Tim Cahill on how sport, football in particular, can help unify the world following the virus pandemic Monday, april 13, 2020 paGE 14 ‘a true legend’ — motor racing great dies aged 90

DPA LONDON

BRITISH motor racing great Sir Hamilton salutes ‘racing Stirling Moss, widely regarded as the best driver never to have legend and comrade’ won a title, has died at the age of 90 following a AFP driver, he talked like a racing long illness. LONDON driver, he behaved like a racing “It was one lap too many, driver should behave.” he just closed his eyes,” his wife WORLD champion Lewis Jenson Button, the 2009 Lady Moss was quoted as saying Hamilton on Sunday described world champion, hailed Moss by British media on Sunday. Stirling Moss, who has died at who always “drove to the max”. Tributes poured in from the the age of 90, as a “racing leg- “I’m going to miss our world of motor racing, with mo- end” and a “comrade from a chats, your knowledge, your torsport federation FIA presi- massively different time”. jokes, your help, your direc- dent Jean Todt calling it a “very Although Moss never won tion, your infectious smile and sad day.” Stirling Moss “was a the Formula One world title, seeing you push whatever you true legend in motor sport and he was regarded as one of mo- drove to the max even in your he will remain so forever,” Todt tor sport’s greatest drivers, 80s,” tweeted Button. said. with his 1950s heyday seeing “Rest well Stirling. The rac- Current world champion racers compete in a variety of ing world will not be the same. tweeted his disciplines. My heart goes out to his won- condolences and said: “Today The 35-year-old Hamilton, derful wife Susie.” we say goodbye to Sir Stirling a six-time world champion, be- Moss won 212 of the 529 Moss, the racing legend. came a friend of Moss despite races he entered across all I certainly will miss our con- the pair’s age difference and motor sport events, with 1996 versations. I am truly grateful contrasting backgrounds. Formula One world champion to have had these special mo- “Today we say goodbye to saying that was a ments with him.” Moss is ac- Sir Stirling Moss, the racing staggering achievement. knowledged as one of the great- stirling Moss was one of the greatest drivers never to win the F1 title; (Inset) Moss after his 1955 win in the famed . (aFP) legend,” reigning champion “He never won a world est all-round racing drivers in Hamilton wrote on Instagram. championship but he won a lot the history of and Was lucky enough to see him race, “I certainly will miss our of races, something like a third the formative decades of For- conversations. To be honest, of all the races he entered. It’s mula One, although he never says Qatar’s Saeed al hajri it was such a unusual pairing, a ridiculous statistic, he was won a world title. “i watched him race as a our friendship. legendary.” He was runner-up four “Two people from mas- Hill, whose late father and times in a row from 1955 to youngster and he sively different times and two-time F1 world champion 1958 and third three times, win- inspired me. i was lucky backgrounds but we clicked Graham competed against ning 16 of the 66 F1 races he enough to see him race and ultimately found that the Moss, reckoned Moss’s vic- competed in from 1951 to 1961. on his home track in love for racing we both shared tory in the 1955 Mille Miglia, Some of the wins “rank made us comrades. in which he covered 1,000 among the truly iconic drives in silverstone in the uK “I am truly grateful to have miles of open Italian roads at the sport’s history - his 1961 vic- and twice at monaco. he had these special moments an average speed of 97.96 mph tories in Monaco and Germany really was a giant in with him.” (57.85 kph) in 10 hours, seven in particular often held up as motor racing”. Meanwhile, three-time minutes and 48 seconds, to be all-time classics,” the F1 website Moss at the wheel of his 1954 Mercedes at Goodwood in 2009. (aFP) world champion Jackie Stew- “one of the all-time great per- said. – Qatar motorsport legend art, who came into Grand Prix formances of our sport”. Moss also enjoyed a success- Saeed al Hajri on the passing team tweeted: “RIP Sir drivers who went on to become racing shortly after Moss’s Mercedes, one of Moss’s ful career in sportscar racing at of Sir Stirling Moss. Stirling. A true legend and a world champions of which he injury-enforced retirement in former teams, mourned the the same time as F1, chalking wonderful person. To Scuderia sadly was denied,” he said. the early 1960s, told the BBC: loss of a “true icon, a legend up a total of 212 victories in all Ferrari, he was a formidable op- “But I think no one ever “I think he’s probably the best and a gentleman”, while Fer- competitions. 1,000-mile race around Italy. Goodwood, southern England ponent.” The McLaren F1 team regarded him as anything less example of a racing driver rari called him a “formidable Moss retired from top-level He finished behind Fangio when his Lotus veered into a also tweeted condolences and than one of the greats.” The 1978 there’s ever been. opponent”. competition after a crash in in the championship and was grass bank. said: “All at McLaren mourn the F1 world champion Mario An- “He walked like a racing Jean Todt, president of 1962 left him in a coma for a again twice beaten by Fangio After retiring from competi- passing of a legend of our sport, dretti tweeted: “He was my hero month and partially paralysed to the F1 title, while racing with tive racing, Moss went on to run Sir Stirling Moss. A prodigious and such a kind man beloved by for six months. (1956) and a property business with his competitor, supremely talented everyone. He was a true giant Hamilton Mercedes, who had signed (1957). family and continued to race in racer, and consummate gen- in our sport and will be missed Moss in 1955, tweeted: “Today, Still with Vanwall, he then historic cars and legends events tleman, he leaves an indelible forever.” British former F1 racer the sporting world lost not only lost out in 1958 to compa- until the age of 81. mark of greatness on the histo- and now TV commentator Mar- a true icon and a legend, but a triot after he Moss also worked in broad- ry of international motorsport.” tin Brundle tweeted that Moss gentleman. The Team and the vouched for his rival to prevent casting, was knighted in 2000 Britain’s 1996 world champion was “a mighty racer and gentle- Mercedes Motorsport family him from being disqualified and in 2006 was awarded the Damon Hill, whose father Gra- man” who “survived the most have lost a dear friend. Sir Stir- when he was accused of revers- motorsport federation FIA gold ham was a racing contemporary dangerous era of motorsport.” ling, we’ll miss you.” Mercedes ing on track in the late-season medal for outstanding contri- of Moss, told the BBC Moss “be- Former British F1 racer Da- signed Moss to race alongside Portuguese Grand Prix. bution to motorsport. came the icon, the poster boy if vid Coulthard, who is president the great , Moss was third in the stand- He is survived by his third you like” for of the British Racing Drivers’ and in that F1 year became the ings in 1959, 1960 and 1961. wife Susie and two children. drivers from the beginning of Club (BRDC), said Moss was “a first British driver to win a home The crash in 1962 which “He died as he lived, looking the post-war period of motor truly great character and gentle- grand prix at Aintree and in ral- ended his professional career wonderful,” Lady Moss told racing. man who will be sorely missed lying set a new course record came at an International 100 Mail Online. “I think he launched all the by all who had the fortune of in winning the Mille Miglia, a race for Formula One cars at Among the tributes, the other careers of British racing knowing him.”

Ex-Chelsea star Drogba Quick read Hodgson wary of ‘artificial’ end Froome says horror injury recovery ‘almost offers hospital in virus fight complete’ to Premier League season LONDON: Four-time tour de champion Chris Froome said on AFP Sunday his recovery from the horror crash which almost ended his aBIDJaN AFP UEFA, European football’s weeks’ preparation before career is “pretty much complete”. the 34-year-old suffered multiple LONDON governing body, warned a playing a match again. fractures and spent months in rehabilitation after a gust of wind FORMER Chelsea forward failure to complete domestic But the 72-year-old added: hurtled him into a wall at 50 kilometres an hour during a recon at the Didier Drogba has offered his CRYSTAL Palace manager leagues could see clubs ex- “I accept there may have to be Criterium du Dauphine in June last year. He only returned fully to the hospital in his native Ivory Roy Hodgson has warned cluded from continental com- a squeeze on that time-frame.” saddle in February at the Uae tour which was cut short due to the Coast to the fight against the against “artificial means” of petitions next season. The Premier League has coronavirus pandemic. “the recovery is going really well - I’d go as coronavirus pandemic, a local deciding the Premier League. Hodgson said been suspended until April 30 far as saying it’s pretty much complete,” Froome told the team Ineos politician said. In a statement to the Lon- players who, in at the earliest, with further youtube channel after taking part in a virtual race alongside fellow tour Drogba, who scored 65 don club’s supporters, which common with delays looking likely. de France champions Geraint thomas and egan Bernal. (AFP) goals in 105 appearances saw the former England boss the rest of the League leaders Liv- for his country and won the thank health workers and all British popu- erpool, one of Hodgson’s Champions League with the those trying to combat the lation, are former clubs, are a huge ‘Test all players for virus’ before English English club during his play- coronavirus, the veteran for- currently in 25 points ahead of second- season restart ing career, has proposed the mer England manager insist- lockdown placed Manchester City, with use of the Laurent Pokou hos- ed there was widespread sup- would ideally nine games to play and need LONDON: League Managers association chief executive richard pital in Abidjan. port for playing the 2019/ 20 like three to just two more wins to be cer- Bevan said Friday that the english season can only be restarted if all “We thank Drogba for this Didier Drogba won the Premier season out to a finish. four tain of their first Eng- footballers are tested for coronavirus. “tests must be made available gift considered as an act of League title four times with “Everyone is in total agree- lish championship first to National Health Service (NHS) workers and patients,” Bevan patriotism,” the head of the Chelsea. (aFP) ment we need an end to this in 30 years. told the BBC. “Once that’s happened, by all means let’s access it city’s regional council Vincent season,” wrote Hodgson. Palace in sport.” Football has already been shelved for a month due to the Toh Bi said. tional,” the director of Drogba’ “We don’t want artificial are currently virus which has killed nearly 9,000 people in Britain. Football League The centre located in the foundation, who run the unit, means of deciding who wins safely in mid- chiefs believe they can finish the season in 56 days once it is safe Attecoube district is not yet Mariam Breka said. the league, who gets into table, with to resume. “We’re not really going to see more accurate forecasting in a working state but can be Since the start of the COV- the Champions League, the Eagles 12 about when we can get on the pitch until the end of april,” added used in a period of crisis. ID-19 outbreak four people who gets relegated and points clear of Bevan. “In Germany, if you look at discussions about coming back in “It’s up to the state to have died and 533 cases have promoted.” Roy Hodgson the relegation May, that’s probably a direct result of some very clear thinking from validate it and make it func- been registered in Ivory Coast. His letter came after zone. their government because they’re doing 50,000 tests a day. (AFP) 14 Monday, April 13, 2020 Sports When all this is over, sport can play a vital role in repairing hearts & minds TIM CAHILL industry and media across SC GLOBaL aMBaSSaDOr the world – the ingenuity in the face of such testing HE world is in a very times, as so many health, uncertain place right fitness and social responsi- now. We don’t know bility programmes go online how much longer the to play their part in keeping current situation is go- people connected, active and Ting to last, whether it will healthy. Generation Amazing get worse before it gets bet- has been no different – with ter, or what things will look its online sessions via Insta- like when it’s over. I want to gram. Something I look for- start by acknowledging that ward to taking part in soon. people are all hurting in dif- Before this crisis began, ferent ways, and some more I saw the confidence that than others. There are physi- kids get from being a part of cal, mental and economic these programmes and how impacts being felt all over much fun they have learning the world. Tim Cahill -- who has been involved at a grassroots level running football academies Down under and with the Generation Amazing programme in Qatar -- at the Aspire Zone. new skills and making new Sport has been front and friends. I think in a post- centre in my life since I was now is that it has divided us. the 2018 tournament, the TV, as the ‘next’ truly global this feels particularly alien friendly. It’s going to take a coronavirus world, grass- old enough to kick a ball with First, we were divided into streets of Moscow were full football event that will likely to me. The world just feels a conscious effort on our part roots sport – whether it’s my brothers and sister in the countries as borders across of fans from all countries, follow this testing time, the bit less to close this space between five-a-side at your local oval, backyard, but something like the world were closed, then celebrating together. The at- 2022 World Cup is going to us again once it’s safe to do in the playground at recess, this really puts things into cities as movement became mosphere was infectious. Al- be a powerful symbol and so. This is where I’m hoping or organised sport on the perspective. It’s just not that restricted and then in many though different groups are an invaluable tool for unity, grassroots sport will have a weekend – will help bring us important right now. Peo- cases we have had to divide there to support particular togetherness and recovery role to play. closer again. ple are unwell, scared and into individual households. countries and athletes, when across the world. As a parent, there’s noth- I think that for those of stressed, and many have lost It’s really important that we you get to witness history be- The second way that I ing better than cheering on us who end up being fortu- loved ones. Kicking a ball don’t hold on to this mental- ing made, like Usain Bolt at can see sport playing an im- your kids when they play – nate enough to get through doesn’t really register next ity once we are unrestricted the Rio Olympics, it feels like portant role is at a grassroots whether they’re following this current stage, there are to the life-changing circum- again and I think that sport the whole world comes to- level. In the current situation their dreams to one day play a lot of things we definitely stances that so many are ex- has a role to play here. gether as one. I know that the we have been made to be- professionally, or just having won’t be taking for granted periencing. One of the greatest pow- FIFA World Cup in Qatar is come physically distant from fun with their mates. Sport anymore. Like many others, But although now is the ers of sport is that it unites going to be just like this, and one another for our own brings us closer – high fives I’m separated from my par- time for sport to take a back us. In particular, big interna- it will be coming at a time safety. When I take my kids after goals, handshakes after ents and siblings, who live on seat, I want to try and think tional events like the Olym- when we need it. I’ve been for a run around the block we games and hugs with mum the other side of the world. forward to when this is over. pics and FIFA World Cup lucky enough to see some of have to give a wide berth to and dad once it’s over. I’ve Thankfully, I’ve been able Whether that’s six weeks, six bring the world together in a the stadiums coming togeth- the people we would usually been involved at a grassroots to keep in close contact with months, or longer, I think pretty incredible way. I have er and they are preparing to skip around with a smile and level running football acad- them and having my wife and that sport is going to be one been fortunate enough to put on a show that we will a wave. It’s the same at the emies in Australia for kids with me every day has of the most important tools take part in the 2004 Athens remember for a long time to supermarket and in any eight years and also been a real comfort for all of we have to help people feel Olympics, four FIFA World come. Whether it’s attend- other public spaces. with the Genera- us. I know that first game of normal again. I don’t think Cups and I am now an am- ing in person or watching on I have to say that tion Amazing football back on TV and first that it will just be profes- bassador for the Supreme programme kick in the park with my kids sional sport, although it will Committee for Delivery & in Qatar. is going to be priceless. As definitely have a role. I be- Legacy in Qatar, the organi- australia’s greatest ever FiFa It’s been it will for millions of others lieve grassroots sport is go- sation responsible for deliv- World Cup player Tim Cahill offers great to around the world. Although ing to be equally important ering the next World Cup, in his thoughts on how sport – and see – as for now we’ve been forced by in reuniting communities 2022. we have the circumstances to sepa- once the threat of coronavi- As an athlete, you feel football in particular – can help in so rate and be apart, I really be- rus has passed. such a strong atmosphere at unify the world following the many lieve that sport is one of the One of the toughest things these events of shared cel- CoVid-19 pandemic fields of things that will bring us back about the situation we’re in ebration. In Russia during sport, together again. (SC.qa) No kicks in Kashmir: ‘Hero and a gentleman’: Ex-Chelsea Stranded players turn goalkeeper ‘The Cat’ Bonetti no more

AFP appearances for Chelsea and time and I bet they’d say the With Banks having suf- to video games, gym LONDON kept 208 clean sheets. number one keeper at Chel- fered a case of food poisoning, His Chelsea career start- sea was Peter Bonetti.” Bonetti was called up into the AFP FORMER Chelsea and Eng- ed in 1960 and finished in With Bonetti’s career side beaten by West Germany SrINaGar (INDIa) land goalkeeper Peter Bonet- 1979, with his two spells at overlapping those of Gordon in the quarter-finals. ti has died at the age of 78 Stamford Bridge separated Banks and Peter Shilton, he Alf Ramsey’s team were STRANDED by the corona- following a long-term illness, by a 1975 stint in the North made just seven appearances 2-0 up but lost 3-2 in extra- virus lockdown in one of the the Premier League club an- American Soccer League at for England. time, with Bonetti criticised world’s most militarised re- nounced on Sunday, with the St Louis Stars. Paying tribute on Twit- for being at fault for the first gions, Zambia’s Aaron Katebe tributes describing him as a It took until 2014 for Petr ter, Shilton said Bonetti was two goals England conceded. is no longer kicking a football “hero and a gentleman”. Cech to surpass Bonetti’s “a hero of mine, a tremen- But at club level he -- he is playing video games or Nicknamed ‘The Cat’ be- shut-out record. dous player and a true gen- helped Chelsea win the 1965 working out in a hotel gym in cause of his agility, Bonetti - ‘Unbelievable saves’ tleman”. League Cup, the 1970 FA Cup Indian-administered Kashmir. was a mainstay of the west -Meanwhile only Bonetti’s Bonetti was a member -- after the Blues beat bitter Katebe is one of four Afri- London side for close on 20 former team-mate Ron Har- of England’s victorious 1966 rivals Leeds United in a final can and six British players for years throughout the 1960s ris has made more Chelsea World Cup squad, but such that went to a replay -- and Real Kashmir now stuck in a and 1970s. appearances, with the de- was Banks’s form he did not the 1971 European Cup Win- hotel the region’s main city “Our former goalkeeper fender playing in 795 games play during the tournament. ners’ Cup. of Srinagar, after Indian foot- had been suffering from for the Blues. It was not until 2009 that One of the pioneers of ball’s top-flight I-League was long-term illness,” said a “He (Bonetti) was about Bonetti received a winners’ specialist gloves for goal- abruptly ended by the pan- Real Kashmir players Armand Bazie (left) and Gnohere Krizo club statement. 5ft 10in (1.77m), ever so slim, medal, the rules at the time keepers, Bonetti also had demic last month. of Ivory Coast talk in their srinagar hotel restaurant during the “All at Chelsea wish to and acrobatic. He pulled off meaning only the playing spells with Dundee United The foreign imports in- coronavirus lockdown. (aFP) send our heartfelt and deep- some unbelievable saves,” XI in the final were so hon- and Woking. cluding Scottish coach David est condolences to Peter’s Harris told Sky Sports News oured. He later became a goal- Robertson’s son Mason, have crossed. Hopefully we get to back we couldn’t call home for family and friends.” on Sunday. His England career, keeping coach, working with helped turn Real Kashmir into Aberdeen safely,” said Robert- two weeks,” Robertson said. Relatively short by mod- “I’m not knocking any of however, is destined to be both Chelsea and the Eng- a force after becoming the first son. “There are 10 of us here in ern standards for a goalkeep- the present day keepers but remembered for one unfor- land squad as well as Kevin club from the war-torn Hima- “I have been in constant the hotel. And day by day we er at under six feet (1.82 me- ask any Chelsea supporter tunate match at the 1970 Keegan at Newcastle, Man- layan region to play in the I- touch with my mum and dad don’t even talk of football any tres) tall, Bonetti made 729 who’s been around for some World Cup in Mexico. chester City and Fulham. League. despite the internet connectiv- more,” he added. “It is the first time that I ity being not too good here. “So it just shows, that de- have had to face such a situa- “Facetime and video calls spite football being a big part tion,” 28-year Zambian inter- are very difficult, so most of of my life, when these things national Katebe told AFP. the time it is just by voice. happen it doesn’t leave any- “I am in touch with my There is frustration.” thing really.” wife and parents. Connectivity Kashmir has been at the Against the odds, Real is low here so it is difficult to centre of dispute between In- Kashmir were title contenders communicate but I do talk to dia and Pakistan with both in their first I-League season, them over phone. claiming the whole Himala- but finished third. “I am not scared because yan region. The current season has I believe in God and have been abandoned with leaders faith that everything will be ‘Safe and comfortable’ Mohun Bagan of Kolkata de- OK. There is gym in the ho- Last August, India’s central clared champions. tel, which I frequent, and I am government stripped Kashmir Real Kashmir’s co-owner also on my PlayStation a lot.” of its semi-autonomous status Sandeep Chattoo, who has Nigerian Loveday Oke- and imposed a communica- also taken up residence in chukwu, Ivory Coast players tions blackout until January the hotel, said the players are Armand Bazie and Gnohere that virtually cut it off from the sticking together despite the Krizo, the British players, outside world. panic. coach Robertson and his wife “It has been difficult. In- “I just couldn’t have and son are also living in the ternet and power cuts are bad. dumped them here. Staying hotel. I have got used to it and this back has helped and our ef- Robertson is anxious to season was good.” said Rob- forts have ensured that at least get home to Scotland to be ertson. the UK nationals will probably with his ailing mother who is But then came the govern- leave in the coming week,” Peter Bonetti in action undergoing chemotherapy for ment proclamation aiming to Chattoo told AFP. in a 2009 legends cancer. tighten its grip on the Muslim- “The African players un- game in Italy. (aFP) “We are hopeful of get- majority region. fortunately have to stay longer ting a flight from Punjab next “We couldn’t get back to but they are safe and comfort- week. So keeping our fingers Kashmir and when we did get able here.” Sports Monday, April 13, 2020 15

The driver records fourth triumph in a Kuwari extends unbeaten run in QORC row; Lebdah upsets was over 49 second off the winner in the fourth spot and Kholy & Sulaiti posts Khalid Abdeen rounded out third successive win the top five. RESULTS TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK DOHa GROUP A 1. rashid al Lebdah 23:32.466 KHALID al Kuwari became 2. ahmad Kholy +1.697 the driver to beat after pulling 3. Khalid al Maraghi +16.525 off the fourth back-to-back tri- 4. Soud al thani +19.263 umph in the Qatar Online Rac- 5. Khalid al abdulla +20.898 ing Championship on Sunday. His latest victory in the Group B earned him being the only 1. Khalid al Kuwari 23:47.122 man with 156 points through 2. Ghanim al ali +28.285 four wins. and moved to the third spot race by 28.285 seconds ahead results as he would have loved. from Kholy during the race his third victory as he complet- 3. Mohammed emadadhi At the Laguna Seca Race- in the second lap. Then in the of Ghanim al Ali, who secured But today, Lebdah produced a but held on to his advantage, ed the race in 23:41.109. This +28.331 way in Monterey, California, next lap, he overtook second- the first podium of the season. superb start to take a holeshot taking his tally to 140 points, victory raised his tally to 156 4. Basil Sholy +31.917 Kuwari, in attractive maroon placed Basil Sholy to give a hot Emadadhi finished third, and did not give up the lead 16 behind pool leader Kholy. points, same as Kholy in the 5. ali emadadhi +39.717 and white livery on his Mer- chase to leader Mohammed holding off Sholy and Ali Ema- despite some sustained pres- Khalid al Maraghi completed overall classification. cedes-AMG GT3, got locked in Emadadhi. In the fourth cor- dadhi bagged the fifth spot. sure from Kholy, who was also the podium, finishing seconds Abdulla Shaikhan grabbed Group C a chaotic start of the 17-lap race ner of the fifth lap, Kuwari’s In the Group A, Rashid al looking for his fourth victory in off the winner. Sheikh Soud al the second spot, being 16.263 1. Hamad al Sulaiti 23:41.109 and slided to fifth despite hav- aggression forced Emadadhi Lebdah stunned Ahmad Kholy a row. Thani was fourth, narrowlying seconds adrift of Sulaiti and 2. abdulla Shaikhan +16.263 ing the pole position. to surrender the lead and then to record his first victory. Sec- The victory margin of just holding off Khalid al Abdulla. Faesal al Yafei secured the best 3. Faesal al yafei +27.785 But being a quick driver, he went on to consolidate his ond to Kholy in the opening 1.697 underlines the intense Hamad al Sulaiti dominat- result of the series as he took 4. aaron Sturm +49.459 he did not take long to advance position before clinching the race, he did not have as good pressure that Lebdah faced ed the Group C and notched up the third spot. Aaron Sturm 5. Khalid abdeen +50.137

Maxwell wants fans for T20 World Cup Bagnaia edges Vinales in last

AGENCIES MeLBOUrNe lap scrap to win Virtual Gp2

AUSTRALIAN all-rounder Glenn Maxwell has opined that naia at Turn 3, plunging down- the Indian Premier League can It was ten laps of hill and up the inside. Bagnaia ‘survive’ behind closed doors, utter chaos around wasn’t tapping out and giving but the World T20 must have up though, he immediately fans in attendance to watch the the Red Bull Ring responded with a huge dive global event from the stands. down the inside of Viñales, While the novel coronavirus with stars again even taking a trip across the pandemic caused the postpone- putting on a show in grass in doing so. It would ment of the IPL to April 15, it is prove to be the race-winning improbable that the cash-rich the second Virtual overtake after Viñales had a league will begin as scheduled. big slide out of the final corner The Board of Control for Cricket Australia’s star all-rounder Glenn MotoGP Race stopping any chance of him in India (BCCI) is considering a Maxwell: Downplaying the idea drafting past Bagnaia before window towards the end of Au- of staging the T20 World Cup TRIBUNE NEWS NETWORK the chequered flag. gust, and an announcement is without fans in the stadiums. DOHa It wouldn’t be another Vir- expected soon. tual Race win for Alex Mar- Maxwell shared his The 31-year-old all-round- THE stars of MotoGP again put quez, who came across the line thoughts on the possibility of er, who is due to turn out for the on a show in the second Virtual in third place ahead of brother conducting both the IPL and Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2020 Grand Prix Race, with Pramac Marc. Three crashes cost Petro- World T20 this year, and in the did not seem confident of the Racing’s Francesco Bagnaia nas Yamaha SRT’s Fabio Quar- process downplayed the idea World T20 taking place this coming out on top after the Red Pramac Racing’s Francesco Bagnaia and Monster energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Maverick Viñales fight for the tararo dearly as he ended up in of Australia hosting the global year, despite the tournament Bull Ring track in Spielberg, win the second Virtual MotoGP at the Red Bull Ring in spielberg, Austria on sunday. fifth despite showing podium event without a crowd. slated to begin only in October. Austria delivered yet another pace. Sixth place went right ”It’s going to be hard for us “It’s going to be hard for us last lap classic. Bagnaia and of the scrum. His lead didn’t last and back-to-back Virtual Race of the factory Yamaha man but down to the wire with Monster to have crowds. I think if IPL to justify having a World Cup Monster Energy Yamaha Mo- long though with Bagnaia and victories. However, Nakagami disaster struck when the front Energy Yamaha MotoGP’s Val- goes ahead they can probably when we can’t get people into toGP’s Maverick Viñales went Viñales both motoring past the would then take out another end of his Yamaha M1 folded entino Rossi and Ducati Team’s survive without any crowds, the grounds. So I can’t see it toe-to-toe with the Italian tak- Japanese rider, before Repsol Marquez in the form of Alex from beneath him and he Danilo Petrucci, both making but I can’t see the T20 World happening in the near future. ing victory and a debut MotoGP Honda’s Marc Marquez also after once again riding straight crashed out of the lead. Bagnaia their Virtual Race debuts, slug- Cup surviving without any peo- We’ve got to take care of eve- victory after diving up the inside found a way past to move into into the back of someone. It didn’t need a second invitation ging it out to the final corner. In ple there,” Maxwell told ABC ryone’s health and wellbeing,” of Viñales, and even going on third. allowed Marc back into the to sweep through and retake the end, Petrucci came out on Grandstand. said Maxwell. the grass, on the last lap. Then at the start of lap two, podium hunt but his younger control of the #StayAtHomeGP. top despite The Doctor’s best The race got underway is Nakagami ran straight into the brother’s pace was too much It looked like it was done efforts with an almighty lunge chaotic style with nearly all rear wheel of Marquez and took and he eventually broke clear and dusted. Surely the race at the final corner, which ended of the field getting caught up out the World Champion, much and settled into third place. was Bagnaia’s now. However, in the nine-time World Cham- in a huge crash going into the to the nine-time Champion’s Back at the front and it was Viñales found something to pion spectacularly crashing Plunkett hurt at being denied opening corner, with LCR Ide- frustration. Nakagami stayed Viñales who was leading, eight cut the three-second gap down out. Nakagami slipped back to mitsu Honda’s Takaaki Nak- on but was quickly passed by tenths clear of Bagnaia with to nothing as the pair started eighth ahead of Ducati Team’s ODI central contract agami somehow leading the Alex Marquez, who had his now just a handful of laps re- the final lap. Remarkably he Michele Pirro and Reale Avin- race as everyone emerged out eyes firmly on the duo ahead maining. The win was in sight then took the lead from Bag- tia’s Tito Rabat. AFP But with Britain currently LONDON in lockdown in a bid to combat the pandemic, with the start of ENGLAND paceman Liam the season delayed until May Plunkett has said the outbreak 28 at the earliest and the pos- of the coronavirus has made sibility of further postpone- Dhoni still has plenty to offer: Hussain his abrupt exit from interna- ments likely, Plunkett was tional duty “irrelevant”. philosophical about his Eng- The 35-year-old Surrey land career. AFP india lack finishers like yuvraj & dhoni once again: akhtar Mumbai Indians was pushed quick helped England lift the “Cricket doesn’t look so NeW DeLHI back to April 15 as sport- World Cup last year, taking big now,” Plunkett told the AGENCIES ing events around the world three wickets in a thrilling fi- Sunday Times. FORMER England captain KaraCHI were delayed or postponed nal against New Zealand at “All the stuff about me not Nasser Hussain has backed because of the COVID-19 Lord’s. being picked for England, it’s veteran Mahendra Singh FOrMer Pakistan speedster Shoaib akhtar pandemic. That remains his last in- irrelevant. Dhoni to make an interna- believes that the 1998 Pakistan team that toured ternational appearance, how- “I was disappointed, but tional comeback despite India were pretty confident to run through the Comeback hopes fading ever, with Plunkett disap- I’ve got no need to speak growing uncertainty over the Indian batting line-up due to the lack of match- Former India captain pointed at not being offered about that now. Like every- start of the Indian Premier winners in their team. Krishnamachari Srikkanth an England limited-overs one, I want my family and League. according to an article on a cricket website, said Dhoni’s comeback pros- central contract for the 2020 friends to be safe, and that’s The 38-year-old Dhoni akhtar claimed that the Pakistan team always pects looked “very, very bleak” season. all I’m worried about.” has not appeared for club believed that they could take on the Indian batting if the IPL was cancelled. or country since playing for line-up and rattle them in their den in the 1998 “Because straightaway, in India in last year’s 50-over tour of India. according to him, the team dynamics my opinion, KL Rahul will be World Cup and the nation- of India changed significantly with the arrival of yu- the wicket keeper-batsman,” wide coronavirus lockdown vraj Singh and MS Dhoni in the side. Both played Yuvraj singh (left) and Ms Dhoni supported each Srikkanth, former chairman Cave fails to survive brain bleed is limiting his chances of get- the role of a finisher brilliantly and won games other brilliantly while batting for India. of the national selection com- ting back in the side with the single-handedly for India. However, he thinks the mittee, said. AFP ficult time.” IPL likely to be truncated or Indian team is again lacking a finisher after the ness. “Of course, they should win ICC events and “Rishabh Pant, I still think MONtreaL His wife Emily had said on cancelled. retirement of Singh and the confusion surrounding they have to. this team, when the top four score, he might be a bit of a doubt, Thursday that because of coro- There has been specula- Dhoni’s future. they win more often than not. But if they don’t, but I believe that Rishabh EDMONTON Oilers centre navirus restrictions, the family tion that Dhoni might retire “When we toured India in 1998, we always then it is an issue. another thing I noticed is that Pant is highly talented. Colby Cave has died aged just had not been able to visit Cave from international cricket. thought we would run through India after getting you need a match-winner like yuvraj (Singh) or “He is absolutely fit, he is 25 after suffering bleeding in in hospital. “What I have seen of Dho- the top order. there was no match winner until yu- Dhoni in the middle-order.” a legend, he is brilliant. I am his brain, his family and the “Colby was a terrific team- ni, I still think he has a huge vraj came in, followed by Dhoni... then you started akhtar recently suggested a three-match a great fan of Dhoni myself. NHL team said on Saturday. mate with great character, ad- amount to offer to Indian seeing change in results. right now, the problem bilateral series between India and Pakistan to But the question is for the Cave had been placed into mired and liked everywhere he cricket,” Hussain told Indian is lack of finishers.” gather funds for COVID-19 affected people in both (T20) World Cup team. So a medically-induced coma at a played,” said Oilers chairman broadcaster Star Sports on akhtar clarified that a team like India needed the countries. Kapil Dev, however, shot down his you’ll have to put the Indian Toronto hospital on Thursday Bob Nicholson. Saturday. to win big ICC events to stamp their authority as idea stating that India didn’t need more funds and team first and then the indi- after doctors removed a col- NHL legend and fellow Ca- “Yes, there have been a great team. He added that winning only bilateral organising a match would only put the cricketers’ viduals.” loid cyst which was causing nadian Wayne Gretzky wrote one or two occasions where series won’t help the current team achieve great- lives in danger. Dhoni led India to win the the bleed. on Twitter: “He was a wonder- he has got it wrong in run inaugural Twenty20 World “It is with great sadness to ful hockey player with a bright chases, like that World Cup Cup in 2007. He hit a six to share the news that our Colby future, but an even better per- game against England. But in “Don’t push Dhoni into “I do believe that certain ing the lockdown, according seal the 2011 World Cup final Cave passed away early this son. Our thoughts and prayers general, Dhoni is still a really retirement too early. In the individuals should not just to an Instagram post by his victory and his status as a na- morning,” his family said in a are with his wife Emily and his good talent.” end only Dhoni knows his retire into the sunset without wife. tional hero. statement on the Oilers’ web- entire family.” Hussain warned that mental state, in the end se- some kind of farewell.” The opening match of the He has amassed 10,773 site. Boston Bruins forward Dhoni was a once-in-a-gen- lectors select and players Dhoni, who gave up Test Twenty20 tournament be- runs from 350 ODIs, but his “We thank everyone for Jake DeBrusk was a teammate eration cricketer that India turn up when asked to,” he cricket in 2014, has been tween the Dhoni-led Chen- form dipped noticeably at last their prayers during this dif- of Cave’s in junior hockey. would struggle to replace. added. busy gardening at home dur- nai Super Kings and holders year’s 50-over showpiece.