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U-19 World Cup final: dhull and co. on course to extend India’s undisputed dominance
yASh Dull and Co. will aim to add to India's rich legacy when they take on England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
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Eight finals and four trophies in 14 editions make India the most successful team in the Under-19 World Cup history.
And come Saturday, they look on course for a recordextending fifth title given the depth of talent and form but standing in the way is a driven English team, chasing its own piece of history in what promises to be an enthralling summit clash.
Yash Dull and Co. will aim to add to India’s rich legacy when they take on England at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium.
India have had a rather smooth run into the final despite a massive off the field setback when skipper Dhull and his deputy Shaik Rasheed missed two of the three league games due to COVID-19.
Dhull, who had the worst symptoms among the infected players, has lived up to his highly rated talent in the three innings he has played so far including the sublime hundred in the semifinal.
Rasheed has also shown his brilliance with the bat and is certainly the one to watch out for in the future.
Opener Angkrish Raghuvanshi and Harnoor Singh were extra cautious in their approach in the semifinal against Australia and the duo will need to change their approach for the summit clash.
What makes India’s bunch of teenagers look the part is their unexpected maturity. The way Dhull and Rasheed batted after a poor start against Australia was a lesson in pacing the innings.
Only a few out of the current lot are likely to graduate to the highest level in the years to follow but in the short term, a special performance on Saturday afternoon can land them a life changing IPL deal at the upcoming mega auction.
While the batters have put up individual performances, the bowling department has fired in unison.
The extra pace of Rajvardhan Hangargekar and swing of left-armer Ravi Kumar has rattled the top order batters while the Vicky Ostwal-led spin attack has stifled the opposition in the middle overs. He is India’s leading wicket-taker with 12 scalps at 10.75.
Summing up team’s confidence ahead of the final, Rasheed said: “We are a very good team. We are looking to win the finals.”
The U-19 stars are also getting to learn from the best.
Virat Kohli, who went on to become a world beater after captaining India U-19 to the title in 2008, gave a pep talk to the class of 2022 on how to approach the high pressure final.
They face England, a team which last reached the title clash way back in 1998 when it won its sole trophy till date.
After a tense finish in the semifinal against Afghanistan, England will be more than keen to end their title drought of the last 24 years.
Like India, England too remain unbeaten in the tournament. Captain Tom Prest has led from the front with 292 runs at an average of 73 while left-arm pacer Joshua Boyden has taken 13 wickets at a stellar average of 9.53.
India batters will also need to be wary of wrist spinner Rehan Ahmed who is tasked with providing breakthroughs in the middle overs.
Irrespective of the result on final, the Indian boys have had their moment in the sun in the Caribbean but given the high expectations they set for themselves, they will settle for nothing less than a trophy.
Australian Open women’s final live: Barty’s special kiss after epic open triumph
ASh Barty has celebrated her historic Australian Open triumph in a rare emotional display, including a special moment straight after match point.
Ash Barty is queen of Melbourne Park.
The 25-year-old is the first Aussie woman to be crowned Australian Open champion in 44 years after she pulled off a miraculous escape in her rollercoaster final against Danielle Collins.
Barty was down a double break in the second set — and the match looked certain to head into a decider — but the world No. 1 showed raw courage to fight back and take the second set in a tiebreaker.
She let out an enormous roar on match point after securing the 6-3 7-6 (7-3) victory.
After shaking hands with Collins, Barty went immediately and hugged close-friend Casey Dellacqua, who was sitting courtside.
Dellacqua, Barty’s former double partner and mentor was there to support Barty as she made her return to professional tennis — and it was only fitting that the pair got to share the special moment together as the crowd exploded in applause.
Barty also gave Dellacqua a kiss on the cheek as they exchanged some brief words.
The emotional moment melted the hearts of tennis commentators around the world.
Barty then raced to celebrate with coach Craig Tyzzer, partner Gary Kissick and her family.
She said after walking off court to hold interviews with the tournament’s global TV broadcasters that Dellacqua saved her career.
“She brought me into the sport again. And allowed me to explore, to grow as a person, and I love her,” Barty said sitting inside a Channel 9 studio alongside Dellacqua.
“She is a bloody legend. And she is a great friend and I’m so grateful and lucky to have her.
“There would not be any other person that I want sitting literally direct across from me.
“She changed my life.”
Dellacqua said simply she was “so proud” of her apprentice — who has become the master of the entire sport.
Barty had another emotional moment during the trophy presentation when it was announced that Aussie legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley had made a surprise shock dash to Melbourne to present the trophy to Barty.
Goolagong-Cawley is Barty’s idol and the World No. 1 admitted she had no idea she would be presenting the trophy.
The Queenslander was just as classy in her victory speech, where she was left particularly emotional speaking about her team and family.
“Wow. I have said numerous times that I am so lucky tonight to have so many people here that love me, support me,” she said.
“Pretty bloody special that mum and dad and my sisters are here and I’m so happy they could be here today.
“I am an incredibly fortunate and lucky girl to have so much love in my corner. And that comes when we started together right from the start in the second part of our career.
“We did it together. Nobody has changed from the team. I love you guys to death and you are the best in the business.
“I cannot thank you for all the time and love you put into And I think as an Aussie, the most important part of this tournament is being able to share it with so many people and you guys today in the crowd have been nothing shy of exceptional.”
She is in every way a deserving champion.
Winter olympics underway after opening ceremony in Beijing
The 24th edition of the Winter Olympics is officially underway after the Olympic cauldron was lit in a restrained opening ceremony in Beijing.
Almost 3,000 athletes from 91 nations will compete across the Games.
The International Olympic Committee has been criticized for awarding the Games to China because of the country's alleged human rights abuses.
IOC president Tomas Bach said one of the missions of the Games was to unite humankind in all their diversity. The Olympic torch was placed into the centre of a giant snowflake, which was then illuminated to become the cauldron.
The snowflake is made up of placards with the names of the 91 nations competing in Beijing.
Man united crash out of fa cup
MANCheSTeR United have crashed out of the FA Cup after going down to Middlesbrough 8-7 in penalties in the fourth round at Old Trafford.
Cristiano Ronaldo missed a penalty in the 20th minute before Jadon Sancho scored in the 25th minute.
Middlesbrough scored a controversial goal in the 64th minute as a forward had handled the ball in the United box before delivering his cross which led to the goal, however, VAR deemed it to be accidental.
The match finished 1-1 after extra time, however, Middlesbrough outscored United 8-7 in the penalties which saw youngster Anthony Elanga miss his penalty.
A new $1.6 billion economic accelerator will turn Australia’s leading research into world-beating businesses as part of the Morrison Government’s focus on building the country’s resilience.
Australia’s Economic Accelerator (AEA) features as part of a $2.2 billion package to focus the commercialisation of the six national manufacturing priority areas – resources and critical minerals, food and beverage, medical products, recycling and clean energy, defence and space – bringing the country’s brightest business and academic minds together.
Together with a new $150 million expansion of CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures, the AEA will reshape research funding to emphasise projects with high potential for commercialisation that are directed at National Manufacturing Priorities and industry engagement.
The Prime Minister said the AEA would invest in projects as they progressed through the stages of their development.
“Stronger commercialisation of research and ideas will mean a stronger economy and a stronger future for Australia,” the Prime Minister said.
“This is about funding projects to bridge the ‘valley of death’ where early-stage research is often not progressed due to higher levels of risk and uncertainty.
“The AEA will drive our universities and businesses to work hand-in-glove through the stages to prove projects’ viability and potential.
“Expanding the CSIRO’s Main Sequence Ventures program then takes this further, incentivising the additional venture capital investment support needed to progress innovative new products and technologies through to market to become the new businesses and employers of the future.”
Acting Minister for Education and Youth Stuart Robert said the AEA would boost investment in two critical stages of experimental development: proof of concept and proof of scale.
“The AEA will become a critical source of competitive funding support for innovating new projects with high commercial potential, and will take a lot of the risk and uncertainty for universities out of the equation,” Minister Robert said.
“We will start with a big range of contenders – a contest of ideas.
“But as we progress to stage two, the number of applicants will diminish and the value of the funding to each will increase.
“For example, stage one will involve nearly 100 grants a year of up to $500,000. Recipients will be required to engage industry through in-kind support or even co-location.
“In order to be one of the 36 recipients attracting up to $5 million in funding as part of ‘stage two’ projects, industry will need to put more skin in the game with a 50 per cent co-investment.
“At stage three, up to 50 companies will be supported through the Main Sequence Venture, where we are providing $150 million in two successive coinvestment funds.
“This investment is about new jobs, increased wages, and creating products that make life easier, more efficient or even more interesting,” Minister Robert said.
Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said the grants were an investment in Australia’s future industries and smart manufacturing within the Morrison Government’s National Manufacturing Priorities.
“By working with industry and researchers, the government is helping to ensure our economy benefits from our worldclass research, both now and well into the future,” Minister Taylor said.
Minister for Science and Technology Melissa Price said the $150 million expansion of the CSIRO Main Sequence Ventures program would back start-up companies and help create commercial opportunities from Australian research.
“The Morrison Government is prioritising investment in research and action to turn Australia’s best ideas into new industries and strengthen our future prosperity,” Minister Price said.
“The expansion of the Main Sequence Ventures will further support the development of spin-off and start-up companies with high commercial potential arising from local research.
“Over the past four years, Main Sequence Ventures has invested in 39 companies that are commercialising deep tech opportunities that have created more than 1,200 technology-related jobs.
“Our new investment in this program will ensure it can play a bigger role in our economy and help develop the next generation of great Aussie companies and products.”
Minister Robert said the Morrison Government would also invest $296 million in industry focused PhDs and fellowships to support its research commercialisation goals and drive greater universityindustry collaboration.
“This new scheme will generate 1,800 industry PhDs and over 800 industry fellows over 10 years to fundamentally reshape the workforce of Australia’s universities,” Minister Robert said.
“PhD students will benefit from the experience of undertaking research within industry settings, creating employment pathways beyond academic roles.
“Industry will benefit from the opportunities to host PhD students, bolstering their ability to harness ideas and concepts for innovation, as well as to open the pathway to the recruitment of high-calibre graduates. This will be further enhanced by a new suite of ARC Fellowships that will recognise and reward our academics who collaborate with industry, helping to drive the translation of their research, creating new pathways for their work.
“These initiatives will change the culture and the focus of research across Australia’s universities – building greater engagement with industry and ensuring that innovation is at the core of our economic future as a nation.”
reoPenIng to tourIsts and other InternatIonaL traVeLLers to secure our econoMIc recoVery
AUSTRAliA will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February.
These changes will ensure we protect the health of Australians, while we continue to secure our economic recovery.
Australia’s health system has demonstrated its resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including though the recent Omicron wave. With improving health conditions, including a recent 23 per cent decline in hospitalisations due to COVID, the National Security Committee of Cabinet today agreed Australia is ready to further progress the staged reopening of our international border.
Visa holders who are not fully vaccinated will still require a valid travel exemption to enter Australia, and will be subject to state and territory quarantine requirements.
Today’s announcement will give certainty to our vital tourism industry, and allow them to start planning, hiring and preparing for our reopening. In 2018-19, tourism generated more than $60 billion for the Australian economy, with more than 660,000 jobs dependent on the industry.
Since the Morrison Government commenced Australia’s staged international border reopening on 1 November 2021 we have seen almost 580,000 arrivals come to Australia including to reunite with loved ones, work or study.
The Commonwealth continues to work with States and Territories on the safe resumption of the cruise industry and looks forward to further announcements on this in due course.
australia Welcomes return of International students and Backpackers
MiNiSTeR for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs, Alex Hawke MP, today announced strong arrival figures for International Students and Working Holiday Makers, in recent weeks.
“Australia is open for business. We are welcoming back increasing numbers of International Students, Backpackers, and Skilled migrants,” Minister Hawke said.
“Visa application rates have surged in the last week, since the Government’s announcement of a special Visa Application Charge (VAC) refund window for people who travel and arrive in Australia over the coming weeks,” he said.
“We are building back healthy pipelines of Working Holiday Makers, and we are processing these visas very quickly. The Government is seeing a surge in demand from backpackers and we are ready to welcome them to our shores,” he said.
“Confidence in Australia’s economic recovery is extremely strong. Unemployment is at record lows, industry and government are providing incentives for workers to come to Australia, and we are ready to meet the demand. We all have a role to play in the economic recovery, filling vital skills shortages, and the Government is providing these incentives to encourage skilled workers to come to Australia now and fulfil these opportunities and participate in the phenomenal economic recovery that we are seeing in Australia right now,” he said.
“There are more jobs now available in Australia than before the COVID-19Pandemic, and there are still many more places available to Backpackers and Students that we are ready to fill, so come on down,” Minister Hawke said.
iNTeRNATiONAl STUDeNTS
Australia is proud to have welcomed the arrival of almost 7,000 International Students in the last week alone.
From 24 to 30 January we have witnessed the strong return of International Students to our shores - with almost 7,000 International Students making the journey to Australia ahead of course commencement at Australian campuses right around the nation.
Since late November 2020 a total of 56,000 International Students have arrived in Australia.
Demand for Australian study visas has been particularly strong, in recent months, with more than 50,000 overseas student visa lodgements since late 2021.
Visa grants to International Students are flowing as a result of the Minister directing the Department to allocate additional resources to processing the visas of International Students.
wORkiNG hOliDAy MAkeRS
There was a 17% increase in the arrival of Working Holiday Makers in the last week.
From 24 to 30 January the number of Working Holiday Maker visa (subclass 417 and 462) applications has surged – with 2,600 visa applications lodged by overseas backpackers.
A total of 28,000 Working Holiday Maker visas have been approved in the last few months - since the reopening of international borders to fully vaccinated skilled workers, International Students and Working Holiday Makers - in line with the National Plan to safely reopen Australia.
The Morrison Government has signed a number of new and increased Working Holiday Maker arrangements with partner countries, in recent years, with a total of 45 partner countries or regions now participating in the program.
ReFUNDS OF ViSA APPliCATiON ChARGeS
Fully vaccinated International Students and Working Holiday Makers have been encouraged to return to Australia now to support our economic recovery and to commence studies through the launch of a new Visa Application Charge (VAC) refund window for eligible travellers.
Working Holiday Maker visa holders (subclasses 417 or 462) who are outside Australia and arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 April 2022 are eligible for a VAC refund.
Student visa holders who are outside Australia and arrive in Australia between 19 January 2022 and 19 March 2022 are eligible for a VAC refund.
Further information about refunds is available online.
Attracting more International Students and Working Holiday Makers
These initiatives are proudly supported by a new $7 million marketing campaign to attract young people from overseas to work and holiday in Australia.
The Work and Play the Aussie Way campaign encourages the uptake of Working Holiday Maker visas in the United Kingdom, Europe, Japan and Republic of Korea, by giving young travellers a glimpse of the adventures that await them while working and travelling Australia.
Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) is also running a campaign to attract more international students.
student and Working holiday Maker visa holders
The Morrison Government has announced a series of visa measures to provide an incentive for fully vaccinated Student and Working Holiday Maker visa holders to return to Australia as soon as possible to help address current workforce shortages caused by COVID-19.
ReFUNDS OF ViSA APPliCATiON ChARGeS
Working Holiday Maker visa holders who are currently offshore and come to Australia during the next 12 weeks will be eligible for a refund of their Visa Application Charge.
Any Student visa holder who is currently offshore and comes to Australia over the next 8 weeks, will be eligible for a refund of their Visa Application Charge.
The current Visa Application Charge for a student is $630 and for a Working Holiday Maker it is $495.
These changes will also apply for new applications, which will be processed quickly so applicants can come to Australia during the refund window.
As well as providing an incentive for existing offshore visa holders to bring forward their travel, these changes will generate new interest in Australia and new visa applications.
The provision of refunds and priority visa processing, together with a Tourism Australia advertising campaign, will generate fresh interest in Australia from students and Working Holiday Makers who contribute greatly to our economy and fill vital skills gaps.
iNTeRNATiONAl STUDeNT – wORkiNG hOURS FlexiBiliTy
The Morrison Government has supported Australian businesses during the pandemic by allowing Student visa holders to work additional hours in critical sectors.
Due to current workforce shortages, the Government is temporarily extending this arrangement by removing the limit on Student visa holders’ working hours across all sectors of the economy.
This measure takes effect immediately for all ongoing students as well as new student arrivals who start a job prior to their course commencement, and will be reviewed in April 2022.
workinG holiday maker visa holders who are currently offshore and come to australia durinG the next 12 weeks will be eliGible for a refund of their visa application charGe. any student visa holder who is currently offshore and comes to australia over the next 8 weeks, will be eliGible for a refund of their visa application charGe. the current visa application charGe for a student is $630 and for a workinG holiday maker it is $495.
wORkiNG hOliDAy MAkeRS – eMPlOyeR FlexiBiliTy
In addition, effective immediately and until the end of 2022, there will be no limit on the length of time Working Holiday Makers can work for the same employer.
The above measures are temporary and designed to provide immediate assistance to Australian businesses that are currently facing critical workforce shortages, to enable them to continue delivering goods and services to the community.
There are currently around 150,000 Student and 23,500 Working Holiday Maker visa holders offshore.
All international arrivals must be fully vaccinated or hold a valid medical exemption.
Further details will be available on the Department of Home Affairs website.
deceMBer-January sees strong deMand for teMPorary MIgrant VIsas; further fLeXIBILIty for teMPorary MIgrants
The Morrison Government welcomes the return to Australia of a range of temporary workers to support our pandemic recovery in critical roles.
iNTeRNATiONAl STUDeNT ARRiVAl NUMBeRS
I am pleased to welcome the arrival in Australia of more than 43,000 International Students since the Government announced that fully vaccinated eligible visa holders can enter Australia, including Skilled and Student cohorts, as well as Humanitarian, Working Holiday Maker and certain family visa holders.
There are currently more than 150,000 International Student visa holders overseas who have been supported to continue their Australian studies, and the reopening of our borders to them sends a clear signal that Australia remains a top study destination.
SkilleD wORkeRS AND wORkiNG hOliDAy MAkeR ARRiVAl NUMBeRS
Additionally, more than 8,000 Skilled workers have arrived in Australia, and 22,000 Working Holiday Maker visas have been granted since November 2021. Demand for Working Holiday visas has been
particularly strong.
Australia has also welcomed around 60,000 family members of Australians visiting since the Government’s announced changes in November 2021.
SkilleD ReGiONAl PROViSiONAl ViSA FlexiBiliTy
The Government will extend by 3 years Skilled Regional Provisional (subclass 489, 491 and 494) visas where the visa holder was impacted by COVID-19 international travel restrictions. This will assist around 10,000 skilled regional workers.
This will provide sufficient additional time for all current and former Skilled Regional Provisional visa holders to make travel arrangements to start or resume living and working in regional Australia.
TeMPORARy GRADUATe ViSA FlexiBiliTy
The Government will make changes to allow entry of current and former Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa holders from 18 February 2022, to allow them to re-enter Australia and apply for a further stay.
Visas will be extended for graduates who were outside of Australia at any time between 1 February 2020 and 14 December 2021, while they held a valid Temporary Graduate visa.
The extension will take effect on 18 February 2022 and visa holders will be notified directly by the Department of Home Affairs of the extension of their visa and may arrive after this occurs, from 18 February onwards.
These changes support the return to Australia of temporary graduates as soon as possible, ahead of further planned changes on 1 July 2022 that will provide a further visa extension option to former graduates.
For more information please visit the Department of Home Affairs website.
