SPORT SPORT | 06 SPORT | 07 Closing birdie Qatar's Ahmed binge lifts wins WRC8 in Simpson to spectacular title triumph fashion

TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020 Borna Coric Foden, Mahrez sparkle as Man City crush Burnley 5-0

REUTERS — MANCHESTER

Manchester City’s Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez scored two goals apiece as the hosts showed their impressive strength in depth, making eight changes but still crushing a woeful Burnley 5-0 in the Premier League at The Etihad stadium yesterday. Two COVID-19 cases The win leaves second-placed City 20 points behind runaway raise questions over league leaders Liverpool with eight games remaining. Djokovic tournament Burnley manager Sean Dyche could only name AFP — PARIS seven of the allowed nine substitutes, two of them Borna Coric said yesterday he had become the second goalkeepers, with his player to test positive for coronavirus, prompting inexperienced bench growing questions about an exhibition tournament without four regulars who in the Balkans featuring world number one Novak have not signed contract Manchester City’s Phil Foden Djokovic. extensions and it was a celebrates after scoring their fifth “Hi everyone, I wanted to inform you all that I long night for the Clarets. goal against Burnley yesterday. tested positive for COVID-19,” the Croatian, ranked Phil Foden opened the 33rd in the world, posted on Twitter. scoring in the 22nd It follows Sunday’s announcement by Grigor Dim- minute, drilling a low shot inside the box and, while a sweeping wanted to make it clear the back of their shirts itrov that he had also tested positive after pulling out past keeper Nick Pope the Argentine striker went counter-attack. they were not welcome at with the words "Black of the exhibition event in Croatia, which is one of the after a short-corner off injured, Mahrez con- Meanwhile, Burnley the club. Lives Matter” in support of biggest since the tennis season was halted because routine. verted from the spot. apologised and vowed to "This, in no way, rep- a movement that has of the pandemic. Riyad Mahrez made it Burnley’s defending hand out lifetime bans to resents what Burnley gained popularity Coric tweeted: “I want to make sure anyone who 2-0 with a superb finish, was then sloppy at a those responsible for an Football Club stands for worldwide since the has been in contact with me during the last few days collecting a long pass from corner again, with Foden aircraft flying over Etihad and we will work fully killing of George Floyd in gets tested! Fernandinho and then left free to cleverly pick Stadium yesterday, with the authorities to the United States last “I am really sorry for any harm I might have jinking past the Burnley out Bernardo Silva who trailing a banner that read identify those responsible month. caused! I’m feeling well and don’t have any simptoms defence before firing put a ball across the face "White Lives Matter and issue lifetime bans,” Like with every match (sic). Please stay safe and healthy!” home. of goal for David Silva to Burnley.” read a club statement in the Premier League One of Djokovic’s coaches and another member City made it 3-0 just slide home six minutes Burnley said it published at halftime of since the restart last week, of Dimitrov’s entourage have also reportedly tested before the break when a into the second half. "strongly condemns" the the match. players, coaches and positive for the virus, according to Croatia’s N1 tel- VAR review ruled that The outstanding actions of those respon- All players at Premier match officials took a knee evision channel. Burnley’s Ben Mee had Foden made it 5-0 in the sible for the "offensive League teams have for around 10 seconds Coric had beaten Bulgaria’s Dimitrov in the fouled Sergio Aguero 63rd minute, finishing off banner” and said it replaced their names on before kickoff at Etihad. second leg of the Adria Tour in Zadar on Croatia’s Adriatic coast on Saturday. Dimitrov withdrew from the Balkans tournament following that match, complaining of feeling unwell. QSL: Second phase of protocol to begin on June 25 Sunday’s final between Djokovic, who is pres- ident of the ATP Player Council, and Russia’s Andrey Al Duhail's players Rublev was immediately cancelled as a QNA — DOHA Salal and Al Ahli clubs at the QFA announces tests during a training schedule for second division precaution. session yesterday. Kempinski Hotel in The Pearl, Australian star Nick Kyrgios pulled no punches Qatar Stars League (QSL) where they are staying. sides in his reaction to Coric’s tweet. yesterday held a number of The second phase takes Qatar Football Association “Boneheaded decision to go ahead with the ‘exhi- meetings with clubs to discuss place from June 25 to July 23, (QFA) has announced medical bition’,” Kyrgios wrote on social media. the most important precau- and will see players and tests schedule for Second “Speedy recovery fellas, but that’s what happens tions and action plan for the coaching staff take COVID-19 Division sides Al Kharaitiyat, Al when you disregard all protocols. second phase of general tests. People who test positive Markhiya, Muaither, Britain’s Andy Murray called it “a lesson for all protocol adopted by the for the virus will have to Mesaimeer and Al Shamal. of us”. Ministry of Public Health, as follow the Ministry of public The COVID-19 tests will be “Once you start having mass gatherings with part of preparations ahead of Health’s measures. carried out as part of the final people coming in from all sorts of countries, it’s a the completion of 2019-20 The meeting stressed on preparations for the start of the recipe for it to kick off,” Murray said. season QNB Stars League. the importance of adhering third round matches set to The results of any test that Djokovic may have Executive Director of to the precautionary commence on August 4, QFA taken are as yet unknown. His brother, the tourna- Competition and Football measures that include said in a statement. ment’s director Djordje Djokovic, said the 17-time Development at the QSL wearing masks at all times The medical tests of the Grand Slam winner had taken the news of Dimitrov’s Ahmed Khellil Abbassi held except during training, and players and officials will be result “very hard”. a meeting with coaches of Al social distancing among other held at Ali bin Hamad Al Attiyah Shahaniya, Al Sailiya, Umm measures. Arena today and on Thursday. Three Pakistan cricketers test positive for virus

AP — ISLAMABAD Shadab Khan Haris Rauf twice for COVID-19 before they Haider Ali board the flight to London. Once Three Pakistan cricketers the team lands in the UK, selected for the tour of England Saleem said the players will go have tested positive for the through another testing session coronavirus. before they start training in Uncapped middle-order quarantine. batsman Haider Ali, fast bowler Pakistan cricketers haven’t Haris Rauf, and legspinner played any competitive games Shadab Khan will go into self- since March 17 when the isolation, the Pakistan Cricket Pakistan Super League was sus- Board said yesterday. pended due to the coronavirus The players showed no pandemic. symptoms until they were According to Saleem, the tested on Sunday at Rawalpindi. players have been mostly con- All-rounder Imad Wasim and All 29 players will be tested twice for COVID-19 before they fined to their homes. fast bowler Usman Shinwari board the flight to London for tour of England. “Players could have been tested negative and will travel mentally affected, but it’s tomorrow to Lahore, where Pakistan named an “During the pandemic it’s but consider them (players) as “There’s no crowd in affecting even the common Pakistan will assemble before extended squad of 29 players (the tour) a big risk,” said PCB ... providing people football and there will be no man,” Saleem said. travelling to the Britain on for three test matches and three director of medical and sports entertainment.” spectators at cricket stadiums, He said he spoke to coach Sunday. Twenty20s in England from sciences Dr. Sohail Saleem Saleem said he was too,” he said. Misbah-ul-Haq when the PCB More COVID-19 tests were August. yesterday. encouraged by soccer resuming “The anxiety level of people had to postpone the training conducted at Karachi, Lahore A PCB medical official said “We haven’t experienced in Europe, where the Bundesliga sitting at home is rising, but camp in Lahore due to a rise of and Peshawar yesterday, and the tour was a “big risk” but (playing during a pandemic), in Germany and the Premier cricket can be seen as lowering COVID-19 cases in Pakistan and the PCB said those results will necessary to help the country but for both teams it will be a League in England have these.” the team will depart earlier than come today. get through the crisis. first. The pandemic means risk, restarted in empty stadiums. All 29 players will be tested initially planned. 06 SPORT TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020 PGA Championship Closing birdie binge lifts to go ahead in August without Simpson to title triumph spectators

AFP — WASHINGTON AFP — LOS ANGELES

Webb Simpson, the 2012 US Open The PGA Championship will go ahead as scheduled champion, birdied five of the last in August but without fans, officials confirmed seven holes in a Sunday shootout yesterday. to capture the RBC Heritage for his The PGA of America said in a statement the first seventh career US PGA crown. golf major of 2020 will take place at San Francisco’s The 34-year-old American fired Harding Park from August 6-9. a bogey-free seven-under par 64 The tournament had been rescheduled to its to finish 72 holes on a tournament August date after being postponed from its original record 22-under 262 at Harbour Webb Simpson of slot in May because of the coronavirus pandemic. Town Golf Links in Hilton Head the United States The PGA of America formally confirmed the Island, South Carolina. celebrates with the tournament would be held yesterday after weighing It was the second triumph of the trophy. alternative options, which included moving the tour- year for Simpson, who won at nament to another course. Phoenix in February, and it came The decision to bar spectators from the event after a storm delay of two hours was taken out of consideration for “the health and and 47 minutes left players racing well-being of all involved,” the PGA said. to finish before darkness. “We are both inspired & honored to play on, “It was a crazy day,” Simpson grateful to the state of California & the city & county said. “I’m speechless right now.” of San Francisco for being terrific partners,” PGA Simpson, set to jump from ninth of America chief executive Seth Waugh said. to fifth in the world rankings, made “While the local community cannot be with us four birdie putts from beyond 10 physically on-site, we will certainly carry their spirit feet and two-putted from 41 feet at of resilience and unity with us as we stage our major the par-5 15th in an epic closing championship, on their behalf, for all the world to see and enjoy.” RBC HERITAGE SCORES PGA officials had also awaited approval from California officials before pressing ahead with the 262 - Webb Simpson 65-65-68-64 schedule. 263 - Abraham Ancer (MEX) 69-64-65-65 run. “It was a long day on the golf winner Brooks Koepka seventh on chipped in from 38 feet to birdie The decision comes after the PGA Tour has made 264 - Daniel Berger 67-69-63-65, Tyrrell Hatton course,” Simpson said. 266. The Heritage, whose prior the par-3 17th. a largely successful return from its COVID-19 71-64-63-66 “I didn’t get it going until 12 and 72-hole record was 264 by Brian Simpson reclaimed the lead shutdown, which forced the postponement or can- 265 - Sergio Garcia (ESP) 70-65-65-65, Joaquin then it got going and I felt Gay in 2009, was rescheduled from alone with a 14-foot birdie putt at cellation of all four golf majors this season. Niemann (CHI) 69-68-63-65 confident. a typical April slot as the tour’s 16, then sank an 18-footer at 17 for The tour returned to tournament play earlier 266 - Brooks Koepka 67-66-68-65 “I’m amazed I’m standing here second comeback event from a his fifth birdie in six holes to reach this month with the Charles Schwab Challenge at 267 - Dylan Frittelli (RSA) 65-69-71-62, Justin right now.” three-month coronavirus pan- 22-under. Colonial Country Club in Texas followed by last Thomas 72-66-66-63, JT Poston 67-69-66-65, Mexico’s Abraham Ancer, demic shutdown. It was played He closed with a par at 18, week’s RBC Heritage at Hilton Head Island, South Bryson DeChambeau 67-64-70-66, Michael seeking his first US PGA crown, was without spectators, except for those leaving only Ancer as the final Carolina. Thompson 65-69-66-67, Ryan Palmer 65-67-66- second on 263 after a 65, coming in course-adjacent backyards. threat in the twilight drama. Both events took place without spectators while 69 up short on a 37-foot birdie putt at Simpson sank a 10-foot birdie It was a season-best finish for players have observed strict safety protocols which 268 - Justin Rose (ENG) 70-67-66-65, Ian Poulter 18 to force a play-off. putt at the par-4 12th and a Koepka, who seeks a third consec- include frequent testing for COVID-19. (ENG) 64-69-67-68, Matthew Fitzpatrick (ENG) American Daniel Berger, who 22-footer for birdie at 13 to grab a utive PGA Championship victory in won last week at Colonial, shared share of the lead at 19-under with August. The PGA of America says in a statement 66-66-68-68 the first golf major of 2020 will take place 269 - Harris English 67-70-68-64, Jhonattan Vegas third with Britain’s Tyrrell Hatton Hatton and Ancer. Hatton, Ancer, Simpson and

on 264, with Spain’s Sergio Garcia After tap-ins to par 14 and Ryan Palmer shared the overnight at San Francisco’s Harding Park from

(VEN) 70-63-69-67, Dustin Johnson 68-66-67-68, and Chile’s Joaquin Niemann fifth birdie 15, Simpson shared the lead lead at 15-under, with 23 rivals August 6-9. Brice Garnett 65-71-65-68 on 265 and US four-time major with Ancer and Berger, who within four strokes.. Football: Japan F1 to launch diversity task force

dropping bid for REUTERS — LONDON Six-times world will show our full support in steppedped up hishis anti-racism champion Lewis fighting inequality campaigning.paigning. 2023 Women’s Formula One is setting up a Hamilton has stepped throughout the weekend and He announcedannounced onon diversity and equality task up his anti-racism accelerate our own efforts to Sundayday a commission to force as part of a ‘#WeRa- campaigning. make Formula One more help motorsport engage World Cup ceAsOne’ initiative to combat diverse and inclusive.” moree youngyoung people from racism and help those Austria’s Red Bull Ring is Blackk bbackgroundsackgrounds andand ddriverive AFP — TOKYO affected by the COVID-19 “Our first race in Austria hosting two races on July 5 diversity.rsity. pandemic, the sport said at the start of July is a big and 12 after the long break The BriBritonton has also called Japan is dropping its bid for the 2023 yesterday. moment for our sport after caused by the COVID-19 out hishis sport’s initialinitial silencesilence Women’s World Cup, the country’s One visible element will nearly four months of no pandemic. Formula One said over thethe killingkilling ooff GeorgeGeorge football association said yesterday, just be an F1 rainbow, in the racing,” said Formula One the task force would listen to Floyd,d, an unarmedunarmed BlackBlack days before the sport’s governing body colours of all 10 teams and chairman Chase Carey in a a range of people, including man whowho dieddied in Minne-Minne- is set to announce its decision on the topped in the distinctive statement. drivers, to identify what apolisis afterafter a whitewhite USUS hosts. Ferrari red, that will appear “It is also a time to rec- needed to be done to improve policece oofficerfficer The Japan Football Association pres- on cars and race suits from ognise the issues that are diversity and opportunity. kneltt on hhisis ident said the country is still preparing next month’s season-opener bigger than any one sport or Six-times world neckk llastast to host the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, now in Austria. country. champion Lewis Hamilton, month.th. Lewis Hamilton postponed until next year because of McLaren said their cars “Formula One will stand who took part in a Black the coronavirus. would also carry an ‘End united to say loud and clear Lives Matter march in “I sensed resistance against hosting Racism’ message. that racism must end. We London at the weekend, has two top events in the same country in a short period of time, which was rein- forced by the impact of the coronavirus pandemic,” Kozo Tajima said in a Zanardi’s neurological condition statement. He also noted the ASEAN Football Federation had already swung towards ‘remains serious’ after bike crash a joint bid from Australia and New AFP —MILAN hospital in Siena since Friday. Zanardi suffered head injuries Zealand, and that Japan had hosted “The third night of intensive with multiple facial factures several FIFA tournaments in recent Alex Zanardi’s (pictured) neuro- care was spent without changes,” and fears for his sight after years. logical condition remains serious the hospital said in a medical losing control of his bike and Japan’s withdrawal leaves the event three days after the former update. “His cardio-respiratory colliding with a truck during a a two-way race between Colombia and Formula One driver suffered and metabolic conditions remain race in Italy. the joint ANZAC bid, which is regarded serious head injuries in a unchanged while the neuro- An investigation has begun as the favourite. handbike crash, doctors treating logical picture remains serious.” into the circumstances sur- The decision by Japan comes weeks the Italian Paralympic icon said Dr Sabino Scolletta, head of rounding the accident on the after Brazil announced it would yesterday. critical care told journalists: “The ‘Obiettivo Tricolore’ stage relay withdraw from the process, citing belt- The 53-year-old has been in an brain needs rest. However, every race which sees participants tightening forced by the coronavirus. induced coma and on an artificial passing day is a good sign despite journey across Italy on hand- The Brazilian Football Confederation respirator at Santa Maria alle Scotte the seriousness of the situation.” bikes, wheelchairs or cycles. said it was struggling to secure the private and public funding needed to mount a competitive bid, and was throwing its weight behind Colombia. NBA worried but ‘resolute’ about restart FIFA is due to announce its decision on the winning bid on June 25, with the field having been whittled down from REUTERS — NEW YORK postseason will follow at the officials and medical experts National Basketball Players an original 10. same site. regarding our plans,” NBA Association, told ESPN. Women’s football -- and female The NBA is concerned about ESPN said commissioner spokesman Mike Bass said. “If necessary to add sport in general -- is gaining popularity, the growing number of coro- Adam Silver recently held a Orlando, located in further restrictions with the last women’s World Cup in navirus cases in Florida but conference call with NBA Orange County in Central respecting those third parties France watched by 1.12 billion people intends to go ahead with its team executives and Florida, hasn’t been hit as having access to the campus, globally. plan to restart the season in addressed the Florida hard by the coronavirus as we will seek to implement The next will have 32 teams for the a “bubble” in the state, ESPN outbreak. South Florida. Still, players them.” first time, up from 24. reported. The report said Silver was expressed concern that The league issued a 113- Japan won praise for its hosting of Florida has experienced “resolute but somber” and non-NBA employees, such as page guide that outlined last year’s Rugby World Cup -- the first record number of daily diag- was confident that keeping the housekeeping or dining health protocols and other time the tournament has been played noses of COVID-19 the past players together in the staff, could introduce the procedures that will be in in Asia. three days, with Saturday’s bubble would help prevent virus into the bubble, place in Florida. The teams Despite being interrupted by a number of new cases at coronavirus outbreaks. according to the report. are expected to arrive in the deadly typhoon, the tournament was 4,049 -- a single-day record. The league is “closely “While we take some solace second week of July for an viewed as a success, drawing massive The NBA plans to host monitoring the data in in knowing our players will abbreviated training camp, crowds and stirring domestic enthu- players at The Walt Disney Florida and Orange County not travel commercially to with play resuming July 30. siasm for rugby -- especially after the World Resort near Orlando, and will continue to work get to Orlando, that access to protocols in place, the The league has been on Brave Blossoms won a historic quarter- Fla., where 22 teams with collaboratively with the the campus is severely numbers will keep our hiatus since March 11 final spot. play-off chances will finish National Basketball Players limited and, of course, all of attention,” Michele Roberts, because of the coronavirus the regular season. The Association, public health the other health and safety executive director of the pandemic. TUESDAY 23 JUNE 2020 SPORT 07 Qatar’s Ahmed wins title in spectacular fashion

THE PENINSULA - DOHA Ahmed El Kholay amazing times and you will see round, secured the fourth spot QATAR ONLINE RACING CHAMPIONSHIP them in top 10 in the world. I (+ 41.609 seconds) while com- Qatar's Ahmed El Kholay AUTO/WRC8 tried to learn from my mistakes patriot Khalid Al Maraghi yesterday overcame a slow start QORC FINAL RACE: Rally of Finland and not take too many risks. rounded off the top five just to win the final round of the Rank Name Gap/Leader Time Today’s strategy was not to 18.068 seconds ahead of sixth- WRC8, an event organised by 1 Ahmed El Kholay - 33:17.944 commit any mistakes and just placed Abdulla. Oman’s the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle 2 Ammar Bulushi (Oman) 0.830 33:18.774 keep the car on the road. I want Zakariya Al Ofi (+2:02.853) Federation (QMMF), and claim 3 M Al Thefiri (Kuwait) 41.604 33:59.548 to thank QMMF's Executive struggled and remained at the the top prize with a slick finish. 4 Mansour Dbeissy 41.609 33:59.553 Director Amro Al Hamad and bottom of the seven-driver field. Ahmed clocked a time of 5 Khalid Al Maraghi 59.677 34:17.621 his team. It's a great effort from Bulushi said: “It was an 33:17.944 to take the top 6 Adel Abdulla 1:28.914 34:46.858 them to organise such an exciting race. I did my best and position in the third event of the 7 Zakariya Al Ofi (Oman) 2:02.853 35:20.797 event,” he said. my stage times were very good. hugely popular Qatar Online The runner-up took home But Ahmed was better and con- Racing Championship (QORC) QR13,000, while third-placed sistent, and today was not my ahead of Oman’s Ammar second spot in the seven-entry “I can’t even describe my have no experience of it,” he got QR10,000. day. I want to thank QMMF for Bulushi and Kuwait’s Mishari Al field that also included Qatar’s feeling on winning this title. I added. Qatar’s Mansour Dbeissy, organising the event. It was a Thefiri in the digital Rally of ex-world champion Adel put my best in the competition “But I knew I had pace and who impressed in the previous gruelling two weeks.” Finland. Abdulla. Kuwait’s Al Therifi was but never thought I was going did well in qualifying and got The triumphant Qatari third and lagged behind by to win it,” Ahmed said better with each race. It was dif- driver, who won the third, fifth 41.604 seconds against the day’s yesterday. ficult last two weeks for me. I and the seventh stages yes- hero. Ahmed, after winning the “I knew this was not my was practicing day and night,” terday, finished just 0.830 top prize of QR 15,000, yes- type of racing at all because I the Qatari said after his title win. seconds ahead of Oman’s terday said he believed hard like circuit racing. The rally was “It was a world -class com- Bulushi who grabbed the work would pay off. new racing for me because I petition. The competitors set Stage set for epic battle as QMMF riders take on Leopard Racing Team

THE PENINSULA - DOHA “The riders will be bat- RACE SCHEDULE tling for team points. There QMMF’s popular riders headed are eight riders in total. by multiple national champion Each rider collects points Saeed Al Sulaiti will be battling Race 1 Barcelona June 23 but their effort goes to the for top honours in a new Moto2 Race 2 Redbull Ring June 24 team tally. series against Leopard Racing Race 3 Muguello June 25 “Meaning it’s not Team, it was announced important where you finish yesterday. **Friday Rest Day June 26 - whether you finish first The six-leg series will be the Race 4 Jerez June 27 and the rest of your team fourth competition in the hugely Race 5 Phillip Island gets late positions, it won’t popular Qatar Racing Online help. Championship (QORC), Amro June 28 “The riders have to pull Al Hamad, Executive Director Race 6 Losail International up their team-mates and Amro Al Hamad, Executive of Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Circuit June 29 ensure maximum points are Federation (QMMF), said Director of QMMF collected,” Al Hamad yesterday. explained. found out about the second series yesterday, their third “The fourth event of QORC “The Leopard Racing Team Leopard Racing Team,” the “I met Leopard Racing Team edition of QORC. We came in online event following highly event starts on Tuesday at won the Moto2 championship QMMF Executive Director officials during the FIM touch again and the idea of successful Touring Car Cham- 8:00pm,” Al Hamad announced last year. They will be repre- added. Meetings in Monaco. I was putting four of our top riders pionship and the MotoGP series yesterday. “The QMMF Racing sented by Marcos Ramirez, Al Hamad said the compe- seeking opportunities of collab- against four of theirs was born. in the last three months. The Team will be represented by Xavier Artigas and Dennis tition winners will be decided oration with them as they are We have been planning for this online races have gained in Saeed Al Sulaiti, Jassim Al Thani, Foggia. Lorenzo Dalla Porta and on the collective tally of points one of the leading teams in new series for the last couple of popularity in Qatar and the Soud Al Thani and Hamad Al Andrea Locatelli will share the the teams muster over the Moto2 racing,” Al Hamad said. weeks,” he added. region after it was held for cars Sahouti,” he added. fourth spot during the series for course of the week. “It so happened that they QMMF concluded the WRC8 and bikes in April. NSW plans to Star Warner says Australian South Africa announces invest in the seven coronavirus cases game, won’t players shouldn’t sledge Kohli AFP - JOHANNESBURG cut jobs AFP - NEW DELHI Cricket South Africa (CSA) revealed yesterday that seven people REUTERS - MELBOURNE Australia’s David Warner has within the organisation had tested positive for coronavirus, raising warned against sledging Virat questions over the sport’s potential return to action in the country. Australia’s most powerful Kohli when India tour Australia The acting chief executive of South African cricket’s governing cricket state New South this year, saying “trying to poke body, Jacques Faul, said more than 100 tests had been conducted Wales says it has “no the bear” will only make the within the organisation, and theu had included players and support intention” of cutting staff, star batsman play better. staff. despite the national board’s As cricket slowly gets back “The number of seven is actually quite low,” said Faul, who move to slash jobs in a bid into action after coronavirus added CSA’s medical and ethical protocol prevented him from to shore up finances hit by suspensions, India are slated to revealing the identity of those who had tested positive. the coronavirus pandemic. tour Australia for four Test The announced cases of COVID-19 are likely to further delay While several states have matches in December-January the resumption of the sport in the country. also cut staff, including in what is set to be a highlight A three-team event was scheduled for this coming Saturday South Australia, Victoria and of the year. involving 24 leading players. It was due to be South Africa’s first Queensland, Cricket NSW Warner, a lynchpin of Aus- televised sporting event since the country went into lockdown in Chairman John Knox saw no tralia’s batting attack, said he is March. reason for his state to go looking forward to the confron- It was announced last Saturday the competition had been down that path. tation but that he will steer postponed because it had not yet been approved by the “We continue to invest clear of taunting India’s captain. government. significantly in the game of “I thrive on the crowd, I In this file photo taken on May 29, 2016, Royal Challengers cricket,” Knox told a podcast thrive on people sort of going Bangalore captain Virat Kohli (right) and his Sunrisers Hyderabad on state broadcaster ABC. at me in the field. And getting counterpart, David Warner walk back after the toss prior to the England players to honour key “We have no intention to into that battle,” Warner told start of their Twenty20 cricket match in the 2016 Indian Premier make any cuts at all in our India Today television. League (IPL) in Bangalore. workers with names on shirts head count. “I think Virat is quite REUTERS - LONDON “We’ve got nearly 90 similar, if you go a little bit at people employed in deliv- Virat he comes out harder with “It’s a much-anticipated scheduled to start October 18 ering critical cricket services the bat and he plays amazing. return to Australia for India. I in Australia. England players will wear training shirts bearing the names of to the grass roots and we’re We have seen that time and am excited, one to be selected The fate of the T20 show- key workers before the start of the first Test against the West going to continue to invest time again. There is no point in and to be a part of that. Last piece will be decided next Indies next month to honour their service during the COVID-19 hard and grow the game.” actually trying to poke the bear time we were not bad but were month and if the World Cup is pandemic, the country’s cricket board said yesterday. NSW has declined to because at the end of the day if beaten by a good team and their sidelined, the delayed IPL could The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said people whose accept reductions in state you do that it just fires up the bowling was relentless,” said take its place. Cricket Australia names will feature on the shirts have been nominated by their grants, cuts that were led by person a bit more.” Warner. “Now, India has got the has admitted the World Cup local cricket clubs and include teachers, doctors, nurses, social the board’s former Chief Last year India claimed best batting line-up and our looks “unrealistic” this year as workers and carers. Executive Kevin Roberts, their first Test series win in Aus- bowlers will like to target the pandemic lingers. The first Test is scheduled to begin in Southampton on July 8, who resigned last week after tralia after 71 years of trying. them.” Warner, who is captain of with the last two matches at Old Trafford, as international cricket months of criticism over his Warner, who along with Warner said he’s also keen Sunrisers Hyderabad in the IPL, returns following its suspension in March. leadership during the Steve Smith missed the series to play the lucrative Indian said quarantine rules for for- “As we get back to playing the game we love, we want to take pandemic. while they served a ball-tam- Premier League if the Interna- eigners entering Australia was the time to honour the brave key workers who went into bat for Roberts had said the pering ban, said Australia are tional Cricket Council post- one of many problems for the their country under the toughest circumstances,” England skipper board’s “proactive” cost- much better prepared this time. pones the T20 World Cup, World Cup. Joe Root said in a statement. cutting was to protect the domestic game from poten- tially devastating future impacts of COVID-19 on England tour during pandemic is a ‘big risk’: PCB doctor revenue. Knox said NSW had a AP - ISLAMABAD providing people entertainment.” Saleem in August and September. The PCB is first Test another round of testing of all rosier outlook for the game. said he was encouraged by soccer sending an extended squad of 29 players the players will be done and if a player “We’ve deliberately A Pakistan Cricket Board medical official resuming in Europe where the Bun- in case replacements are needed for tests positive, he will be quarantined. We made the decision that we says the upcoming tour of England desliga in Germany and the Premier anyone testing positive during the tour. have set the protocol with the England think the summer of cricket during the coronavirus pandemic is a League in England have staged games All 29 players will be tested twice for and Wales Cricket Board.” looks great ahead of us and “big risk” but one that is necessary to played in empty stadiums. COVID-19 before they board the flight Pakistan cricketers haven’t played we’re going to continue to help the country get through the crisis. “There’s no crowd in football and to London. Once the team lands in the any competitive games since the grow what we think is the “During the pandemic it’s (the tour) there will be no spectators at cricket sta- UK, Saleem said the players will go Pakistan Super League was suspended greatest game in the a big risk,” said the PCB’s director of diums too,” he said. through another testing session before due to the pandemic on March 17 and country,” he added. medical and sports sciences Dr Sohail “The anxiety level of people sitting they start training in a bio-secured according to Saleem players have been CA were criticised by the Saleem yesterday. at home is rising, but cricket can be seen environment. mostly confined to their homes since players’ union last month for “We haven’t experienced (playing as lowering these.” “After every 5-7 days we will be car- then. not being transparent during a pandemic), but for both teams The Pakistan team is scheduled to rying out testing of the players in the “Players could have been mentally enough about its finances. it will be a first. The pandemic means leave for England on Sunday to play UK,” Saleem said. affected, but it’s affecting even the risk, but consider them (players) as... three test matches and three Twenty20s “Three days before the start of the common man,” Saleem said.