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Pollution stops play in India-Sri Lanka Test in Delhi
New Delhi: Hazardous smog stopped play in the third Test between India and Sri Lanka in New Delhi on Sunday, with players wearing face masks as air quality dipped in the heavily polluted capital.
Many of Sri Lanka´s fielders returned from lunch on the second day wearing masks amid visible haze at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
A short while later play was halted for around 20 minutes as Sri Lanka complained to the umpires about the smog.
The US embassy website Sunday showed levels of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants in Delhi at 328 -- more than ten times the level considered safe by the World Health Organization.
The Test was delayed as the umpires consulted the match referee, team doctors and physiotherapists before deciding to resume play.
But the visitors protested twice more and pacemen Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal returned to the pavilion, meaning the Sri Lankans were running short of fielders.
This prompted Indian skipper Virat Kohli to declare his first innings on 536 for seven to get the Sri Lankan fielders off the ground.
Play is routinely suspended due to poor weather, low visibility, lightning or rain but a stoppage as a result of pollution is almost unheard of.
"It is definitely a first of its kind," said one commentator on the official television broadcast.
Last month more than 30,000 runners competed in the Delhi half-marathon, despite dire health warnings from doctors who called for the race to be postponed.
Doctors warn that competitive exercise during severe pollution can trigger asthma attacks, worsen lung conditions and increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
Other top-level sporting events in Delhi, such as international cricket and golf tournaments, have attracted less attention despite the hazardous levels of pollution.
A smog outbreak last month in the Indian capital -- an incident described by doctors as a public health emergency -- saw schools shut for days as pollution soared to 40 times the safe WHO levels.
Delhi´s air quality typically worsens in winter as cooler air traps pollutants near the ground, preventing them from dispersing into the atmosphere -- a phenomenon known as inversion.
Sri Lanka 18-2 at tea, trail India by 518 runs
Sri Lanka were 18 for two at tea, trailing India by 518 on the first innings on day two of the pollution-hit third Test in New Delhi.
Dilruwan Perera, on 12, and Angelo Mathews, on four, were batting at the break.
India had declared on 536-7 after play was interrupted several times due to complaints from Sri Lanka over air pollution at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium.
Marsh silences critics with unbeaten Ashes ton
ADELAIDE, Australia: Shaun Marsh answered his critics with a fighting unbeaten century to put Australia firmly in charge of the second Ashes Test against England in Adelaide on Sunday.
The experienced left-hander, in his eighth recall to the Australian team, put together his fifth century in his 25th Test, an unconquered 126 off 231 balls which lifted the home side to 442 for eight declared.
When rain brought an early finish to day two, the tourists were 29 for one and trailing the Australians by 413 runs with three days remaining.
Marsh, along with wicketkeeper Tim Paine, were the major surprises in the Australian team for the opening Ashes Tests. But the 34-year-old batsman has staked his claim for retention with another solid innings at number six.
He backed up his 51 in Brisbane to bring his series tally to 177 runs and strengthen Australia´s middle order.
"There´s a lot of relief there. I´m just really happy," Marsh said.
"I haven´t thought about all the incidental noise (criticism) and my selection for the team.
"I´ve just tried to come in and feel nice and relaxed. I´ve felt good about my game the last three or four months."
Of the criticism before the series about his selection, Marsh added: "I didn´t read a thing. I knew there was some extra noise but I just stayed away and focused on preparing well.
"Six months ago I wasn´t sure whether I´d be back here. I´d always dreamt of getting back in."
Marsh was the bulwark of the Australian innings, hitting 15 fours and a towering six off Stuart Broad in his first Ashes Test hundred.
"We got a message just before tea that Smithy (skipper Steve Smith) wanted to up the ante a bit and gave us free range," he said of his late lusty hitting ahead of the declaration.
Marsh had a nervous few moments after seeking a review when he was given out leg before wicket on 29 to James Anderson.
But the decision was overturned when the review projected that the ball would have gone over the stumps.
"I probably thought it was outside leg more than going over," Marsh recalled.
"When I saw the ball pitch in line I thought I might have been in a bit of trouble."
Kohli double century puts India on top of pollution-hit Test.
NEW DELHI: Virat Kohli smashed a record double century to put India on top in the third Test against Sri Lanka, whose fielders wore anti-pollution masks in extraordinary scenes in a smoggy Delhi on Sunday.
Kohli cracked a career-best 243 but his sixth double century as captain was overshadowed on the second day after Sri Lanka complained about air pollution in the Indian capital, halting play three times.
The match was delayed more than 20 minutes in the second session as smog visibly worsened at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium and the umpires consulted the match referee and team doctors.
Sri Lankan fast bowlers Lahiru Gamage and Suranga Lakmal returned to the pavilion amid the drama, leaving the visitors short of fielders and prompting Kohli to declare India´s first innnings on 536-7.
Sri Lanka were 131 for three at stumps, trailing the hosts by 405 runs.
Angelo Mathews, on 57, and skipper Dinesh Chandimal, on 25, were batting when bad light stopped play for the day.
Mathews, who returned to form with a fighting half-century, and Chandimal steadied the Sri Lankan innings with an unbeaten 56-run stand.
Pace spearhead Mohammed Shami struck with the very first ball of the innings to dismiss left-hander Dimuth Karunaratne.
Lanky paceman Ishant Sharma then trapped Dhananjaya de Silva lbw for one as the visitors took tea on 18-2.
Dilruwan Perera, who scored 42 after opening the batting in place of Samarawickrama, staged a gritty 61-run partnership with Mathews.
Both Perera and Mathews were given reprieves, on 16 and six respectively, after Shikhar Dhawan and Kohli dropped catches in the slips.
Perera was eventually trapped lbw by left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja as Sri Lanka slipped furthur.
But the day belonged to Kohli, who recorded his second successive 200-plus score to pulverise the Sri Lankan attack after India started the day on 371-4.
He surpassed West Indies great Brian Lara to become the first international captain to register six double centuries. Lara had five.
Kohli, who started the day on 156, combined with overnight partner Rohit Sharma, who scored 65, to put on 135 for the fifth wicket.
Kohli, who made 213 in India´s thrashing of Sri Lanka in the second Test, pulled Lakmal for a couple to reach his milestone, raising his bat to acknowledge a raucous home crowd.
The Delhi-born star was finally trapped lbw off left-arm wrist spinner Lakshan Sandakan, who claimed four wickets in the innings.
India lead the series 1-0 and need only a draw for a record-equalling ninth successive Test series triumph.
England and Australia are the other sides to have achieved the feat.
Jousting for support, Pakistan´s bid to keep cavalry sport alive
KOT FATEH KHAN: Festooned with garlands and colourful bridles, turbaned riders mounted on horseback in full gallop lower their lances at tiny wooden blocks as they practice the centuries-old tradition of tent-pegging in Pakistan.
Less than a two-hour drive from the capital Islamabad, thousands gather at a freshly ploughed grounds to watch the equine festival in a competition that can see riders tossed from their mounts, breaking bones or worse during the dangerous spectacle.
Tent-pegging competitions have been held in the subcontinent for hundreds of years but now have largely been reduced to the odd festival, with Pakistan´s most populous Punjab province hosting the majority of such events.
Diehard fans of the cavalry sport worry that the tradition is on its last legs, in the absence of official support and a lack of popularity among the young, urban Pakistani masses.
But in northern Punjab´s Kot Fateh Khan, fans show up droves to cheer on the brazen riders, decked out in pristine white tunics and multi-coloured waistcoats on freshly polished saddles.
As announcers wail into microphones, riders with lances spur their steeds into a sprint toward small wooden blocks wedged in the earth, aiming to pierce the targets with their jousts.
"This festival has taken place from the 18th century," Malik Atta Muhammad Khan tells AFP after taking a stab at a wooden block from horseback.
Khan, who claims his great, great grandfather "eight generations back" once ruled Kabul, says over one thousand horses will participate at the week-long festival.
But despite the abundance of horses, participants fear their beloved sport is in dire need of fresh blood, as the number of breeders raising steeds and riders training for the competition continues to wane nationwide.
"The love of breeding horses has been... reduced to a few families," says Haroon Bandial, a World Cup gold medallist.
"Tent pegging is played a lot in Punjab, but it´s limited to only three to four families in KPK (Khyber Pakhtunkhawa), a couple of families in Balochistan and in Sindh also one family or so," he adds, citing the enormous cost of raising horses as a barrier to entry.
Aficionados of the sport say they begin training the horses at 16 months of age, a process which can take over two years to complete, while riders need at least three years in the saddle to prepare.
However, Khan remains hopeful that the tradition still has the potential to grow.
"There are many events compared to previous years," he explains. "Tent pegging is growing in every village and many people have started to take new horses."
Indian smog threatens suspension of sports in Delhi
NEW DELHI: Unprecedented scenes of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing face masks have reignited debate about hosting major sports in heavily polluted New Delhi, where doctors are increasingly vocal about the health risks posed by smog.
Medics on Monday urged cricket´s governing body to revise its rulebook after a Test match between India and Sri Lanka went ahead in the capital despite players vomiting and wheezing for air.
International cricketers returned Monday for day three of the third Test even as air pollution at Feroz Shah Kotla stadium soared to hit 18 times the World Health Organization´s safe level.
Play had been disrupted three times on Sunday as Sri Lankan players complained of illness, but umpires ruled the match would proceed.
The Indian Medical Association condemned the decision, warning that playing in such conditions put athletes´ health at serious risk.
"This match should not have taken place in the first place. It is time the ICC (International Cricket Council) comes up with a policy on pollution," said IMA president K. K Aggarwal.
"You have fast bowlers, batsmen and fielders out there exposed to these very harmful pollutants over five days at a stretch. It takes a serious toll on your health in the long run."
The sport´s governing body declined to comment.
India´s powerful cricket board accused Sri Lanka of making a "big fuss", pointing to Indian skipper Virat Kohli who hit a record sixth Test double century despite the smog.
But the US embassy website on Monday urged Delhi residents to "avoid all outdoor exertion" as concentrations of the smallest and most harmful airborne pollutants known as PM2.5 soared to hazardous levels.
These tiny particles -- a fraction the size of human hair -- lodge deep in the lungs and are linked to higher rates of chronic bronchitis, lung cancer and heart disease.
The concentration of such particles Monday hit 448 -- compared to a maximum level of 25 considered safe by the World Health Organization over a 24-hour period.
Even limited exposure can cause shortness of breath and make the eyes weep and throat burn.
- Wake up call -
Pollution levels generally rise during the winter in Delhi and across northern India and neighbouring Pakistan, fuelled by crop burning in the region and the fact that cooler air traps particulates close to the ground.
The smog has become especially alarming in the past two years, casting doubt on the future of sports events in the sports-mad swathe of South Asia.
"This should be a wake up call for Pak. Our children are at a huge risk because of dangerous pollution levels," tweeted former Pakistani cricketer and political opposition leader Imran Khan about the India-Sri Lanka Test.
Doctors and public health campaigners have escalated their fight against sports events in Delhi in recent years.
Last month more than 30,000 runners competed in the Delhi half-marathon -- just days after smog shut schools amid a public health emergency in the capital.
Doctors warned of dire health consequences and challenged the race in court but it went ahead, with runners complaining of burning eyes and sore throats.
Greenpeace lobbied in October against India hosting the FIFA Under-17 World Cup, warning it posed unacceptable risks to the world´s youngest soccer stars.
It also proceeded but schedule was adjusted to avoid Delhi at its worst.
"Others should also think about athletes health first," tweeted tournament director Javier Ceppi after images of Sri Lankan cricketers wearing face masks went around the globe.
Other events in Delhi -- like an Asian tour golf title in November and Indian Super League football matches -- attract less controversy but doctors say pose no less risk.
"Ideally, sporting events should not be scheduled in the winter months in Delhi," chest and lung cancer specialist Doctor Arvind Kumar told AFP.
"We cannot expose our athletes to inhuman levels of pollution just because a few hundred crores (tens of millions of dollars) is at stake."
The Test debacle in Delhi is not the first time cricketers have complained of air pollution in the capital, with Australia citing smoggy air following their loss to India in 1996.
Root´s England roar back in Ashes thriller
ADELAIDE, Australia: Skipper Joe Root led a spirited English fightback to frustrate Australia and raise hopes of a miracle victory in the gripping second Ashes Test in Adelaide on Tuesday.
After three days of Australian dominance, Root took up the challenge of a record run chase with a fighting unbeaten half-century as the momentum began to shift towards England, roared on by their bellowing Barmy Army supporters.
In contrast, his counterpart Steve Smith, who attracted criticism for not enforcing the follow-on despite a 215-run first innings lead, burned two reviews in the space of three balls and put down a tough catch.
At the close of an absorbing fourth day in the first day-night Ashes Test, England were 176 for four with Root unconquered on 67 and nightwatchman Chris Woakes not out on five -- 178 runs from victory with six wickets in hand heading into Wednesday´s final day.
The highest winning fourth innings at the Adelaide Oval is 315 for six by Australia against England in 1902.
Root had a leg before wicket decision on 32 off Nathan Lyon overturned on review, with the ´Hawk-Eye´ tracker indicating the ball would have gone over the stumps.
Australia then lost their second and last review in the 43rd over when Dawid Malan survived an lbw challenge on three off Josh Hazlewood, with the ball again tracked as going over the stumps.
Adding to Smith´s anxiety, he also dropped Malan on eight in a sharp one-handed
After the chaos of the previous night´s session when Australia lost four wickets, England had a much better time under the lights. They only lost the wickets of James Vince and Malan and otherwise scored freely.
Vince was beaten by a pitched-up Mitchell Starc delivery, getting a big nick to Peter Handscomb at slip for 15. Malan put on 78 with Root before he was bowled by Pat Cummins for 29.
England lost openers Alastair Cook and Mark Stoneman before the dinner break.
Lyon won a successful lbw review to remove Cook (16), ending a 53-run opening stand with Stoneman, who was snapped up in the gully for 36.
The Australians were knocked over for 138 off 58 overs at tea but, bolstered by their 215-run innings lead, this left England with a record chase.
England´s all-time leading wicket-taker Anderson took five for 43 -- his first five-wicket haul in Australia -- while fellow paceman Woakes captured four for 36.
Usman Khawaja and Starc were joint top scorers with just 20 each in Australia´s modest second innings.
England kept the Australians under pressure after they resumed the day at 53 for four.
NEW DELHI: Sri Lanka coach Nic Pothas praised his team´s perseverence Tuesday against a formidable India despite severe pollution which made players from both sides vomit during the third Test in smogbound New Delhi.
Fast bowlers Suranga Lakmal and Mohammed Shami threw up as pollution levels soared at the Feroz Shah Kotla stadium, and Sri Lankan fielders again turned to face masks to combat the foul air.
Sri Lanka were reeling on 31-3 at stumps, chasing a daunting 410-run victory target.
Dhanajaya de Silva on 13 and Angelo Mathews were batting when bad light stopped play on the fourth day.
Pothas told reporters his men played "brilliantly" despite being ill from the smog, which hit levels 15 times the World Health Organization´s safe limit.
Left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja struck twice in an over to rattle the visitors, who must bat out three more sessions to save the match and draw the series against top-ranked India.
Shami dismissed opener Sadeera Samarawickrama off a roaring bouncer but stopped in mid-over to vomit, crouching down and then gulping water.
He went on to complete the over but left the field after umpires thought it inadvisable to have a paceman bowling in poor light.
In the morning session it was Sri Lankan paceman Suranga Lakmal who threw up twice. He went to the dressing room briefly but returned to the field, bowling 14 overs and taking one wicket.
Groundsmen rushed on to cover the spot with sand and sawdust as smog in the heavily polluted Indian capital took centre stage for a fourth day in a row.
Skipper Virat Kohli, who made 50, declared India´s second innings on 246-5 after Rohit Sharma reached his half-century in the final session, setting the visitors a formidable victory target.
No Test team has chased down 410 since 2003, when the West Indies defeated Australia after making 418 runs.
Opener Shikhar Dhawan top-scored in India´s second innings with 67 on an easy-paced wicket. Apart from Lakmal, Lahiru Gamage, Dilruwan Perera, Lakshan Sandakan and Dhananjaya de Silva took a wicket each.
Earlier, Sri Lanka were dismissed for 373, conceding a 163-run first-innings lead to India who had declared on 536 for seven.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India said late Monday that New Delhi could be dropped as a venue during winter, when pollution across the region spikes.
BCCI secretary Amitabh Choudhary said venues would be reconsidered "in view of the situation which was encountered in the last two to three days".
"The BCCI has been sensitive on the smog and fog matter over the years," he added.
Afghanistan beat Ireland in first ODI
SHARJAH: United Arab Emirates: Afghanistan thrashed Ireland by 138 runs in the first one-day international in Sharjah on Tuesday to take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.
Nasir Jamal and Rahmat Shah notched half centuries to lead Afghanistan to 238-9 in their 50 overs after they were put in to bat by Ireland, while teenage star Rashid Khan added 48.
Sixteen-year-old off-spinner Mujeeb Zadran took 4-24 -- the joint-best figures for an Afghan bowler on ODI debut -- to help dismiss Ireland for 100 in 31.4 overs.
The second match is also in Sharjah on Thursday.
Australia beat England by 120 runs in second Ashes Test
Adelaide: Australia beat England by 120 runs to win the second Test and take a 2-0 lead in the five-Test Ashes series in Adelaide on Wednesday.
Fast bowler Mitchell Starc claimed five wickets for 88 as fellow paceman Josh Hazlewood took the big wicket of England captain Joe Root for 67 early on the final day.
Stokes included in England ODI squad
SYDNEY: England all-rounder Ben Stokes has been included in England´s squad for their one-day series against Australia, with coach Trevor Bayliss bracing for "a circus" if he is cleared to play.
Stokes was banned from international cricket as British authorities probed his alleged involvement in a late-night fight outside a Bristol nightclub, and it remained in doubt whether he would play.
Batsman Alex Hales, who was caught up in the same fracas, was also named in the 16-man squad for the five-game series, starting in Melbourne on January 14.
Schedule:
1st ODI - Sunday, January 14, Melbourne Cricket Ground
2nd ODI - Friday, January 19, Gabba, Brisbane
3rd ODI - Sunday, January 21, Sydney Cricket Ground
4th ODI - Friday, January 26, Adelaide Oval
5th ODI - Sunday, January 28, Optus Stadium, Perth
IPL spend could hit $96mn as wage cap rises 20%
NEW DELHI: The Indian Premier League, one of the world´s richest sports competitions, will let teams splurge up to $12 million each on player salaries in 2018, an increase of 20 percent.
After a meeting in New Delhi on Wednesday, the IPL governing council also said teams will have to spend a minimum of 75 percent of the salary cap each season.
The decision means the eight IPL teams are likely to spend anywhere between $72 million and $96 million on players alone for just eight weeks of cricketing action in 2018.
"Whatever changes we have come up with are all in the interest of the players," IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla told AFP.
"We are also looking to increase the prize money for the players in future."
While most of India´s big name players are already attached to franchises, several players bagged lucrative deals in the IPL auction in February.
England all-rounder Ben Stokes set a new record for a foreigner by joining the Rising Pune Supergiants for more than $2 million.
England pace bowler Tymal Mills went to the Royal Challengers Bangalore for $1.8 million, even though he had only played four Twenty20 internationals before that.
The attractions of last-ball winning sixes, extravagant switch-hitting and rapid-fire centuries have made IPL a favourite of the masses, especially the younger generation.
The IPL´s 60 games are valued at roughly $8.5 million each, not far off the estimated $9.6 million per English Premier League match -- and well over the $6.2 million price tag attached to home internationals in India.
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