Sports News Indian cricket team to tour England in 2018 for Test and limited-overs series
‘Lionel Messi’s four-year contract extension signed by player’s agent, father’ • Indian cricket team’s tour of England will begin with a T20 series in July 2018.(Getty Images)
ENGLAND will host Indian cricket team in a five-match Test series in 2018, the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on Tuesday 5 September. The teams will play three Twenty20 matches in July, followed by three one-day internationals and then Tests at Edgbaston, Lord’s, Trent Bridge, the Rose Bowl and The Oval. England’s schedule for the year also includes meetings with Pakistan, Australia and Scotland. “A five-Test series against India is at the heart of next summer’s international programme,” said ECB chief executive officer Tom Harrison in a press release. “This is always a much-anticipated contest which attracts a huge following across the globe for the five-day game. “Test match cricket has a strong, consistent and passionate following across England and Wales and the seven summer Tests, starting with the Pakistan matches, are sure to attract good crowds. “Alongside these, England’s white-ball contests against India, Australia and Scotland will give a fascinating guide to form ahead
of the ICC Cricket World Cup, to be staged here in 2019.” It will be only the second time India, the world’s number one Test side, play a fiveTest series in England since 1959. England’s summer will begin in May with two Tests against Pakistan at Lord’s and Headingley. They have a one-off one-day game against Scotland in Edinburgh on June 10, followed by five one-day internationals and a T20 match against Australia later that month. England’s other series: Pakistan May 24-28: 1st Test, Lord’s June 1-5: 2nd Test, Headingley Scotland June 10: ODI, Edinburgh Australia June 13: 1st ODI, The Oval June 16: 2nd ODI, Sophia Gardens June 19: 3rd ODI, Trent Bridge June 21: 4th ODI, Chester-le-Street June 24: 5th ODI, Old Trafford June 27: T20, Edgbaston HT
Gautam Gambhir to help slain Kashmiri cop’s daughter Zohra live life’s dreams CRICKETER Gautam Gambhir on Tuesday 5 September said that he will support for life the educational expenses of Zohra, the five-yearold daughter of a policeman killed by militants in August. “Zohra,I can’t put u 2 sleep wid a lullaby but I’ll help u 2 wake up 2 live ur dreams. Will support ur education 4 lifetime #daughterofIndia,” the cricketer tweeted. In his next tweet, Gautam Gambhir said, “Zohra,plz don’t let those tears fall as i doubt even Mother Earth can take d weight of ur pain. Salutes to ur martyred dad ASI,Abdul Rashid.” Zohra has been prompt in acknowledging Gambhir’s heartwarming gesture. “Thank you, Gautam Sir, me and my family are very happy with your gesture, I want to become a doctor,” wrote Zohra. On August 28,Abdul Rashid, an assistant sub-inspector of JammuKashmir police, was gunned down by militants in the south Kashmir town of Anantnag.
BARCELONA’s under-fire president Josep Maria Bartomeu launched a counter-attack on his critics on Tuesday 5 September by insisting a four-year contract extension for Lionel Messi has been signed by the player’s agent and father, Jorge Horacio Messi. Barcelona announced an agreement with the five-time World Player of the Year in July, but Messi himself is yet to put pen to paper amid rumours he is unhappy with the running of the club. Messi’s current deal expires in 2018 meaning he could leave Barca for free next summer. “It is all agreed and signed,” said Bartomeu in an interview with Barcelona-based daily Sport. “There are three contracts: one with Messi’s foundation, that is signed by the president of the foundation and the player’s brother; a contract with Leo Messi’s image rights, that his father and administrator of his company have signed; and the work contract that Leo’s father has signed.” When pressed on the delay in Messi signing the deal, Bartomeu claimed both the player and club’s hectic start to the season was to blame and that it would be resolved within a month. “There are no problems. All that is left is the protocol of the signature. We are calm,” he added. Bartomeu and his board have received fierce criticism for their handling of the recently closed transfer window as Paris Saint-Germain enticed Neymar away from the Catalan giants for a world record 222 million euros ($263.7 million). A vote of no confidence motion has been launched by former Barca presidential can-
didate Agusti Benedito that could oust Bartomeu if it receives enough support from the club’s members in the coming weeks. However, Bartomeu described the loss of the Brazilian as an “opportunity” for Barca to build their team around the midfield rather than a superstar front three of Neymar, Messi and Luis Suarez. “The trident was very good but it had its consequences. It is an opportunity to return to the collective football in the middle of the field, which traditionally was Barca’s strength. “It is an opportunity, with a new coach, a new project. We need to stop being pessimistic!” Neymar’s departure sparked a haphazard shopping spree from Barca, who landed 20year-old French winger Ousmane Dembele for an initial 105 million euro fee from Borussia Dortmund and Paulinho for 40 million from Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande. However, Barca missed out on a host of other targets, including Liverpool’s Philippe Coutinho, blaming the rampant inflation in the transfer market caused by PSG and Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City. La Liga has asked UEFA to investigate both PSG and City for breaches of financial fair play rules. “Qatar and Abu Dhabi are two countries that have two clubs,” added Bartomeu. “If Bayern Munich, Manchester United, Real Madrid or Arsenal buy a player from you, you know (the money) comes from football. “But these two clubs distort the market.” HT morning, her photos went viral on social media. Gautam Gambhir remains an active cricketer. Pushing 36, the lefthanded Delhi batsman last played -- a Test match against England at Rajkot -- for India in November 2016. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders in the 2017 Indian Premier League. The Gautam Gambhir Foundation is actively involved in charity work. The cricketer recently launched a free community kitchen in West Delhi.
• Indian cricket team’s tour of England will begin with a T20 series in July 2018.(Getty Images)
At the wreath-laying ceremony held for Abdul Rashid at the district police lines in Srinagar that
50 — THE BRISBANE INDIAN TIMES, September, 2017
evening, his daughter broke down uncontrollably. Press photographers captured that www.indiantimes.com.au
heart-wrenching moment – Zohra, dressed in her school uniform, crying inconsolably. By Tuesday
Gambhir is spontaneous in reacting to social issues. The recent deaths of children in Gorakhpur had hurt the cricketer tremendously. Call 07 3865 6533