirus control measures year, pleaded her innocence despite being by leaving training camp at midnight to suspended by the AIU on Friday for failing go drinking. to make herself available for anti-doping The 35-player training camp in PL teams prepare for restart with tests. Shanghai began on May 17 and ended on In an Instagram video, Naser had said Saturday. she had “only missed three drug tests” and “It was a severe violation of the team’s practice games at stadiums that the missed tests came before the Sep- epidemic control regulations, and caused tember event in Doha. negative impacts on the whole team,” the “The investigation into Ms Naser’s three CFA was quoted as saying by the official AP — LONDON second-tier side Charlton at the match was refereed by fitness whereabouts failures in 2019 was ongoing Xinhua News Agency. Emirates Stadium. Eddie Nketiah coach Charlie Owen. at the time of the Doha World Champion- The six players will have to sit out all Manchester United, Chelsea and scored a hat-trick in a 6-0 win for Chelsea also hosted a friendly ships and she was not provisionally sus- matches through November 30. They also Arsenal were among the clubs who the Gunners, with forwards Pierre- between its own players at pended at that time,” the AIU said. face further punishment from their stepped up their preparations for Emerick Aubameyang and Alex- Stamford Bridge. The Blues cur- “Following conclusion of the investi- respective clubs. the Premier League’s return by andre Lacazette also netting. rently occupy fourth spot in the fight gation and a fourth whereabouts failure Players in China have no official holding practice matches. Manchester United, which for Champions League qualification, in January 2020, a Notice of Charge was organisation to represent their interests Clubs are attempting to build plays Tottenham on its return on three points clear of United, and will issued and Ms Naser subject to an imme- and it wasn’t clear if there was any way up players’ fitness as well as get June 19, staged a game between resume their campaign against diate provisional suspension.” to appeal the ban. used to playing without fans before members of the first-team squad Aston Villa on June 21. According to World Athletics Anti- “They all realised the seriousness of the league resumes on June 17 fol- game at Old Trafford on Manager Frank Lampard and Doping Rules, any combination of three the situation. It is a loss to the team, and lowing a 100-day suspension due Saturday. his coaching staff acted as officials whereabouts failures -- filing failures or of course, it will have greater effects on to the coronavirus pandemic. United manager Ole Gunnar for the match, which saw the squad missed tests -- within a 12-month period the players themselves,” head coach The league also announced that Solskjaer will have been particu- split and wear their home and by an athlete constitutes an anti-doping Cheng Yaodong was quoted as saying by the sixth round of COVID-19 testing larly pleased to see Marcus away kit. violation. Xinhua. of 1,195 players and staff across the Rashford and Paul Pogba back in Villa, which is two points from Athletes guilty of whereabouts failures The under-19 team is to play in the 20 clubs on Thursday and Friday action after the pair spent a sus- safety in the relegation battle, could face two-year bans or a minimum Chinese third division in the upcoming produced no positives. tained period out through injury played a friendly against West Bro- of one year depending on the degree of season to give players more competition Arsenal, which will be in action prior to the season being sus- mwich, whose second-tier cam- fault. The AIU added it would not comment in preparation for upcoming Olympics. on the first night back away to pended. Players drove to the paign is due to resume later this any further as the disciplinary process was Manchester City, hosted stadium in their match kit and the month. still ongoing. UFC superstar McGregor announces his third retirement LONDON AFP — retire from fighting. Thank you arch-rival Khabib Nurmago- the UFC, is no stranger to con- all for the amazing memories! medov in October 2018. troversy and hit the headlines Mixed martial arts superstar What a ride it’s been!” he wrote. In April 2016 he also said last year for an attack on an Conor McGregor (pictured) “Here is a picture of myself he was retiring with a now- older man in a Dublin bar that announced his retirement from and my mother in Las Vegas famous tweet: “I have decided was captured in a viral video. the sport yesterday. post one of my World title to retire young. Thanks for the McGregor, one of the most The two-division Ultimate wins! Pick the home of your cheese. Catch ya’s later.” popular fighters in MMA Fighting Championship (UFC) dreams Mags I love you! His last appearance in the history, has a record of 22-4 World Champion said his Whatever you desire it’s yours.” octagon was in January after a and was the first UFC fighter fighting days were over in a The controversial fighter, 15 month-absence when he to hold two championship belts Twitter message posted on his nicknamed “The Notorious”, knocked out American Donald at the same time. He achieved verified account, alongside a previously announced his “Cowboy” Cerrone in a ruthless that feat in 2016 when he picture of the Irishman with his retirement from the sport in 40-second destruction in Las stopped Eddie Alvarez in a mother, Margaret. March last year after being bat- Vegas. lightweight title fight, adding it “Hey guys I’ve decided to tered into submission by The 31-year-old, an icon of to his featherweight title. MONDAY 8 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07 RFU pushing for 40,000 fans to Mouratoglou targets attend November internationals new fanbase with innovative league REUTERS - LONDON give up. Taking this decision is REUTERS - MUMBAI The Rugby Football Union (RFU) much deeper is seeking clarity on whether than that,” Patrick Mouratoglou, the long-time coach of Serena Williams, the physical distancing rule can Poirot said. feels needs to reinvent itself and hopes his new league be reduced from two metres to “It was dif- will make the sport more attractive and engaging for a younger one so they can admit 40,000 ficult but it had generation. fans into Twickenham Stadium the contrary The Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS), which kicks off in for the November interna- effect. It made France next Saturday, will have three top-10 players from the tionals, chief executive Bill me feel relief. men’s ATP Tour in , Matteo Berrettini and Sweeney said. The decision , joining seven others to compete in a round-robin Elite sport in England was was even easier format over five weeks. given the green light to return to make. I might Among the changes from the main tour, players will not this month but without spec- be criticised, but face sanctions for emotional outbursts on court while fans will tators in attendance amid the I haven’t lied to be able to question them during changeovers as they watch a COVID-19 pandemic. However, anyone,” he livestream of matches. the RFU believes fans will be added. “For many years I have been worried about the future of allowed to attend matches by Poirot was tennis. The average age of a tennis fan is 61, which is very old November. guidance, you get close to Loosehead prop Poirot, who among the favourites to replace for a fan base,” Mouratoglou said. England are scheduled to 40,000, and we would like it to started just one of les Bleus retired Guilhem Guirado as full- “Tennis is failing to renew its fanbase. And that’s very wor- host New Zealand’s All Blacks, come down to that by the matches during this year’s Six time les Blues captain after the rying, because the future doesn’t look bright.” Argentina, Tonga and Australia autumn.” Nations, led his country against World Cup but new head coach Mouratoglou teamed up with Alex Popyrin, the father of in November at Twickenham Sweeney said the RFU Tonga in the group stages of the Fabien Galthie chose flanker world number 103 Alexei, to create the league that he says will Stadium, which has a capacity stands to lose around £3m competition before the last- Charles Ollivon as his skipper. showcase “new tennis”. of 82,000. ($3.80m) per game under the eight loss to Wales. “I would have been in a “I mean different tennis. Taking into consideration what “If you are using two two-metre guidelines but will “When the competition fin- trap. I couldn’t have retired. The was better back in the 1970s and the 80s and also bringing metres, you are talking about a not increase capacity unless ished, a few minutes after the captaincy is a heavy some modernity,” he said in an interview. four-metre distanced safe they receive government final whistle, I felt empty. The responsibility. “I’m excited to showcase that and to see if this is much space. With one, it is one metre approval. decision was made in a fraction “In the state I was in it more attractive to the younger generation.” all round, which has the effect “We would not increase the of a second,” he told newspaper would have been horrible to UTS will be held at Mouratoglou’s academy in Nice with of increasing capacity fourfold,” stadium capacity at the risk of L’Equipe. take over the role,” Poirot said. 10 matches every weekend for a total of 50 matches and prize Sweeney was quoted as saying safety nor do anything contrary “I feel my motivation is not “Not being named captain money on offer for each clash. by The Guardian. to government guidelines,” at its maximum. I always gave me freedom. Finally it was With the professional circuit halted at least until the end “If you use two metres in an Sweeney added. promised myself I would be at a relief. It’s sad and powerful to of July due to COVID-19, a number of exhibition events have 80,000-seater stadium and “But we want clarity on 100 per cent when playing for say that, but it’s the truth,” he recently been held as lockdown rules are slowly eased. factor in traffic flow, such as whether the two-metre rule is France, to not lie. Les Bleus, it’s added. Mouratoglou, who has been working with 23-times Grand someone wanting to use the absolutely essential or is one the Holy Grail. I can’t go and The former Brive forward Slam singles winner Williams since 2012, said the UTS will not toilet without going past metre possible.” play for them and just take my said even France hosting the be another exhibition event. someone and touching them, it Meanwhile former France cap and my bonus,” he added. 2023 World Cup did not sway “It’s a real competition and it’s a new tour,” he said. “The reduces your capacity to skipper Jefferson Poirot The Bordeaux-Begles front- his choice. players are going to win points, they’re going to earn prize between 9,000 and 9,500. announced his Test retirement rower lost his starting Test place “It will be an enormous money. And at the end of the year there will be a champion. “I was surprised, not yesterday aged 27 because of a to Cyril Baille for the Six Nations event. I hope les Bleus will be “So they’re going to really compete with the same moti- thinking it would be that low. lack of motivation after losing was dropped from the squad world champions. But it never vation as if they were playing a tournament.” With one metre, which is the last October’s Rugby World Cup later in the campaign. crossed my mind in my The games will be shorter and more dynamic and will “sur- World Health Organization’s quarter-final. “It’s not in my character to decision,” he said. prise” traditional fans, according to Mouratoglou, who turns 50 on Monday. The event will be held without fans in attendance. They will, however, be able to listen to conversations between players Afghanistan and coaches as they watch from home. The Frenchman feels fans currently miss personalities who cricket team are easily identifiable - such as those from the past like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Bjorn Borg, Ilie Nastase and Yannick starts nets Noah. “I want authenticity, I don’t want players to make a show. despite I want players to be able to be themselves on court and express all kinds of emotions,” said Mouratoglou. The Frenchman added that they had studied what had made virus fears different formats in other sports successful while they had also taken inspiration from esports. AP - KABUL The event will be live-streamed and fans will be able to watch it on utslive.tv, subscriptions for which will be less than Afghanistan’s national cricket 10 euros (about $11) a month. Afghanistan cricketers are seen team began a month-long UTS will distribute a major part of its advertising and broad- during a team training session in training camp yesterday, even casting revenue to help lower-ranked players, who have been Kabul yesterday. A spokesman for as the coronavirus was heavily affected by the sport’s shutdown. Each match will have the Afghan Cricket Board said spreading widely across the a prize pot with the winner bagging 70% and rest going to his players were under strict orders country and an international opponent. to abide by government rules for aid organization warned it was “The idea is to create the tennis of the future,” said Mour- social distancing. on the brink of a humanitarian atoglou. “I don’t plan to be a competitor to the ATP and the PICS: @ACBofficials crisis. WTA. My plan is to bring new fans to the game. Afghanistan has officially “And if it works, and if the ATP and the WTA want to have recorded more than 20,000 the UTS under their umbrella, I’ll be happy to.” cases countrywide, but the actual number is believed to be Patrick Mouratoglou, much higher. coach of Serena Will saliva ban threaten Still, the Afghanistan Williams, is seen Cricket Board announced the before practice at start of the training camp for the All England Lawn cricket’s kings of swing? its 22 players a day after the Tennis and Croquet government laid out new Club, London, in this guidelines to tackle the spread July 12, 2019 file AFP - LONDON accusation he has always Hoggard and Simon Jones were of the virus that includes photo. denied ever since. pivotal to England regaining the wearing face masks, social dis- An International Cricket “Some days things go just Ashes from Australia in 2005. tancing and limiting gatherings Council board meeting on right,” Massie said by way of But it was England opening to 10 people or less. Wednesday could see the global explaining his remarkable batsman Marcus Trescothick Abdullah Pakthani, a governing body uphold a introduction to Test cricket. who later revealed he had put spokesman for the Afghan recommendation to prohibit the Reverse swing -- It used to Murray Mints sweets to good Cricket Board, said players use of saliva in order to stop the be thought that as a cricket ball use in the field because sucking were under strict orders to transmission of the corona- got older it would swing less. them stimulated most saliva, abide by government rules for virus. But a technique pioneered which could then be applied to social distancing, and practice Bowlers traditionally get the by Pakistan paceman Sarfraz the ball. will be restricted to five or six ball to move or swing in the air, Nawaz, partly in response to the Play on with Pollock? players at any one time. The thereby making it harder for slow and batsmen-friendly It seems unlikely cricket players won’t be tested for batsmen to hit, by applying pitches of his homeland, led to chiefs will row back from the COVID-19 but they are not shine to one side via sweat -- the development of reverse saliva ban but former South allowed in the stadium if they which can still be used -- or swing. Africa paceman Shaun Pollock, are unwell or have a fever. saliva. “Just using sweat won’t be even though he is a member of The cricket board said it ATP TOUR TITLE WINNERS However, as a temporary of much help because that will the ICC cricket committee, gave started the camp under guide- measure to combat COVID-19, only make the ball wet and that current swing bowlers a lines of the International THIS SEASON the ICC’s cricket committee has shine will be missing,” said glimmer of hope by suggesting Cricket Council and the World suggested banning the use of Sarfraz. health checks in place for next Health Organization. saliva. Sarfraz confused a suc- month’s behind closed doors Cricket is the most popular H-HARD, C-CLAY, G-GRASS The issue in detail: cession of batsmen by bowling three-Test series between sport in Afghanistan, and Massie’s match -- One of in-swingers with an old ball. England and the West Indies Afghans have embraced the Jan. 3-11 2020 Qatar ExxonMobil Open, HO (Andrey Rublev) the most extraordinary indi- He helped compatriot might make it redundant. national team as a welcome Jan. 9-18 2020 Adelaide International, HO (Andrey Rublev) vidual performances in cricket Imran Khan add reverse swing “I think the environment diversion from relentless war Jan. 10-18 2020 ASB Classic, HO (Ugo Humbert) history saw Australia swing to his armoury and in the 1990s that’ll end up being created is and poverty. Stars like Rashid Jan. 13-Feb. 1 Australian Open, HO (Novak Djokovic) bowler Bob Massie take 16 for there were probably no better almost going to be like a Khan and Mohammad Nabi are Jan. 31-9 2020 Cordoba Open, CO (Cristian Garin) 137 on his Test debut against exponents than the Pakistan bubble,” Pollock told the Fol- considered national icons. Feb. 1-9 2020 , HO (Gael Monfils) England at Lord’s in 1972. fast-bowling duo of Wasim lowing On Cricket Podcast. But the training camp Jan. 31-9 2020 Taha Open Maharashtra, HO (Jiri Vesely) Yet Massie won just five Akram and Waqar Younis. “People will get tested, opens as international aid Feb. 7-16 2020 Argentina Open, CO () more caps and took only 15 In 1992, the pair took 43 they’ll go into a two-week camp organizations warn that the Feb. 8-16 2020 , HO (Kyle Edmund) more wickets, with the bowler wickets between them as where they’re just going to sit coronavirus is still rife within Feb. 7-16 2020 ABN Amro World Tennis Tournament, HO himself saying he had struggled Pakistan won a five-match Test and monitor how the conditions Afghanistan’s 36 million (Gael Monfils) on a subsequent tour of the series in England 2-1. of their bodies change. people. Last week, the Interna- Feb. 14-23 2020 West Indies where he adjusted Mint condition -- Over time, “And if there are no tional Rescue Committee , HO (Reilly Opelka) Feb. 15-23 2020 his action and was never the teams all round the world came symptoms, it doesn’t really warned Afghanistan was on the Marseille, HO (Stefanos Tsitsipas) Feb. 14-24 2020 same cricketer again. to realise that in order to gen- matter about shining the ball brink of a humanitarian crisis. Rio Open presented by Claro, CO (Cristian Massie’s remarkable erate reverse swing it was vital then, because you’re in the COVID-19 is rapidly Garin) maiden Test and the lavish the ball was ‘looked after’ bubble and no one you come spreading undetected through Feb. 21-29 2020 Abierto Mexicano Telcel, HO () swing he generated at Lord’s properly, with one side polished into contact with will have Afghanistan, the IRC warned, Feb. 21-29 2020 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, led to suggestions he’d applied and the other kept bone dry. coronavirus. saying the number of con- HO (Novak Djokovic) lip salve to the ball in order to Swing bowlers such as “So you can just get on with firmed new cases rose by 684% Feb. 21-Feb. 29 Chile Open, CO () maintain the shine -- an Andrew Flintoff, Matthew normal proceedings.” in May.