CENTURION: By the time Trevor Bayliss took over as England’s cricket coach, after a World Cup in which the team were the tournament’s laughing stock, the winds of change had already cleared some of the dressing-room gloom. Paul Farbrace, who had been Bayliss’s deputy when Sri Lanka reached the final of the World Twenty20 in 2009, was the man managing transition, and he had already loosened the straitjackets that had doomed the Peter Moores regime.
Bayliss came with a stellar resume. Less than two years after reaching that World T20 final at Lord’s, he took Sri Lanka to a World Cup final in Mumbai, where only an unprecedented run chase from India denied them the trophy. After that, and a successful stint with the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League, he took over a side that was even more of a joke than England’s World Cup team.
The Kolkata Knight Riders started off with a movie star owner, Shah Rukh Khan, and a local hero, Sourav Ganguly, as captain. John Buchanan, whose coaching reputation plummeted like the global stock markets in 2008 once he left Australia, then experimented with the idea of multiple captains during the IPL’s second season. That was as effective as a lead balloon.
Under Bayliss, and with the side now led by the combative Gautam Gambhir, Kolkata won the IPL twice in three seasons. Bayliss was not prone to the eccentricities of his predecessor. Instead, he empowered his stars to take responsibility. Freed from quixotic ideas and playing without fear, they went from being a team others mocked to one that they wanted to emulate.
When he was appointed to the England post, the mandate was clearly to win the biggest prize in the white-ball game, the World Cup. Since reaching the final for the third time in 1992, England have not even made the last four, with each outing more embarrassing than the last.
The numbers have certainly vindicated the appointment. Despite the Champions Trophy disappointment, where they were undone by an inspired Pakistan in the semifinal, England’s win-loss record under Bayliss, 32-13, is the best of any team, better than India (30-16) and South Africa (27-13). Australia, the world champions, who England crushed at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday on the back of Jason Roy’s dazzling 180, are way behind (25-22).
“Trevor’s been fantastic for us, he creates a brilliant atmosphere around the team which allows people to go out and play in that free fashion,” Jos Buttler told the BBC recently. “He doesn’t miss a beat, he sees everything that goes on and his great strength is he’s a great man manager. He really looks after people and gives them confidence. Any coach who can make the player feel 10 feet tall when they go out is fantastic.”
Why then is there so much unease over Bayliss recently announcing that he would leave the job after the 2019 World Cup and home Ashes? That’s easily explained. The hardcore of English cricket support, who follow the team around the world at considerable expense, enjoy the one-day jinks, but it is Test cricket that really matters to them.
And in that arena, Bayliss’s England have been poor. The 4-0 Ashes drubbing followed a 4-0 hammering in India the previous winter. But for an Ashes win immediately after he took over and home and away successes against a South Africa side managing some tricky transformation issues, England just haven’t been good enough. The win-loss ratio (15-18) leaves them trailing way behind the leading trio of India, South Africa and Australia.
Worse still, the one player to have improved as a Test cricketer under Bayliss, Ben Stokes, is now in limbo. And the selection of the Test squad to New Zealand suggests that the authorities aren’t really bothered by the downturn in red-ball form. After an Ashes series where all the leading lights apart from Jimmy Anderson failed — Alastair Cook’s double-hundred with the series already lost should not get too many brownie points — it is the fringe players that have paid the price.
Gary Ballance is gone without even playing a game, Jake Ball after just one in Brisbane. Tom Curran, who had the misfortune to bowl on the two most sluggish surfaces while showing plenty of gumption with the bat, is also omitted.
Time was when an Ashes debacle resulted in the kind of purge that accompanies revolutions. By burying their head in the sand after this latest disaster, English cricket’s decision-makers have clearly shown that it is the white ball that is uppermost in their thoughts.
ODI-focussed England bury their head in the sand over Ashes debacle
ODI-focussed England bury their head in the sand over Ashes debacle
Saudi delegation holds ‘productive discussions’ at global hockey assembly in Oman
- Event marked 100th anniversary of founding of International Hockey Federation
RIYADH: The Saudi Hockey Federation said on Sunday it had held “productive discussions” at the recent general assembly in Muscat which hosted both the Asian and the International Hockey Federation.
This year’s assembly, which finished on Saturday, marked the 100th anniversary of the International Hockey Federation’s founding.
The Kingdom’s delegation was led by Mohammed Al-Mandeel, chairman at the Saudi federation, alongside Ahmed Al-Jeaidan, vice president, and board member Reham Al-Ajroush.
The assembly provided an opportunity for member nations to collaborate and discuss the sport’s strategic development globally.
The Saudi representatives held discussions with key figures, including Tayyab Ikram, president of the International Hockey Federation, and Marwan Al-Juma, president of the Oman Hockey Federation.
The delegation also met several other international federation leaders. The meetings focused on shared goals for advancing hockey in the region and beyond.
A highlight of the visit was the delegation’s review of Oman Hockey Federation’s stadium facilities, during which the members observed pitch preparation and recent infrastructure improvements.
The Saudi delegation also attended a women’s hockey match in Oman, gaining valuable insight into the development of female participation in the sport and the strides being made in promoting gender inclusivity.
Kingdom’s esports chief ‘proud’ as Riyadh prepares to host 16th IESF World Esports Championship
- Event will bring together more than 50 nations
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia is hosting the 16th edition of the International Esports Federation’s World Esports Championship in Riyadh from Monday.
The event, which is being hosted by the Saudi Esports Federation and runs until Nov. 19, will bring together more than 50 nations across six major esports tournaments at the SEF Arena at Boulevard Riyadh City.
The championship will feature contests in Counter-Strike 2 (including both an open and a women’s category), Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (open and women’s tournaments), PUBG Mobile, and Dota 2.
With over 200 matches set to take place, more than 480 esports enthusiasts are ready to participate and showcase their skills in what organizers hope will be a landmark international event for the Kingdom.
Abdullah Al-Nasser, head of esports at the Saudi Esports Federation, said: “Hosting the IESF World Esports Championship 2024 in Riyadh is another proud accolade for the federation in the Kingdom’s gaming and esports journey to becoming a global hub for the industry.
“We are delighted to welcome all athletes and countries to the WEC24 ahead of what is going to be a fascinating and intense competition.”
The championship’s opening ceremony is to be held on Monday at the main stage of the SEF Arena.
The event will include the introduction of participating teams, highlighted by a flag ceremony displaying the flags of each competing nation. Those attending will also be treated to a look back at the history of the showcase, featuring memorable moments, rivalries, and significant achievements from past editions of the World Esports Championship.
Basketball returns to NEOM Beach Games with FIBA 3x3 World Tour
- Single-hoop tournament’s new incarnation this year is the top tier of the 3x3 format
NEOM, Saudi Arabia: 3x3 basketball returned to NEOM Beach Games this week with the hosting of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour NEOM 2024.
Thrilling final matches saw Team Miami triumph in the men’s tournament and Bahrain’s Al-Zallaq come out on top in the Women’s Cup. The competition drew large crowds at the Beach Games Hub to witness the finalists secure their well-earned victories.
FIBA 3x3 World Tour NEOM 2024 at NEOM Beach Games featured 16 teams, including returning men’s teams Amsterdam, Hangzhou and Plunge. The presence of recent Olympic gold medalists Worthy De Jong, Dylan Travis and Frank Seguela brought an increased competitive edge to the event.
Four Saudi Arabia men’s teams — AlUla, Dammam, Jeddah and Makkah — took part in the tournament.
The NEOM Beach Games also saw strong women’s representation from Saudi Arabia, with Jeddah and Riyadh teams stepping on to the court.
Following their remarkable success in Manama, where Riyadh made history by winning the Kingdom’s first international 3x3 women’s trophy, they continued to impress by reaching the semifinals.
Jeddah excelled throughout the competition, finishing as the cup runner-up after a close match against Al-Zallaq.
WTA Foundation champions women’s health at event in Riyadh
- Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud: ‘We have laid the foundations for cooperation with WTA toward a healthier, more active future both on and off the court’
- Ahead of the WTA Finals Riyadh, former players Marion Bartoli, Martina Hingis and Daniela Hantuchova called for greater resources, visibility and funding
RIYADH: Ahead of the final match of the inaugural WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF, the WTA Foundation on Saturday hosted “Championing Women’s Health Together,” an educational event attended by Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud and tennis legends Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchova and Martina Hingis.
The event, highlighting a new vision for women and girls in Saudi Arabia, and addressing global health priorities such as maternal and child malnutrition, was supported by several regional and global partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Health and Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Tennis Federation and WTA’s title partner, Hologic.
“Championing Women’s Health Together” is one of five major development engagements to take place this year since the WTA Foundation launched its “Women Change the Game” campaign in partnership with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation this past International Women’s Day.
Panel discussions tackled a variety of issues including the role of preventative women’s health, the lifelong health benefits of sports for women and girls, the global state of women’s health and maternal nutrition, and the goals of the WTA Foundation’s Global Women’s Health Fund.
The fund launched with a $1.5 million donation from Hologic. It focuses on providing prenatal vitamins to at least 1 million women in low- and middle-income countries in its first year. The resources will be directed to the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund, a global initiative aimed at ending malnutrition.
Former Wimbledon champion and WTA Foundation Game Changer Marion Bartoli highlighted global advancements in women’s healthcare while acknowledging persistent challenges.
“Healthy women are indeed the cornerstone of healthy families, vibrant communities and prosperous economies — from right here in Saudi Arabia to every corner of the globe,” she said.
Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud highlighted the tournament’s lasting impact in inspiring women and girls through tennis as well as promoting healthier lifestyles.
“The legacy of the WTA Finals Riyadh will resonate for years to come, extending beyond the remarkable athleticism shown by the world’s top female tennis players this week,” she said.
“By hosting the WTA Finals, we aimed to inspire women and girls across Saudi Arabia and beyond to embrace tennis not only as a sport, but as a powerful tool for empowerment and community building. Through initiatives like ‘Championing Women’s Health Together’ and our collaborative efforts with the WTA Foundation and the Saudi Tennis Federation to integrate tennis into schools and communities, we have laid the foundations for cooperation with WTA toward a healthier, more active future both on and off the court.”
Dr. Khaled Alabdulkareem, assistant deputy minister for primary healthcare, Ministry of Health, said: “The relationship between sports and healthcare is intrinsic, as an active society is a healthy one. The WTA Finals aligns with our national Vision 2030 ambitions to inspire a healthier, more physically active society. The legacy of the WTA Finals, by inspiring more women into tennis, along with today’s discussions highlighting women’s healthcare, are part of achieving our goals.”
Ann Austin, executive director of the WTA Foundation, highlighted the organization’s dedication to community development.
“The WTA is about changing lives through tennis with its partners around the world, and when we show the world how healthy we can be, we empower an entire generation of young female champions,” she said.
Meanwhile Dr. Alaa Murabit, director of global health advocacy and communications at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, said that across the world “women are changing the game in their homes, workplaces and communities every day.
“While they lead this work, it’s essential to make their health and well-being a priority,” she added. “Investing in women as game-changers requires ensuring women everywhere have access to proven health and nutrition solutions, which is what ‘Women Change the Game’ is all about.”
McIlroy and Bale join forces for special golf challenge in Abu Dhabi
- The sporting icons took part in a series of stunts to promote the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship
Sporting superstars Rory McIlroy and Gareth Bale joined forces recently to showcase their golfing abilities in a unique, eye-catching campaign ahead of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The four-day Rolex Series event, part of the inaugural DP World Tour Play-Offs, is currently taking place at Yas Links, with the likes of McIlroy, Tommy Fleetwood, Justin Rose and Shane Lowry competing.
McIlroy, reigning Race to Dubai champion, was joined by Bale, the former Real Madrid forward and keen golfer, with the pair taking part in a series of visually impressive challenges on Yas Island which involved a fast-paced flying drone.
Firstly, McIlroy and Bale were tasked with hitting shots, both individually and together, with the drone flying as close to the ball flights as possible, changing the flight path around the ball trajectories each time.
They were then challenged to hit a flying drone in the style of a clay shooting target, with the pair working as a team over multiple rounds to complete the task.
