DHAKA, Wednesday: Hundreds of supporters of Bangladesh’s cricket captain Shakib Al Hasan protested on Wednesday after he was banned for two years by the sport’s governing body for not declaring attempts to bribe him.

The ban on the 32-year-old superstar was announced Tuesday by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which suspended one year of the punishment after Shakib “accepted three charges of breaching the ICC Anti-Corruption Code”.

Shakib made a public appeal for support after being banned, unleashing a flood of angry anti-ICC social media posts from his fans. Police said about 700 people took to the streets in Shakib’s hometown of Magura, demanding the ICC revoke the ban which came on the eve of Bangladesh’s departure for a tour of India.

“The protesters shouted slogans and marched along a highway. They also formed a human chain as part of their action against the ICC decision,” said Saiful Islam, police chief in the western town.

Protesters carried placards saying that Shakib was the victim of a “conspiracy”. Smaller protests were held in the capital Dhaka, police said. The Test and T20 captain accepted charges that he had failed to disclose details of approaches made over a tri-nation series between Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Zimbabwe in 2018 as well as the 2018 Indian Premier League (IPL).

Shakib will be eligible to return from October 29 next year but he is ruled out of the T20 World Cup in Australia which starts October 8.

“Those who have supported me over the years, I hope they, the fans, Bangladesh Cricket Board, the government, the journalists will continue to support me in my bad and good time,” Shakib told reporters after the ban was announced.

“I am hopeful I will come back to cricket soon. I will be stronger and will perform my responsibilities with more sincerity,” he said.

Shakib, who has played 56 Tests, 206 ODIs and 76 Twenty20 internationals, is Bangladesh’s biggest sporting hero and has regularly topped the ICC rankings for all-rounders since 2009.

At this year’s World Cup in England, Shakib scored more than 600 runs and picked up 11 wickets. He also became the fastest cricketer to reach 5,000 runs and 250 wickets in one-day internationals.

After the ban, Shakib stepped down from the MCC World Cricket committee, which said it was “sorry” to lose him but supported his resignation, which was “the right decision”.

Bangladesh’s new Twenty20 captain Mahmudullah said he had full sympathy for Shakib.

“We all are sad for him because we know how important a player he is for the team,” Mahmudullah said before leaving for India for the tour.

“Maybe he made a mistake. But he did not commit any crime. We still support Shakib. We will continue to love him the way we used to,” he said.

Bangladesh Cricket Board president Nazmul Hassan said Shakib’s suspension was “shocking” as he was the team’s centrepiece.

“We have no substitute (for Shakib)... I was angry when I first heard about it and asked why he didn’t inform me. We planned our India tour keeping Shakib in the team,” Nazmul told reporters.

Bangladesh will play two Tests and three T20 internationals in its Indian tour that starts November 3. – AFP

JOHANNESBURG, Wednesday: Cricket South Africa said Wednesday it had placed three top officials on “precautionary suspension”.

No names were given but South African media reported that they included Corrie van Zyl, the interim director of cricket, who was seen as a front-runner for the full-time role which holds responsibility for the national team.

The suspensions came less than two months before South Africa host England in a four-Test series, with the key positions of director of cricket and team director yet to be filled.

CSA said in a statement the suspensions were related to a dispute over unpaid fees to players following the Mzansi Super League T20 tournament last year. The 2019 version of the tournament starts on November 8.

The other officials reportedly suspended are chief operating officer Naasei Appiah and sponsorship head Clive Eksteen.

The suspensions came a week after the South African Cricketers’ Association (SACA), which represents professional players, declared a dispute with CSA over money it said was due to the players for commercial rights relating to the MSL 2018.

CSA said it was investigating whether the suspended officials were “derelict in fulfilling their duties” and that disciplinary action could follow. It said all fees due to the players would be paid to SACA immediately. The latest upheavals come at a time when the national team appears to be in disarray. Ottis Gibson and his coaching staff were fired after a poor World Cup campaign and a new structure was announced, with a team director to be appointed who would report to the director of cricket.

Van Zyl, a long-time employee of CSA, was appointed interim director of cricket and Enoch Nkwe was made appointed interim team director following a successful season as coach of the Lions franchise.

Nkwe was in charge of the team that suffered three heavy defeats in three Tests in India earlier this month.

Applications for the permanent posts close tomorrow. The first Test against England starts on December 26. – AFP

North Western Province recorded their second win in the Prima Champion Trophy Inter-Provincial cricket first round when they beat Western Province (South Outer) by 15 runs at MCG Katunayake yesterday.

In the other matches Uva Province beat Eastern Province by 3 wickets at Rangiri Dambulla, Western Province (North) beat Central Province by 46 runs at Pallekele and Western Province (Central) beat Northern Province at Polonnaruwa.

North Western Province right arm leg-spinner Thimira Viran took 5 wickets for 4 runs against Western Province (South Outer).

Two matches were abandoned without a ball bowled at CCC and BRC grounds between Western Province South and North Central Province and, Southern Province and Western Province (North Outer).

RESULTS:

• At MCG Katunayake: North Western Province won by 15 runs.

North Western Province: 151 (31.4) (Menusha Perera 38, Methmal De Soysa 29, Gayana Weerasingha 25, Vishwa Lahiru 3/20, Vidusha Nethmika 3/28, Nethon Liyanage 2/33)

Western Province (South Outer): 136 (27.2) (Deshan Dilmith 32, Janith Dananjaya 28, Yesith Kalupahana 24, Thimira Viran 5/4)

•  At Rangiri Dambulla: Uva Province won by 3 wickets.

Eastern Province: 94 (35.1) (S. Dilshan 26, Chanuka Dhananjaya 3/16, Methvin Rajapaksha 3/18)

Uva Province: 96/7 (22.1) (M. Thameen 21, Nadun Heshan 20, J. Nikladarshan 3/11, Kaveesha Piumal 3/33)

• At Polonnaruwa: Western Province (Central) won by 5 wickets.

Northern Province: 95 (32.3) (K. Sadeshan 35, Vihas Seumika 2/8, Yasiru Yugath 2/12, Themiya Gunaratne 2/17)

Western Province (Central): 96/5 (11.3) (Yuneth Seneviratne 28, Sahan Kaushlya 21, Sineth Jayawardana 20, Y. Vidushan 2/5)

• At Pallekele: Western Province (North) won by 46 runs.

Western Province (North): 280/8 (50) (Shevon Daniel 99, Sahan Dabare 70, Hiran Jayasundara 42, Chamath Chathurya 22, Vibavith Ahalepola 2/22, Thenuka Ekanayake 2/42, Lahiru Abeysinghe 2/50)

Central Province: 234/8 (50) (Induwara Galapitage 63, Anjala Bandara 51, T. S. Mathews 44 n.o., Chamath Chathurya 2/34, Shenuk Serasinghe 2/35, Shevon Daniel 2/46) - YK

HARARE, Wednesday: Zimbabwe have appointed recently retired former national team captain Hamilton Masakadza as their new Director of Cricket, a new all-powerful role aimed at improving the way the organisation develops the game on and off the pitch.

Masakadza will take up the position on Nov. 1 and will be “accountable for the recruitment, management and interaction of senior cricket technical staff within the cricket affairs department”, said a Zimbabwe Cricket (ZC) statement on Wednesday. – Agencies

London, Wednesday: Former Australian international Lisa Keightley became the first woman to be appointed full-time coach of the England women’s cricket team on Wednesday the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) announced.

The 48-year-old who played nine Tests and 85 One Day Internationals succeeds Mark Robinson and will take up her post in January.

Keightley -- who coached the England Women’s Academy between 2011 and 2015 -- takes over a team that like their male counterparts are world champions in the 50 over format.

“I’m massively excited. It’s a huge opportunity,” said Keightley, who went on to win the World Cup as a player in her swansong season in 2005.

“It’s a team full of world-class players and to be given the chance to work with some of the players who I worked with a few years ago is really exciting.

“I can’t wait to get started and see where we can get to.

“England are the current 50-over world champions and they made it to the final of the last ICC Women’s T20 World Cup.

“They’re a very competitive side and they wouldn’t be in big matches like that if they didn’t have a really strong group of players who can perform on the big stage.”

Former Australian men’s coach Darren Lehmann welcomed her appointment tweeting: “Great news”

Keightley -- who is presently coaching the Perth Scorchers in the Women’s Big Bash in Australia -- will step down from her role as head coach of Hundred franchise London Spirit.

Clare Connor, the ECB managing director of women’s cricket, said Keightley had impressed the selection panel with her vision.

“Lisa was the stand-out candidate from a varied and highly talented group of applicants,” said Connor. AFP

Saracens SC and Kalutara TC drew their Major Emerging Inter-Club match played at Public ground Bandaragama yesterday.

Scores:

Saracens SC: 141/5 decl (113/3 o/n) (32.2) (Ashen Bandara 68 n.o., Pethum Madusanka 35, Yasitha Umayanga 3/43, Isuru Pradeep 2/54)

Kalutara Town Club: 145/4 (30.2) (Lahiru Thambavita 97, Pramod Maduwantha 2/48) - YK

TOKYO, Wednesday: New Zealand coach Steve Hansen announced seven changes on Wednesday for his team to play Wales in Friday’s Rugby World Cup third-place play-off, his last match in charge.

Fullback Beauden Barrett is the only outside back player remaining from last week’s stunning 19-7 defeat by England, the All Blacks’ first World Cup loss in 12 years.

Ben Smith, a bit-player at this World Cup, comes in on the right wing with Rieko Ioane on the left, while Sonny Bill Williams and Ryan Crotty make up the centres.

Hansen has kept his first-choice half-back combination of Richie Mo’unga and Aaron Smith. Dane Coles replaces Codie Taylor at hooker, Sam Cane returns as openside flanker and Shannon Frizell comes in at blindside for Scott Barrett, who resumes his more accustomed role in the second row.

Despite the changes, it remains a strong team brimming with experience, including six of the players who started the 2015 World Cup final.

Number eight Kieran Read will captain the All Blacks for the 52nd and last time, overtaking former hooker Sean Fitzpatrick in second place on the all-time list behind Richie McCaw. Hansen will bow out after 107 matches in charge, with only 10 defeats so far and successes including the 2015 World Cup, six Rugby Championships and a perfect eight from eight in the Bledisloe Cup, the annual series against Australia.

NEW ZEALAND (15-1)

Beauden Barrett; Ben Smith, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read (capt), Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell; Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick; Nepo Laulala, Dane Coles, Joe Moody

Replacements: Liam Coltman, Atu Moli, Angus Ta’avao, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Todd, Brad Weber, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett – AFP

Eight Sri Lanka schoolboy pugilists will create history when they participate for the first time at the ‘King of the Ring’ international boxing tournament to be held from November 21 to 25 in Boras, Sweden.

The Schools Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (SBASL) selected eight winners at the Stubbs Shield Boxing Championships held as part of the All Island National School Games held earlier this month at the Jayathilaka Boxing Stadium in Nawalapitiya.

This is the first time Sri Lanka’s schoolboy champions will be taking part in this competition which attracted 226 entries last year. The numbers are expected to increase this year with teams from host nation Sweden, England, Norway, Finland, Scotland, Portugal, Ireland, Gambia, Uganda, Senegal, Canada, India, Jordan, and Lebanon having submitted their entries.

“This is the first time Sri Lankan boxers will get an opportunity to showcase their skills in three weight categories – Juniors, Youth and Elite. European countries have developed this weight as a long-term strategy to develop future champions. There is no such competition in the Asian continent,” said a SBASL official.

The SBASL have aligned to Boxing Association of Sri Lanka president Dian Gomes’ policy of developing school level boxers by giving them international exposure. Sri Lanka sent a six-member team for the inaugural ASBC Asian Schoolboys Boxing Championships in Kuwait in July while an eight-member team took part in the ASBC Asian Junior Boxing Championships in Fujairah, UAE, this month. Sri Lanka will also be represented by three boxers at the ASBC Asian Youth Boxing Championships 2019 scheduled to be held from November 8 to 18 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

Trinity College, Kandy’s Attaab Manzil, one of the most scientific boxers at the Stubbs Shield meet will be the solitary representative in the Juniors category. Winner of the Light Fly weight (48kg) class at the Stubbs, Attaab is a fine all-round sportsman having excelled in table tennis from the tender age of eight and also captained the Trinity under 16 rugby team. He has taken to boxing like a duck to water after being spotted as a special talent by Trinity coach Lahiru Senarathne, winning the gold medal at the L.V. Jayaweera meet on his debut. He oozed class and confidence winning his weight in style at the Stubbs.

Three boxers have been selected to represent Sri Lanka in the Youth category including Kavisha Manathunga of St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy who earned a unanimous decision in a classic Fly weight (52kg) contest against Sri Lanka junior international Senuk Himanjith, who won a bronze medal at the 8th Taipei City Cup last year. The other two are Light Fly weight (49kg) winner G.D.I.S. Hansaja of Vidyartha and Hartley College, Jaffna ‘giant’ Shanujan standing tall at 186 cms who won his second Stubbs gold medal fighting in the Heavy weight (81kg) class.

Four boxers have been selected to represent the country in the Elite category, including two from Dheerananda College, Pilimatalawa - S.M.K.S. Bandara (52kg) and Stubbs Shield Best Boxer Chethiya Ekanayake (60kg).

The other two are three times Stubbs Shield winner Nisal Rangana Bandara (49kg) of Peradeniya MMV and Vimuk Hettiarachchi (56kg) of Royal College, Colombo.

The officials selected for the tour are AIBA 2-star coach Abdulla Ibunu of Royal, AIBA 1-star coach K.K.Sunil of Dheerananda MMV, who is also SASL general secretary, AIBA 1-star coach U.D.T.T. Abeywardena of St. Sylvester’s and Lahiru Senarathna, Trinity’s head coach.

Sri Lankan beach volleyball teams that participated at the seventh World Military Games in China won the Fair Play award considering their team spirit and vote by the other teams.

Lankan duo Tiron and Sanuja from the Army and Air Force duo Asanka and Yapa displayed excellent sportsmanship during the tournament.

Tiron and Sanuja qualified for the last 16 in the tournament. Brig.

Mahesh Abeyratne is the coach cum manager of the Lankan teams.

Brazil has won the beach volleyball gold medal while Germany became the runner-up.

The bronze medal went to Oman.

M.M.J. Fathima Nafriya and M.M.J. Nafry Ahamed, two students of Addalaichenai Arafa Vidyalaya won first and third place and secured three gold medals and a bronze medal in kata and kumute divisions in the Eastern Province Karate Championship which was conducted by the Sri Lanka Karate-Do Federation at the Paddiruppu Madhya Maha Vidyalaya (National School), Kaluwanchikudy recently.

Fatthima Nafriya, a grade six student of this school won the first place in the kata and kumute divisions and awarded two gold medals and certificates in the championship.

Nafry Ahamed, a grade seven student of Addalachenai Arafa Vidyalaya, won first and third place in the kata and kumite divisions, and awarded a gold medal and a bronze medal at the competition.

Winners were congratulated and felicitated with prizes by the teachers, parents and Addalaichenai Arafa Vidyalaya Principal M.A. Ansar at a ceremony held at the school.

The two students are members of the Ram Karate Society and trained by Physical Education teacher and coach A.G. Rizwan. The champion students at this competition will have to contest at National level competition shortly.

Ishantha Udaya Liyanapathirana of Lake House Sorts Club competing in the 80kg weight category at the recently concluded 45th National Sports Festival bodybuilding event has qualified for the final five contestants. Udaya became the only one to grab a victory among the Kalutara District bodybuilders who competed at the event.

Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) yesterday announced that next season’s Champion County match against Essex will be held in Sri Lanka.

The traditional curtain-raiser to the new English domestic season, which dates back to 1970 in its current guise, will be played at the Galle International Stadium between 24 and 27 March 2020.

The Champion County match, which sees MCC play the winners of the Specsavers County Championship in a four-day first-class match, was played at Lord’s until 2010 when the match first moved abroad.

It was hosted by the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi until 2018, when it was played at the Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados. Earlier this year, MCC faced Surrey at the Global Cricket Academy in Dubai.

Sri Lanka has been identified for a number of reasons and MCC’s World Cricket committee will also meet there in March, timed to coincide with England’s World Test Championship matches in the country.

John Stephenson, MCC Head of Cricket, said: “The Champion County match is an important part of MCC’s commitment to maintaining a strong presence in the long-form game both domestically and globally. As always, MCC will put out a talented and exciting team in this fixture, providing strong opposition for this season’s County Championship winners. MCC would like to thank Sri Lanka Cricket for their support, co-operation and enthusiasm in hosting this fixture and we are excited to be working closely with them.”

Former Sri Lanka international Kumar Sangakkara will captain MCC in the match. He became MCC’s first overseas President on October 1 this year, further strengthening the club’s links with the island nation.

Members of MCC’s team for the Champion County match will visit the MCC Centre of Excellence near Galle, funded by the club and set up by the Foundation of Goodness to provide sustainable facilities to the surrounding communities.

Kumar Sangakkara, MCC President, said: “It is hugely important to support cricket in countries such as Sri Lanka and taking the Champion County match to Galle is a fantastic way for the Club to provide its backing for the game on a global level. With England touring the country during the same period, this will make for an exciting sequence of events in Sri Lanka and, as one of the best cricketing destinations in the world, it will be a wonderful occasion for all involved. I am looking forward to playing for and indeed captaining the MCC team, which will be full of exciting young talent ready to challenge the County Champions.”

Shammi Silva, president of Sri Lanka Cricket, said: “Sri Lanka Cricket wish to thank MCC for choosing Sri Lanka as its venue to play the MCC Champion County Match in 2020, which we consider as an honour and a privilege bestowed upon the cricket loving public of our country. We are happy to be the host of this historic encounter, which marks the curtain-raiser to the new English domestic season. It is also very fitting that this team is led by none other than our own Kumar Sangakkara, who has recently become the first non-British MCC President.”

The 2019 match was drawn, with rain – unusual in Dubai – curtailing the final day’s play.

MCC were bowled out for 256 in their first innings before Surrey made 520 all out, with Ollie Pope (251) and Jamie Smith (127) starring for the champions with the bat. Dom Sibley (Warwickshire) scored a century in MCC’s second innings as they reached 265 for 4.

MCC is the world’s most active cricket club, the owner of Lord’s Ground and the guardian of the Laws and Spirit of the game. Founded in 1787, it is recognised as the sole authority on the game’s Laws and moved to its current home in St John’s Wood in 1814. There are approximately 18,000 Full and 5,000 Associate Members of MCC.

MELBOURNE, Thursday: After defeats in the first two games, Sri Lanka will play to avoid a series sweep, in the third and final T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday.

Sri Lanka’s batting failed for the second time in the series, this time while setting a target, in Brisbane. Their bowling, too, lacked intensity, as it took only 13 overs for the hosts to chase down 118 runs, with nine wickets remaining. The lone wicket they managed came off a loosener down the leg side.

With their present form, winning seems an uphill task. Can the young side, led by an experienced campaigner in Lasith Malinga, rise from the defeats and end the tour on a winning note?

Australia on the other hand, have the opportunity to register their second clean sweep in a three-match T20I series. Mitchell Starc’s absence in Brisbane hardly made any difference, as Billy Stanlake grabbed his opportunity with both hands, finishing with 2/23 from four overs. Having already won the series, Aaron Finch might well be tempted to test the bench strength by bringing in one of Sean Abbott and Ben McDermott.

Change in tactics didn’t work for Malinga, who opted to bat first after winning the toss, as Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals. Three of their top four batsmen got starts, but none could make it big, as they were eventually bundled out for 117 in 19 overs. Australia lost Finch early in the chase, but normal service was quickly restored, as both David Warner and Steve Smith scored fifties to guide the home side to a comfortable win.

“We are focused on winning, we are fifth in the world, which is a reflection on how we have played in the last couple of years. We need to get that going in the right direction, but also at the same time, maybe have a look at some different combinations,” said Australian captain Aaron Finch.

Sri Lanka captain Lasith Malinga reflecting on his team’s defeat at Brisbane said, “It’s a tough side, and I think with this kind of batting line-up, our score wasn’t enough. We didn’t get the score we expected and the batsmen will have to be more responsible. The only positive is preparation for the upcoming T20 World Cup, as we will be playing in similar conditions and we will have to test ourselves in such situations. We want to win the next game, as this is a young side and it will give them confidence.”

North Western Province recorded their third win in the first round of the Prima Champions Trophy inter-provincial cricket tournament yesterday.

Central Province recorded a mammoth 318 runs win over Northern Province at Pallekele with Anjala Bandara making the first century this season. Left hander Bandara scored 157 runs off 139 deliveries, hitting 20 fours and four sixes against Northern Province. Thisara Ekanayake was associated in a partnership of 248 runs for the third wicket with Bandara.

North Western Province beat Western Province (North Outer) by four wickets at MCG Katunayake and Western Province (Central) beat Uva Province by 154 runs at Rangiri Dambulla. Southern Province beat North Central Province by three runs at BRC and Western Province (North) beat Eastern Province by 10 wickets at Polonnaruwa.

The match between Western Province (South) and Western Province (South Outer) at P. Sara Oval was abandoned without a toss.

Scores:

•  At Pallekele: Central Province won by 318 runs

Central Province 368/7 (50) (Anjala Bandara 157, Thisara Ekanayake 83, Lahiru Abeysinghe 55, Anton Abishek 3/76, K. Vithushan 3/99)

Northern Province 50 (23.3) (Lahiru Abesinghe 4/9, Ishara Maduwantha 2/1, Dihan Mudunkotuwa 2/7, Thenuka Ekanayake 2/17)

•  At MCG Katunayake: North Western Province won by 4 wickets

Western Province (North Outer) 158 (46.3) (Muditha Lakshan 57, Rashmika Hirushan 20, Meusha Perera 4/16, Dineth Milan 2/20, Pasindu Wijekoon 2/28)

North Western Province 159/6 (41.5) (Gayana Weerasinghe 54 n.o., Gayan Harshana 25 n.o., Nethmal Soyza 25, Esanda Sithum 4/21, Muditha Lakshan 2/16)

•  At Rangiri Dambulla: Western Province (Central) won by 154 runs

Western Province Central 289/2 (38) (Sineth Jayawardane 90 n.o., Yuneth Senevirathne 90, Sahan Kaushalya 84)

Uva Province 135/7 (38) (Sandun Sandeepa 31 n.o., Dineth Senevirathne 3/21, Yasiru Yugath 2/27)

•  At BRC: Southern Province won by 3 runs

Southern Province 113 (34.1) (Tharindu Nirmal 33, Ravishan Nethsara 34, Sithul Wijesekara 3/20, G.P. Deshan 2/22)

North Central Province 110 (36) (Imshal Ziard 29, Chanaka Jaganga 3/20, Malsha Tharupathi 3/22)

•  At Polonnaruwa: Western Province (North) won by 10 wickets

Eastern Province 108 (44.5) (J. Shanushkan 44, Pasan Bhagya 20, Malith Bimsara 4/20, Shenuka Serasinghe 3/17)

Western Province North 109/0 (16.4) (Rusiru Wilochana 71 n.o., Sahan Dabare 30 n.o.)

•  At P. Sara Oval: No result

Western Province (South) vs Western Province (South Outer) (YK)

BRISBANE, THURSDAY: Glenn Maxwell, the Australia all-rounder, has taken a break from cricket due to struggles with mental health, Cricket Australia stated on Thursday.

D’Arcy Short will replace him in the squad for the final T20I against Sri Lanka on Friday.

Michael Lloyd, the Australia team psychologist, said Maxwell will “spend a short time away from the game” and pointed out that the 31-year-old was “proactive in identifying these issues and engaging with the support staff.”

The struggles didn’t seem to outwardly affect Maxwell’s performances. In the first two T20Is against Sri Lanka, he was excellent on the field, and scored a 28-ball 62 in his only outing with the bat.

Maxwell takes a break with “the full support” of Cricket Australia. “The well-being of our players and staff is paramount. Glenn has our full support,” said Ben Oliver, CA’s general manager of national teams. “Cricket Australia will work collaboratively with Cricket Victoria’s support staff to ensure Glenn’s well-being and his reintegration into the game.

“We ask that everyone gives Glenn and his family and friends space; and respects their privacy at this time. He’s a special player and an important part of the Australian cricket family. We hope to see him back in the team during the summer. It’s important we look after Glenn and all our players.”

Justin Langer, the Australia head coach, lauded Maxwell for being forthright with the problem, and said he showed “great courage” to admit that “he wasn’t OK”.

“It took great courage for him to tell us he wasn’t OK,” Langer told the reporters in Melbourne. “In one way, it’s really good for him to do that. Behind the mask of the great entertainer and the great talent and the great team man and everything we see publicly, a lot of these guys are human and they’re hurting a bit. Hopefully, he’s going to be fine.”

Langer added that the team support staff would be in constant touch with the all-rounder, and provide their full support.

“Like all injuries, we’ll work out where he’s at with it, and work out when he’s going to return to play, hopefully healthier and happier than he is at the moment,” he said. “You check in all the time. It’s very topical now, you’ve got to look after each other.

“It’s not just about win-loss and we’ve come to recognise that. I’m certain the support network is there. We haven’t seen too many cases of it, but there’s a lot of cases behind closed doors.

“We’ve got to show people respect and care for them. It’s not just what you see on TV. It’s what behind the mask that counts.”

Short will link up with the squad on Friday, ahead of the final T20I at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.

DELHI, THURSDAY: India will take on Bangladesh in the first Twenty20 International (T20I) of the three-match series in Delhi on Sunday.

The air quality in Delhi has deteriorated further post Diwali.

The situation in the national capital has been so poor that a couple of environmentalists wrote an open letter to BCCI President, Sourav Ganguly, asking the former India captain to change the venue for the series opener against Bangladesh.

Ahead of the first T20I, Liton Das, Bangladesh batsman, was seen training with a pollution mask in the capital on Thursday.

The first T20I is scheduled to be played at Arun Jaitley stadium on Sunday.

On Wednesday, former India opening batsman, Gautam Gambhir also opined that air pollution is a far more serious situation than hosting a match of cricket.

“It is a far serious issue than having a game of cricket or any other sports matches happens in Delhi. For us I think people living in Delhi should be more concerned about the pollution levels rather than the cricket match that happens,” Gambhir told ANI.

Bangladesh will play without Shakib Al Hasan, who has been banned by the International Cricket Council (ICC) for not reporting corrupt approaches by bookies.

For the T20I series, Virat Kohli has been rested and Rohit Sharma will lead the side in the absence of the regular skipper.

Virat Kohli will return to lead the team for the two-match Test series which will see India playing their first-ever day-night Test in Kolkata.

Both the Test matches will be part of ICC World Test Championship. India lead the championship with 240 points after winning five games on the trot.

Paris, Wednesday: Novak Djokovic defied illness to survive a scare against French lucky loser Corentin Moutet and reach the third round of the Paris Masters on Wednesday, while Rafael Nadal saw off a plucky challenge from Adrian Mannarino.

Top seed Djokovic, locked in a battle with Nadal for the year-end world number one spot, had to save two set points in the first set before beating the 97th-ranked Moutet 7-6 (7/2), 6-4.

The 32-year-old will play Britain's Kyle Edmund on Thursday in the last 16 as he continues his bid for a record-extending fifth Bercy title.

"I don't feel health-wise 100 percent in the last couple of days, but it is what it is," said Djokovic, who was struggling with a sore throat.

"It affects your energy, your vitality on the court. Obviously it's not ideal, but in these kind of circumstances you just have to accept it and do everything that you can to recover."

Nadal, who is guaranteed to usurp Djokovic at the rankings summit next week ahead of the ATP Tour Finals in London, beat home wildcard Mannarino 7-5, 6-4 to set up a clash with three-time Grand Slam title-winner Stan Wawrinka.

Djokovic, who was beaten by Karen Khachanov in last year's final, found himself in a spot of bother when Moutet broke his serve in the seventh game before saving four break points to seize a 5-3 lead.

But the home hope saw two set points come and go in the following game, with Djokovic quickly taking advantage to break back and level the set.

The Serbian took control as the opener entered a tie-break and Moutet smashed a ball into the crowd in anger as his opportunity for an upset looked to have disappeared, with his opponent cruising through the breaker.

Moutet delighted the crowd with an outrageous 'hotdog' lob over Djokovic early in the second set, but the 16-time Grand Slam champion belatedly found his form. Djokovic did let one break slip after leading 4-1, but closed out victory on his first match point with a forehand winner.

Nadal was not at his imperious best against world number 43 Mannarino, but did enough to win with relative comfort.

The 19-time Grand Slam champion, who has never won the tournament but does hold a record 35 Masters titles, will hope to improve in the third round against Wawrinka after the Swiss beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/5).

Nadal, playing his first event since getting married earlier this month, can secure the year-end top ranking for a fifth time by winning the trophy on Sunday.

"(It's) not easy to come back after a while without being on the tour," he said. "Tomorrow is another day, another tough match against Stan. Every day on this tournament is so difficult."

Mannarino kept Nadal at arm's length for almost an hour in the first set, but the Spaniard took his fourth set point in the 12th game to forge ahead. There was a similar pattern to the second set, but again the second seed went through the gears when necessary and a sloppy service game from Mannarino sealed his fate.

Earlier in the day, fifth seed Dominic Thiem booked his spot in the last 16 by edging out Milos Raonic in a marathon encounter.

Thiem, who has lost the last two French Open finals to Nadal across Paris at Roland Garros, had to dig deep to get past Raonic 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-4 as the Canadian powered down 30 aces in a thunderous serving display.

"It was unbelievable today, his serve," admitted the Austrian.

Thiem will face Grigor Dimitrov in the last 16 after the Bulgarian's 7-5, 6-3 win over 12th seed David Goffin.

World number seven Stefanos Tsitsipas continued his return to form with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3 victory over American Taylor Fritz.

He will take on Alex de Minaur in round three after the Australian's 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/1) victory over ninth seed Roberto Bautista Agut. AFP

TOKYO, THURSDAY: Olympic boxing officials said they were confident that a new judging system could improve transparency in the scandal-hit sport as it went on trial on Thursday ahead of next year’s Tokyo Games.

The new, computerised system makes the judges’ scoring visible in real time, in a bid to avoid the sort of controversy that plagued Rio 2016 when dozens of officials and referees were suspended over alleged match-fixing.

Boxing, one of the sports contested at the original Olympics in ancient Greece, was later threatened with expulsion from the Games over mismanagement by governing body AIBA, which was stripped of the right to organise the competition at Tokyo 2020.

Under the new system, on trial at the venue for next year’s boxing competition, the five judges push a button for each scoring punch, with their marks appearing on a screen that is monitored by a supervisor.

The live scoring may also be made visible to the crowd, with officials due to make a decision at a later date.

“Distrust of judges is extremely large,” said Morinari Watanabe, who heads the taskforce organising boxing at the Olympics.

“We have been working hard for justice,” added Watanabe, who heads the International Gymnastics Federation and is a member of the International Olympic Committee.

Watanabe said he was “confident” that the new system would boost transparency and produce scoring that is “fairer and easier to understand for spectators”.

Hidenori Fujiwara, an official from the firm Fujitsu that led development of the system, said judging in boxing is subjective.

“It has been visually impossible to see how judges are counting scoring hits during a round. It was all in their heads,” he said.

Currently some judges memorise counts, some count on their fingers and some take notes to decide which boxer wins at each round, he said.

The system was put on display at the Ryogoku Kokugikan sumo stadium, where the Tokyo 2020 boxing competition will be held.

But while officials are keen to use it at the Games, the test made clear some tweaks will be necessary.

Veteran judge Norio Tezuka, who tried the system on Thursday, said he pushed the wrong colour because the “blue” boxer was wearing red headgear. He also said he was so focused on pressing buttons during his first trial that he felt he couldn’t properly monitor the overall course of the match.

AIBA is the first federation to have been stripped of the right to organise its own sport at an Olympics.

Formed in 1946, it oversaw decades of signature Olympic moments, notably the 1960 gold medal win in Rome by Muhammad Ali, then known as Cassius Clay.

Relations between AIBA and the IOC took a sharp downward turn following the 2016 Rio Games, when 36 officials and referees were suspended over allegations of bout fixing.

The crisis-riddled body also cycled through a series of presidents, with one forced out over claims of accounting fraud and another replaced after outcry over alleged links to transnational criminal organisations. - AFP

Dubai, Wednesday: Oman defeated Hong Kong by just 12 runs on Wednesday in a do-or-die T20 World Cup qualifier to reach the finals in Australia along with Scotland who thrashed United Arab Emirates by 90 runs.

Oman and Scotland join Namibia, Netherlands, Papua New Guinea and Ireland, who had already booked their places in the 2020 showpiece but are still competing for the winner's trophy in UAE.

Chasing just 135 to win, Hong Kong collapsed to 18-5 with left-arm seamer Bilal Khan taking three of the wickets to fall on his way to match figures of 4-23.

Scott McKechnie, who top scored with 44 off 46 balls, helped steady the ship with a partnership of 52 for the sixth wicket with Haroon Arshad (20) but Hong Kong struggled to get the ball away in the tough, heavy conditions and finished on 122-9.

Oman had also found it hard going, slipping to 42-6 by the end of the ninth over.

However, they were indebted to opener Jatinder Singh, who carried his bat for 67 with seven boundaries and a six, as well as tail-enders Aamir Kaleem (17) and Naseem Khushi (26 off just nine balls) to take them to a defendable target.

"We've had early mornings, we've sweated a lot, and this is our reward," said Jatinder.

"Bilal was lethal today, he was unplayable, getting the yorkers right, bang on target. He was marvellous."

Earlier, George Munsey belted 65 as Scotland made 198 before UAE were all out for 108, with nine balls left.

Mark Watt and Safyaan Sharif took three wickets for the Scots.

Scotland had struggled in group play and finished only fourth in their seven-team group.

"Not gone our way on this trip but nice to get over the line in the must-win game," said opening batsman Munsey.

Hosts UAE, whose squad had been diminished by the suspension of four players after corruption investigations, only narrowly missed an automatic World Cup berth when they finished third in their group on net run rate.

"We turned up when we were pushed into a corner," said captain Ahmed Raza

Scotland won the toss, batted first and quickly went on the attack. Skipper Kyle Coetzer hit two fours in the second over. Munsey struck two reverse sweep sixes and a four in the third.

By the time Coetzer was out for 34 in the 12th over, Scotland were on 87. The assault continued as the new batsman, Michael Leask smashed a six off the second ball he faced.

Munsey made 65, hitting five of Scotland's nine sixes.

"It's always nice to score runs for the boys as a collective batting unit I thought we were brilliant," Munsey said.

UAE lost their first wicket with the score on four in the first over.

Their best hope went in the eighth over when top scorer Rameez Shazhad went for a brisk 34 in the ninth over, caught by Munsey off Watt.

The T20 World Cup takes place in Australia from October 18 to November 15 next year. AFP

Fifteen new meet records were established while St Peter’s College and A Ratnayaka M.M.V. Walala dominated the point’s tables on the second day of the All-island Schools Games at Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

Eight records were registered in the boy’s events and seven in the girl’s.

In the Under 18 Girls Javelin Throw D.M.I. Hasanthi of A. Ratnayaka MMV Walala set a new meet record distance of 47.77m while Rumesh Tharanga of St. Peter’s College Colombo set a new meet record in the Under 18 Boys Javelin Throw event.

In the U20 Pole Vault both boys and girls set new meet records. From the Northern Province A Puvitharan improved on his own record with a height of 4.82m in the boys event and N.Dadsitha cleared 3.35m in the girls. Both were students of Chavakachcheri Hindu College, Jaffna.

RESULTS

Records:

•  High Jump

Girls U12 V.P.Nethra Samadhi of Vijitha M.M.V.Dikwella(1.41m)

Boys U14 A.Meshak Milosh of Seven Day Adventst High School (1.75m)

•  Pole Vault

Girls U20 N.Dadsitha of J/Chava Hindu College (3.35m)

Boys U20 A.Puvitharan of J/Chavakachcheri Hindu College (4.82m)

•  Javelin Throw

Boys U18 P.Rumesh Tharanga of St.Peter’s College Colombo (66.63m)

Girls U18 D.M.I.Hasanthi of A.Ratnayaka C.C. Walala Menikhinna (47.77m)

• Shot Putt

Boys U18 S Mithunraj of J/Hartley College (15.95m)

Girls U14 Sachini Samarasekara of St.Bridget Convent, Colombo (10.34m)

• 400m

Boys U16 H.H.R.S.Jayasundara of Srimath John Kotalawala M.V. Kurunegala(48.73sec)

Boys U18 U.B.M.R.D.Bandara of Wekada M.V. Chilaw (47.53sec)

Girls U16 D.M.T.D.Karunaratna of A.Ratnayaka C.C. Walala Menikhinna(56.54 sec)

•  1500m

U18 boys W.M.P.M.D.Wijeratna of Dharmaraja College Kandy (4:01.5min)

•  100m

U12 boys Shewan Abeysinghe of Lyceum International School Nugegoda (13.26sec)

U12 girls K.Ravidi Wenurika of Wijayapura K.V. Thanamalwila (13.59sec)

•  Long Jump

U14 girls D.F.Nethmi Niwarthana of Weeriyagama M.V. Hambantota (5.29m)