THE HIMALAYAN MAIL JAMMU Q FRIDAY Q DECEMBER 25, 2020 11 How Paine, Cummins Melbourne on standby as changed their views on racism COVID wreaks havoc in Sydney NEW DELHI, DEC NEW DELHI, DEC 24: The Melbourne 24: Australia Test skipper Cricket Ground has been Tim Paine said he was liv- placed on standby if Aus- ing with "his head in the tralia are unable to play sand" before the Black the third Test against In- Lives Movement while his dia in Sydney following a deputy Pat Cummins ad- fresh coronavirus out- mitted to making hurtful break in New South Wales, 'one liners' to players of Cricket Australia (CA) said colour that he now regrets. on Thursday. Paine said he didn't think The third Test venue has a lot about the issue of been the subject of debate racism as it didn't affect after a new community him, adding that the BLM outbreak emerged in Syd- has shifted his perspective. ney's northern beach sub- "Mine has only shifted in urbs late last week. the last 12 months since the CA interim chief execu- whole Black Lives Matter tive Nick Hockley, how- thing started to take off," ever, said on Thursday Paine was quoted as saying they intended to play the by ESPNCricinfo. Jan. 7-11 game in Sydney "I was probably someone but would move it to Mel- who, if I am totally honest, bourne if required. A deci- rates, we have strong con- working with the Queens- process for the board. had my head in the sand a said the wrong thing there. I out but without making spective about racism and sion would be made dur- tingency plans in place," land state government on "I know there's a lot of little bit and because it don't believe that, I don't scene. Indigenous culture. ing the second test at the Hockley said in a state- exemptions to enable work being done. I know probably wasn't a part of know why I've said that, "I've heard a few throw- "The biggest shift I have MCG. ment.The number of new players, match officials, that is incredibly com- my world I didn't have it as a and I hate how I've made away lines in the gym or at had in the past year or so is The fourth Test at Bris- COVID-19 cases in Syd- broadcasters, media and plex," he told reporters on ney rose to 100 on Thurs- staff to move from Sydney Thursday. big issue." that person feel'," the pacer training over the years. The just around our Indigenous bane's Gabba ground day. Australia's most pop- to Brisbane following the "It's not just a matter of "That's really opened my added. simple thing is to call it out," culture here in Australia," from Jan. 15 would then ulous city has been third Test if the border saying, 'oh, that sounds eyes to things and issues The 36-year-old Paine Paine said. Cummins said. go ahead as scheduled. virtually isolated from the was still closed. like a good idea': there's our Indigenous people, said he has spoken to his "For me it is just going "Obviously at school you "The record testing numbers and the drop in rest of the country with Australia coach Justin broadcasters, so many black people and people of teammates about their ex- over to them, rather than learn a little bit about it, I state border closures or Langer, who is preparing stakeholders who are part all sort of different cultures periences and that has making a big scene over it, remember reading about new community trans- missions in NSW have mandatory 14-day quar- his team for their second of the decision." around the world go helped him gather a better which can make the situa- the Stolen Generation, provided cause for opti- antine for Sydney ar- Test at the MCG, ac- "I'm sure (the CA board) through." understanding. tion worse for the person small parts; the mism, however if the sit- rivals. knowledged that it was will come up with the right When asked how he "But since this has sort of that's had the comment boomerang, the didgeridoo, uation in Sydney deterio- Hockley added CA were not an easy decision or decision for the game." counselled youngsters to got going I have taken time made to." dream time, but never re- handle racism, Cummins to speak to teammates -- "Tap them on the shoul- ally in depth. It was always said: "Just taking that extra whether it's in Tasmania or der and let them know the 'that's the past', that's what second to think about what Hurricanes or club cricket - comment has probably that culture was, not that it you say or do. You might try - about how they feel about been hurtful and harmful to still exists." Lot of onus on Rahane, says to throw in a joke and I've it and how it affects them." the person it was aimed at. A "But the biggest shift for definitely done this in the "For me my learning has quiet conversation and me was Dark Emu. It past." come from speaking to make them aware it is not shifted my perspective. I Gambhir ahead of 2nd Test "You say a little one liner teammates, understanding on and make sure they have such huge admiration or something off the top of more how it affects them speak to the person it was and respect for the history. NEW DELHI, DEC paternity leave, and pre- your head and then just and how I can help them aimed at." Australia has all this history 24: India had taken a vital mier pacer Mohammed making sure you actually through that." Cummins said reading I didn't even know about a 53-run first-innings lead af- Shami, who was ruled out reflect on that and go actu- Paine said the best way to the book Dark Emu has year ago and I feel real ter the second day's play be- of the series due to a frac- ally 'that's not me' or 'I've deal with racism is to call it provided him a new per- proud to be an Aussie." fore being bundled out for tured arm, in the second their lowest-ever score of 36 Test which is due to start on day three to eventually on Saturday. lose the series opener by "So, there is a lot of onus Is Ashwin being punished eight wickets. on Ajinkya Rahane, plus India had taken a vital 53- Mohammad Shami will not run first-innings lead after be there. There will be a lot the second day's play before of onus on what combina- for being outspoken? being bundled out for their tion they go with," Gamb- NEW DELHI, DEC 24: asked to stay on for the lowest-ever score of 36 on hir said. Sunil Gavaskar says (Australia) Test series but day three to eventually lose Earlier, Gambhir had Ravichandran Ashwin has not as a part of the team, the series opener by eight said that India would do suffered within the Indian but as a net bowler,' wickets. Star Sports show 'Cricket time they won't have their well to enter the second team because of his forth- Gavaskar wrote. "They need to remember Connected'. best player Virat Kohli with Test with five bowlers and rightness. 'He will thus return that they actually domi- "They will be hurt about them; their captain," make Rahane bat at the No 'For far too long Ashwin home only after the series nated the first two days, the one session – but again Gambhir added. 4 position. He had also bat- has suffered not for his ends in the third week of they were ahead in the they need to remember India will be without ted for KL Rahul, Rishabh bowling ability of which January and get to see his game throughout the first that there are three Test their talismanic skipper Vi- Pant and Shubman Gill's in- only the churlish will have daughter for the first time two days," Gambhir said on matches and at the same rat Kohli, who has gone on clusion in the playing XI. doubts, but for his forth- then. And there is the cap- rightness and speaking his tain going back after the mind at meetings where first Test for the birth of Empathise with Indians but I am most others just nod even if his first child,' Gavaskar they don't agree, Gavaskar wrote. wrote in his latest column in rules seem to be different,' getting paternity leaves. 'A match winner, albeit Sportstar magazine. the cricket legend added. Natarajan became a fa- in another format, being glad if they are stressed: Langer Gavaskar slammed the ther while playing the IPL Any other country would asked to be a net bowler. NEW DELHI, DEC Indian team management, for the Sunrisers Hyder- welcome a bowler who has He will thus return home 24: Australia chief coach stating that there are 'differ- abad. He is yet to see his more than 350 Test wickets only after the series ends in Justin Langer can em- ent rules for different play- new-born daughter as he and not to forget four Test the third week of January pathise with the Indian ers' in the dressing room. travelled directly to Aus- match centuries, too. How- and get to see his daughter team after the 36-run Citing the example of left- tralia and made his inter- ever, if Ashwin doesn't take for the first time then.' shocker it endured in Ade- arm pacer Thangarasu national debut thereafter.