20
GUYANATIMESgy.COM
tuesDAY, september 26, 2017
New JFF President delivers promise of more games for Reggae Boyz
Mills signs 2-year deal with Hobart Hurricanes
P
resident of the Jamaica Football Federation (JFF), Michael Ricketts, is making good on his promise to use the FIFA windows to give the Reggae Boyz more competition. With that in mind, the Reggae Boyz will play Saudi Arabia on October 7 at the King Fahd International Stadium, also called Pearl of Stadiums, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia have already qualified for the 2018 FIFA World Cup, joining Iran, Japan, Korea Republic as the Asian representatives in Russia. The Asian team finished second in their Group behind Japan to add to their qualifications in 1994; 1998; 2002 and 2006. Ricketts, in signing off on the game stated "this is an indication of our in-
E
ngland and Sussex fast bowler Tymal Mills has joined Big Bash side Hobart Hurricanes on a two-year contract. Mills, 25, has previously played for Brisbane Heat and has four Twenty20 caps for England. Primarily a T20 specialist because of a back problem, he plays for Sussex in the T20 Blast, Royal Challengers Bangalore and Quetta Gladiators. “I was really pleased when my agent said the Hurricanes were interested in me,” he told the Hurricanes’ website. “I want to make it a long-lasting relationship, so I’m really pleased to sign on for a couple of seasons.” His move to the Big Bash, which will run from 19 December to 4 February 2018, is subject to a ‘No Objection Certificate’ being issued by the ECB.
The Reggae Boyz’s next fixture is in Saudi Arabia
tent to continue seeking high- quality international friendly games for the senior team. This level of opposition provides an opportunity for the players and technical team to continue the rebuilding of a successful Reggae Boyz team".
National Senior team coach Theodore Whitmore has also welcomed the game stating "I anticipate a highly competitive fixture which is excellent for our plans moving forward". Jamaica has played Saudi Arabia three
times winning one; losing one and drawing the other. All three games were played between 1998-99. The game will be played in a FIFA window. The squad will be announced later this week. (Sportsmax)
(BBC Sport)
Tymal Mills was snapped up by Indian Premier League side Royal Challengers Bangalore in March
Agar ruled out of remaining India ODIs
A
fractured finger for left-arm spinner Ashton Agar is another setback for Australia after the tourists surrendered their ODI series 3-0 to India in Indore with two matches remaining. Agar broke the digit as Steven Smith's team were unable to defend 293
against India's rampant batsmen. He spent time off the field and, though he returned to bowl, he is now out of the tour. "Ashton injured his right little finger whilst fielding in the match last night," the team doctor Richard Saw said. "Following the conclusion of the match he went
for x-rays which have confirmed a fracture of the finger. He will return home to Australia and consult a specialist with a possibility of surgery." After playing in two Tests in Bangladesh, Agar was not initially part of the ODI team but was included after Adam Zampa was harsh-
ly dealt with by India's middle order in the first ODI in Chennai. Smith was critical of Zampa bowling too full in the match and subsequently preferred Agar. Zampa, who possesses a handsome IPL record, can now expect a recall for the remainder of the series. (ESPN Cricinfo)
A happy mama, Serena Williams enjoying her bundle of joy Alexis Olympia Ohanian
ICC supports fresh start for USA Cricket S The USA Cricket team in the 2013 ICC World Twenty20 Qualifier in the UAE
O
n an historic day for the sport, cricket in the United States took a step closer towards the creation of a new federation with the launch of the USA Cricket brand, unveiled on the 173rd anniversary of the first ever international sporting event – a cricket match between the USA and Canada which is now known as the Auty Cup. The brand and the new USA Cricket social media platforms, which was launched on September 24, represent a new chapter for the sport in the USA. It is the first step towards getting a new governing body up and running, until which time the sport will continue to be delivered by the ICC Americas USA Project team and the Local Advisory Groups. The creation of a membership database that will facilitate a transparent election process will now follow with the focus on
creating a federation that can represent and unify the whole cricket community in the USA. A new Board is expected to be in place by April 2018. A collaborative approach to developing the new marks was coordinated by U.S. based creative agency, Adrenalin, which won a competitive pitch process and has shaped the brands of many major league sport franchises and national federations within the USA. The brand represents unity and the platforms will be the place to go for USA Cricket content. ICC Americas USA Project Manager Eric Parthen said, “It is a very exciting day for cricket in the United States as we celebrate the past and look to the future. It is a fresh start and we are hugely encouraged by what we have been hearing from the cricket community. The conversations and progress
we have made are on track to unifying as one body for cricket in the USA. “The launch of the USA Cricket brand and the social media platforms are the first step in achieving our goal and we have produced an exciting look and feel for the federation.” Speaking on behalf of the creative development, Dan Price, President of Adrenalin, said, “The launch of USA Cricket is the first step to introducing the sport of cricket to millions of new fans as well as providing structure and guidance to participants, old and new, across the country. We are thrilled with the new mark and look forward to the impact USA Cricket will have on the sport worldwide.” USA Cricket can be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram at the handle @ usacricket. The website www.usacricket.org is coming soon. (usacricketers.com)
erena Williams remains focused on her tennis comeback just weeks after becoming a mother and will make a strong return, according to her friend Caroline Wozniacki. Wozniacki, who was speaking at the WTA Wuhan Open Monday ahead of her first-round match in the Chinese city, said the tennis superstar had been sending her pictures of the baby girl, Alexis Olympia Ohanian. “She’s so cute and I’m looking forward to meeting her,” Wozniacki told reporters, adding that her tennis commitments had so far prevented her visiting the new family. Asked whether Williams was keeping an eye on the sport she has dominated for so many years, the World No 6 said: “Serena, I think she can be focused on both (the baby and tennis). “I think she’s going to do a strong comeback but I think at the same time she’s
enjoying being a mum as well and getting that whole experience. I think it’s very special.” Williams, 35, has said she wants to return to competitive tennis in January to defend her Australian Open title after giving birth to her daughter on 1 September. Earlier this month two former stars who became parents questioned whether she would be able to regain top form so soon after childbirth. Three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who retired for two years and had a baby before returning to win the US Open in 2009, said it depends on “how your body reacts — everybody reacts different in those situations”. American Mary Joe Fernandez, a runner-up at the 1990 and 1992 Australian Opens and 1993 French Open, said that she could not have done it but “Serena is an exception to a lot of rules”. (First Post)