Australia batsman Steve Smith is the leading Test batsman in the world. Reuters
Australia batsman Steve Smith is the leading Test batsman in the world. Reuters
Australia batsman Steve Smith is the leading Test batsman in the world. Reuters
Australia batsman Steve Smith is the leading Test batsman in the world. Reuters

Cricket

Ben Stokes says Australia star Steve Smith is a 'genius' but also 'strange'

England all-rounder believes you have to be unique to average more than 60 in Test cricket

The National

April 29, 2020

  • English
  • Arabic

England all-rounder Ben Stokes has said Australian batsman and IPL teammate Steve Smith is a "genius" who is also "strange" as he lauded the number one Test batsman.

"He's still strange to play against and he's still strange to play with. And the best thing about it is that he admits it," Stokes said in a podcast produced by Rajasthan Royals.

"But I feel to be a genius you have to be a bit strange and you know he's certainly both," Stokes said.

"Personally, I could not think about cricket in the way that he does when it comes to batting. I could never be like that. Obviously, he's on all the time but that's why he averages 60-plus in Test cricket."

Smith was the leading scorer in the 2019 Ashes in England, retained by Australia after the series finished 2-2, having scored 774 runs in four matches.

"Even though he plays for Australia,  you've just got to hold your hands up sometimes to players like that and go 'yeah you're on a different level when it comes to batting'," said Stokes, who scored 441 runs in five matches during the series.

"You have to be on a different level with something to be like those guys when it comes to batting."

The flamboyant all-rounder also threw his wight behind Test cricket, saying the five-day format is the "pinnacle" and should not be tinkered with.

The International Cricket Council has floated the idea of four-day Tests to deal with the cluttered cricket calendar, but the plan met with intense criticism.

________________

Pat Cummins trains next to his cows

  • Australian cricketer Pat Cummins trains at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
    Australian cricketer Pat Cummins trains at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
  • Australian cricketer Pat Cummins trains at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
    Australian cricketer Pat Cummins trains at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
  • Pat Cummins trains at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
    Pat Cummins trains at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
  • Pat Cummins at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
    Pat Cummins at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
  • Australian cricketer Pat Cummins at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
    Australian cricketer Pat Cummins at his property in Southern Highlands, south of Sydney. Cummins is due to commence his record-breaking Indian Premier League deal worth Dh8m if the competition gets underway. Getty
  • Australian cricketer Pat Cummins with his fiance Becky Boston while in isolation at their property south of Sydney in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
    Australian cricketer Pat Cummins with his fiance Becky Boston while in isolation at their property south of Sydney in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
  • Australian cricketer Pat Cummins while in isolation at his property in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
    Australian cricketer Pat Cummins while in isolation at his property in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
  • Australian cricketer Pat Cummins with his cows while in isolation at his property in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
    Australian cricketer Pat Cummins with his cows while in isolation at his property in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
  • Pat Cummins with his cows while in isolation. Getty
    Pat Cummins with his cows while in isolation. Getty
  • Pat Cummins, fiance Becky Boston, and their dog Norman ride on their farm buggy while in isolation at their property south of Sydne in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
    Pat Cummins, fiance Becky Boston, and their dog Norman ride on their farm buggy while in isolation at their property south of Sydne in Southern Highlands, Australia. Getty
The biog

Job: Fitness entrepreneur, body-builder and trainer

Favourite superhero: Batman

Favourite quote: We must become the change we want to see, by Mahatma Gandhi.

Favourite car: Lamborghini

TWISTERS

Director: Lee Isaac Chung

Starring: Glen Powell, Daisy Edgar-Jones, Anthony Ramos

Rating: 2.5/5

Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
 
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
 
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia
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ENGLAND SQUAD

Goalkeepers Pickford (Everton), Pope (Burnley), Henderson (Manchester United)

Defenders Alexander-Arnold (Liverpool), Chilwell (Chelsea), Coady (Wolves), Dier (Tottenham), Gomez (Liverpool), James (Chelsea), Keane (Everton), Maguire (Manchester United), Maitland-Niles (Arsenal), Mings (Aston Villa), Saka (Arsenal), Trippier (Atletico Madrid), Walker (Manchester City)

Midfielders: Foden (Manchester City), Henderson (Liverpool), Grealish (Aston Villa), Mount (Chelsea), Rice (West Ham), Ward-Prowse (Southampton), Winks (Tottenham)

Forwards: Abraham (Chelsea), Calvert-Lewin (Everton), Kane (Tottenham), Rashford (Manchester United), Sancho (Borussia Dortmund), Sterling (Manchester City)

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Results:

5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel

6pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 80,000 1,600m | Winner: Majd Al Gharbia, Saif Al Balushi, Ridha ben Attia

6.30pm: Abu Dhabi Championship (PA) Listed Dh 180,000 1,600m | Winner: RB Money To Burn, Pat Cosgrave, Eric Lemartinel

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed

Chris%20Jordan%20on%20Sanchit
%3Cp%3EChris%20Jordan%20insists%20Sanchit%20Sharma%20will%20make%20an%20impact%20on%20the%20ILT20%2C%20despite%20him%20starting%20the%20campaign%20on%20Gulf%20Giants'%20bench.%3Cbr%3EThe%20young%20UAE%20seamer%20was%20an%20instant%20success%20for%20the%20side%20last%20season%2C%20and%20remained%20part%20of%20the%20XI%20as%20they%20claimed%20the%20title.%3Cbr%3EHe%20has%20yet%20to%20feature%20this%20term%20as%20the%20Giants%20have%20preferred%20Aayan%20Khan%20and%20Usman%20Khan%20as%20their%20two%20UAE%20players%20so%20far.%3Cbr%3EHowever%2C%20England%20quick%20Jordan%20is%20sure%20his%20young%20colleague%20will%20have%20a%20role%20to%20play%20at%20some%20point.%3Cbr%3E%22Me%20and%20Sanchit%20have%20a%20great%20relationship%20from%20last%20season%2C%22%20Jordan%20said.%3Cbr%3E%22Whenever%20I%20am%20working%20with%20more%20inexperienced%20guys%2C%20I%20take%20pleasure%20in%20sharing%20as%20much%20as%20possible.%3Cbr%3E%22I%20know%20what%20it%20was%20like%20when%20I%20was%20younger%20and%20learning%20off%20senior%20players.%3Cbr%3E%22Last%20season%20Sanchit%20kick-started%20our%20season%20in%20Abu%20Dhabi%20with%20a%20brilliant%20man-of-the-match%20performance.%3Cbr%3E%22Coming%20into%20this%20one%2C%20I%20have%20seen%20a%20lot%20of%20improvement.%20The%20focus%20he%20is%20showing%20will%20only%20stand%20him%20in%20good%20stead.%22%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Abaya trends

The utilitarian robe held dear by Arab women is undergoing a change that reveals it as an elegant and graceful garment available in a range of colours and fabrics, while retaining its traditional appeal.

What the law says

Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.

“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.

“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”

If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.

Also on December 7 to 9, the third edition of the Gulf Car Festival (www.gulfcarfestival.com) will take over Dubai Festival City Mall, a new venue for the event. Last year's festival brought together about 900 cars worth more than Dh300 million from across the Emirates and wider Gulf region – and that first figure is set to swell by several hundred this time around, with between 1,000 and 1,200 cars expected. The first day is themed around American muscle; the second centres on supercars, exotics, European cars and classics; and the final day will major in JDM (Japanese domestic market) cars, tuned vehicles and trucks. Individuals and car clubs can register their vehicles, although the festival isn’t all static displays, with stunt drifting, a rev battle, car pulls and a burnout competition.

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Russia's Muslim Heartlands

Dominic Rubin, Oxford

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