Rarely can a series between India and England have tiptoed into view with less ceremony or anticipation than this summer’s meeting.
A five-Test series starts between the two sides at Trent Bridge on Wednesday. You would be forgiven for not realising, given the myriad other sporting distractions.
In the UK, the lingering come down from Euro 2020 is morphing into expectancy ahead of the new Premier League season.
The Olympics is still holding sway, while the ugliness created in the British & Irish Lions tour of South Africa is curiously bringing with it more attention to rugby rather than less.
Even cricket is overshadowing cricket. England is currently distracted – happily, given it is supposedly designed to save the sport in the UK – by The Hundred.
Crowds and viewing figures for the new format have been promising so far. How many of the new audience created by the 100-ball competition will be ready to switch over to the oldest format? Hopefully more than a few.
Where the Test series fits into the grand scheme, though, is a moot point. And not just the general sporting landscape, but the cricket one, too.
A five-Test series between two of cricket’s best-supported sides should be celebrated. Plus, it marks the start of the next World Test Championship cycle, so there is added context there, too.
But such a lengthy tour seems out of kilter in the prevailing climate.
Steve Harmison, the former England fast bowler, was quoted this week as saying elite sports stars are being treated like “caged animals” at present.
Consider the case of India’s leading players. Sure, they are afforded all sorts of privileges, but it is fair to feel a little sympathy for them given the situation.
They must feel as though they are in one incessant Covid bio-bubble. India arrived in the UK ahead of the WTC final against New Zealand in June.
These five Tests will take them up to September 14, when the fifth Test is scheduled to conclude at Emirates Old Trafford.
Within five days of that, the stalled 2021 IPL season is set to resume in Dubai. That will continue until October 15, when their stay in the UAE will be swiftly followed by … an extended stay in the UAE, for the T20 World Cup.
If the likes of Virat Kohli are fit, firing, and raring to go when that World Cup starts, it will be one of their finest achievements yet.
Even before it has all started, they are counting bodies. Ahead of the first Test in Nottingham, India are without batsman Mayank Agarwal, who suffered concussion after he was hit by teammate Mohammed Siraj at nets.
Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, and Avesh Khan had already ruled out of the whole series.
Prithvi Shaw and Suryakumar Yadav have been flown to England as replacements, but they will have to navigate Covid quarantine before they can get out and train.
Their hosts, too, are without some of their most luminous names. For the second time in two Covid summers, Ben Stokes has taken time out to cope with issues beyond cricket.
Last year, it was compassionate leave. This time, he is looking after his mental wellbeing. “I just want my friend to be OK,” Joe Root, England’s captain, said, endearingly.
The absence of Stokes, Chris Woakes, and Jofra Archer, who is still recovering from his elbow injury, will mean a rejig to the way the home side go about things.
Sam Curran, the Surrey all-rounder, will have a pivotal role to play against a side who know him well, after his time in the IPL with Chennai Super Kings.
Ollie Robinson, the pace bowler, is also likely to be restored to England’s line up following suspension.
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Super Saturday race card
4pm: Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 | US$350,000 | (Dirt) | 1,200m
4.35pm: Al Bastakiya Listed | $300,000 | (D) | 1,900m
5.10pm: Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 | $350,000 | (Turf) | 1,200m
5.45pm: Burj Nahaar Group 3 | $350,000 | (D) | 1,600m
6.20pm: Dubai City of Gold Group 2 | $300,000 | (T) | 2,410m
6.55pm: Al Maktoum Challenge Round 3 Group 1 | $600,000 | (D) | 2,000m
7.30pm: Jebel Hatta Group 1 | $400,000 | (T) | 1,800m
Tips for job-seekers
- Do not submit your application through the Easy Apply button on LinkedIn. Employers receive between 600 and 800 replies for each job advert on the platform. If you are the right fit for a job, connect to a relevant person in the company on LinkedIn and send them a direct message.
- Make sure you are an exact fit for the job advertised. If you are an HR manager with five years’ experience in retail and the job requires a similar candidate with five years’ experience in consumer, you should apply. But if you have no experience in HR, do not apply for the job.
David Mackenzie, founder of recruitment agency Mackenzie Jones Middle East
Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh117,059
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Director: Shazia Iqbal
Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri
Rating: 1/5
Infiniti QX80 specs
Engine: twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6
Power: 450hp
Torque: 700Nm
Price: From Dh450,000, Autograph model from Dh510,000
Available: Now
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
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Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
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The biog
Favourite food: Fish and seafood
Favourite hobby: Socialising with friends
Favourite quote: You only get out what you put in!
Favourite country to visit: Italy
Favourite film: Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
Family: We all have one!
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Tips from the expert
Dobromir Radichkov, chief data officer at dubizzle and Bayut, offers a few tips for UAE residents looking to earn some cash from pre-loved items.
- Sellers should focus on providing high-quality used goods at attractive prices to buyers.
- It’s important to use clear and appealing photos, with catchy titles and detailed descriptions to capture the attention of prospective buyers.
- Try to advertise a realistic price to attract buyers looking for good deals, especially in the current environment where consumers are significantly more price-sensitive.
- Be creative and look around your home for valuable items that you no longer need but might be useful to others.
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
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Oscars in the UAE
The 90th Academy Awards will be aired in the UAE from 3.30am on Monday, March 5 on OSN, with the ceremony starting at 5am
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
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Black Panther
Dir: Ryan Coogler
Starring: Chadwick Boseman, Michael B Jordan, Lupita Nyong'o
Five stars
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Seth Rollins beat Baron Corbin to retain his WWE Universal title
Finn Balor defeated Andrade to stay WWE Intercontinental Championship
Shane McMahon defeated Roman Reigns
Lars Sullivan won by disqualification against Lucha House Party
Randy Orton beats Triple H
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The burning issue
The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.
Read part four: an affection for classic cars lives on
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How it works
1) The liquid nanoclay is a mixture of water and clay that aims to convert desert land to fertile ground
2) Instead of water draining straight through the sand, it apparently helps the soil retain water
3) One application is said to last five years
4) The cost of treatment per hectare (2.4 acres) of desert varies from $7,000 to $10,000 per hectare
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
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MATCH INFO
AC Milan v Inter, Sunday, 6pm (UAE), match live on BeIN Sports
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EPL's youngest
- Ethan Nwaneri (Arsenal)
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15 years, 235 days old
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