Americans and cricket do not, in general, mix well.
Only this week, Andy Roddick, the tennis player, claimed that cricket could not be called a sport because it is played in "formal pants". Yet as an America football fan (he supports the Nebraska Cornhuskers) Roddick is happy to endorse a sport played in spangled hosiery. Go figure.
I do not relish this frosty relationship and would love to see more Americans involved in cricket, providing they are not Allen Stanford.
So it warmed my heart to note that the England cricket team's media relations office is now apparently run by Americans. Specifically, by the Warren Commission, which investigated the assassination of President John F Kennedy. These were the guys behind the theory of the single bullet that passed through JFK's neck, bounced around inside John Connolly, the Governor of Texas, then mysteriously re-appeared on a hospital gurney.
When England's Matt Prior appeared to smash a dressing room window at Lord's this week, after being run-out against Sri Lanka, the team spokesman was quick to offer an explanation: a single glove, thrown by Prior into his kitbag, had bounced off said kitbag and ricocheted into some spare bats resting against a lower windowpane, causing one to fall - upwards - and break the glass in the upper windowpane.
Now, some conspiracy theorists may well prefer the barmy fairy tale that Prior, a human and competitive being who was angry at being run-out by a team-mate, did something impetuous. Well, tough. It was the magic glove, and that is an end to the matter. Well, it was until they backtracked and Prior accepted a misconduct charge.
What a shame. I rather like the idea of living in a world in which our sporting icons can do no wrong; a world in which every aggressive or foolish act by an athlete is rationalised by an explanation which may or may not defy the laws of physics. Imagine what the England cricket team's press office might say about these moments of sporting infamy:
- Eric Cantona's kung-fu kick (1995). The Manchester United talisman, feeling hungry after his sending-off, approached Crystal Palace fans to seek advice on suitable bistros around Selhurst Park.
He then slipped on a damp patch of grass, his leg travelling in an upwards trajectory towards the chest of a Palace fan. He then accidentally punched him. Twice.
- Frank Rijkaard spits in Rudi Voller's hair (1990). Speaking Dutch can be a health hazard at the best of times, what with all that rolling phlegm at the back of the throat. Speak it while breathing heavily due to physical exertion, and some mucus is bound to fly out. Twice.
- Roy Keane snaps Alf-Inge Haaland leg in half (1997). With the Riverdance craze at its peak, proud Irish folk were susceptible to launching into frenzied, foot-stomping jigs at any moment. It was unfortunate, but hardly Keane's fault, that the Norwegian's knee was in the way.
- Ricky Ponting breaks a television at the Cricket World Cup (2011). Look, we've all done it. You come in after being run-out against lowly Zimbabwe, toss your protective box into your kit bag, and it ricochets into a flat-screen TV. Why is that so hard to believe?
Actually, that last one is not even made up.
Sounds like the Warren Commission is also running Cricket Australia. Either that, or we need to make kit bags much less bouncy.
Friendly outcome for Aamer would make a refreshing change
On the subject of media management, Mohammad Aamer’s recent turnout for a village cricket team in England was a stroke of accidental genius.
The Pakistan international, who is serving a five-year ban from all forms of the game for alleged “spot-fixing”, turned out for Addington, a club of just 20 members which plays in the Surrey Cricket League, Division One.
He made no attempt to hide his identity, nor was he paid for the match against St Luke’s, although his team-mates did buy his tea. Well, he had made 60 and took four for nine in seven overs. Not bad for a debutant.
The ICC has launched an investigation into whether Amir breached his ban, just as it did when he played in Rawalpindi in January – although no action was taken on that occasion, as it was a friendly.
Whatever the outcome of this investigation or the pending criminal court case, I am genuinely delighted to hear that Aamer is still playing the game for fun. It reflects well on both the man and the game.
In an era of mammoth Indian Premier League wages and the lingering shadow of corruption, the idea of Aamer kitting up for a plate of sandwiches is a perfect tonic.
It is also a reminder that Aamer will be just 24 when his ban expires: young enough for a great career, particularly if he maintains the skills which thrilled cricket fans.
For this reason, let’s hope the ICC uses its discretion and allows him to play for Addington again, if he chooses. If you disagree, you must be very hard-hearted indeed.
Either that, or you bat for Old Isleworthians & Heston. They face Addington today.
Starring: Jamie Foxx, Angela Bassett, Tina Fey
Directed by: Pete Doctor
Rating: 4 stars
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Real estate tokenisation project
Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.
The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.
Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.
Racecard
6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m
The National selections
6.30pm: Chaddad
7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou
7.40pm: Mass Media
8.15pm: Rafal
8.50pm: Yulong Warrior
9.25pm: Chiefdom
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
UPI facts
More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
How the UAE gratuity payment is calculated now
Employees leaving an organisation are entitled to an end-of-service gratuity after completing at least one year of service.
The tenure is calculated on the number of days worked and does not include lengthy leave periods, such as a sabbatical. If you have worked for a company between one and five years, you are paid 21 days of pay based on your final basic salary. After five years, however, you are entitled to 30 days of pay. The total lump sum you receive is based on the duration of your employment.
1. For those who have worked between one and five years, on a basic salary of Dh10,000 (calculation based on 30 days):
a. Dh10,000 ÷ 30 = Dh333.33. Your daily wage is Dh333.33
b. Dh333.33 x 21 = Dh7,000. So 21 days salary equates to Dh7,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service. Multiply this figure for every year of service up to five years.
2. For those who have worked more than five years
c. 333.33 x 30 = Dh10,000. So 30 days’ salary is Dh10,000 in gratuity entitlement for each year of service.
Note: The maximum figure cannot exceed two years total salary figure.
Rafael Nadal's record at the MWTC
2009 Finalist
2010 Champion
Jan 2011 Champion
Dec 2011 Semi-finalist
Dec 2012 Did not play
Dec 2013 Semi-finalist
2015 Semi-finalist
Jan 2016 Champion
Dec 2016 Champion
2017 Did not play
In numbers: China in Dubai
The number of Chinese people living in Dubai: An estimated 200,000
Number of Chinese people in International City: Almost 50,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2018/19: 120,000
Daily visitors to Dragon Mart in 2010: 20,000
Percentage increase in visitors in eight years: 500 per cent
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Company profile
Company name: Suraasa
Started: 2018
Founders: Rishabh Khanna, Ankit Khanna and Sahil Makker
Based: India, UAE and the UK
Industry: EdTech
Initial investment: More than $200,000 in seed funding
The specs
AT4 Ultimate, as tested
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 420hp
Torque: 623Nm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)
On sale: Now
MATCH INFO
Al Jazira 3 (O Abdulrahman 43', Kenno 82', Mabkhout 90 4')
Al Ain 1 (Laba 39')
Red cards: Bandar Al Ahbabi (Al Ain)
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
The Year Earth Changed
Directed by:Tom Beard
Narrated by: Sir David Attenborough
Stars: 4
The specs
Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
On sale: Now
The specs
Engine: 6.2-litre V8
Power: 502hp at 7,600rpm
Torque: 637Nm at 5,150rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
Price: from Dh317,671
On sale: now
In numbers: PKK’s money network in Europe
Germany: PKK collectors typically bring in $18 million in cash a year – amount has trebled since 2010
Revolutionary tax: Investigators say about $2 million a year raised from ‘tax collection’ around Marseille
Extortion: Gunman convicted in 2023 of demanding $10,000 from Kurdish businessman in Stockholm
Drug trade: PKK income claimed by Turkish anti-drugs force in 2024 to be as high as $500 million a year
Denmark: PKK one of two terrorist groups along with Iranian separatists ASMLA to raise “two-digit million amounts”
Contributions: Hundreds of euros expected from typical Kurdish families and thousands from business owners
TV channel: Kurdish Roj TV accounts frozen and went bankrupt after Denmark fined it more than $1 million over PKK links in 2013
The years Ramadan fell in May