MS Dhoni's disastrous tour of Australia was completed today when he was suspended by the International Cricket Council from playing in the fourth Test for India against Australia because of slow bowling.
The ban completed a miserable day for the Indian captain, who was dismissed for two runs as India crumbled to an innings and 37-run defeat in Perth to go 3-0 down in the four-match series.
"The India team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during the third test against Australia in Perth ... and as this is the second offence within 12 months India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has been suspended for the next test match in line with the ICC Code of Conduct," an ICC statement announced following the completion of the action in Perth.
India were two overs shy of the minimum rate required, the statement added. The first offence was committed in the second Test against the West Indies in Barbados in July.
Virender Sehwag, the vice captain, is likely to step up to replace Dhoni as skipper in Adelaide, where the fourth Test takes place next week, with Wriddhiman Saha likely to stand in as wicketkeeper.
Dhoni was fined 40 per cent of his match fee, and the rest of the Indian team 20 per cent for slow bowling.
Dhoni had acknowledged in his post-match interview, which had come before he was punished by the ICC, that his side's batting had been their biggest weakness again.
Inida were dismissed for 161 and 171 in their two innings and have struggled with the bat on the tour, as they did last summer in England.
"Once the number of matches increase where you haven't scored as a batting unit, the pressure keeps mounting," Dhoni said.
"If you see last couple of series, they haven't done well but it's to their averages and amount of runs they have scored that they have not done well.
"At the same time they must be feeling the pressure but it is very common to them, throughout their career they have faced that kind of pressure."
Need to know
The flights: Flydubai flies from Dubai to Kilimanjaro airport via Dar es Salaam from Dh1,619 return including taxes. The trip takes 8 hours.
The trek: Make sure that whatever tour company you select to climb Kilimanjaro, that it is a reputable one. The way to climb successfully would be with experienced guides and porters, from a company committed to quality, safety and an ethical approach to the mountain and its staff. Sonia Nazareth booked a VIP package through Safari Africa. The tour works out to $4,775 (Dh17,538) per person, based on a 4-person booking scheme, for 9 nights on the mountain (including one night before and after the trek at Arusha). The price includes all meals, a head guide, an assistant guide for every 2 trekkers, porters to carry the luggage, a cook and kitchen staff, a dining and mess tent, a sleeping tent set up for 2 persons, a chemical toilet and park entrance fees. The tiny ration of heated water provided for our bath in our makeshift private bathroom stall was the greatest luxury. A standard package, also based on a 4-person booking, works out to $3,050 (Dh11,202) per person.
When to go: You can climb Kili at any time of year, but the best months to ascend are January-February and September-October. Also good are July and August, if you’re tolerant of the colder weather that winter brings.
Do not underestimate the importance of kit. Even if you’re travelling at a relatively pleasant time, be geared up for the cold and the rain.
Company profile
Name: The Concept
Founders: Yadhushan Mahendran, Maria Sobh and Muhammad Rijal
Based: Abu Dhabi
Founded: 2017
Number of employees: 7
Sector: Aviation and space industry
Funding: $250,000
Future plans: Looking to raise $1 million investment to boost expansion and develop new products
The bio:
Favourite film:
Declan: It was The Commitments but now it’s Bohemian Rhapsody.
Heidi: The Long Kiss Goodnight.
Favourite holiday destination:
Declan: Las Vegas but I also love getting home to Ireland and seeing everyone back home.
Heidi: Australia but my dream destination would be to go to Cuba.
Favourite pastime:
Declan: I love brunching and socializing. Just basically having the craic.
Heidi: Paddleboarding and swimming.
Personal motto:
Declan: Take chances.
Heidi: Live, love, laugh and have no regrets.
Uefa Nations League: How it Works
The Uefa Nations League, introduced last year, has reached its final stage, to be played over five days in northern Portugal. The format of its closing tournament is compact, spread over two semi-finals, with the first, Portugal versus Switzerland in Porto on Wednesday evening, and the second, England against the Netherlands, in Guimaraes, on Thursday.
The winners of each semi will then meet at Porto’s Dragao stadium on Sunday, with the losing semi-finalists contesting a third-place play-off in Guimaraes earlier that day.
Qualifying for the final stage was via League A of the inaugural Nations League, in which the top 12 European countries according to Uefa's co-efficient seeding system were divided into four groups, the teams playing each other twice between September and November. Portugal, who finished above Italy and Poland, successfully bid to host the finals.
