Australian cricket great Shane Warne dies at 52

Australian cricketing great Shane Warne chats with a customer during a book signing event for his new autobiography titled "No Spin", in Melbourne on October 19, 2018. (AFP/File)
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Updated 04 March 2022
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Australian cricket great Shane Warne dies at 52

  • One of the greatest bowlers in cricket history, Warne helped Australia win 1999 World Cup
  • A family statement early Saturday said he died of a suspected heart attack in Thailand

Shane Warne, who was considered one of the greatest bowlers in cricket history and helped Australia win the World Cup in 1999, has died. He was 52. 

Fox Sports television, which employed Warne as a commentator, quoted a family statement early Saturday as saying he died of a suspected heart attack in Koh Samui, Thailand. 

“Shane was found unresponsive in his villa and despite the best efforts of medical staff, he could not be revived,” the statement said. “The family requests privacy at this time and will provide further details in due course.” 

Known as “Warnie,” Warne took 708 test wickets in 145 matches for Australia from 1992-2007, second only to Sri Lanka great Muttiah Muralitharan’s 800 test wickets from 133 matches. 

“Spinning was a dying art, really, till Shane Warne came along,” cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew told the BBC. 

Warne was also part of five Ashes-winning teams against England during his career. 

Warne made his test debut at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1992 and rose to become a key figure across all formats in one of the greatest sustained periods of dominance by any team in world cricket. 

He delivered the “Ball of the Century” with his first toss of the 1993 Ashes tour, bowling Mike Gatting with a ball that turned from well outside leg stump to clip the off bail, instantly writing himself into folklore. 

“It’s one of those wonderful highlights of the game," Gatting said in 2018. “One of those bits of history that belongs not only to me but to probably the best legspinner of all time.” 

Warne was noted as much for his life off the field as on it. 

He was banned for a year in 2003 for taking a prohibited substance, which he blamed on his mother for giving him a diuretic to “improve his appearance.” But he returned in 2004 and in the third Ashes test of 2005 he became the first bowler in history to take 600 test wickets. 

In 1998, the Australian Cricket Board admitted that Warne and Mark Waugh were fined for providing information to an Indian bookmaker during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 1994. 

Warne's exploits off the field took their toll on his marriage and he split from wife Simone, the mother of his three children. He later had a relationship and became engaged to English actress Liz Hurley in 2010. The pair eventually split in 2013. 

Born in the outer Melbourne suburb of Upper Ferntree Gully, Warne first played representative cricket when he was granted a scholarship to Mentone Grammar, representing the University of Melbourne Club in the Victoria Cricket Association under-16 Dowling Shield competition. 

He then joined the St. Kilda Cricket Club, near his home suburb of Black Rock. After a stint in Australian rules football at the St. Kilda under-19 team in 1988, where he made the reserve team and almost turned pro, Warne went to train at the Australia Cricket Academy in Adelaide. 

He made his professional debut in 1991 at Junction Oval in the match between Victoria and Western Australia. 

That same year, he was selected for the Australian B team and toured Zimbabwe, where he scored his first five-or-more-wickets innings. 

Warne's death came only a few hours after he expressed his sadness and condolences following the passing of another Australian cricketer. Former wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh died Friday from a heart attack. 

“Sad to hear the news that Rod Marsh has passed,” Warne wrote on Twitter. “He was a legend of our great game & and inspiration to so many young boys and girls. Rod cared deeply about cricket & gave so much - especially to Australia & England players. Sending lots & lots of love to Ros & the family. RIP mate." 

The news of Warne’s loss came as a shock to players after the first day of play in the opening test in Pakistan. 

“Two legends of our game have left us too soon,” Australia opener David Warner posted. “I’m lost for words, and this is extremely sad. My thoughts and prayers go out to the Marsh and Warne family." 

Sachin Tendulkar, considered one of the world's best batsmen along with former Australian great Don Bradman, said he was “shocked, stunned & miserable." 

“Will miss you Warnie," Tendulkar wrote on Twitter. “There was never a dull moment with you around, on or off the field. Will always treasure our on field duels & off field banter. You always had a special place for India & Indians had a special place for you. Gone too young!" 

West Indian great Brian Lara echoed Tendulkar's comment. 

“Speechless at the moment," Lara said. “I literally don’t know how to sum up this situation. My friend is gone!! We have lost one of the Greatest Sportsmen of all time!! My condolences goes out to his family. RIP Warnie!! You will be missed." 


Delhi down Rajasthan to stay in IPL play-off race

Updated 07 May 2024
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Delhi down Rajasthan to stay in IPL play-off race

  • Delhi posted 221-8 courtesy of Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 20-ball 50 and an attacking 65 by Abishek Porel at their home Feroz Shah Kotla ground
  • Rajasthan looked good in their chase after Samson’s fifth half-century of this season but his dismissal turned the match in Delhi’s favor

NEW DELHI: Skipper Sanju Samson’s 86 went in vain as Delhi Capitals beat Rajasthan Royals by 20 runs on Tuesday to stay in the hunt for an IPL play-off berth.
Delhi posted 221-8 courtesy of Jake Fraser-McGurk’s 20-ball 50 and an attacking 65 by Abishek Porel at their home Feroz Shah Kotla ground.
Rajasthan looked good in their chase after Samson’s fifth half-century of this season but his dismissal, a catch in the deep which was ruled clean by the third umpire, turned the match in Delhi’s favor.
Rajasthan, who are yet to confirm their play-off spot, lost three more wickets in the next two overs and Delhi restricted the opposition to 201-8 for their sixth win in 12 matches.
“We had it in our hands, it was 10-11 runs per over which was achievable but these things happen in the IPL,” Samson said after the loss.
Inaugural champions Rajasthan, placed second behind toppers Kolkata Knight Riders, have eight wins in 11 matches and still favorites to make the top two in the play-offs.
Top four teams will make the play-offs but number one and two will have the advantage of getting an extra match to enter the final on May 26 in Chennai.
Spinner Kuldeep Yadav returned impressive figures of 2-25. Fast bowlers Khaleel Ahmed and Mukesh Kumar also took two wickets.
But the batters set up victory after Fraser-McGurk, who raised his 50 in 19 balls, and Porel attacked in an opening stand of 60.
Rajasthan lost wickets after the openers departed but Tristan Stubbs hammered 41 off 20 balls in a late charge to take the total to 221-8.
Stubbs was helped by Gulbadin Naib, who hit 19, and Rasikh Salam, who hit two sixes in his nine runs, as Delhi got 53 runs from the last three overs.
The in-form Samson, a wicketkeeper-batsman who has amassed 459 runs, attempted to set up the chase only to depart in the 16th over when Shai Hope caught the batsman off Kumar.
Hope’s foot was parallel to the boundary rope but the third umpire ruled it out and a disappointed Samson walked back after a chat with the on-field officials.
Veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin led the Rajasthan bowling with figures of 3-24.
Yuzvendra Chahal took his 350th T20 wicket — first Indian to achieve the feat — when he got skipper Rishabh Pant, a left-hand batsman, caught out at fine leg for 15.


Strong Day 4 showing from World’s Top 10 as Saudi Smash livestream viewership surpasses 2 million globally

Updated 07 May 2024
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Strong Day 4 showing from World’s Top 10 as Saudi Smash livestream viewership surpasses 2 million globally

  • Trio of Top 10 players progress to women's singles last 32; four of men’s Top 10 also progress
  • Over 260,000 hours of Saudi Smash action watched on WTT Livestream & Livestream Replay; impressions reach 10 million

JEDDAH: The world’s best players were back in full flow at Saudi Smash 2024 with several top seeds securing statement wins on Tuesday. After some sensational upsets 24 hours prior, the table tennis elite showed their quality and skill on Day 4 of Saudi Arabia’s latest international sporting event – moving within touching distance of the latter stages with some exceptional play and performances.

With the highest-ranked Saudi and Chinese players in action across 29 matches in Jeddah, a wonderful blend of local and international fans watched on as the Men’s Singles round of 32 took centre stage at King Abdullah Sports City. World number 2 Fan Zhendong, French fifth seed Felix Lebrun, Japan’s Tomokazu Harimoto (#9), and Germany’s Dang Qiu (#10) all progressed to the last 16 with impressive victories.

A trio of top 10 players also moved within one match of the Women’s Singles quarter-finals. China’s world number 1 and Saudi Smash favorite Sun Yingsha secured passage to the next round alongside her countrywoman Chen Xingtong (#6). Mima Ito (#10) also progressed, setting up a highly anticipated all-Japanese showdown with Miyuu Kihara on Wednesday.

Day 4 came to a close on Table 1 inside the Infinity Arena as hometown heroes Ali Alkhadrawi and Abdulaziz Bu Shulyabi faced off against the Men’s Doubles top seed pairing of Wang Chuqin and Ma Long – the world’s number 1 and 3 ranked players. The Chinese duo progressed to the quarter-finals following a high-quality clash.

Despite falling short against the Men’s Doubles favourites, Ali Alkdahrawi – the Kingdom’s highest-ranked player – was full of optimism ahead of Saudi Smash 2025 and beyond. He said: “Playing against the world’s best pairing is invaluable experience for both of us and the occasion was all the more special because of our home supporters. We’re blessed and fortunate to have received the best support possible in this event. We really enjoyed today’s match and went into it with high confidence. It stands us in good stead as we look to continue our development and we can’t wait to return for next year’s second edition.”

Organised by the Saudi Table Tennis Federation (STTF) and World Table Tennis (WTT) in collaboration with the Ministry of Sport, Saudi Smash is the newest WTT Grand Smash event and one of three major tournaments in the WTT Series Calendar.

Since Saudi Arabia’s first officially sanctioned table tennis event started, its influence and impact have been felt around the globe with accumulated livestream views on WTT channels surpassing two million. Over 260,000 hours of Saudi Smash action have also been watched across livestream and livestream replays – where impressions have also exceeded 10 million.

Running until May 11, Saudi Smash combines the precision and skill of the world’s best table tennis players with the dynamic and entertaining experience of a WTT Grand Smash with 240 of the world’s best men, women, and doubles athletes from 55 countries competing.

The Saudi Smash joins an incredible year-round schedule of international sports in Saudi Arabia and is a part of the Kingdom’s investment in sport, which aims to inspire its people to enjoy active and healthy lives as part of the country’s Vision 2030 cultural transformation.

Tickets to Saudi Smash are on sale here.

For the complete player list, visit here.


UAE claims 9 medals on opening day of Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship

Updated 07 May 2024
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UAE claims 9 medals on opening day of Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship

  • It is the first time that youth competitions have been included in the continental championship
  • UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team excelled in the jiu-jitsu discipline, securing nine medals, including two golds and two silvers

ABU DHABI: The Jiu-Jitsu Asian Youth Championship kicked off at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City with hosts UAE amassing nine medals on the opening day.

Featuring competitions for athletes under 16, 18, and 21 years old, the youth championship is part of the eighth Jiu-Jitsu Asian Championship held under the patronage of Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, crown prince of Abu Dhabi and chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, from May 3-8.  

It is the first time that youth competitions have been included in the continental championship.

The inaugural day witnessed competitions across various disciplines including duo-classic, show, jiu-jitsu, and jiu-jitsu fighting. The UAE Jiu-Jitsu National Team excelled in the jiu-jitsu discipline, the only discipline it is participating in, securing nine medals, including two golds and two silvers.

Najla Hashem (-48 kg) and Haneen Alkhoori (-57 kg) won gold for the hosts, while Ali Alnajar (-40 kg) and Hamdan Alnajar (-48 kg) won silver. Alyazia Aljneibi (+63 kg), Ghala Al-Hammadi (44 kg), Zayed Al-Hosani (+77 kg), Saif Al-Balushi (44 kg), and Saif Hamad Al Ameri (62 kg) won bronze.


Hyo-Joo Kim relishing chance to play Aramco Team Series event in home country

Updated 07 May 2024
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Hyo-Joo Kim relishing chance to play Aramco Team Series event in home country

  • ‘Unique format of the event excites me,’ golfer says
  • $1m pro-am competition is first for Ladies European Tour in South Korea

LONDON: South Korean golfer Hyo-Joo Kim says she is “excited” about playing in an Aramco Team Series event in her home country later this week.

The series is heading to Seoul for the second leg of a five-location global tour, as the Ladies European Tour makes its debut in South Korea, at the New Korea Country Club.

The event runs from Friday to Sunday and will see 36 teams — each comprising three professionals and one amateur — competing for the team title, before the professionals battle it out on the final day for the individual title and a share of the $1 million prize pot.

Kim said that playing in front of a home crowd would be a major source of motivation to clinch her first Aramco Team Series in her debut year.

“I’ve heard from those on tour how special Aramco Team Series events are and how they are set up like a major. As soon as I heard the series was heading to Korea for the first time there was no doubt that I would be competing,” she said.

“The unique format of the event excites me. I’ve never played in a tournament quite like it. I’m looking forward to competing with some of my fellow LPGA players here on Korean soil and exciting the passionate crowds.”

Kim will be joined by American Danielle Kang, who is on the hunt for her first win since 2022. The 2017 KPMG PGA Championship winner is no stranger to the city and has Korean heritage.

“I’m thrilled to be participating in the Aramco Team Series in Korea,” Kang said.

“I absolutely love the team aspect of this series and can’t wait to play alongside a great field of golfers from both the LPGA and LET. I am very thankful for this opportunity and excited to compete.”


Saudi fighter Al-Qahtani faces Morocco’s Bendaoud as PFL tournament makes MENA debut

Updated 07 May 2024
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Saudi fighter Al-Qahtani faces Morocco’s Bendaoud as PFL tournament makes MENA debut

  • Iraq’s Ali Taleb faces Jordanian Nawras Abzakh in the bantamweight division co-main event
  • The first of four PFL MENA Season events takes place in Riyadh

Riyadh: Abdullah “The Reaper” Al-Qahtani headlines the fight card when the Professional Fighters League stages its first PFL MENA event in Riyadh on May 10.

The capital hosts the opening instalment of a four-event sport-season format featuring the region’s top fighters in a groundbreaking initiative with SRJ Sports Investments.

The action at the Green Halls in Riyadh will feature fights in the featherweight and bantamweight divisions, with the best Middle Eastern and North African fighters competing in a PFL playoff win-and-advance format. 

Al-Qahtani takes on Morocco’s Taha Bendaoud in a featherweight bout, while the co-main event features Iraqi fighter Ali Taleb, who will meet Jordan’s Nawras Abzakh in a bantamweight showdown.

PFL MENA Fight Card 

Featherweight main event: Abdullah Al-Qahtani vs. Taha Bendaoud 

Bantamweight co-main event: Ali Taleb vs. Nawras Abzakh

Bantamweight: Xavier Alaoui vs. Rachid El-Hazoume 

Featherweight: Islam Reda vs. Adam Meskini

Bantamweight: Tariq Ismail vs. Jalal Al-Daaja

Bantamweight: Elias Boudegzdame vs. Hassan Mandour

Amateur female atomweight: Hattan Alsaif vs. Nada Faheem

Featherweight: Maraoune Bellagouit vs. Motaz Askar

Featherweight: Ahmed Tarek vs. Abdelrahman Alhyasat

Showcase featherweight: Mido Mohammed vs. Yazeed Hasanain

Showcase flyweight: Malik Basahel vs. Harsh Pandya