UK govt authorises return of live sport

British government has approved the return of domestic competitive sport behind closed doors from June 1. Major professional competitions have been shut down since March because of the coronavirus.

But Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Oliver Dowden, issuing the government’s ‘phase three’ guidance, said on Saturday, “The wait is over. Live British sport will shortly be back on in safe and carefully controlled environments.”

SRI LANKA, SOUTH AFRICA TO TRAIN

A select group of Sri Lanka cricketers, mainly bowlers, will return to training on Monday, amid efforts to restart the game after the coronavirus shutdown, the cricket board said on Sunday.

On Saturday, South Africa also allowed training and playing of professional non-contact sport, a decision welcomed by its cricket board. “This is a big boost for the operational side of our cricket,” Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) acting CEO Jacques Faul said.

‘CRICKET UNDER NEW

ICC GUIDELINES WEIRD’

Lanka great Kumar Sangakkara says it will look “really weird” and “off-putting” to play cricket under the strict guidelines laid down by the ICC but he understands that there is no better option. “I understand the guidelines are going to restrict players, playing of the game, it’s going to look really weird, and off-putting even for me when I think about it,” he said on Star Sports’ ‘Cricket Connected’.

AUSTRIA GIVES GO-AHEAD TO F1 RACES

Formula One can start its season in Austria with two races behind closed doors on July 5 and 12, the country’s health ministry said. Formula One is expected to publish a revamped calendar next week with a race in Hungary, also without spectators, following on from Austria.