PALERMO OPEN: PLAYER TESTS COVID POSITIVE

MILAN: A player has tested positive for coronavirus at the WTA Palermo Open, which marks the tennis season’s resumption after a five-month break, the WTA and organisers confirmed on Saturday. The unnamed player, who did not have any symptoms of COVID-19, has withdrawn from the tournament which gets underway in Sicily on August 3. “The effectiveness of the protocols and related controls allowed us to intercept a positive case among the players who arrived in Palermo,” said Professor Antonio Cascio, the tournament’s Anti-covid Consultant.

SA tours of Windies, Sri Lanka postponed

JOHANNESBURG: Cricket South Africa’s (CSA) director of cricket Graeme Smith said the Proteas’ tours of West Indies and Sri Lanka have been postponed due to the pandemic. Smith added the national team is expected to be back in action in Nov. Last week, Cricket West Indies chief executive Johnny Grave had expressed his board’s interest to host South Africa for either a five-match T20I series or a two-test rubber in September. However, Smith said there is no time to slot a tour to the Caribbean as several South African players will be heading to play in the IPL.

Magic forward Isaac stands for anthem

FLORIDA: Orlando Magic forward Jonathan Isaac, an ordained minister, became the first NBA player not to kneel during the national anthem since the league restarted Thursday. Isaac, who is Black, also was the first NBA player not to don a Black Lives Matter shirt during the playing of “The Star-spangled Banner.” Ahead of the Magic’s 128-118 victory over the Brooklyn Nets, Isaac stood amid his kneeling teammates while wearing his No.1 Orlando uniform top. Ahead of one of the later games, San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich stood for the anthem.