SATURDAY, JANUARY 2, 2021 11

India include Natarajan in test squad for injured Yadav BRX partner with Red Bull for Dakar Rally 2021 Red Bull will play a vital role in ensuring BRX are ready to compete in Dakar Rally

Together, BRX and• Red Bull will negotiate the gruelling conditions of the Saudi Arabian desert T. Natarajan reacts during a match (file photo) Reuters | Sydney TDT | Manama

ndia named left-arm seamer ahrain Raid Xtreme (BRX) IT. Natarajan yesterday as the announced a new part- replacement for injured pace- Bnership with Red Bull as man Umesh Yadav ahead of the KNOW WHAT the team embarks on its maiden last two tests against Australia. Dakar Rally – one of the tough- Yadav bowled only 3.3 overs est sporting events in the world. in Australia’s second innings in Red Bull – Official Partner the second test before limping The 29-year-old Na- of Bahrain Raid Xtreme – will off as India went on to level the tarajan was initially play a vital role in ensuring series 1-1 with an eight- picked as a net bowl- BRX are ready to compete in victory in Melbourne. er for India’s tour The 33-year-old will miss Down Under after the remaining matches in Syd- his strong showing in BRX team drivers with the car ney and Brisbane in the latest I am very excited injury setback to the tourists, the Indian Premier one of sport’s biggest tests of nership Development Director, said: “I am very excited to have League Twenty20 to have Red Bull on who are also without regular board for my Dakar endurance. BRX’s driver line-up Chris Long, said: “Bahrain Raid Red Bull on board for my Dakar and batting mainstay tournament includes nine-time World Ral- Xtreme are very excited to wel- adventures, and first journey Virat Kohli, who has returned adventures, and first ly Champion, Sébastien Loeb, come Red Bull as an Official with Bahrain Raid Xtreme. I to India for the birth of his his forearm while batting in journey with Bahrain from France, who is also a Red BRX Partner. Just as the team have personally worked with child. the opening test in Adelaide. Raid Xtreme. I have Bull motorsport ambassador. behind BRX, Red Bull has an Red Bull for several years and “The fast bowler will not re- The 29-year-old Natarajan personally worked Red Bull – with its own rich incredibly rich history in sport know that it is a brand that cover completely ahead of the was initially picked as a net with Red Bull for history in extreme sports and – with its own teams, partner- shares similar ambition and ex- remaining two test matches bowler for India’s tour Down several years and multiple motorsport series ships and athletes – in extreme perience to the team at Bahrain and has been ruled out of the Under after his strong showing know that it is a across the world – is the perfect sport and multiple motorsport Raid Xtreme.” series,” Jay Shah, the secretary in the Indian Premier League partner to support Prodrive-run series across the world. With BRX is the product of a joint of India’s board, said in Twenty20 tournament. brand that shares BRX team on its first Dakar Rally. the combined experience of venture between Prodrive, and a statement. However, a spot opened similar ambition and Together, BRX and Red Bull will Red Bull and BRX, we are very the Kingdom of Bahrain, to form Veteran seamer Ishant Shar- up for Natarajan in the limit- experience to the negotiate the gruelling condi- excited to take on the Dakar Prodrive International. The ma missed the entire tour with ed-overs squad due to an in- team at Bahrain Raid tions of the Saudi Arabian de- Rally with our new partner and new team will embark on its a side strain while experienced jury to a spinner and he made Xtreme sert over a 7,646km (4,751-mile) excited to see what the maiden maiden Dakar Rally, beginning paceman Mohammed Shami an instant impact on his first SÉBASTIEN LOEB race. rally will bring.” from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on was ruled out after fracturing international tour. BRX Chief Marketing & Part- BRX Driver, Sébastien Loeb, January 3, 2021.

To play or not to play – that is the question now for Taulava New Zealand’s Australia’s batsmen must ‘grind’ TDT | Manila Henry replaces to foil India’s plans: Labuschagne injured Wagner for Reuters | Sydney ow at 47 and the oldest gles and his failure to reach Nactive player in the Phil- second Pakistan double-figures in the series, ippine Basketball Association test ustralia’s batsmen must top order batsman Labus - (PBA), Filipino-Tongan Asi Abalance aggression with chagne has also had to battle Taulava is still contemplating discipline to combat India in for runs. on whether to extend his cele- the third test in Sydney after Yet to score a half-century brated career or finally hang up being pinned down by their a year after dominating Pa - his history-coated jersey. bowlers in the first two match- kistan and New Zealand on The grizzled veteran 6-foot-9 es, number three Marnus La- home pitches, Labuschagne big man still has not made up buschagne said. paid credit to India’s bowlers his mind about his future in the Australia have not sur - but said Australia had to rise pro league. passed 200 in either test so to the challenge. He is also waiting for the de- Matt Henry is seen during nets far, struggling to break the “They’ve been very disci- cision of his NLEX ballclub. No final decision yet for Taulava on PBA retirement shackles of a well-drilled plined in their and The management has yet to Guiao, however, said it might Reuters | Indian attack which has tar- in their plans, with both spin decide on his retirement after not be the end of the road for geted the stumps and cut off and pace, I think they’ve re- playing what could be the final Taulava, especially with the anterbury fast bowler cheap runs with heavy leg-side ally held that straight line,” game of his decorated PBA ca- way he played against Terra- CMatt Henry was called fields. said Labuschagne, who was reer that spanned for more than I’m happy just firma. up to the New Zealand While much of the focus has dismissed for 48 and 28 in the two decades. being on the team Taulava suited up for only squad for the second test been on Steve Smith’s strug- second test in Melbourne. The “Ageless Rock” scored doing whatever is three games in the entire con- against Pakistan, starting 11 points, hauled down four re- asked of me to do so ference and his performance on Sunday at Hagley Oval in bounds, and had three blocks everything depends against Terrafirma was easily Christchurch, to replace the as NLEX ended its campaign in on management. his best. injured Neil Wagner, New the Philippine Cup with a 127- Other than that, I will “The problem is he had a Zealand Cricket (NZC) said 101 beating of Terrafirma last good game. He will probably yesterday. November 11. just have to wait, talk ask for a two-year contract,” Wagner is expected to “I’m happy just being on the to my management Guiao said. be sidelined for around six team doing whatever is asked of first before I make If Taulava chooses to retire, weeks after sustaining frac- me to do so everything depends any final decisions he will draw the curtains on tures in the toes of his right on management,” said Taulava, ASI TAULAVA a storied career that saw him foot during the first test at who started his PBA career in earn a spot in the 40 Greatest , which the hosts 1999. had also hinted that Taulava is PBA Players list. won by 101 runs. “Other than that, I will just leaving the hardcourt for good, The first player in PBA history Henry, who has 30 test have to wait, talk to my man- saying: “My understanding was to play in four different dec- , is being rewarded agement first before I make any he was set for retirement.” ades, Taulava won a PBA cham- for his recent form which final decisions.” He added: “I think manage- pionship and an MVP award and saw him register figures of Taulava is believed to be ment will make that decision. got named to the Mythical First 6-53 for New Zealand ‘A’ hanging up his spurs this sea- We will consult. But from what Team a total of four times. against Pakistan Shaheens son after he and fellow team I understand, as of our last con- Obviously, the reason why in December. The 29-year- veteran Cyrus Baguio both versation, it was still retirement Taulava continues to persevere old has also taken seven signed a one-conference deal for Asi. That was my under - and fight through wear and tear wickets from four Ford Tro- with NLEX earlier this year. standing. Only he can answer is his dream to taste another phy matches this season for NLEX head coach Yeng Guia that question.” PBA title. Canterbury.