PORT ELIZABETH: Sunil Gavaskar, a terrific raconteur, loves telling the story of an India-Pakistan Test match from 1979, with the suave Dilip Doshi bowling to Javed Miandad, cricket’s ultimate streetfighter. Miandad spoke with a lisp, and he drove the mild-mannered Doshi to the brink of apoplexy by repeatedly asking him: “What’s your room number?”
When the increasingly agitated Doshi finally took the bait and asked him why he wanted to know, Miandad quipped: “I want to know so I can hit the ball as far as your hotel room.” Even the Indian fielders laughed.
But sledging, or “mental disintegration” as Steve Waugh preferred to call it, has seldom been a funny affair. For every droll Miandad, you will find dozens of others who did nothing more than abuse their fellow professionals, often in the vilest terms. Slurs based on race, religion, sexuality and much else were not acted upon, and mainly because there were no stump microphones back then to capture these exchanges.
The recent first Test between South Africa and Australia in Durban saw another sledging controversy, with David Warner in the thick of it. During the course of Quinton de Kock’s battling second-innings knock of 83, the South African camp alleged that he was called a “bushpig,” and that his mother and sister were brought into the conversation as well. De Kock apparently responded with jibes about Warner’s wife, Candice, and alluded to a tryst she had with Sonny Bill Williams, the All Blacks rugby player, a decade ago.
Tim Paine, the Australian wicketkeeper, was vehement in his assertion that his team had not got personal with the exchanges. “We were trying to make it an uncomfortable place for Quinton to bat, no doubt, but we didn’t cross the line. We spoke about cricket stuff and a few little things with his fitness. Our stuff is the way we’ve always played our cricket.
“Certainly it’s hard, and we like to make them feel uncomfortable out there. But we don’t cross the line and bring people’s wives and family into the cricket game. And we’ll continue to do that for as long as we play.”
But that is the thing. Who decides what this mythical line in the sand is? A jibe about weight could be as hurtful to some as a comment about their partner. The minute you abuse someone, and there is little doubt that de Kock has copped more than his fair share of fruity language, you lose the right to complain when they respond as they see fit.
What has not helped the toxic atmosphere around some high-profile matches is the utterly reprehensible behavior of cricket boards and officials who should know so much better. At the end of the Ashes series last January, the backdrop for the presentation had an Australian hand with four raised fingers (to symbolize four Test wins) and an English one with a clenched fist, denoting zero. Apparently, Cricket Australia’s marketing team had prepared an Aussie hand with three outstretched fingers as well, in case the scoreline was 3-0.
Crass and pathetic does not even begin to describe it. The same words could be used to describe the behavior of two Cricket South Africa officials, who thought it was fine to pose for a picture next to fans sporting Sonny Bill Williams masks. And this was at a game that Candice Warner was attending with her two small daughters.
Back in 2014, India’s tour of England went south largely because of MS Dhoni’s preoccupation with the James Anderson-Ravindra Jadeja off-field altercation at Trent Bridge. Without actionable proof, Anderson could not be punished, but many Indian players supported their captain’s hard-line stance because they were so sick of the relentless barrage of abuse from Anderson. There were no humorous asides; it was just one foul-mouthed quip after another.
But things were not much better 20 or 30 years ago — one only has to cast their mind back to Craig McDermott against the West Indies, or the Glenn McGrath-Ramnaresh Sarwan saga. And stump microphones and social media these days put such behavior center stage. And if players cannot agree on where the line between banter and abuse lies, the best option is to simply shut it down, and start issuing cards as in football each time a Warner or de Kock gets too mouthy.
“We invented sledging,” wrote Peter Fitzsimons, the Australian journalist. “It turned into a toxic boomerang. It started 50 years ago. It shames our national name and we have to stop it.
“What also needs to happen is Steve Smith, the Australian captain and James Sutherland, the CEO of Cricket Australia, have to say, ‘Listen to me. Hear me and hear me well, we are done, we are finished, no more sledging — finished.’”
We are not holding our breath though.
Behavior of South Africa and Australia should herald the end of the ‘dark art’ of sledging
Behavior of South Africa and Australia should herald the end of the ‘dark art’ of sledging
Newcastle boss Howe eager to hang onto goalkeeper Dubravka
- Newcastle manager Eddie Howe still hopes goalkeeper Martin Dubravka will stay at St. James’ Park beyond the end of the January transfer window
The in-form 35-year-old Slovakia international has been heavily linked with a move to Saudi Pro League side Al Shabab as he enters the final six months of his contract with the Magpies.
Dubravka has conceded just two goals in seven games in all competitions — all of them victories — while deputising for the injured Nick Pope during a run where Newcastle are closing in on a place in the English League Cup final and are fifth in the Premier League table.
“Martin’s been in a difficult situation,” Howe said Friday.
“Like any player that is coming out of contract in the summer, with every player that I’ve ever worked with, there’s always that feeling of doubt.
“He will naturally want some conclusion to his future, whether that’s a new contract with us, whatever the outcome. But he’s certainly played very well and I’ve been really pleased with him.
“He’s more than played his part in our recent run of fixtures. Again against Arsenal (a 2-0 win in the first leg of a League Cup semifinal), I thought he was very, very good, so hopefully we can come to some sort of agreement with him.”
Dubravka was seen to be in tears following the conclusion of Tuesday’s game against Arsenal, in what many observers interpreted as a farewell to Newcastle.
He was signed by former Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez, initially on loan, in January 2018, but has largely been a back-up to England international Pope for the last two-and-a-half years, a period which included a loan spell at Manchester United.
But he has shown his value in recent weeks with Howe, who must decide whether or not to rest Dubravka for Sunday’s FA Cup third-round tie against fourth-tier Bromley, saying: “I know how much Newcastle means to him and you can see that emotionally, he’s very invested.
“Of course, all those things will be playing a part in his decision-making and our decision-making and hopefully there’s a successful outcome at the end.”
Newcastle have been linked with a move for Burnley’s England under-21 international James Trafford should Dubravka move on.
And Howe refused to say whether Pope, who is back in training, remained his first-choice goalkeeper.
“It’s always in a state of flux,” he said. “It’s always changing and moving because that’s down to the player’s performances.”
Manuel Neuer set to return in goal for depleted Bayern as Jamal Musiala is out with illness
- Musiala hasn’t been training because of illness and now is confirmed to miss Bayern’s first league game of the new year
MUNICH: Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is set to return for Bayern Munich for the first time in more than a month in Saturday’s Bundesliga game against Borussia Moenchengladbach but Jamal Musiala will miss out.
The 38-year-old Neuer missed Bayern’s last four games of 2024 with a broken rib and wasn’t in the squad for a friendly against Salzburg on Monday, but now looks fully fit again, coach Vincent Kompany said Friday.
Neuer’s return for Bayern’s first league game of 2025 is all the more important after backup Daniel Peretz injured a kidney in a training incident on Wednesday. He’s expected to miss a few weeks, Kompany said.
Kompany confirmed Musiala, who hadn’t been training because of illness, won’t be available Saturday for the German league leader.
Among several other absences are midfielder João Palhinha, who hasn’t played since early November with an adductor muscle tear, and defender Dayot Upamecano, who’s serving a one-game Bundesliga suspension for five yellow cards.
Sowter, Hose shine for Desert Vipers in warm-up match against Gulf Giants ahead of DP World ILT20 start
- Vipers’ win sees team easily surpass Giants’ total of 125 at the ICC Academy in Dubai
DUBAI: Ahead of their opening match of the DP World ILT20 against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders on Sunday, the Desert Vipers produced an impressive performance against the Gulf Giants in a warm-up match played at the ICC Academy in Dubai.
The Giants batted first and were bowled out for 125, a target the Vipers chased down with ease to the extent that the two sides’ head coaches, James Foster of the Vipers and the Giants’ Andy Flower, agreed on a new target of 186. The Vipers fell just three runs short of that mark, but it was still an encouraging display
The Vipers bowling was highlighted by Nathan Sowter’s four for eight, while Dhruv Parashar and David Payne contributed with two wickets apiece. Speaking with the Vipers Voices podcast after the match, Sowter said he was pleased with what he delivered in match conditions.
“Yes, it was obviously a great start and it was nice to get a few wickets,” he said. “I was happy with how they came out and I hit my lengths quite well. It is nice to get a win for the boys and get the feeling of how we want the competition to go.”
Speaking about bowling in partnership with UAE finger-spinner Dhruv Parashar, Sowter said the duo worked well together and also used their time together after time in the field to discuss strategy ahead of the main competition.
“I think they (Gulf Giants) got off to a good start, and then we kind of just pegged them back a little bit. And then we started getting wickets and it happened quite quickly. I think we took maybe six wickets in three overs there.
“So, it put a bit of sting in the tail and that was nice. Dhruv bowled really well and we have had a few conversations after, about how we can go about things through the competition as well, either if we play together or if Dhruv plays with (Wanindu) Hasaranga.
“It is good to have those conversations because you can have days like this where you can learn a lot more than just getting a few wickets.”
Sowter added that he felt pleased with how preparations have gone ahead of Sunday’s opening encounter with the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders.
“It is going well,” he said. “I think the Vipers’ mantra is you get what you need (at training) and you get out of there.
“So, I think the boys are building up really nicely. I think, for myself, it is about making sure you do not overdo it. But you do not want to underdo it as well. And I think the coaching staff here give you a great mix of that and they allow you to take control of your own cricket. I think that helps players a lot, or it does help me a lot, to just pick and choose when I need to do what or how much I need to do.
“I feel like we have got a good mix of players who know each other, and have played a lot of cricket against each other or with each other. So, I think we will be all right going forward.”
Meanwhile on the batting side of things, Adam Hose was top scorer for the Vipers with 47 from 23 balls, including four fours and three sixes, and said he was glad to have put on a good show.
“Yes, it was a nice start to it, from a personal and a team’s perspective,” he said. “I think it is always tough to gauge where you are at, especially since I have not been here (in the UAE) too long.
“We have had a couple of really good outdoor sessions, but having not played much (after the English domestic season) prior to this competition, it is always fairly tough to know where you are.
“I think I just gave myself a little bit of a chance, faced a few balls, and then I felt like I got into my work, started picking the ball up early and seeing the length. Fortunately, a few came out the middle of the bat tonight.”
Hose was the Vipers’ top scorer last year in a pre-tournament practice match against the Dubai Capitals, but that came off the back of time in Australia at the Big Bash League with the Adelaide Strikers.
This time, the build-up has involved rest and reflection for the player, and he said he thought it had been a positive for him.
“(I am here) off the back of a little bit of time off back in England for New Year and Christmas which, to be honest with you, was really nice.
“I have just tried to focus, especially in the last two days, on the basics of what I know works well for me — that is having a good, strong base, tracking the ball for as long as possible and being as still as possible.
The Desert Vipers’ first match of the 2025 DP World ILT20 is on day two of the tournament, against the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders at Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
Former champs Medvedev and Rublev set for Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships return
- Lineup for the 2025 edition of the ATP 500 Event includes world No.8 Alex de Minaur, two-time Grand Slam finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas
DUBAI: The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships return on Feb. 16 with the 33rd edition of the ATP 500 tournament featuring some of the biggest names in the sport.
Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 champion, heads to Dubai after a challenging season in which he finished without a title for the first time since 2017. Currently ranked world No.5, the 28-year-old Russian boasts an impressive 20 career titles, including the 2021 US Open. Despite his year ending in defeat at the Nitto ATP Finals, Medvedev will hope to start 2025 on the right foot by reclaiming his crown.
Also playing will be Andrey Rublev, the 2022 champion who is currently the world No.9 after claiming two ATP titles in 2024, picking up trophies at the Madrid Open and Hong Kong Open. With 16 titles to his name, the 27-year-old stands as a strong contender for another successful campaign in Dubai.
“This year’s ATP 500 tournament is shaping up to be another memorable event, and we’re excited to welcome back former champions Medvedev and Rublev,” said Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free and chairman of the tournament’s organizing committee.
“This is the 25th year of the WTA week and the 33rd year for the ATP week. Over that time we have always had a fantastic line-up of players who provide the fans with a stellar fortnight of tennis and this year will be no exception.”
Adding to the men’s roster is Alex De Minaur, currently No.8 in the world. The 25-year-old Australian reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 in July 2024 and has secured nine ATP singles titles.
Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas, ranked No.11, brings additional firepower. The former world No.3’s career highlights include an ATP Finals victory and multiple Grand Slam final appearances, including the Australian Open and Roland Garros.
Completing the confirmed lineup is No.19 Karen Khachanov, a 28-year-old renowned for his performances in high-stakes matches. A former world No.8, Khachanov memorably defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2018 Paris Masters final to claim his biggest crown to date and reached the men’s singles final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.
Tournament Director Salah Tahlak, who is also deputy managing director of Dubai Duty Free, added: “Fans from across the globe will be treated to another fantastic edition of the ATP 500 tournament. With some of the top players already confirmed and more to be announced in the weeks ahead, we’re excited about the competitive level of this year’s event.”
Meanwhile, a star-studded Women’s Tennis Association lineup will see the world’s top 10 female players descend for the 25th Dubai women’s tournament. Defending champion Jasmine Paolini and the world’s top three players — Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, who won a third consecutive French Open in 2024, and Coco Gauff — lead an impressive pack.
The emirate’s long-standing tennis championships will again run as back-to-back competitions, with the WTA week getting under way on Feb. 16, followed immediately by the ATP event on Feb. 24.
‘Delighted’ to return to Abu Dhabi, says Team Cup director
- Graham Glynn spoke to Arab News about the reasons for hosting the Team Cup in Abu Dhabi, the players taking part, and event’s importance for Ryder Cup selection
ABU DHABI: The Team Cup, the UAE’s first major golf tournament of 2025, tees off in Abu Dhabi on Friday, as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against a Great Britain & Ireland team captained by Justin Rose.
Ahead of the match-play event, Arab News spoke with Team Cup Championship Director Graham Glynn, who looked ahead to the competition over the weekend at the Abu Dhabi Golf Resort.
The popularity of golf in the region continues to grow. What makes the Team Cup different to some of the other more established events?
There is no doubt that golf fans within the UAE are spoilt for choice when it comes to high-profile events.
In November, we enjoyed the inaugural DP World Tour Play-Offs, comprised of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship and DP World Tour Championship, while the New Year sees the return of the Hero Dubai Desert Classic.
While the Team Cup (formerly Hero Cup) is less established than those tournaments, what makes the event stand out from others is the match-play format, as opposed to the more traditional stroke-play format.
Match-play golf calls upon collective contributions and, in the Team Cup, every player will be involved in each session, making it the ultimate team test as Continental Europe, led by Francesco Molinari, aim to defend their title against Justin Rose’s Great Britain & Ireland.
While similar to the Ryder Cup, the format is not identical, with players paired up for the first two days, before the final-day singles against each other.
The collaborative element is something fans in the UAE won’t be used to watching in-person, and will undoubtedly make for some exciting and gripping action.
Why was Abu Dhabi Golf Resort selected as the host venue for the tournament?
We are blessed, here in the UAE, to have an array of elite-level golf courses all across the country, and there is certainly no shortage of options.
Abu Dhabi Golf Resort is one of the most impressive courses in the region and offers the perfect layout for match-play golf.
The venue opened over 20 years ago and boasts an illustrious history with tournament golf having played host to high-profile events down the years, including the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, while some of the biggest names in the sport have competed there.
From a logistical perspective, it’s a great venue due to the fact there is an on-site hotel, meaning players have the course and practice facilities on their doorstep, along with the world-renowned Falcon Clubhouse, which offers breathtaking views of the course.
Access for spectators, both in terms of getting to the course, and then moving around once on-site, is also fantastic, which is obviously hugely important for an event which will attract large numbers of fans.
Having hosted the Hero Cup at Abu Dhabi Golf Resort in 2023, we were delighted with its success both from a player and fan perspective, which is why we have chosen to return for the Team Cup.
With the likes of Justin Rose, Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, Francesco Molinari and the Hojgaard twins (Nicolai and Rasmus) confirmed to be competing, what does that say about the overall quality of the competition?
There will certainly be a strong lineup of talent on show, with plenty of big names who fans will be familiar with, and both teams each have players who have previously competed in the Ryder Cup.
However, what I really enjoy about this tournament is the fact we have those high-profile figures playing alongside some of the DP World Tour’s blossoming talents, with both teams combining youth and experience.
For example, the event’s oldest (Justin Rose) and youngest (Tom McKibbin) players will be part of the same team, with 23 years between them, which is a wonderful story and indicative of what the Team Cup is all about.
Aside from the big names, which players should fans look out for?
Italy’s Matteo Manassero is undoubtedly a player to watch, and he has a very interesting backstory, having become the youngest winner in DP World Tour history, at the age of 17, when he clinched the Castello Masters in 2010, before then stepping away from the game completely.
Following his return in 2019, he has continued to improve. This year, he won the Jonsson Workwear Open and finished 12th on the DP World Tour Race to Dubai Rankings, also securing a PGA TOUR card for 2025.
Aaron Rai, from England, is one of the lesser-known players in the competition, but don’t be fooled. He is a highly accomplished performer who boasts two DP World Tour victories, including at the Scottish Open in 2020 when he defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff. He won on the PGA TOUR earlier this year and is one to watch.
Northern Ireland’s Tom McKibbin is the youngest player involved at 21 and having only turned professional in 2021, he has already claimed a maiden DP World Tour victory at last year’s Porsche European Open.
Regardless of age or experience, the Team Cup is a tournament packed full of quality, and we can all look forward to watching some brilliant golf over the three days.
Can you tell us about the structure and format of the event?
The event will follow the same format as 2023, with the teams competing in match play across one session of fourballs on the Friday, two sessions of foursomes on the Saturday and one session of singles on the Sunday.
Every player will take part in all four of the sessions. Each match will be worth one point, and the team who crosses the 12.5-point mark will be crowned Team Cup winners.
With so much talent on show, across both teams, we are hugely excited about what’s in store and I think it will be a tight and exciting battle.
How important is the event in terms of Ryder Cup selection?
It will certainly play a part, although only Luke Donald, who will lead Team Europe at the Ryder Cup, knows to what extent.
Luke has been heavily involved in proceedings up to now, and he has spoken publicly about how significant the Hero Cup was in 2023, particularly in relation to experiencing the uniqueness of a team environment.
As we know, there were players involved in that event who went on to play key roles in Team Europe’s success in Italy.
Competing in the Ryder Cup is a major milestone for any European player, and naturally those who are involved in the Team Cup will be eager to stake their claim, which should make for some fantastic competitive action.
