Virus hits PL spending, lowest in almost a decade
LONDON: Premier League clubs spent just £70 million ($96 million) during the January transfer window as the coronavirus pandemic hit budgets—the lowest total in the winter window since 2012.
The outlay was dramatically down on last season’s £230 million outlay, which came shortly before Covid-19 pandemic swept across Europe. Manchester United’s Amad Diallo, Aston Villa new boy Morgan Sanson and West Brom pair Mbaye Diagne and Robert Snodgrass were among the handful of high-profile permanent signings. Liverpool borrowed much-needed defensive cover in the form of Schalke’s Ozan Kabak, along with a lowcost permanent deal for Preston’s Ben Davies.
Despite just £7 million being spent on deadline day, down from £25 million a year earlier, January’s business took Premier League spending for the season to £1.4 billion.
Aus postpone SA tour, all but out of WTC final
SYDNEY: Australia on Tuesday postponed their tour of South Africa next month citing “unacceptable health and safety risk” in that country because of a fresh Covid-19 outbreak, a decision that virtually knocks them out of contention from the World Test Championship final later this year.
Cricket South Africa (CSA) expressed its “extreme disappointment” and frustration after the Australian team withdrew from the tour of threetest series, and said it will have serious financial implications. It ensured New Zealand’s qualification in the final. For Australia to have a chance, India and England will need to draw at least twice in their four-test series.
Nadal pulls out; Djoko off to flying start
MELBOURNE: Rafael Nadal didn’t make it for Spain’s ATP Cup opener because of a sore back, deciding it wasn’t worth the risk a week ahead of the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic did doubletime for defending champion Serbia, meanwhile, winning singles and doubles matches Tuesday to ensure a 2-1 comeback win over Canada. Third-ranked Naomi Osaka won her opening match in the Gippsland Trophy, beating Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2. Osaka, who won the US Open last year and the Australian Open in 2019, will next face No. 371ranked Katie Boulter, who upset No. 14 Coco Gauff 3-6, 7-5, 6-2.
French Open champion Iga Swiatek later recovered from a set down to beat Slovenia’s Kaja Juvan 2-6 6-2 6-1.
Meanwhile, Roger Federer announced he is aiming to play his first tournament after two knee surgeries and more than a
year out in Doha next month.
Mumbai City look to bounce back
MUMBAI: Table-toppers Mumbai City FC will be eager to bounce back from their defeat against Northeast United FC when they take on Kerala Blasters in the Indian Super League on Wednesday.
“We knew this situation was possible because it is practically impossible to not lose any game during the season. We lost the first game to Northeast. Never before during the same season has one team gone 12 games unbeaten,” said Mumbai head coach Sergio Lobera.
In Tuesday’s match, Bengaluru FC rode on Cleiton Silva’s 11th-minute strike and an owngoal from Debjit Majumder to beat SC East Bengal 2-0.
MCA announces teams for selection matches
MUMBAI: The Mumbai Cricket Association (MCA) on Tuesday announced three teams of 13 players each ahead for the selection matches to be held from February 4 to 6. The team for the Vijay Hazare Trophy will be selected at the end of these matches.
Suryakumar Yadav will lead Team A, Shivam Dube has been named captain of Team B and Prithvi Shaw will guide team Team C. Vishal Mahadik, Rajesh Pawar and Wilkin Mota will coach Team A, B and C respectively. The first match on Thursday will be held at the MCA BKC ground while the next two matches will be held at the Wankhede Stadium. The MCA had announced 104 probables but the list was pruned down to 39 on Tuesday.