FFOOTBALLOOTBALL | Page 2 NNBABA | Page 3 Calm Ancelotti Lakers’ Vogel wants fair play prepares for on season return of season, restart date if there is one

Saturday, April 4, 2020 RUGBY Sha’ban 11, 1441 AH Jones’ cricket dream GULF TIMES on hold as he eyes fresh tilt at WC glory SPORT Page 4

FOOTBALL EPL clubs lobby players to take 30 percent pay hit ‘Any return to play will only be with the full support of Government and when medical guidance allows’

AFP London, United Kingdom Man United to give 30 percent of pay to NHS

remier League clubs Reuters will ask players to take a Manchester, United Kingdom Pcombination of pay cuts and deferrals amount- ing to 30% of their annual salary anchester United due to the fi nancial crisis caused players will donate by the coronavirus pandemic, 30 percent of their the league said in a statement on Mwages to local hos- Friday. pitals and health services in the The English top fl ight’s high- fi rst major coronavirus gesture ly-paid stars have come under from a full Premier League squad. increasing pressure to take pay The move was the idea of club cuts from government offi cials in captain Harry Maguire and was recent days after four clubs said given full backing by the play- they would use public money to ers, the Daily Mail reported subsidise pay for non-playing yesterday. staff . In a separate move, after Health secretary Matt Han- criticism of lack of action from cock said on Thursday footballers players, the captains of all 20 cock said on Thursday that cheek!,” he wrote on Twitter. should “take a pay cut and play Premier League clubs held a players should take a pay cut Ex-Manchester City and their part.” call yesterday evening and dis- and “play their part” after he Newcastle United midfi elder Joey Tottenham, Newcastle, Nor- cussed making a collective con- was asked about the morality Barton, now manager of League wich and Bournemouth planned to tribution, a source told Reuters. of clubs using the government’s One (third tier) Fleetwood Town, use the UK government’s furlough While no structure for such job protection funds for non- said Hancock was diverting at- scheme to pay 80 percent of wages a combined donation has yet playing staff while still spend- tention on to football. of non-playing staff up to a maxi- to be set up there was broad ing huge salaries on players who “NHS under funded and mum of £2,500 ($3,100) a month. to avoid the potential of having tion will also be provided to help pay non-playing staff ’s salaries. support for the idea of the 20 are sat at home on full pay. mismanaged for decades? The average salary for a Pre- to reimburse broadcasters a re- those aff ected by coronavirus. However, our current position is dressing rooms making a uni- Prominent opposition La- That’ll be the Premier League mier League player is £3mn a ported £760mn ($942mn) if they Liverpool skipper Jordan that — as businesses — if clubs fi ed fi nancial gesture. bour MP David Lammy had ear- footballers fault. Wake up! This year, according to the latest Glo- fail to fulfi l fi xtures for television Henderson has reportedly led a can aff ord to pay their players United are continuing to pay lier said: “It’s criminal that Pre- is about shifting the focus away bal Sports Salaries survey. contracts. meeting of Premier League cap- and staff , they should,” the PFA all matchday staff during the mier League footballers haven’t from the government handling “Premier League clubs unani- tains to arrange an extra char- said in a statement. crisis and have not sought to moved more quickly to take pay this pandemic horrendously,” mously agreed to consult their FURLOUGH CONTROVERSY ity fi ghting fund for the National Julian Knight, chair of the Digit- use the government’s furlough cuts and deferrals.” he wrote on twitter. players regarding a combination “There is a combined objective Health Service (NHS) made up of al, Culture, Media and Sport com- scheme to help struggling com- The comments from politi- Ex-England striker Gary of conditional reductions and for all remaining domestic league player donations on top of any mittee, who had labelled the Pre- panies protect jobs. cians led a number of former Lineker, now presenter of the deferrals amounting to 30 per and cup matches to be played, wage cuts or deferrals agreed mier League a “moral vacuum” for The independent move by players to rush to the defence of highlights show Match of the cent of total annual remunera- enabling us to maintain the in- with the PFA. using government money believes United players came as talks their profession. Day, said the players deserved tion,” the Premier League said in tegrity of each competition,” the The PFA believes players no top-fl ight club should now be continued between the PFA Former Manchester United time. a statement. statement added. should not be used as scapegoats using the furlough scheme. players’ union and the Football captain Gary Neville, now a Responding to arguments The Professional Footballers’ “However, any return to play for clubs who have chosen to fur- “My main concerns were, League and Football Associa- television pundit and business- that players in Italy and Spain Association (PFA) will meet with will only be with the full support lough non-playing staff despite when I saw the Spurs and New- tion, looking at possible wage man, defended the players and had made greater sacrifi ces, league and club offi cials to dis- of Government and when medi- having the means to continue castle stories, it sticks in the cuts or deferrals during the cur- turned on the health minister. Lineker said: “They’re a few cuss the proposal today. cal guidance allows.” paying them 100 percent of their throat to have taxpayers in any rent shutdown of the game. “The PL players are more weeks ahead of us in Spain and A meeting between the Despite their own fi nancial salary. way funding the economic model Professional football in Eng- than likely working on a pro- Italy as everybody knows. Give league’s 20 clubs also agreed to troubles, Premier League clubs Tottenham’s decision to fur- of the Premier League, which is land has been suspended until posal to help clubs, communi- the players a chance to help the indefi nitely extend the suspen- agreed to provide a £125mn fund lough 550 staff on Tuesday came not in the real world. April 30, at the earliest, due to ties and The NHS. It takes long- situation. I’m positive they will sion of the season until it is “safe for the English Football League on the same day it was revealed “That does stick in the throat, the pandemic with some top- er than 2 weeks to put together. do what’s right. If it transpires and appropriate” for football to and National League to help chairman Daniel Levy was paid because we’re going to need that fl ight clubs putting non-play- Matt Hancock calling them that they don’t, I’ll be their return. those further down the football £7mn last season. money for the NHS, and we’re ing staff on leave. out when he can’t get tests in harshest critic. Let’s see before The clubs are desperate for the pyramid. “We are aware of the public going to need that money when Health minister Matt Han- place for NHS staff is a ******* we judge.” season to be fi nished if possible A £20 mn charitable dona- sentiment that the players should we come out of this.”

TENNIS Federer and Williams running out of Grand Slam opportunities

Reuters more. It becomes very highly un- Mumbai, India likely for him.” While Federer has said he will still be around for Wimbledon he cancellation of Wim- next year Williams has been bledon this week has not tight-lipped on her future. Tonly fanned the possibil- The American, who turns 39 ity of a total tennis wipe- in September, lost in last year’s out for the rest of the season but Wimbledon fi nal and remains one may also have put an end to the Grand Slam short of tying Marga- Grand Slam title chase for both ret Court’s record 24 major titles. Roger Federer and Serena Wil- She has reached four Grand liams. Slam fi nals since giving birth to Wimbledon was scrapped for daughter Olympia in 2017 but the fi rst time since World War failed to win any of them. Two on Wednesday due to the Martina Navratilova, winner of coronavirus pandemic, with the 18 Grand Slam singles titles, says suspension of professional tennis the situation is not ideal for any- extended to July 13. Roger Federer and (right) Serena Williams. (Reuters/AFP) one but for players like Williams The entire claycourt and grass- and Federer the clock is ticking. court seasons have been cancelled, that it was not unrealistic to be- The last of Federer’s Slams His next chance at a Grand Slam Australian Todd Woodbridge, a Australian Associated Press this “The youngsters are missing a with the four-month shutdown lieve tennis might be done for the came at the 2018 Australian Open would be the US Open, scheduled nine-times Wimbledon doubles week. chance to improve and match up wreaking havoc on the fi nances of year. and the closest he came to adding in New York from August 31 to champion and singles semi-fi nal- “Or has this actually helped against higher-ranked players,” the lower-tier players. While 38-year-old Federer to his tally was last year’s Wim- September 14. ist, was unsure what was in store him? But the less match play that she said. “The middle players are Tennis Australia head Craig is well insulated from the shut- bledon fi nal. The French Open, an event he for Federer if the season is lost. you get in this period at that age, kind of stuck, and the older players Tiley has said it would be tough down’s fi nancial fallout it could Federer’s last match was in has skipped in the past, has been “The question that Roger will it’s so much harder to come back like Serena Williams and Roger Fe- for the sport to return before 2021 well impact his hopes of adding the Australian Open semi-fi nals rearranged from May to Sep- have to ask himself is how mo- and recover once you start again. derer, time is not their friend. while All England Lawn Tennis to his record haul of 20 Grand before he underwent keyhole tember — a week after Flushing tivated is he to come back for “It has stopped the potential... “So they lost basically this year Club CEO Richard Lewis agreed Slam titles. surgery on his knee in February. Meadows. another year?” Woodbridge told of Federer winning one or two this opportunity.” Gulf Times 2 Saturday, April 4, 2020 FOOTBALL

PREMIER LEAGUE SPOTLIGHT UEFA warn clubs risk Calm Ancelotti Champions League exclusion if seasons are not completed wants fair play on AFP be dictated by public authorities Paris — and believe that any decision of abandoning domestic com- petitions is, at this stage, pre- EFA and Europe’s top mature and not justifi ed. Since clubs have stated their participation in UEFA club com- Udetermination that the petitions is determined by the season restart date current football season sporting result achieved at the should be played to a conclu- end of a full domestic competi- sion and threatened that teams tion, a premature termination ‘Players nowadays are capable of being physically ready within a fortnight’ may be excluded from the next would cast doubts about the ful- Champions League if their do- fi lment of such condition.” AFP mestic competitions are ended The letter concluded: “UEFA Paris prematurely. reserves the right to assess the In a joint letter released late on entitlement of clubs to be ad- Thursday, UEFA, the European mitted to the 2020/21 UEFA club efore the Premier League starts Club Association (ECA), and the competitions.” up it must ensure all clubs European Leagues body repre- The Belgian Pro League said Bresume training on the same day, senting nearly a thousand clubs it had had “constructive” dis- Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti in 29 countries, said that they cussions with UEFA yesterday told French newspaper L’Equipe in an in- were working on the possibility morning in which it “contested terview published yesterday. of playing on into July and Au- any approach which would force The Premier League is on hold be- gust if need be. a league to continue in the cur- cause of the coronavirus pandemic. It The Champions League and rent health crisis”. It has called was scheduled to resume on April 30, but Europa League — both of which for a “varied approach” based club chairmen met by videoconference are frozen in the last-16 stage — on the specifi cs of individual yesterday and it was decided the play could be completed once the do- leagues and countries. won’t be possible before May. “It was ac- mestic seasons are fi nished, and UEFA has set up two working knowledged that the Premier League will “stopping competitions should groups to devise a way for Eu- not resume at the beginning of May – and really be the last resort after ac- ropean football to get out of the that the 2019-20 season will only return knowledging that no calendar crisis caused by the coronavirus when it is safe and appropriate to do so,” a alternative would allow to con- pandemic. One is tasked with Premier League statement said. clude the season.” looking at the legal and fi nancial “One of the important things is that The joint response came af- consequences of the crisis, while all the clubs resume training at the same ter the Belgian Pro League an- the other is devising a new match time, that there are no disparities, that nounced on Thursday that it rec- calendar UEFA and the clubs no one has an advantage over the others,” ommended declaring the season have set themselves a mid-May the 60-year-old Ancelotti told L’Equipe. over with the present table ac- target for deciding on the most “Players nowadays are capable of being cepted as fi nal. viable option for completing the physically ready within a fortnight.” It is the fi rst European league season. Ancelotti, who took over at Everton to take such a measure, although There have been calls in other in December, has won the Champions more could follow. That means countries for this season to be League as a player and coach and has led Club Brugge would in theory go declared null and void, but any teams to league titles in Italy, Germany, straight into the next Cham- option which rules out complet- France and England. After more than 45 pions League group stage, but ing this season could have seri- years in the game, the Italian fi nds him- UEFA, the ECA and the European ous consequences for leagues self in a world without football, preoc- Leagues indicated that they may reliant on huge television deals cupied by the terrible toll the coronavirus be barred from continental com- and who could fi nd themselves pandemic is taking, particularly in his na- petition if the Belgian league de- having to reimburse broadcast- tive Italy. cision is fi nalised. ers if remaining matches are not Unsure of what is going to happen next, “It is of paramount impor- played. he is calm in the face of the uncertainty. tance that even a disruptive Justifying its decision on Confi ned to his home in Liverpool and event like this epidemic does Thursday, the Belgian Pro League with no players to coach or matches to not prevent our competitions said it was “very unlikely” to be watch, he is in no rush to return to the from being decided on the fi eld, able to hold matches in front of managerial treadmill. “It’s a little strange in accordance with their rules crowds before June 30 and that it for me. It’s something I’ve never done,” and that all sporting titles are had “unanimously decided that he said. awarded on the basis of results,” it was not desirable...to continue The whole Everton squad stayed in After more than 45 years in the game, Carlo Ancelotti finds himself in a world without football, preoccupied by the terrible toll the the joint letter said. the competition” after that date. England and none have tested positive for coronavirus pandemic is taking, particularly in his native Italy. “We are confi dent that foot- The decision still needs to be for- Covid-19, he said. “I keep in touch with ball can restart in the months to mally validated at a General As- the players. I don’t call them regularly match after a seven or eight week break. While he said the pandemic was “like wife to talk to each other and communi- come — with conditions that will sembly on April 15. but, with the staff , we send them a train- Of course, they won’t be at 100 per cent a war,” Ancelotti remained optimistic cate more. We are regaining the desire to ing programme that we update to keep when he resumes, but they have the abil- about the future. “It’s unfortunate to talk and not just to have our noses in the them in good physical condition. Even ity to do it, there’s no doubt about that,” have to mourn so many deaths, but this phone. We spend all our time running though I know they are.” he said. “You train while you play.” crisis will bring society back to diff erent, and it feels good to take a break. Football Even if the league does resume on April He says he is talking to friends and rel- more human relationships,” he said. is not my priority at the moment. In fact, 30, players will have gone seven weeks atives in Italy by phone. “It’s very painful “We are becoming aware, during I don’t care whether we’ll be back in June, without collective training. “It’s a lot, but to hear that so many of my compatriots confi nement, that it is important for a July or August. I really don’t. There are a player has no problem taking part in a are dying every day.” daughter and her father or a husband and lives we have to think about now.”

Suarez ‘hurt’ by criticism of Barca players’ pay cut delay Montevideo: Uruguay star Luis Suarez non-playing staff could be paid in full ment,” Suarez told Sport890. solution for the club, and to our benefit complained on Thursday that he has during the state of alarm in Spain caused “We know the situation the club is in, and trying to help the employees.” been “hurt” by criticism of him and fel- by the coronavirus pandemic. the situation the world is in right now In announcing the agreement, Messi low millionaire Barcelona players for the Footballers across Europe’s top and it was a minimal detail (holding up had directed a thinly veiled swipe at time it took to agree to pay cuts to help leagues have come under fire as some the agreement). But people have said the Barca board, led by president Josep out other club employees. clubs have made cuts to their non- things like us players didn’t want to Maria Bartomeu, whom he accused of Argentine superstar Lionel Messi playing staff or their salaries while many give in; that the basketball and handball undermining the players during recent announced on Monday that Barca’s play- wealthy players have yet to see their players came to an agreement and we negotiations. His lengthy Instagram post ers had agreed to a 70% pay cut and to incomings aff ected. “It hurts because we didn’t. We hadn’t come to an agreement was shared by a slew of teammates, The Champions League and Europa League — both of which are make contributions to ensure the club’s were the first to want to reach an agree- because we were waiting to find the best including Suarez. frozen in the last-16 stage — could be completed once the domestic seasons are finished. (Reuters)

FOCUS BUNDESLIGA China-based Donadoni fears for family Bayern Munich extend contract in Italian coronavirus hotspot with coach Flick until 2023 AFP masks and is also looking to provide gloves AFP ties” and “empathy”. Bayern is Shanghai and protective body suits for medical work- Berlin Flick’s fi rst job as head coach ers in Italy. He also plans to send ventilators. in top-fl ight club football. De- But he is exasperated that the masks sat for spite his relative inexperience at oberto Donadoni should be in the more than 10 days in Italy waiting to reach erman Bundesliga gi- club level, the coach has proven thick of China’s football season but those who desperately need them. “This ants Bayern Munich popular with senior Bayern play- Rhis thoughts are consumed by the is unbelievable, this is not possible. This is Ghave handed coach ers who had grown increasingly suff ering that the coronavirus has crazy because in this time people probably Hansi Flick a new con- frustrated under Kovac. brought to his hometown in northern Italy. lost their lives,” he said. “It’s very important tract keeping him at the club until Former Germany international Nearly 14,000 people have died in Italy since the (Italian) politicians try to help me and 2023, the club announced yester- Thomas Mueller, in particular, the pandemic struck, more than any other everyone else that wants to help.” day. “Bayern are very happy with has fl ourished under the new country, and the region where the AC Milan There is much debate in Europe, includ- Hansi Flick’s work. The team has leadership, having previously legend is from has been hit hardest. ing in Italy, about what should happen to developed well under him and worked with Flick on the nation- “I’m from Bergamo, one of the places football seasons which were approaching are playing attractive football,” al team. Flick was right-hand in a very diffi cult situation now. My fam- their climax when the disease forced them to said club CEO Karl-Heinz Rum- man to Germany boss Loew for ily are from there, it’s very, very tough,” be suspended. Asked what the likes of Serie menigge in a statement. eight years from 2006, helping the 56-year-old former Italy international, A should do, Donadoni, a key member of the Flick, a former assistant to to lead his country to at least the now coach of Shenzhen FC, told AFP by tel- In contrast, China, where the outbreak Italy team beaten by Brazil in the 1994 World Germany coach Joachim Loew, semi-fi nals of fi ve consecutive ephone from southern China. emerged late last year before spreading Cup fi nal, said: “Now the fi rst thing is your took the reins at Bayern in No- major tournaments. “Every day I spoke with my mum, my worldwide, is slowly returning to normal, health, it’s important now to beat this virus. vember after his predecessor After Germany won the World brother, my sister. It’s possible for me to see although the football season has been indef- After we beat it, it’s possible to speak again Niko Kovac was sacked. Initially Cup in Brazil in 2014, Flick be- my family on Facetime or Skype or WeChat, initely delayed. Donadoni wants to reunite about football and sport.” hired as an interim solution, the came sporting director of the but it’s diff erent,” said Donadoni. “When with his wife, Cristina, and six-year-old Yet Donadoni also has a job to do in China 55-year-old led Bayern from German Football Association, you are close to your family, it’s one thing, daughter, who are staying in the moun- getting Shenzhen primed for the new season fourth back to the top of the table, but stepped down from the role but when you are 10,000 kilometres away, tains outside Milan. However, this has been when it fi nally begins. The Italian took over and was rewarded with a contract in 2017. A midfi elder for Bayern it’s a diff erent question.” complicated by temporary restrictions in- at Shenzhen in July when they were deep in until the end of this season. in his playing days, he returned Donadoni, a three-time European club troduced by China last weekend that have relegation trouble and he was unable to keep With 18 wins in 21 competitive to Munich as part of Kovac’s champion during a highly successful play- barred foreigners from entering the country them in the Chinese Super League (CSL). matches at the helm, Flick put big challenges. We believe that coaching staff in July last year. He ing career spent mostly with AC Milan, has in an eff ort to stop a wave of imported coro- The pressure is on for him to steer the club Bayern on course for a record- Hansi is the right head coach for took full control in November af- not lost any immediate family to the coro- navirus infections. back into the top division at the fi rst attempt. extending eighth successive these times,” said sporting direc- ter the Croatian’s unhappy spell navirus. However, he said his ex-wife’s fa- Like many others in the sports world, Do- His squad are all healthy and in good spirits, Bundesliga title before the sea- tor Hasan Salihamidzic. in charge ended with a 5-1 defeat ther died of it and he is deeply concerned for nadoni, who coached Italy in 2006-2008, Donadoni said, but preparing for a campaign son was interrupted by the coro- Rummenigge, meanwhile, by Eintracht Frankfurt, leaving friends and family back home. is doing his bit to help. He bought 15,000 that has no start date is challenging. navirus crisis. “Football is facing praised Flick’s “human quali- Bayern four points off the top. Gulf Times Saturday, April 4, 2020 3 SPORT

NBA FOCUS NBA eyes staging entire Lakers coach Vogel playoff s in Las Vegas: Report

AFP New York

BA offi cials are study- prepares for return of ing the possibility of Nstaging the entire play- off s in Las Vegas but nothing is close to being settled, Sports Illustrated reported. According to a story on the magazine website, unnamed season, if there is one sources said the league is explor- ing what it would take to stage games and house players in Ve- ‘I knew it was going to be a long haul I wanted to decompress a bit. But that lasted a day or two’ gas hotels and that while nothing is near being completed, there is By Tania Ganguli also nothing off the table. Los Angeles Times The report also cited several league and club sources saying there is no chance of staging a os Angeles Lakers coach Frank typical NBA playoff s involving Vogel isn’t sure when the NBA travel between cities due to dif- Lseason will resume or what it ferent impacts of the deadly dis- will look like once it does, but ease in diff erent areas as well as he has tried to keep his coaches ready potentialy travel issues. for the possibility. They’ve been given Quarantines for teams in one projects to complete during this hiatus, location and playing in an empty tasks that presume the NBA’s regular arena is seen as the only answer, season is over. with Las Vegas being the only Each of them has been assigned fi lm city the league is seriously con- of the seven other Western Conference sidering, an NBA source told playoff teams to review in case they are Sports Illustrated. postseason opponents. “I took some A CNBC report last week said time off immediately when (the league the NBA has considered many suspended),” Vogel said. scenarios but was not near fi - “I knew it was going to be a long haul nalizing any one-site plan, in- I wanted to decompress a bit. But that cluding a tournament idea that lasted a day or two. I began to watch would send 16 teams in a reduced some of our recent games and take best-of-fi ve fi rst round, then notes on the way we were progressing two knockout stages to decide so that we can make sure we can pick up which teams would play a best- where we left off whenever we are able of-seven NBA Finals. The NBA to resume.” stages Summer League events There has been no group basketball annually in Las Vegas and so has activity since March 11, when the NBA relationships in place with hotels suspended its season upon learning that and arenas that could accomo- Jazz centre Rudy Gobert tested positive date such a playoff . for Covid-19. On Thursday evening, But staging such an event Vogel spoke with reporters for the fi rst would require thousands of time since practice earlier that day. players and team staff ers to jour- He shared his experience since then ney to Las Vegas, support staff and how the team is handling the break. at arenas and hotels to work, “It’s a very diff erent time than anything broadcasters to provide work- most of us have ever experienced in our ers to telecast the games. That lives,” Vogel said. “It’s just a time really would also require thousands to make sure that all of our loved ones of Covid-19 tests to be avail- are in good health and being safe. Mak- Los Angeles Lakers coach Frank Vogel has started rewatching his team’s games to see what he might have missed during the hectic season that has been halted. able and be advanced enough ing sure we can have in mind to be so- to quickly provide results. And cially responsible and make sure we’re “It was a little bit of a surprise to all of games to see what he might have missed about his exposure.”We were not told to ferencing. JaVale McGee posted on In- conditions would have to be ad- doing that, and enjoying my time with us that it was actually happening,” Vo- during the hectic season that had just be tested,” Vogel said about himself and stagram a screenshot that showed Jared vanced enough where using so my family.” gel said. halted. On March 17, one week after the rest of his staff . Dudley, Quinn Cook, Alex Caruso, Talen many tests for an NBA tourna- While the league was still operating, After his brief attempt at disconnect- playing the Lakers, the Brooklyn Nets “And obviously everybody recog- Horton-Tucker and two-way players ment would not be seen as con- general manager Rob Pelinka tried to ing, Vogel got back to basketball. He announced four players had tested pos- nised the shortage of tests and we were Kostas Antetokounmpo and Devontae troversial, given how much of keep players and coaches as informed as watched the archived games that sports itive of Covid-19. only going to do what the local health Cacok participating in a workout run by the nation has yet to be tested. he could about where things stood. The networks were now left with. “I’ve seen The Lakers immediately renewed department told us to do.... So I re- Lakers strength coach Gunnar Peterson. The league shut down on NBA’s board of governors held a confer- Danny Green play against LeBron in an off er they had made before to play- assured my family that I was in good Vogel had conference calls with team March 11 after Utah’s Rudy ence call on March 11, where they dis- the Finals,” Vogel said. “I’ve seen Jason ers for Covid-19 testing. On March 18, health and obviously, while I had been leaders Anthony Davis and LeBron Gobert tested positive for the cussed possibly playing game without Kidd play against LeBron in the Finals. 14 players arrived at the team facility around those guys, there had been some James, along with Pelinka, but mostly coronavirus. Major US sports fans, or a temporary suspension. I’ve seen my Kentucky Wildcats play to have swabs inserted into their noses social distancing guidelines in place so tried to give his team space. The space leagues and events followed and The Lakers practised that day, ex- against the Arizona Wildcats in the while they sat in their cars to test for I felt fi ne and I also felt confi dent that a he has from them is now fi lled with much of the sporting landscape pecting to play the Houston Rockets on championship game. I’ve seen LeBron’s the virus. Two of them tested positive test wasn’t needed for me personally.” something he rarely gets during this is barren into July. The league March 12. Then Gobert tested positive McDonald’s All-American game.” but none of them had symptoms. There The Lakers have started conducting time of year — family time with his wife was already looking at up to for Covid-19 and the season stopped. He started rewatching his team’s were people close to Vogel who worried voluntary workouts through video con- and two daughters. $400mn in losses.

Australian league denies MLB claim LaMelo bought team Turner proposes home run derby to decide tied games Sydney: Australia’s profes- sional basketball league denied AFP lowed to carry extra pitchers on their ros- yesterday that it had agreed Los Angeles ters this season, the starters won’t be fi t to sell the Illawarra Hawks to enough to go deep into games early in the LaMelo Ball, who solidified campaign. That means bullpen pitchers his 2020 NBA Draft top pick ajor League Baseball’s 2020 will be called on, and relievers who might contender status playing for season promises to look a have once been counted on to put in long the team last year. The National Mlot diff erent, and Los Ange- innings “are now your sixth and possibly Basketball League (NBL) issued les Dodgers slugger Justin seventh starter. the denial after Ball’s manager Turner has an idea to keep games short in “Oh and by the way you might have a told ESPN that the purchase a campaign compressed by coronavirus. double header scheduled in the next day of the Illawarra Hawks was “a Opening Day, originally scheduled for or two or what if this is the fi rst game of done deal”. March 26, now won’t come before mid- the double header? That’s why a 15-in- “We own the team,” Jermaine May.Even if teams won’t play a full 162- ning game for THIS SEASON is not ideal. Jackson told the US network. “Melo loves the Illawarra game schedule, it seems likely that what- Nobody wants to see a tie,” Turner wrote Within hours, the NBL sought fans,” Jackson, a former NBA ever program is eventually put in place on Twitter. “A quick 1 round, 6 man derby “to clarify the current situation” and European player, said. “He will be jam-packed with back-to-back (3 a side), 5 outs or 10 swings each (keep it regarding Ball and the Hawks. loves that community. They games and double-headers. safe for the hitters too) and you have your “The league can confirm opened their arms to him. They Turner suggested that to avoid mara- winner! LaMelo Ball and his manage- made us feel like we’re at home. thon games MLB should institute a home Turner emphasised that he was sug- ment had discussions about be- When we started hearing about run derby to decide any contest tied after gesting the change — similar to a penalty ing involved with the club while the issues they were going 10 innings. “Instead of playing 17 innings, shootout used in ice hockey and football he was playing in the NBL last through, we talked about it and you get one extra inning, you play the — for 2020 only. Turner has fi rst-hand season,” it said in a statement. decided, ‘Let’s own the team.’” 10th inning, and (if) no one scores, then experience of how ultra-long games can The NBL said discussions Ball is working out with you go to a home run derby,” Turner said deplete a team. The Dodgers beat the Red were underway with current brothers Lonzo and LiAngelo . “You take each team’s three best hitters Sox 3-2 in the longest post-season game team owner Simon Stratford in suburban Los Angeles ahead and you give them all fi ve outs and see interview on Wednesday, and elaborated ing for pitching coaches to throw during in history: a 7-hour, 20-minute, 18-in- “on a number of options for of the draft, whose exact date who hits the most homers.” on Twitter on Thursday. He said it could the derby decider. ning marathon in game three of the 2018 what we hope will be a fruitful is uncertain in the wake of Turner fi rst fl oated the idea in a TV protect pitching staff s, with his plan call- He noted that even if teams are al- World Series. outcome” for Illawarra and the the NBA shutdown due to the league. But is stressed that the coronavirus outbreak. “He’s NBL “has final approval on any going to be locked into his NBA NFL transfer of licence and no appli- career, but we are going to hire cation has been made to date”. the right people to oversee Ball went Down Under in everything,” Jackson said. August and the point guard av- “He wants to create the best Many hurdles before league can reopen: medical chief eraged 17.0 points, 7.5 rebounds basketball program possible for and 7.0 assists in 12 games with that community... We’re going Reuters the league expects to start the 2020 sea- turnaround on results would be critical to reopening a team sport,” Sills said. “Be- the Hawks before a foot injury to put the organisation on ster- New York son as scheduled with the Kansas City decision-making when it comes to reo- cause we’re going to have positive cases ended his National Basketball oids, building it into a program Chiefs opening Week 1 against an as-yet pening facilities. for a very long time.” League season. The 2019 NBL that guys want to play for.” unnamed opponent on Thursday, Sept 10. Government-mandated lockdowns Sills added that it will be diffi cult to Rookie of the Year wanted to Ball, who donated a month hough the NFL has yet to push “That’s our expectation. Am I certain? and stay-at-home orders will also be a look at how large groups of fans could be make Australia part of his long- of his Hawks salary to victims back any major events because I’m not certain I’ll be here tomorrow. But consideration, according to the report, allowed to gather for a game until a vac- term plans after enjoying his of the Australian bushfires, also Tof the coronavirus pandemic, its I’m planning on it,” Pash said. NFL exec- as allowing some teams to reopen facili- cine is available. “We will make those de- stay with the Wollongong, New plans some visits to Australia chief medical offi cer on Thursday utive vice president Troy Vincent added ties while others are forced to keep theirs cisions in consultation with our experts South Wales-based team. when the NBA is not in season. cautioned many steps remain before the the NFL’s plan is for a “full” and “nor- closed could become a competitive-bal- at the time,” Sills said.”That decision will So when Stratford and his “We’ll take a tour with his league might be able to resume on-fi eld mal” regular season. ance issue. not be made in isolation. wife Wendy posted a mes- family all over Australia, doing activities. Dr Allen Sills said that wide- “I don’t think that I would interpret “As long as we’re still in a place where The NFL will not be charting a course sage saying they needed more basketball camps and connect- spread testing would need to be available those comments to say that that is abso- when a single individual tests positive for diff erent than other professional sports, corporate and public support, ing with the youth. He wants before the league could even contemplate lutely what’s going to happen,” Sills said the virus that you have to quarantine eve- other parts of society — college sports, 18-year-old Ball saw a perfect to inspire the next generation,” reopening the league for full business. of the comments about the season run- ry single person who was in contact with universities, businesses.” The NFL last opportunity, Jackson told ESPN. Jackson said On Tuesday, NFL executive vice presi- ning on time and in full. Sills added that them in any shape, form or fashion, then week shut down all team facilities for at dent and general counsel Jeff Pash said getting point-of-care testing and a quick I don’t think you can begin to think about least two weeks. Gulf Times 4 Saturday, April 4, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ISL to fund its swimmers through to Tokyo Olympics Reuters evision deals and sponsorship and London depends on the planned fi ve-week ‘radical swimming event’ going ahead. Solidarity fund for swimmers ‘huge’, says “During this fi ve weeks we will or- he professional International ganise 10 matches, like prelims,” said Olympic champ Peaty Swimming League (ISL) will Grigorishin. “And maybe one month Britain’s Olympic 100 metres breast- 25-year-old told BBC yesterday. Tfund its contracted athletes later we organise fi nals, just one match stroke champion Adam Peaty has Konstantin Grigorishin, owner and with monthly payments from for four teams. This is our ideal sce- called the International Swimming financial backer of ISL, said he had September through to next year’s re- nario. League’s emergency fund of £15mn stepped in when several swimmers scheduled Tokyo Olympics, the series “But it’s hard to say. It’s not easy to ($18.3mn) for swimmers in the wake were debating about whether to announced yesterday. travel now and maybe there will be a of the coronavirus pandemic “huge carry on after the Olympics were It also plans to get all its 320 swim- lot of restrictions. So we have to fi nd for the sport”. The ISL has introduced postponed. mers together for a fi ve-week special some place for the swimmers to col- the ‘solidarity programme’ to help “After the postponement of the event of training and competition, lect them together. swimmers continue to train for major Olympics some swimmers came to possibly fi lmed behind closed doors “I think there will still be some events such as the Olympics which us and said they would now probably and with Australia the likely location, restrictions on big public events to have been postponed to 2021. retire because they could not aff ord from Oct 14-Nov 17 subject to the the end of the year so for that reason The fund, which will run from Sep- another year,” he told the BBC. Covid-19 pandemic. maybe we have to organise this com- tember 2020 until July 2021, will be “So this is why we decided to take Hungary’s 2016 triple Olympic gold petition in TV show format without worth around £1,200 a month to the action.” Grigroshin said the monthly medallist Katinka Hosszu told Reu- spectators.” more than 300 swimmers who are amount paled into significance when ters the ‘Solidarity Program’ would He said Australia, Budapest, Japan part of the ISL — where they compete compared to what other athletes provide peace of mind at a time of or Florida were options with Australia for franchised teams. earned in some sports. uncertainty, with some countries in The Tokyo Games, originally sched- Grigorishin told Reuters the con- the frontrunner: “We asked swimmers Last year was the inaugural series. “We aren’t talking about the wages of lockdown as they battle the new coro- uled to start in July this year, have been tracted swimmers would each get a and coaches about their preferences Peaty, world record holder in both soccer or basketball players but for navirus. postponed to July 23-Aug 8, 2021 due guaranteed $1,500 a month from Sept and the majority liked Australia.” the 50 and 100m breaststroke, said these swimmers we hope it will make “For us athletes, it’s really impor- to the pandemic. 1 to July 1 with $11mn set aside to cover The pandemic has put the sporting the fund provided some assurance at a real diff erence and allow them to tant to get over this period of time and The ISL launched last year as a fast- wages, bonuses, ambassador pay- calendar on hold, with many athletes an unpredictable time. continue in the sport,” the 54-year- everyone will be able to prepare for paced competition with 10 teams from ments and prize money in a condensed forced to train at home. “It’s an uncertain time for us all at old Ukrainian billionaire said. next summer,” she said. Europe and North America featuring season. The European aquatics champion- the moment so this much welcomed This year’s series will now be in just “They have some security as well an array of world and Olympic cham- The total cost of paying for eve- ships that were scheduled for Buda- financial grant will assist swimmers one venue running from October 14 as some racing and training camps to pions and bankrolled by Ukrainian rything could amount to $20mn, al- pest in May have been postponed to as everyone prepares for 2021,” the to November 17. look forward to.” businessman Konstantin Grigorishin. though that could be reduced by tel- August, subject to review.

FOCUS CYCLING Tour de Suisse cancelled for fi rst Jones’ cricket dream time since WWII on hold as he eyes fresh tilt at WC glory ‘If we’re the greatest team then a World Cup medal is probably sitting in front of us’

In this file photo taken on June 17, 2010, riders in action during the sixth stage Meringen — La Punt of the Tour de Suisse. (AFP)

AFP and the risk of “additional Paris strain on the Swiss health sys- tem due to possible crashes”. They said the lack of prepa- he Tour de Suisse was ration of riders based in coun- cancelled yesterday in tries where outdoor cycling Tthe face of the coro- is prohibited meant “a fair navirus pandemic and competition cannot be guar- the organisers of June’s eight- anteed”. day cycling race said they will The statement also said the not reschedule it for later in cancellation was a fi nancial the year. necessity because the pan- “This is the fi rst time since demic has brought a collapse the Second World War that the in sponsorship and in sales of traditional event will not take hospitality packages. Further place,” said the statement on delays “would result in in- the race website, noting that creased costs” for the organis- Swiss authorities had not yet ers, sponsors and host cities. banned the event. “The top priority of the Tour The tour, scheduled for June de Suisse organisation is to 7-14, had been the earliest ensure the continuity of this top-level race still standing on event,” said the statement. the cycling calendar. The statement said that the The organisers listed a series organisers were staging a “dig- of potential problems if it went ital” tour on the same dates ahead. and that 17 professional teams These included the “sup- had signed up. port from the army and police Cycling is in shutdown until for the safe execution of the the end of May, with the Tour event,” travel restrictions for de France still due to start on teams from other countries June 27.

GOLF US Women’s Open

England head coach Eddie Jones (centre) during a warm up session in Edinburgh, Scotland, on February 8, 2020. (Reuters) postponed to December

AFP whelmed by a rampant South Africa in Australia and New Zealand forecasting is set to lose up to 50 million pounds AFP year.” Twickenham the fi nal. The often outspoken Jones said losses. But Sweeney said the crisis had led ($61.89 million) over the next 18 months. Los Angeles The US Women’s Open is England had to win the World Cup to be to enhanced co-operation from countries Jones, who signed a new England con- the third women’s major of considered a great side. on both sides of the Equator rather than tract until the 2023 World Cup on Thurs- the season to be aff ected by ddie Jones has said his ambition of “We want to become one of those teams the traditional friction. day, told reporters on a teleconference call he US Women’s Open the Covid-19 pandemic. watching cricket in the Caribbean where people remember how you play for “What’s come out of this is an agree- the RFU’s executive team set the tone by Championship has The ANA Inspiration at Ewill have to wait after he signed a period of time, that’s the ache I have as a ment between all the unions — north and immediately agreeing to the pay reduction Tbeen shunted from Rancho Mirage, California up for a fresh crack at winning the coach,” he explained. south (hemisphere) and World Rugby to proposal. June to December be- was due to have taken place World Cup with England. “The test of greatness is to do it con- really start with a blank sheet of paper,” “I was really pleased with how decisive cause of the coronavirus pan- this weekend but was post- When he became England coach af- sistently. With that comes results. If we’re said Sweeney. “When you have a crisis of they were and it was easy to make a deci- demic, the United States Golf poned until September amid ter the 2015 World Cup, the Australian, a the greatest team then a World Cup medal this nature and scale — and I don’t think sion to follow that,” said the Australian. Association confi rmed yester- coronavirus fears. lifelong cricket fan, said he planned to be is probably sitting in front of us. anybody could have predicted anything of “It’s a small thing that you do person- day. And the Evian Champi- watching cricket in the West Indies when “Our goal hasn’t changed at all from this magnitude — it does highlight where ally to ensure that we can get through In the latest disruption onships in France has been his initial four-year deal was up. what I stated at the start of this cycle and you have fault lines. “A lot of conversa- the next period of time and part of that is to the beleaguered women’s moved from its original July But having fi rst extended until 2021, it it will continue to be the same. tions now are around ‘how do we come taking that salary cut.” With the excep- circuit, the June 4-7 tourna- 23-26 slot to August 6-9. was announced Thursday the 60-year- “I want a team that plays the perfect out of this and emerge stronger?’ tion of the Premiership, the RFU has con- ment to be staged at Champi- The LPGA Tour has been on old has committed himself to taking Eng- game of rugby and I want a team that can “We don’t want to just come back in fi rmed the end of the 2019-20 season for ons Golf Club in Houston will a hiatus since February, with land all the way to the 2023 World Cup in be remembered as a great team.” and carry on with the same model, that the second-tier Championship, women’s now be held from December several events in Thailand, France. just repeats the errors and the diffi culties Premier 15s and the community game due 10-13. Singapore, China and the Asked what had happened to his dream ‘BLANK SHEET’ of the past.” to the pandemic. “The USGA remains com- United States all cancelled or of watching from the boundary edge in the Meanwhile, Rugby Football Union chief Despite facing the heavy losses, the mitted to hosting the US postponed. West Indies, Jones said in a conference call executive Bill Sweeney believes the coro- PAY CUT A SMALL SACRIFICE RFU said it would provide a 7 million Women’s Open in 2020,” The coronavirus has also from Japan: “That is going to have wait a navirus outbreak could lead to a radical England coach Eddie Jones says agree- pounds ($8.3 million) relief package to USGA chief executive Mike wreaked havoc with men’s bit, mate.” shake-up of the global game. ing to a pay cut during the coronavirus community clubs. Jones said both ama- Davis said in a statement. golf, with the US Masters Jones, Australia’s coach when they lost With international rugby union brought shutdown was an easy decision to make teur and professional clubs would suff er “Our priority remains en- and PGA Championship to England in the 2003 World Cup fi nal, to a standstill by the spread of Covid-19, because safeguarding English Rugby’s fu- fi nancially during the period. suring the safety of all in- postponed and doubts swirl- was 80 minutes away from seeing his cur- concerns are mounting that major unions ture is the priority. “So we’ve got to make sure that what- volved with the US Women’s ing around the fate of the US rent side lift the trophy in Japan last year and clubs could go out of business in the Jones accepted a salary deduction of ever form Rugby takes post-coronavirus Open, while still providing Open, scheduled to take place after a thrilling semi-fi nal defeat of New months ahead, with USA Rugby fi ling for over 25% to help ease the fi nancial burden it’s in a stronger state than it was previ- the world’s best players the in June in New York and the Zealand, only for England to be over- bankruptcy protection and the likes of on the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which ously,” he added. opportunity to compete this British Open in July.

Saturday, April 4, 2020 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETICS Joshua’s heavyweight title defence postponed Farah has no qualms AFP London over Olympics delay

AFP was preferable to trying to fi t in nthony Joshua’ world heavy- London an Olympics without suffi cient weight title defence against training time and warm-up rac- Amandatory challenger Kubrat es. Pulev has been offi cially post- ritish distance great Mo “In a way we could have been poned due to the coronavirus outbreak, Farah has insisted he in a far worse situation, there are promoters Matchroom Sport announced Bstill intends to compete no races leading up to it, athletes yesterday. at the Tokyo Olympics can’t test themselves,” he said. The British champion was due to put even though they have been de- “I would probably need about his WBA, IBF, WBO and IBO belts up layed a year by the coronavirus. six, seven, eight races before- for grabs against Bulgarian challenger Last week saw the 2020 Games hand to see what kind of shape Pulev at the Tottenham Hotspur Sta- postponed due to the global out- I am in,” explained Farah. “It is dium in London on June 20. break of Covid-19 and will now what it is and it gives us another But the global spread of Covid-19 has take place from July 23-August year of preparation. put paid to a bout on that date. 8, 2021. “At the moment, nobody is “Anthony Joshua’s defence of his Farah will have celebrated his thinking about that. I am still IBF, WBA, WBO and IBO heavyweight 38th birthday by the time of the running every day, just trying to world titles against mandatory chal- rescheduled Games and there get through this crisis time. lenger Kubrat Pulev scheduled to take are concerns that athletes who “It is not just sport, it is aff ect- place at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadi- had planned to be in peak form ing everything we do. It is a dif- um on Saturday June 20 has been post- this year may not reach the same fi cult situation for everyone and poned,” said a Matchroom statement. heights in 12 months’ time. particularly for the older people, “A new date for the event promoted But the four-time Olympic the more vulnerable. by Matchroom Boxing and 258 Man- gold medallist backed the post- “We just have to stay together, agement in association with Top Rank ponement and was adamant it stay strong. We just have to get and Epic Sports Entertainment is cur- would not aff ect his ability to through this. It is a test for eve- rently being worked on. compete. rywhere in the world and it is “We will announce any updates in “The Olympics was about the growing.” due course and continue to explore the last thing to get cancelled. In a Farah has faced repeated ques- possibility of hosting this fi ght at the way obviously it’s disappoint- tions about his relationship with Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.” ing it has been cancelled but I am former coach Alberto Salazar, This is the second time Pulev has glad it has been cancelled,” Farah who was given a four-year ban missed out on the chance to face Joshua Anthony Joshua (left) and Kubrat Pulev during a press conference in Cardiff , Britain, on September 11, 2017. (Reuters) told Talksport radio yesterday. from athletics in October for after a shoulder injury forced him out Farah, who won Olympics gold doping violations, although of a world title bout in October 2017. be one of the most eagerly anticipated complete his trilogy with Deontay to face Pulev who is with Bob Arum and in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres there is no suggestion of wrong- contests in British boxing history. Wilder later in 2020, having dethroned there is a deal to be done. A lot depends at both the London 2012 and doing by the Somali-born run- FURY PREFERENCE Hearn, while open to the possibility the American in February, but Hearn on Deontay Wilder.” Joshua suff ered a Rio 2016 Games, added a delay ner. Earlier yesterday, Eddie Hearn, Josh- of the Pulev fi ght being postponed until is hopeful some negotiations could be shock seventh-round defeat by Andy ua’s promoter, said his champion’s lone the end of July warned any further de- possible. Ruiz Jr at New York’s Madison Square contest of 2020 might be with Tyson lay could see a change of plan. “The situation is a little bit out of our Garden in June last year that saw him Fury in a world unifi cation bout if the “If it starts kicking on beyond that, hands,” he said. “If Bob Arum and Al relinquish several world titles. spread of Covid-19 means he only has you get to a situation where if Joshua Haymon (Fury and Wilder’s promoters) But his last bout saw the 30-year-old time for one bout this year. is only going to box once this year he’d can talk and make Deontay Wilder wait Joshua avenge that loss and regain his A clash with compatriot Fury, the like it to be against Tyson Fury,” Hearn a little bit we would love to go into that belts with a victory over Ruiz in Saudi WBC heavyweight champion would told Sky Sports. Fury is expected to fi ght next. “We are contractually bound Arabia in December.

CRICKET

Haircuts and horses – File photo of British athlete Mo Farah trains at home in Surrey, Britain. (Reuters)

MOTORSPORT players make most of MotoGP off ers teams fi nancial support in virus-hit season

Reuters pean countries most aff ected by coronavirus lockdown London the Covid-19 pandemic. “Through the International Kohli has sent out a number of video messages telling people to stay indoors Road-Racing Teams Association otoGP announced (IRTA), MotoGP independent AFP fi nancial measures teams will each receive consid- New Delhi Myesterday to help in- erable advance payments during dependent teams and the months of April, May and those in the Moto2 and Moto3 June, irrespective of whether rom Virat Kohli having categories weather the novel activity is restarted or not,” the his hair cut by his Bol- coronavirus crisis. series said in a statement. Flywood wife, to Ravin- The MotoGP season has yet to “This is in order to guarantee dra Jadeja on a stallion, get going with the opener in Qa- the economic well-being of the India’s superstar cricketers are tar on March 8 cancelled and a independent teams and their making the most of their en- string of successive races post- staff , as well as to secure their forced break during the national poned. subsistence for the future.” coronavirus lockdown. The next race on the calendar MotoGP said IRTA had already At a time when the Indian that has yet to be called off is the made payments to all Moto2 and Premier League (IPL) would Italian Grand Prix at Mugello Moto3 teams. normally be in full swing, Kohli on May 31, but that also looks Moto2 and Moto3, the step- has sent out a number of video unlikely to go ahead as planned ping stones to the top MotoGP messages telling people to stay given the situation in the coun- category, were able to hold races indoors to stop the spread of the try. in Qatar because their riders virus. Italy and Spain, where a ma- were already there for a pre- But the tweet that got the jority of the riders and teams season test before travel restric- most media coverage and come from, are the two Euro- tions were imposed. “likes”, more than 100,000, was one posted by his actress wife Anushka Sharma of her cutting her style-icon husband’s hair. England stars donate £500k to good causes At the same time Kohli, 31, has been chatting live on Insta- England’s centrally contracted from the ECB as a star performer gram with former England star cricketers have agreed to make in red and white ball cricket, Kevin Pietersen “about what’s an “initial donation” of £500,000 should accept a salary reduction happening world over at the ($612,000) in response to the as well. moment and also about all the financial crisis engulfing the game “Following a meeting today of all years we’ve known each other”. as a result of the coronavirus of the England men’s centrally Elite cricketers have a relent- outbreak. contracted cricketers, the players less travel schedule and while Yesterday’s statement issued have agreed to make an initial the lockdown is tough for many, by the Professional Cricketers’ donation of £0.5million to the ECB Australia coach Justin Langer Association, the players’ union, and to selected good causes,” said said it was “nirvana” for his came just days after the England a statement issued by the PCA on players to have an extended and Wales Cricket Board said behalf of England’s Player Partner- break at home. Jadeja has been chief executive Tom Harrison had ship group. “The precise details able to indulge his love of hors- volunteered to take a 25 percent of the charitable donation will es, posting a video of himself In this file photo taken on January 07, 2019, Virat Kolhi and his wife Anushka Sharma walking on the field as they celebrate India’s Test series pay cut. be decided over the next week riding a white stallion. The all- win against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. (AFP) Tuesday saw Harrison unveil the by the players.” The statement rounder was also seen sprinting ECB’s £61 million ($76 million) added the contribution was the topless on a treadmill. are keeping the house clean and and daughter were displayed 1,965 confi rmed coronavirus land in the one-day rankings aid package in response to the “equivalent of all of the England Paceman Jasprit Bumrah, fa- my mother very happy. (P.s — on the BCCI page. “The Pujara cases and 50 deaths, pursues a and lie fourth in the T20 chart. spread of Covid-19 which has seen centrally contracted players tak- mous for his lethal sling-arm I had to do everything again family is spending some qual- 21-day lockdown which started The lockdown in the country the start of the English season ing a 20 percent reduction in their action, is contenting himself without the slippers.),” the ity time home. Some household on March 25. Sanjay Manjrekar of 1.3bn has left hundreds of delayed until May 28 and placed monthly retainers for the next with watering plants, and us- 26-year-old wrote on Twitter chores & fun time with the little posted a video of him cutting thousands of India’s poor sud- question marks over the future three months”. That 20 percent ing “this time to refl ect on the along with the video. one. Stay Home Stay Safe,” the vegetables, complete with a denly jobless, prompting many of lucrative incoming tours by figure is significant because al- aspects of my life that are truly post said. running commentary. of them to walk sometimes the West Indies, Pakistan and though Harrison, who has warned important and picking up some ‘MOST AMAZING TIME’ Fast bowler Mohammed Sha- The IPL, cricket’s biggest hundreds of miles back to their Australia. a season without any cricket at all new hobbies along the way”. The Board of Control for Cricket mi is “having the most amaz- Twenty20 league, is offi cially home villages. But with the ECB placing some could cost the ECB a whopping With many rich and middle- in India (BCCI), which donated ing time” with his dog Jack and postponed until April 15 but it “Our hearts are breaking administrative staff on the British £300 million, said there were no class Indians now forced to do $6.8mn to the prime minister’s opening batsman Shikhar Dha- is widely expected to be either looking at the suff ering of so government’s reduced pay job plans to enforce a pay cut on play- the housework themselves be- coronavirus relief fund, has also wan posted a skit of him doing pushed back further, severely many & we hope our contribu- retention furlough scheme, ques- ers, a letter from him to PCA chief cause their domestic staff can’t kept its Twitter account active household chores while getting truncated or cancelled alto- tion, in some way, helps easing tions were raised over whether executive Tony Irish, leaked to the get to work, Bumrah also posted with the news of the players orders from his wife. gether. the pain of our fellow citizens,” the likes of Test captain Joe Root ESPNCricinfo website, showed a video of him mopping a fl oor during curfew. Cricket commentators have In international cricket, India Kohli tweeted, adding that the and all-rounder Ben Stokes, who him asking the players to accept a — less than successfully. Pictures of Test batsman also kept the humour alive with top the ICC Test championship couple were donating to relief earns close to a £1 million a year 20 percent cut. AFP “My modifi ed mobility drills Cheteshwar Pujara with his wife witty posts as India, which has table, are second behind Eng- funds.