Doping in cricket, the retirement of Brendon McCullum, Osman Samiuddin offers his take on the biggest talking points from the world of cricket.
Cricket and doping
By and large, cricket has no deep problem with use of performance-enhancing drugs. There have been cases, of course, most infamously those of Mohammed Asif and Shoaib Akhtar, or Shane Warne. And there is a fair stock of cases over recreational drug use.
But the sport is not a dope-free zone, as the case of Yasir Shah, and the Sri Lanka wicketkeeper-batsman Kusal Perera a little before him, makes clear. Yasir and Perera tested positive for banned substances in random tests conducted by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
Both are under provisional suspension and, according to reports on Christmas Day, the results of Perera’s ‘B’ sample matched those of his positive ‘A’ sample. It could, at worst, mean a four-year ban. Ultimately, Yasir could also face similar punishment. Both cases highlight the need for cricket to remain vigilant.
Farewell Brendon
Since becoming New Zealand captain, Brendon McCullum has done things very much his own way. No captains are alike, but McCullum is perhaps more unlike others than any recent captain.
So it was both surprising and, actually, not so surprising when he announced this week, out of the blue, that the home series against Australia in February 2016 will be his last in international cricket. At 34, and with a record 100th consecutive Tests since debut approaching, McCullum was never going to be around for much longer. His all-action style at the crease and especially in the field is hard to sustain.
Gallery: Mohammad Amir returns to Pakistan cricket fold — in pictures
But to go before the World Twenty20 in March in India was surprising. McCullum is more than just a T20 basher (if there even is such a thing), but he remains indelibly associated with the format after that landscape-changing hundred in the first IPL game ever. That, and maybe a world title, would have been a fitting end, as much as the one he craves in front of a home crowd.
The PCB op-ed
The news release was subjected — ominously — “Muhammad (sic) Amir — Re-integration”. It came from the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and, well, its purpose initially was unclear.
It was laying out the entire case, point by point, for why it was allowing him back — gradually — into the national fold.
It cited other athletes who had cheated and been allowed to return, even arguing that Islam calls for forgiveness in such cases. It was as good as an op-ed.
It became clear why they felt the need to explain when Mohammed Hafeez and Azhar Ali refused to attend the national team training camp specifically because Amir would be present.
Hafeez has been a long-time objector to Amir’s return. Azhar, the ODI captain, was a new one.
Eventually the players agreed to attend, reportedly after more Amir apologies and a talking-to from the PCB chairman. It is clear, though, that this issue is far from over and will continue to fester for a while. Expect more strange PCB news releases.
Talking points: Amla form, Steyn comeback and attitude of England batsmen will determine series
Last week’s results
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka ODI series
1st ODI — New Zealand won by seven wickets
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka Test series
2nd Test — New Zealand won by five wickets (winning series 2-0)
Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe ODI series
1st ODI — Afghanistan won by 49 runs
Game of the week — Afghanistan v Zimbabwe
It might not be attracting as much attention as some of the other international cricket on at the moment. But Zimbabwe’s ODI tour of Afghanistan, in the UAE, could be an excellent one to keep an eye on. On Friday in Sharjah, Afghanistan pulled off an outstanding result, defending a meagre 131 comfortably in the end.
Player of the week — Matt Henry
With Tim Southee, Trent Boult, Adam Milne, Mitchell McClenaghan and Doug Bracewell around, New Zealand’s current deep stock of fast bowling riches means that Matt Henry often goes under the radar. Not this week: he was front and centre in sparking a collapse that saw Sri Lanka fall to 27-5 in their first ODI.
Rankings (ODI batsmen)
1 — AB de Villiers (SA)
2 — Virat Kohli (Ind)
3 — Kane Williamson (NZ)
4 — Tillakaratne Dilshan (SL)
5 — Hashim Amla (SA)
6 — MS Dhoni (Ind)
7 — Shikhar Dhawan (Ind)
8 — Ross Taylor (NZ)
9 — Glenn Maxwell (Aus)
10 — Quinton de Kock (SA)
This week
New Zealand vs Sri Lanka ODI series
2nd ODI — Monday
3rd ODI — Thursday
4th ODI — Saturday
South Africa v England Test series
2nd Test — From Saturday
Afghanistan v Zimbabwe ODI series
2nd ODI — Tuesday
3rd ODI — Saturday
Match-up of the week
Afghanistan’s first win over Zimbabwe was sensational in its defence of a small target. Zimbabwe have generally improved as an ODI side over the last year, but Afghanistan are looking hungry every time they play. A series win here would be a massive result.
Player to watch
Brendon McCullum does not need an invitation to attack. That is standard setting. But now that he is leaving the game soon, it might free him up even more. His 25-ball 55 in the first ODI against Sri Lanka was spectacular and there may be more in a similar vein.
Stat of the week
7: The number of wickets Australia have lost in the Test series against the West Indies so far. They have only batted two innings in two Tests and much of their lower-middle order has not even had a bat. They could play a whole series without batting a second innings.
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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.
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Power: 650hp at 6,750rpm
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Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch auto
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In the box: iPad mini, USB-C cable, 20W USB-C power adapter
Price: From Dh2,099
Springtime in a Broken Mirror,
Mario Benedetti, Penguin Modern Classics
MATCH INFO
Manchester United 2
(Martial 30', McTominay 90 6')
Manchester City 0
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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It's up to you to go green
Nils El Accad, chief executive and owner of Organic Foods and Café, says going green is about “lifestyle and attitude” rather than a “money change”; people need to plan ahead to fill water bottles in advance and take their own bags to the supermarket, he says.
“People always want someone else to do the work; it doesn’t work like that,” he adds. “The first step: you have to consciously make that decision and change.”
When he gets a takeaway, says Mr El Accad, he takes his own glass jars instead of accepting disposable aluminium containers, paper napkins and plastic tubs, cutlery and bags from restaurants.
He also plants his own crops and herbs at home and at the Sheikh Zayed store, from basil and rosemary to beans, squashes and papayas. “If you’re going to water anything, better it be tomatoes and cucumbers, something edible, than grass,” he says.
“All this throwaway plastic - cups, bottles, forks - has to go first,” says Mr El Accad, who has banned all disposable straws, whether plastic or even paper, from the café chain.
One of the latest changes he has implemented at his stores is to offer refills of liquid laundry detergent, to save plastic. The two brands Organic Foods stocks, Organic Larder and Sonnett, are both “triple-certified - you could eat the product”.
The Organic Larder detergent will soon be delivered in 200-litre metal oil drums before being decanted into 20-litre containers in-store.
Customers can refill their bottles at least 30 times before they start to degrade, he says. Organic Larder costs Dh35.75 for one litre and Dh62 for 2.75 litres and refills will cost 15 to 20 per cent less, Mr El Accad says.
But while there are savings to be had, going green tends to come with upfront costs and extra work and planning. Are we ready to refill bottles rather than throw them away? “You have to change,” says Mr El Accad. “I can only make it available.”
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Mubadala World Tennis Championship 2018 schedule
Thursday December 27
Men's quarter-finals
Kevin Anderson v Hyeon Chung 4pm
Dominic Thiem v Karen Khachanov 6pm
Women's exhibition
Serena Williams v Venus Williams 8pm
Friday December 28
5th place play-off 3pm
Men's semi-finals
Rafael Nadal v Anderson/Chung 5pm
Novak Djokovic v Thiem/Khachanov 7pm
Saturday December 29
3rd place play-off 5pm
Men's final 7pm
Essentials
The flights
Etihad and Emirates fly direct from the UAE to Delhi from about Dh950 return including taxes.
The hotels
Double rooms at Tijara Fort-Palace cost from 6,670 rupees (Dh377), including breakfast.
Doubles at Fort Bishangarh cost from 29,030 rupees (Dh1,641), including breakfast. Doubles at Narendra Bhawan cost from 15,360 rupees (Dh869). Doubles at Chanoud Garh cost from 19,840 rupees (Dh1,122), full board. Doubles at Fort Begu cost from 10,000 rupees (Dh565), including breakfast.
The tours
Amar Grover travelled with Wild Frontiers. A tailor-made, nine-day itinerary via New Delhi, with one night in Tijara and two nights in each of the remaining properties, including car/driver, costs from £1,445 (Dh6,968) per person.
MATCH INFO
Everton 2 Southampton 1
Everton: Walcott (15'), Richarlison (31' )
Southampton: Ings (54')
Man of the match: Theo Walcott (Everton)
Joker: Folie a Deux
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan Gleeson
Director: Todd Phillips
Rating: 2/5