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Akram and Pogba using Babar to inspire lockdown to Pakistan's prepare for women team return MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 PL could face legal action if season doesn’t finish, warns Crystal chief

AP — LONDON “No one wants to be respon- Liverpool's sible for this one! Just in case The Premier League could face players celebrate the unthinkable happens. ... I’d years of legal challenges if this in this file photo. respect them more if they said season is not completed due to ‘We accept the increase in Ronald Koeman the coronavirus pandemic, the Health Risk but it’s one we are chairman of Crystal Palace willing to take.’ They won’t as warned yesterday. they are frightened to death!” Coach Koeman Steve Parish offered public The Spanish league has support for the league’s “Project been communicating its plans admitted to Restart” plans after relegation- more substantially ahead of threatened Brighton and West players resuming training indi- hospital with Ham expressed concerns about vidually at the clubs’ facilities teams being forced to play their on Monday while observing a heart problem remaining games in neutral series of safety measures pre- stadiums. established by the league and REUTERS — AMSTERDAM The league is working with local authorities, including the government to find a safe regular COVID-19 testing. Netherlands coach way for players to resume There is more uncertainty Ronald Koeman was group training and play games in Italy where the government admitted to hospital with by June at the earliest. has only allowed players in a heart problem But the French and Dutch regions containing eight of the yesterday, the daily De league seasons have already 20 Serie A clubs to resume indi- Telegraaf reported on its been halted by their govern- spreading COVID-19 infections. Parish highlighted the community after testing pos- vidual training from today. website. ments amid ongoing concerns While Paris Saint-Germain was “many secondary industries itive for the new coronavirus. While the leagues in The 57-year-old was about sporting fixtures crowned French champion last football enriches,” with the Parish’s explanation of England, Italy and Spain will not taken from his home by week despite Ligue 1 ending Premier League fearing losses “Project Restart” came as the start until at least June, the ambulance but after sur- prematurely, Ajax will not be of more than 1 billion pounds Premier League faced heavy German top flight is hoping to gical intervention was in awarded the Dutch title. from an incomplete campaign criticism from one of the main resume this month. a stable condition, his “I want to complete the as broadcasting commitments pundits for the broadcaster that But the Bundesliga’s plans wife Bartina told the I want to crown competition for reasons of are not met. provides the league’s single were unsettled by three positive newspaper. sporting integrity,” Parish said “Nobody wins if the Premier biggest revenue stream. tests for coronavirus last week Koeman has been the Liverpool champions in a column published yes- League receives less money,” Gary Neville, the former at Cologne, reportedly including Dutch coach for just over and give every terday on the Palace website. Parish said. England and Manchester United two players. two years and helped the other club a fair “I want to crown Liverpool “Football is one of the most defender turned Sky Sports Cologne has insisted that country to qualify for champions and give every other efficient tax-generating industries commentator, said the Premier there is no need for the rest of Euro 2020, which has crack at the best club a fair crack at the best in Britain: we pay the players a League was having a the squad and coaching staff to been postponed to next league position league position they can lot but 50 percent goes straight “nightmare” and was “hiding, go into quarantine. year due to the corona- achieve. I certainly don’t want back into the public purse. Overall scared to death of communi- “The prerequisite for this is, virus pandemic. they can achieve. I to have difficult conversations we pay about 3.3 billion pounds cating” its plans fully in public. of course, that now that we The former interna- certainly don’t want about curtailing, voiding and in tax every year and it is the The league has not made any have started testing, we con- tional defender, who as to have difficult points per game. Premier League that largely funds official available for interview tinue to test consistently, thus a player won the “The ramifications of each the whole football pyramid.” since the competition was sus- ensuring that only those who European Cup with both conversations about are complex and could involve The national lockdown pended almost two months ago. have tested negatively are part PSV Eindhoven and Bar- curtailing, voiding legal challenges that run on for remains in place through “I want football to return. I of training,” team doctor Paul celona, managed months, if not years. But, yes, it Thursday in Britain where more also understand the complex- Klein said. Cologne said that Everton before he took and points per game: is partly about the money. And than 28,000 people have died ities,” Neville said in a response players will only resume charge of his native Steve Parish we should all care about the in around two months in hos- to Parish’s tweet linking to his training after two consecutive country’s national team. money.” pitals, care homes and the wider column. negative COVID-19 tests. Serie A teams can start individual training MILAN REUTERS — athletes in individual sports sessions on an individual the interpersonal safety dis- could start training from May basis from May 4, said players tance of at least two metres Serie A teams will be able to 4 and those in team sports could resume training and in respect of the ban to start individual training must wait until May 18. tomorrow. gather in any form,” the sessions as of today amid the Spadafora’s statement The region of Campania, interior ministry said in a letter COVID-19 crisis, according to drew criticism and Serie A club which includes Naples, has also to local authorities. a letter sent by the Italian Sassuolo on Saturday said they said that players can begin Serie A has been sus- interior ministry to local would allow their players to training. Napoli have yet to pended since March 9 and the authorities. use their facilities from comment. league and the Italian football Prime Minister Giuseppe Monday. “Athletes and non athletes, federation (FIGC) both want Conte said last Sunday that Bologna, also based in the of non individual disciplines, to complete the season, individual training could start Emilia Romagna region just like any citizen, are although the Italian gov- on May 4 and team training on where special permission allowed to practise individual ernment says it has not yet Juventus’ forward May 18, only for sports minister was given for athletes in team sporting activities, in private decided whether it will give Cristiano Ronaldo Vincenzo Spadafora to say that sports to take part in training and public areas, in respect of its permission to do so.

Duplantis and Lavillenie Kohli, Rohit, Sania among stars tie in back-garden contest in online concert to raise funds AFP — PARIS IANS — MUMBAI from their homes in a bid to who have no work and no Three of the best pole vaulters help the COVID-19 pandemic home,” a message from #IFor- of all time went head-to-head Virat Kohli (pictured) is not cause. India, the concert for our times, in a competition yesterday from being able to take fans’ breath The 100 percent of pro- said. Besides Kohli, the likes of their back gardens, as sport away with a delectable cover ceeds from this will go to the India limited overs vice-captain continued to find new ways of drive donning the Royal Chal- India COVID Response Fund set Rohit Sharma and tennis sen- taking place despite the coro- lengers Bangalore (RCB) jersey up by GiveIndia, a donation sation Sania Mirza also took navirus pandemic. in the Indian Premier League platform. part in the concert yesterday. World record holder Armand (IPL). “TwoTwo weeks agoago,, we KohliKohli’s Duplantis and former Olympic It is the same for thethe artistsartists startedstarted wworkork oonn InIndia’sdia’s aactressctress wiwifef champion Renaud Lavillenie in the country whoo are not biggestbiggest concert. To AnushkaAnushka waswa cleared five metres 36 times in getting the chance to mesmes-- entertainentertain peoplepeople who among theth half an hour, while world merise fans with theirir aartrt due areare locked-downlocked-down at delugedeluge ofo champion Sam Kendricks to the coronavirus pandemic.andemic. hhome.ome. To pay actoactorsrs aandn managed 26 successful attempts. But India crickett skipperskipper tributetribute to tthosehose musmusiciansi c i a n The event, livestreamed by and global icon KKohliohli has whowho workwork onon thethe whowho took partpar World Athletics on social media shared a message oonn his frontlinesfrontlines whilewhile in thethe coconcert.ncer and watched by around 20,000 Twitter handle in supportport we workwork fromfrom people, saw Lavillenie com- of #IForIndia, thehe home.home. And to peting from his home in concert for our times,es, raiseraise fundsfunds forfor Clermont-Ferrand, France, with A general view of “The ultimate garden clash” with France’s Renaud where actors, musi-i- thoset h ose Swedish star Duplantis in Lavillenie, Sweden’s Mondo Duplantis and Sam Kendricks of the cians, singers, sport-t- Lafayette, Louisiana and Ken- US in various locations, in this screengrab taken from a YouTube spersons and businessess dricks in Oxford, Mississippi. video, yesterday. leaders entertaineded MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 SPORT 09

MGM pitches Mark Cavendish ‘Just Everested’: Star Cavendish scales plan for NBA to finish Himalayan mountain... on exercise bike AFP — PARIS coronavirus lockdown in battle with clinical stint. The Welshman rode season in 10 hours 37 minutes and 32 depression. a trio of 12-hour rides over British cycling star Mark seconds. He is not the first pro- three days on a turbo bike Las Vegas Cavendish and former After the 211 kilometre fessional cyclist to tackle a in the garage of his home team-mate Luke Rowe virtual ascent he added: vertiginous challenge in Cardiff in a bid to raise endured over 10 hours in “We had the idea when we during lockdown. funds to tackle the corona- AFP — LOS ANGELES the saddle of an exercise knew the weather would Italian Giulio Ciccone virus outbreak. bike to climb 8,848 metres, be bad. managed a climb of over Noteworthy though MGM Resorts International has the equivalent of scaling “I take my hat off to 10,000 metres from his they are these accomplish- pitched a proposal to the NBA Everest. anyone who’s completed balcony last month on a ments are totally eclipsed to complete the coronavirus- “Just Everested, vEver- it in whatever capacity, it similar training bike as by the remarkable exploit halted 2019-20 season on ested, whatever you call it, was grim.” Cavendish used. of “Captain Tom” Moore. courts in Las Vegas convention with @LukeRowe1990,” The cyclist, who And former Tour de The World War II centers, the New York Times the 34-year-old Isle of requires four more Tour de France champion Geraint veteran, who turned 100 reported. Man-born sprinter France stage wins to equal Thomas raised £300,000 on Thursday, has raised The plan, according to the announced on Twitter. Belgian legend Eddy Mer- ($375,299, 345,288 euros) over £30m for the NHS by newspaper, would have The pair accomplished ckx’s record of 34, last for Britain’s National doing laps of his garden, players and their families, plus the latest homespun feat month revealed he had Health Service after a with the aid of a walking other essential personnel, stay by a sports star in come through a two-year 36-hour indoor cycling frame. in a quarantined area in MGM hotels along the Las Vegas Strip while practicing and competing on courts in the same facilities. Players and broadcasters Global season in ‘embryo stage’ would have access to the usual resort facilities while in the protected area under the plan by MGM, which has 13 Vegas resort properties. for World Rugby chief Beaumont The plan would convert MGM convention centers into 24 basketball courts, five of AFP — PARIS play at the same time of the them equipped with cameras year. to permit television coverage, Newly re-elected World Rugby “These are very much in the and players would reside in chairman Bill Beaumont said embryo stage at the moment. connected or nearby hotels. yesterday plans for a global People are talking because what ESPN has reported the NBA season are in the early phases has stimulated the debate is the is looking at a similar quaran- of discussion. position regarding this year,” tined area in Orlando involving Former England captain Beaumont said. hotels and courts in private Beaumont, 68, who beat ex- “The north go south in one Disney World areas. Argentina skipper Agustin month then immediately after- The NBA halted its season Pichot to the position this wards the sides would go north. in March after Utah’s Rudy weekend, said the coronavirus We have to bear in mind that Gobert tested positive for the pandemic had encouraged the we have to take all stakeholders deadly virus and the league idea about northern and with us,” he added. Beaumont has announced no plan for southern hemisphere cam- admitted to facing a challenge resuming games or even a paigns aligning. from various leagues, unions timetable for returning to Reports in Britain’s The and domestic sides based in competition. Rugby Paper claim European Europe. The league will allow sides and teams from coun- “In the north we have to players to conduct individual tries such as World Cup take the club game with you, we workouts at team facilities winners South Africa could have to take the European game starting on Friday in areas with us. We are in dialogue with where stay-at-home laws all the stakeholders,” he said. allow, the first small step “It’s more problems in In this file photo taken on September 20, 2018 World Rugby Chairman Bill Beaumont speaks next to toward resumption. certain areas when you have the Webb Ellis Cup during an event to mark one year to go to the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Tokyo. No plan among those more stakeholders.” floated in US media has The north go south The prospect of a united included spectators at games, in one month season includes a global Nations the game. I do think there is an “You could well have pro- played an odd game for a Tier most focusing on a one-site then immediately Championship competition, appetite from the Six Nations to motion and relegation into 1 nation, to go back,” the former bubble where players might which was scrapped in June as look at the Nations Champi- that,” he added. lock said. live and play and only once afterwards the sides the Six Nations were worried onship,” Beaumont said. In his first press conference “I think it gives an oppor- coronavirus tests are available would go north. We about potential relegation from “Within that you could have since his re-election, Beaumont tunity to help certain countries in sufficient numbers to the the top level of the game. competitions with all the coun- said he would like to change eli- who are limited in their player public and the NBA has enough have to bear in mind Beaumont said the new tries who play in those windows gibility rules to permit indi- resource. tests for everyone involved. that we have to take tournament would have mul- and sitting below that you viduals to represent different “It has to be signed off by The Mandalay Bay resort, all stakeholders with tiple layers allowing sides to would have a subsidiary com- nations despite having already the council and both unions with 4,700 rooms available move between the petitions for the emerging featured for another. but it would improve the com- over three connected hotels, us: Bill Beaumont competitions. nations so they could play at the “It would allow players who petitiveness of a Rugby World would be the central hub of the “My job is hopefully to get same time in another might have played in a sevens Cup without a doubt,” he MGM Vegas plan. consensus from everybody in competition. tournament, they might have added. NFL: League on track Forsberg Tampa Bay Rays sweeps pitcher Blake Snell for full season starting Blake Snell and Texas Rangers Compher in slugger Joey Gallo, on September 10 the only two players NHL Gaming to record at least 23 REUTERS — NEW YORK Each team is expected regular-season wins, Challenge to play 16 regular were both in action on The National Football season games as per Saturday as the play- REUTERS — TORONTO League (NFL), the only major usual, though the off weekend continued American sporting league so league is evaluating in the tournament. Nashville Predators centre far largely unaffected by the contingency plans Filip Forsberg dominated coronavirus outbreak, says Colorado Avalanche forward should this prove it is on course to begin its JT Compher in the NHL’s season on time in untenable, multiple Player Gaming Challenge on September. media outlets have Saturday, winning all three “We plan announcing reported. games between the two. late next week the full Rays' Snell and Rangers' Giolito Forsberg won the first regular season schedule that While other major game 5-2, the second 5-3 and begins with Kickoff on Sep- sporting leagues, the third 6-4 to complete the tember 10 and culminates including the National advance to MLB The Show final clean sweep. with the Super Bowl in The online event will run Tampa February 7, 2021,” Basketball Association REUTERS — NEW YORK man Ian Happ in three games Mazara three-run home run to for four weeks, with games to NFL spokesman Brian (NBA) and Major in an all-Windy City semifinal a 5-3 win in the deciding game be streamed on Thursdays and McCarthy said in an email to League Baseball (MLB), The best player since the start on the other side of the bracket. and a berth in the semis. Saturdays. All 31 NHL teams Reuters. have shut down due of the MLB The Show Players First pitch for the best-of- In the all-Chicago semifinal, will have representation, and Each team is expected to to the coronavirus, the League is onto the champi- five championship series is set Giolito opened with an 8-4 win. Seattle Seahawks tight end play 16 regular season NFL has been able to onship series. Stunningly, the for Sunday at 2:30 p.m. ET on Happ took Game 2 by a 1-0 Luke Willson will represent the pending NHL Seattle games as per usual, though buy time before making same cannot be said of the ESPN. score, but Giolito -- who said the league is evaluating con- second-best player. As for on Saturday, the most he had played very little of MLB expansion team. tingency plans should this any major decisions. Tampa Bay Rays pitcher stunning results came in the The Show 20 prior to this event No standings will be com- prove untenable, multiple Blake Snell and Texas Rangers first sets of games. -- booked his spot in the cham- piled, as the games are media outlets have reported. slugger Joey Gallo, the only two Gallo, who finished the pionship with a 3-1 win in the designed strictly for enter- It is yet to be announced before evidence of a major players to record at least 23 regular season 23-6, opened third game. tainment with the NHL season whether fans will be allowed coronavirus outbreak in the regular-season wins, were both play Saturday with a 3-2 win The highlight of the final shut down due to the corona- to attend games. United States became widely in action on Saturday as the over Happ but dropped the next game was an insurance home virus pandemic. While other major known. play-off weekend continued in two games, 4-3 and then a 7-0 run by White Sox outfielder Luis In connection with the sporting leagues, including Some areas of the US are the tournament. blowout in the deciding game. Robert, one of the most-hyped event, the National Hockey the National Basketball now starting to emerge from Snell, who had a league- It was a similar story for a prospects in baseball who has League Foundation and Elec- Association (NBA) and Major lockdown as rules are best 24-5 record in the regular player tied for the third-best yet to make his MLB debut. tronic Arts will donate League Baseball (MLB), have relaxed even as the number season, advanced to Sunday’s record in the regular season “That’s his first homer,” $100,000 to the CDC Foun- shut down due to the coro- of confirmed coronavirus championship series, coming (21-8), as budding Toronto Blue Giolito said of the 22-year-old dation’s COVID-19 relief navirus, the NFL has been cases rises in some states. from behind to top New York Jays star Bo Bichette hung with Robert. “That’s his first career efforts. able to buy time before Last week’s NFL draft Mets infielder Jeff McNeil two Giolito in three tight contests. homer right there.” “I’m so glad While he won all three making any major attracted record US tele- games to one in the But after losing the opener 3-2 you hit it right now,” Happ games Saturday by at least two decisions. vision ratings in a country semi-finals. and winning 1-0 with a run in quipped back. goals, Forsberg needed some Its season ended in early starved of live sporting He will face Chicago White the third inning in Game 2, “It’s crazy,” Giolito told late tallies, as both the first and February, shortly action. Sox starting pitcher Lucas Bichette dropped the rubber MLB.com about advancing to third games were tied in the Giolito, who topped Cubs utility match. Giolito rode a Nomar the final. third period. 10 SPORT MONDAY 4 MAY 2020

Mir adds Enforced break a chance to fix two years to his Australian cricket, feels Langer contract IANS - MELBOURNE tralia,” Langer told ABC Grand- Langer's team-mate shared a Paul Adams and Nicky Boje also top-scored with an unbeaten 90 stand as per Fox Sports.com. throwback photograph of the chipped in with wickets to keep for Australia but none of the at Suzuki Australia head coach Justin “I see it as an amazing jacket he wore during the final the opposition’s score well other batsmen could make any (pictured) Langer believes the opportunity. I can see it actually of 1998 Commonwealth Games below the 200-run mark. significant contributions. AFP - PARIS enforced break put forward by going back thatt waway.y. againstagainst SSouthouth AfAfrica.rica. SkipperSkipper DarrenDarren LLehmannehmann was thethe next coronavirus pandemic can be “More emphasisphasis back on TheThe PrProteasoteas beat AAustraliaustralia SteveS teve best scoscorerrer withwith 2266 as six Rising Spanish MotoGP used as an opportunity to club cricket, moreore eemphasismphasis on byby fourfour wicketswickets to clinchclinch thethe WaughWaugh babatsmentsmen were dismisseddismisse in rider Joan Mir extended his change few things in Australian state cricket thenen get the best of goldgold medal in a low-scoring single-digitsingle-digit scores. contract with Suzuki until cricket. the best in Australia.ralia. That would encounter in Kuala Lumpur.Lumpur. Chasing the target, oopenerp 2022, two weeks after All bilateral series have be my vision foror thethe next fivefive PontingPonting uploadeduploaded thethe MikeMike RindelRindel slammedslammed a hhalf- team-mate and compatriot called off due to the outbreak years,” he added.ed. photophoto ofof hhisis jacket,jacket, ccenturyentury whilewhile Jacques KKallis Alex Rins, the team of virus while the fate of ICC Australian cricketers are signed by fellow crick-crick- chippedchipped in with a handy 444 to announced yesterday. T20 World Cup, scheduled to currently scheduledduled to return eters,eters, on hhisis TTwitterwitter helphelp thethe team win thethe mmatch “The pairing provide a be played Down Under later this from leave soonon andand LangerLanger hhandleandle and his post read: withwith 24 bballsalls to sspare.pare. solid and competitive unit year, also hangs in balance. feels their physicalysical condition ““FoundFound my jacjacketket ffromrom tthehe Spinner LehmannLehmann scalpedsca for Suzuki as they look Langer explained there was should be of utmost KualaKuala LumLumpurpur Commonwealth threethree wickets but the smalls towards the future and aim a time when Australian club importance. GamesGames in 1998. One ooff thethe ffewew ttargetarget meant PrProteaso high in terms of results,” cricket was a force to be “We’ve got to kekeepep movinmovingg occasionsoccasions we weren’t ggoodood wwereere never rreallye said a team statement. reckoned with and it was the the ship in the rrightight ddirectionirection ... enoughenough in a bigbig tournament, ttroubledroubled iinn the Joan Mir made his breeding ground for future our guys comee back off their SouthSouth Africa outplayed us in tthehe chasechase andand won MotoGP debut with Team world beaters. leave on May 18,”8,” Langer said.said. goldgold memedaldal game.” thethe mmatcha Suzuki Ecstar in 2019, fol- He suggested that it is time “We’ve gott to make sure InIn the blockbuster finale, comprehen-compreh lowing a highly successful for them to go back to their they’re all in tip-topp-top concondition.dition. SouthSouth AAfricafrica eelectedlected to ffieldield ffirstirst sively.sively. Moto3 season in 2017 which roots and change few things I actually can’t wait to see how andand their decision to do so paid saw him crowned around for the good. they come backk witwithouthout aallll tthehe dividendsdividends as ttheyhey dismisseddismissed champion. “It wasn’t that long ago that bells and whistlesles ... it’s going to Australia for just 183 in 49.3 The 22 year old who we prided ourselves on having be a really goodod indicationindication ofof overs.overs. hails from Palma de Mal- an amazing club cricket system the hungry, self-resilientlf-resilient andand ShaunShaun PoPollockllock was tthehe pipickck lorca came quickly through that fed into state domestic self-reliant players.”yers.” ofof SoutSouthh AfricaAfrica bowlersbowlers as hehe the ranks early in his cricket, which fed into the best Meanwhile foformerrmer AAustraliaustralia endedended with outstanding career, and proved to be a of the best playing for Aus- captain Rickyy PontingPonting andand figuresfigures of 44/19/19 in 9 overs.overs. fast learner when making his ‘top class’ debut too. The team statement Star Roy desperate to return, said that in “pre-season tests he was showing fan- tastic form and pace.” The MotoGP season even behind closed doors should have started in March but is on hold due to AFP - LONDON here at home, going a bit stir crazy.” Roy said the the coronavirus ongoing disruption meant it could make sense pandemic. England opener Jason Roy is desperate to get to postpone the T20 World Cup, scheduled for Carmelo Ezpeleta, the back to playing cricket, even if matches have to Australia in October, but he said the players CEO of promoter Dorna, take place behind closed doors due to the coro- would make sure they were ready if it went said he is hoping for a navirus pandemic. ahead. He said he was happy to start playing resumption in late July “late Roy, who was part of England’s World-Cup again when asked to by his bosses because he July in Europe”, presumably winning team last year, had a taste of playing in trusted their judgement, describing himself as a without spectators and with an empty stadium in the Pakistan Super League “pawn in the sporting world”. a limited number of people (PSL) earlier this year and said it was a bizarre Roy was asked about comments made by Bar- in the paddock. experience. celona footballer Ivan Rakitic, who told the “The current situation “No atmosphere,” said the 29-year-old. Spanish press he was ready to take the risk of surrounding the Covid-19 “Simple as that to be honest. It was a very strange returning to action despite the virus. crisis makes for a strange feeling. “You’re used to, as a batsman, with the Roy said: “If an individual wants to go onto environment for both the bowler running in, it being relatively quiet. You the front line and put himself at risk then good team and the rider at the learn to block out the crowd but then as soon as on him but if someone doesn’t want to, then I moment, with so much that ball’s done you hear the crowd going abso- don’t think they should be ashamed of it either. uncertainty in the air,” said lutely berserk and over there when that was the “Whatever’s right in that situation. If the Suzuki, adding that the con- case it was dead silence, it was the strangest country desperately needs us to play cricket to tract extension “proves the thing.” make themselves feel better... but I’m not sure confidence” of the team “in The PSL, a Twenty20 competition, closed its that’s the case.” their young rider”. doors to spectators in March before suspending Meanwhile, the Daily Telegraph reported Prior to Mir and Rins, the competition days later due to coronavirus. that England could begin their rescheduled three- six-time Spanish World Despite that experience, Roy, a destructive Test series against the West Indies on July 8. Champion Marc Marquez opening batsman, wants to get back to playing, The series was originally due to start on June extended his contract with with the start of the English season delayed until 4 at the Oval. However, the spread of the coro- Honda for another four July 1 at the earliest. navirus scuppered the plans. years until the end of 2024. “I’m more than happy to play behind closed England captain Joe Root and his West Indies Yamaha re-signed doors,” he said. “I think it would be nice just to counterpart Jason Holder have now been Spaniard Maverick Vinales get out there.” involved in talks over the rescheduling. for the 2021-2022 seasons, In this file photo taken on September 08, 2019, England’s Jason Roy The Surrey player said the British govern- “Positive ongoing discussions with the ECB and announced the reacts as he walks back to the pavilion after losing his wicket for 31 ment’s lockdown meant he was severely limited and CWI continued on Friday,” a spokesperson replacement of veteran during play on the fifth day of the fourth Ashes cricket Test match in his ability to practise. for the England and Wales Cricket Board said. Italian Valentino Rossi with between England and Australia at Old Trafford in Manchester. Roy “I’m shadow-batting in the mirror, I’m looking “Both boards were represented including cap- Frenchman Fabio Quar- is desperate to get back to playing cricket, even if matches have to pretty good,” he joked. “So that’s all I can do, to tains, coaches, administrators and the chief tararo from 2021. take place behind closed doors due to the coronavirus pandemic. be honest, hitting a tennis ball against my wall medical officers from the respective boards. For Rossi, who cele- brated his 41st birthday on February 16, this announcement does not Holding slams ‘ridiculous’ Test championship points system necessarily mean the end of his career. NEW DELHI IANS - Holding trained his guns at the “And secondly, at some point you’re as the cricket world grapples with a cal- “I’ll have to decide points system and he referred to it as going to have teams who know they endar vastly disrupted by the ongoing without having competed Former West Indies cricketer Michael ridiculous. cannot get to the final and so those Test Covid-19 pandemic in a single race. Anyway, I Holding slammed the World Test Cham- A series is worth a maximum of 120 matches aren’t going to be all that enter- Australia have played a series less want to continue,” said pionship (WTC) points system and stated points, which means if it’s a five-Test taining. People know it’s just another than India but played more matches Rossi in an online interview the format needs tinkering before it can series then every Test win will give a game.” than Virat Kohli’s troops. last week. reach its full potential. team 24 points. In a two-match series, India have played the maximum With seven wins in 10 Tests, they “Imagine not racing this The inaugural edition of the WTC a Test victory is worth 60 points. number of series and have won seven are placed at the second spot with 296 year. It would be fairer to began in August 2019 with the top nine “It doesn’t work,” Holding was out of nine matches. points. race another season and teams taking part as per ICC Test quoted as saying by Wisden. They are currently at the top of the New Zealand complete the top-3, stop after this one. So I’m rankings. “First of all the points system is pile with 360 points. having accumulated 196 points on the hoping to continue in 2021,” The final is set to be played at Lord’s ridiculous. You can’t play five Test Last month the BCCI - the game's basis of winning three matches in seven he said. in June 2021 between the top two teams matches and get the same amount of ruling body in India - suggested the Tests across three series (including a “The problem is that after the end of the league stage. points if you play two Test matches. World Test Championship be postponed 2-0 victory against Indian at home). there’s no racing. So with the virus, we cannot race. So I will have to decide before racing because in “Without sounding Akram, Babar to inspire women’s team the most optimistic situ- arrogant, I still feel like ation we can race in the I’m one of the top six second half of the season, batsmen in the country. IANS - LAHORE team players last week. The session with reflect on how we can continue to improve so August or September we If you’re performing, Babar -- whose stratospheric rise has seen ourselves.” hope. you’re performing; it’s not To help players learn from the crickets elite him at the top of the T20I rankings, number Urooj Mumtaz, the chair of the national “But I have to make my like I’m 37 or 38 and and remain focused on the game during three in ODI rankings and number five in women’s selection committee, said yes- decision before. But coming into right at the the COVID-19 lockdown, the Pakistan Test rankings -- will be attended by women terday: “It is extremely important that the anyway I want to continue end of my career. My Cricket Board (PCB) has organised online batters in which the captain of the national players continue to develop during this but I’ve had to make this playing against spin has sessions for the Pakistan national women's men’s T20I side will shed light on the art phase when cricket is on hold and these decision without any been right up there as team with the legendary Wasim Akram and of batting by sharing how he gears up for sessions are certainly going to be beneficial races,” he said. some of the best in the Babar Azam. different conditions and situations. in that aspect. “It’s not the best way to county. Bar maybe Steve The interactive sessions will be held via Sharing her excitement about the “We keep looking for ideas to keep the stop because the situation Smith, who is an absolute videoconference calls in which around 35 opportunity to learn from Akram, Aliya Riaz players engaged and motivated. Fitness is that maybe we don’t race genius. But the most women cricketers -- current internationals said: “I have grown up watching videos of plans have been provided to both the senior in 2020. important thing is to and emerging players -- will be provided Wasim Akram and how he brought laurels and junior group of players and they have “So it’s fairer for me to score runs.” insights about how to strategize and for Pakistan with both bat and ball from been working at home to ensure they are do another championship approach the game in different some adverse of situations. ready once the situation normalises. and stop at the end of the Usman Khawaja, 33, conditions. “It is a great opportunity for me and I “Sessions with Wasim Akram and Babar next, so I hope to continue reacts on his omission ICC hall of famer and the highest am eager to learn from the great of the Azam will provide the players an oppor- in 2021,” Rossi said in from Australia's central wicket-taker in Test cricket from Pakistan, game and understand his work ethic which tunity to listen and learn from the best, another interview. contracts list. Left- Wasim Akram, today, will share his expe- made him stand apart from the rest.” helping them in improving their game. On Friday, Spaniard handed Khawaja played riences and provide an overview about his Looking forward to the session with Pakistan has produced some of the most Tito Raba, the 2014 Moto2 the last of his 44 Tests learnings over the course of his extraor- Babar, Omaima Sohail said: “Babar Azam extraordinary cricketers in the history of champion prolonged his against England in Leeds dinary 18-year-long international career. is a top batsman and a session with him the game and we will continue to bring contract at Avintia until the last August. Wasim had delivered a similar session to will help all the batters to understand what them on board for the benefit of our end of 2021. Pakistan men’s and a selection of emerging makes him different than the others and players.” MONDAY 4 MAY 2020 SPORT 11

Biden backs Neville claims Premier League clubs US women's team after ‘frightened’ to publicly back restart lawsuit AFP - LONDON they said ‘We accept the setback increase in Health Risk but it’s REUTERS - WASHINGTON DC Gary Neville has accused one we are willing to take’. They Premier League clubs of being won’t as they are frightened to Presumptive Democratic pres- “frightened to death” to publicly death!” idential nominee Joe Biden back the plan to restart the When Neville was asked by yesterday voiced his support season. a Twitter user what would for the US women's Soccer Premier League stake- happen if someone died as a team, a day after it suffered a holders met on Friday to debate result of the restart, he said: setback in its gender discrim- how to finish the current cam- “That’s why we haven’t heard In this file photo taken ination lawsuit against the paign, with reports that some one single prominent CEO / on August 12, 2017, United States Soccer Feder- clubs want to abandon the Chairman / Owner or Executive the Premier league ation. season due to the pandemic and open his mouth to back the re- trophy sits beside The team's claims for equal others are keen to play all start ! Brief / Brief / Brief ! Scared the pitch ahead of pay were dismissed by a court remaining 92 fixtures. to death of the liability and the English Premier on Friday, handing a victory Former Manchester United blame.” League football match to US Soccer. defender Neville believes clubs Before making an exception between Brighton "Don't give up this fight. do not want to be held liable for Brighton as the “only club and Hove Albion and This is not over yet," Biden should a player become ill with willing to take a stand”, Neville Manchester City at wrote in a tweet to the team the coronavirus if the English added: “It would be good for the American Express yesterday. season resumes. them to speak at least once. Any Community Stadium in "Equal pay, now. Or else The French and Dutch of them! Clubs included. They Brighton. when I'm president, you can seasons have been called off are bottling this virus on go elsewhere for World Cup because of the health crisis and comms. Very Happy to tell us funding," Biden added to the while the Premier League have when they are delivering food federation. apparently ear-marked a June parcels though.” The former vice president return, that date is far from set Brighton have held virtual the case for returning to action how the ‘new normal’ might the game last night will not triv- is looking to unseat incumbent in stone. press conferences during the in a Sunday Times column. look for a lot of working envi- ialise loss or suffering but offer Republican Donald Trump in Claiming there needs to be shutdown and chief executive “I believe that just as ronments,” Parish wrote. a tiny respite from it for many November's US presidential more public comment from Paul Barber voiced opposition Formula One is often the pre- “Not only that, in our people. election. club officials or owners, Neville to the idea of finishing the cursor to developments that country and beyond, people "It has the power to lighten The World Cup-winning wrote on Twitter: “The PL are season at neutral venues on his become standard in general need to find ways to move lives; why not see if we can use team's long-running feud with having a CV nightmare. They club’s official website on road vehicles, so Premier forward mentally, to experience that power again?” US Soccer has been a very keep spouting Health First but Saturday. League football with its physical some small relief from the Neville later praised Parish public and bitter battle and the then brief constantly ‘We have Despite Neville’s out- science, medical infrastructures worries of this crisis. for speaking out after being players had been seeking $66 to Re-Start’. spoken claims, Crystal Palace and resources for looking after “In my view a story here alerted to the article by the million in damages under the “I’d respect them more if chairman Steve Parish did make its people, can begin to define and a conversation there about Palace chairman. Equal Pay Act. Germany's top minister backs Bundesliga restart this month

AFP - BERLIN emphasised that the teams and home to the continent’s other players must respect several top football leagues. Germany’s minister for the conditions. In France, Paris Saint- interior and sport said yesterday “If there is a case of corona- Germain were declared Ligue 1 he supports a resumption of the virus in a team or its man- champions on Thursday after country’s football season this agement, the club as a whole, French Prime Minister Edouard month despite three people and possibly also the team Philippe announced profes- testing positive for coronavirus against which it last played, sional sport could not resume at Bundesliga club Cologne. must go into quarantine for two before September. “I find the schedule pro- weeks,” he said. Meanwhile, English Premier posed by the German league “There will continue League clubs on Friday recon- plausible and I support the therefore to be risks for the firmed their commitment to restart in May,” Horst Seehofer schedule of matches and for the finish the season subject to told Bild newspaper, three days standings,” if there is any coronavirus restrictions being before a meeting of German contamination. lifted. There are still 92 games authorities to discuss the issue. But he said clubs would not remaining. They will be behind The German Football have any special testing privi- closed doors with neutral Soccer players are seen wearing face masks during Taiwan’s professional soccer league due to the League (DFL) backs matches leges denied to the rest of the venues suggested. outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), in Taipei, Taiwan, yesterday. resuming without spectators population. Some sides had sug- Also on Friday Italy’s 20 around mid-May, which would gested carrying out frequent Serie A clubs reiterated their make it the first major European tests of their players as a pre- unanimous desire to complete which they would then be able three people had tested positive quarantine following the tests, championship to make such a ventative measure against the the season despite sports min- to resume individual training for the virus and were to be as suggested by Seehofer. move. virus. ister Vincenzo Spadafora saying programmes within 48 hours. placed into a 14-day quarantine “It’s not up to me to decide The sports ministers of the Germany had reported the chances of restarting were Clubs in Germany resumed at home. what to do in the Bundesliga but 16 German states have also 162,496 cases of COVID-19 as “increasingly narrow”. training in early April while Cologne midfielder Birger I can say my head is not in approved the DFL’s plans. of yesterday, but its death toll In Spain, La Liga is planning adhering to strict social dis- Verstraete, whose partner football” at the moment, he told Seehofer, who plays a key of 6,649 remains considerably to start testing players for the tancing guidelines. However, suffers from a heart condition, Flemish TV station VTM. “The government role on the issue as lower than that of comparable coronavirus between Tuesday the risk is still apparent. said it was “strange” the club health of my family, of my he holds several portfolios, has European countries, which are and Thursday next week, after Cologne announced Friday had not put the whole squad in partner is the priority.” Pogba using Freeze frame from football game in 2003 Players need at least four lockdown to prepare for weeks to get fit: Milosevic return after REUTERS - BELGRADE injury woes Players will need at least four weeks to regain match fitness once coronavirus lockdown measures are lifted and they are able to resume training, Partizan Belgrade coach Savo Milo- AFP - LONDON sevic said yesterday. The 46-year old former Yugoslavia striker, who scored 37 Manchester United midfielder goals in 102 internationals and won the 1996 English League Paul Pogba is using the corona- Cup with Aston Villa, pointed out that a return to normal training virus lockdown to step up his would be gradual. return to fitness after an injury- “We will train in groups of nine, keeping in line with the plagued season. government’s measures,” Milosevic told Serbia’s Prva Pogba had made just eight television. appearances for United this “That means players will have to be a mandatory two metres season before the health crisis apart at all times. There will be no team lunch or other gath- forced the suspension of the erings before or after training. Premier League in March. “The pandemic has had a crippling effect. Players have The French World Cup been idle for two months now and they will need at least four winner hasn’t played a single weeks to get back into shape, otherwise there is a big danger match in 2020 due to his per- of injuries when the season eventually resumes.” Manchester United’s David Beckham celebrates after scoring their first goal in a 4-1 Premier League sistent ankle problems. Serbian clubs are to resume training today, when the Balkan victory over Charlton Athletic before Ruud van Nistelrooy grabbed a superb hat-trick in this file photo His last appearance came nation’s government is to ease a set of measures introduced in a December 26 win over taken on May 3, 2003. Victory meant that leaders United secured their eighth league championship to curb the COVID-19 virus. Newcastle, but Pogba has been in 11 seasons after defending champions Arsenal were beaten the following day. An emotional They include daily curfews from 5pm to 5am on weekdays keeping fit during the virus Beckham waved to home supporters at Old Trafford after the game before he left his boyhood club and more stringent ones at weekends, lasting around the clock break and hopes to be ready if for Spanish giants Real Madrid in July that year. from Friday afternoon until Monday morning. the Premier League can return Serbia has registered over 9,000 confirmed cases and 189 in the summer. (pandemic) will stop,” he said from fifth-placed United earlier ban will be overturned. The deaths related to the virus. “I have a little home gym in in the interview. this season, Pogba’s presence midfielder is also pleased Some coaches and pundits maintain the 16-team top my house,” Pogba told United’s “And then we have to get would boost their bid for Cham- Belgium coach Roberto Mar- division could resume in late May or early June and suggested website. back on the pitch, so we have pions League qualification if tinez has extended his contract the seven playoff rounds should be axed in order to make time “I can do some training, to be ready. matches can be played again and says he is not interested in for a summer break. some running, some bike, go "For myself, I have been out eventually. a move. Champions Red Star lead the standings on 69 points from outside and do some things with for a long time as well, so for “My advice first of all is to The 28-year-old, speaking 26 games, 11 more than city rivals Partizan. the ball. me I just want to come back stay safe, stay at home and keep to Belgian newspaper Het Milosevic is confident soccer will quickly find its feet once @I am just keeping busy and playing football.” practising,” Pogba said. Laatste Nieuws, predicted the competitive matches resume. keeping healthy. Pogba, 27, has been in Meanwhile Kevin De Premier League season will be “The game is largely independent budget-wise and I believe “We have got to stay moti- regular contact with his United Bruyne believes Manchester concluded unlike the cam- it will get back to normal relatively quickly, as television broad- vated, there is no other choice. team-mates during the City could resume training in a paigns in France, the Nether- casters will insist,” he said. It is a period and we don’t know lockdown as they follow the fortnight, that the Premier lands and his native Belgium. “But the reason it might not hit the ground running is that until when it will be like this, club’s fitness regime from League will finish the season "My feeling is that we may players need time to get back to full fitness,” Milosevic said but I still have goals in my head home. despite the coronavirus crisis be able to train again within two yesterday. and one day hopefully this Linked with a move away and that his club’s European weeks," he said.