Dravid doubts bio-secure environment
Former India captain Rahul Dravid feels the ambition to resume cricket in a bio-secure environment is “unrealistic”, giving a thumbs down to the concept primarily floated by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). The ECB recently announced that it would have in place bio-secure venues to host Pakistan and the West Indies later this summer.
“It is a bit unrealistic to have things at the level, the ECB is talking about. Obviously, the ECB is very keen to conduct these series because they have had no other cricket...,” Dravid said during a webinar conducted in support of YUVA, a non-profit organisation.
“Even if they are potentially able to create a bubble and manage it in that way, I think it will be impossible for everyone to do it with the kind of calendar that we have, with the travelling that you do on tours and the number of people involved,” he added. ‘DHONI SHOWED NO INTENT IN WC GAME’
Ben Stokes was baffled by India’s run-chasing strategy during their World Cup game last year in which he saw “no intent” from MS Dhoni during the chase.
In his book ‘On Fire’, Stokes has written, “Arguably, the way MS Dhoni played when he came in with 112 runs needed from 11 overs was even stranger. He appeared more intent on singles than sixes. Even with a dozen balls remaining, India could still have won... there was little or no intent from him (Dhoni) or his partner Kedar Jadhav. To me, while victory is still possible you always go for broke.”
SALIVA BAN: STARC FEARS LOSS OF CONTEST
Banning the usage of saliva to shine the cricket ball might lead to a waning of interest in the sport, Australia fast bowler Mitchell Starc has said.
“That contest between bat and ball, we don’t want to lose that or get further away from that even contest. So there needs to be something in place to keep that ball swinging,” Starc said.
CORONAVIRUS COULD BANKRUPT GERMAN FA
The coronavirus crisis could “potentially threaten” existence of the German Football Association (DFB), its treasurer Stephan Osnabruegge warned on Monday. “The DFB is in the deepest economic crisis of the recent past,” said Osnabruegge at the German FA’S virtual meeting. He said “far-reaching cuts” must be made to avoid a worst-case scenario, which would see the DFB receiving €96.5 million less than planned this year, resulting in a forecasted loss of €77 million.
WADA TO TEST MORE TO FILL ANTI-DOPING ‘GAPS’
World Anti-doping Agency says the Covid-19 pandemic may have harmed the fight for clean sport and that “additional targeted testing” was being planned to eliminate gaps as competition resumes. Athletes have expressed concern about reductions in testing and urged clarity from authorities about the validity of test results during the global sports shutdown.
HOLYFIELD OPEN TO THIRD TYSON FIGHT
Evander Holyfield has said he is open to facing one-time rival Mike Tyson in a trilogy fight for charity on the condition that Tyson asks for the bout to be set up. “If I ask him it’s almost like me being a bully saying I want to go against somebody I’ve beaten twice,” Holyfield told the BBC.