Green shoots of cricket in Laos

Green shoots of cricket in Laos
Thailand’s Lamphun cricket team won championship of the first Vientiane Eights match in Laos. (Facebook: Lamphun Cricket Chiang Mai)
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Updated 15 August 2024
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Green shoots of cricket in Laos

Green shoots of cricket in Laos
  • First Vientiane Eights match took place at Lao Tobacco Company ground on July 13-14

Following a theme introduced in previous columns of “They play cricket there, really?” another contender has emerged, the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos).

I had hoped to witness this first-hand by attending the first Vientiane Eights match at the Lao Tobacco Company ground on July 13-14. However, the window of opportunity between back-to back Test matches in England was too narrow for comfort. As a result, this column is based on conversations with the Arab News Thailand cricket correspondent, Richard Lockwood, who did attend.

It was at the Chiang Mai International Sixes tournament last April that I first met the members of the Lao Elephants team. The driving forces behind the team are Michael Simcock, who first arrived in Vientiane 25 years ago, and Eshan Sebastian. Although it is believed that expatriates played cricket in Laos more than 100 years ago, it is only in the past decade that there has been a reappearance of the game.

Even then, it was in a rudimentary knockabout format in Vientiane. The Vientiane Cricket Association was formed only five years ago with regular matches played on a ground at the Lao Tobacco Company factory. At that time, the ground was small, offering a dirt pitch and a pot-holed outfield, which necessitated the use of an indoor ball to protect the more inexperienced players from injury. Despite this, the game was played and enjoyed by expatriates, mainly Australian, plus a few Brits who came over the border from Thailand. Sri Lankans, Indians and Pakistanis later joined in. Soon, 30-over matches between Corinthian Cricket Club and Mekong Cricket Club became a regular Sunday feature at the Lao Tobacco ground.

Based on this growing strength, Simcock and Sebastian sensed that they could embark on international cricket tours, so they attended the April 2023 Chiang Mai Sixes, which had returned after a four-year break caused by COVID-19. They liked what they saw, both on and off the field, possibly helped by their adoption by members of the Floggers & Robbers team, itself with roots in the tobacco industry. The visit planted the seed of an idea as to what they could create in their own adopted country.

Germination was quick as they returned to Chiang Mai as the Lao Elephants to participate in the Gymkhana Sixes, a weekend event in November 2023. This was followed by full participation in the Chiang Mai Sixes in April 2024. It was during that week when Simcock, Sebastian and Dan Watt, owner of several businesses, began talking about holding an international tournament in Vientiane within three months. This needed significant work to improve the ground and facilities. An astro turf pitch had been installed in 2022.

Richard Lockwood reports that the bumpy outfield was flattened and then treated to a series of weekly mowing sessions by Simcock. The result was transformation into a billiard-table surface with wide, square boundaries. The short, straight boundary is shadowed by a ring of fully grown eucalyptus trees.

Boundary banners encircled the ground, displaying a multitude of advertisers and sponsors who supported the event. Food and drink were provided and the teams each had their own tents. There was even computer scoring with support from the officials at the Chiang Mai Sixes.

In this sylvan setting, five teams took to the field, three from Thailand. The British Club traveled by train from Bangkok, the route having been extended recently to Vientiane. Most of Pattaya Cricket Club’s players flew to Udon Thani before crossing the nearby border.

The third team was from Lamphun; all Thai nationals who had to be at least 18 years old to cross the border on three-day passes using their ID cards. The majority traveled on overnight buses, their fares sponsored by the Thailand Junior Cricket Development Fund. At the border, they were joined by two other players from elsewhere in Thailand. Once documentation was completed, they crossed the Mekong on a crowded bus for 30 baht ($0.86) apiece.

Two teams from Vientiane completed the line-up: Lao Elephants, the senior team and the Lao Calves. All five teams gathered at the Welcome Party, a venue which happens to be run by the brother of Ryan Campbell, who is currently coach of Durham County Cricket Club in England. It seems that Laos can produce unexpected cricket connections.

The format for the tournament was for the five teams to play four matches each on the Saturday with seven bowlers bowling an over each and batters retiring on 35. Lamphun won all four matches to finish ahead of Lao Elephants on three wins, British Club on two, Pattaya CC on one and Lao Calves with no wins, but still proving to be a competitive side.

On Sunday a series of six finals were played to keep all teams involved. British Club beat Lao Elephants and Pattaya CC beat Lao Calves to progress, but top-of-the-table Lamphun beat British Club to qualify for the final. After further eliminating matches, the British Club were rematched against Lamphun, who, well-rested, out batted their opponents. They were worthy champions of the inaugural Vientiane Eights, having won six matches out of six.

Richard Lockwood reports that all agreed that the event had been a great success, establishing international cricket in Laos, underpinned by excellent organization. The next steps are to develop local cricket — three Lao nationals played in the tournament. This is all part of a dream to have a national team which, one day, might feature in the Southeast Asian Games, a medal sport since 2010.

At a time when world cricket is undergoing rapid change, driven by the riches generated by the Indian Premier League and its owners, the tale of cricket taking a foothold in Laos is heart-warming. It is in line with the International Cricket Council’s mission to grow the game, but very different to the headlong race to grow the game by T20 franchise leagues. An online search for cricket in Laos generates reference to raising crickets as food. It is to be hoped that those promoting the game of cricket in Laos can achieve more appropriate recognition.


Sabalenka wins 15th match in a row to reach Beijing quarters

Sabalenka wins 15th match in a row to reach Beijing quarters
Updated 1 min 46 sec ago
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Sabalenka wins 15th match in a row to reach Beijing quarters

Sabalenka wins 15th match in a row to reach Beijing quarters
  • The US Open champion will face Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic or Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the last eight in Beijing
BEIJING: Top seed Aryna Sabalenka won her 15th match in a row to power into the China Open quarter-finals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over Madison Keys on Wednesday.
The US Open champion will face Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic or Spain’s Cristina Bucsa in the last eight in Beijing.
World number two Sabalenka has won more matches on tour this season than anyone else and extended her red-hot streak with a fairly routine victory over the 24th-ranked American.
On a sunny Beijing day, Sabalenka and Keys exchanged breaks in the first set for 3-3 before the hard-hitting Belarusian pulled away go a set up.
The second took a similar course and Keys double-faulted on the first match point to gift Sabalenka victory in 65 minutes.
Sabalenka is on a collision course in the semifinals with China’s Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen, who faces 43rd-ranked Amanda Anisimova in the last 16 later Wednesday.
Three-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka can take a major step toward overhauling Iga Swiatek at the top of the rankings by lifting the title in Beijing.
Swiatek is not playing in the Chinese capital because of “personal matters.”

Bridgestone latest Japan firm to end Olympics sponsorship

Bridgestone latest Japan firm to end Olympics sponsorship
Updated 42 min 25 sec ago
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Bridgestone latest Japan firm to end Olympics sponsorship

Bridgestone latest Japan firm to end Olympics sponsorship
  • The decision comes after Japanese electronics giant Panasonic and auto titan Toyota said last month they had decided to end their top-tier Olympic sponsorship
  • Bridgestone struck sponsorship deals with the Olympics for 10 years in 2014 and the Paralympics for six years in 2018
  • The contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of 2024, the firm said

TOKYO: Tire giant Bridgestone has become the latest Japanese firm to end its Olympics sponsorship, following pullouts by Toyota and Panasonic, saying it wants to focus on motorsport.

Bridgestone said on Tuesday that it “still strongly believes in the IOC’s vision of ‘building a better world through sport’,” referring to the International Olympic Committee.

“Still believing in the power of sports, the company will carry that momentum forward” by using tire products to “drive innovation,” a statement said.

The decision comes after Japanese electronics giant Panasonic and auto titan Toyota said last month they had decided to end their top-tier Olympic sponsorship.

Toyota’s chairman Akio Toyoda has said the Olympic Games were “becoming increasingly political,” while Panasonic announced their withdrawal citing “management considerations.”

Bridgestone struck sponsorship deals with the Olympics for 10 years in 2014 and the Paralympics for six years in 2018, a company spokesman told AFP on Wednesday.

The contract will not be renewed when it expires at the end of 2024, the firm said.

In December, Bridgestone said it had been named as the tire supplier for the Formula E World Championship from 2026.

It described its role in the championship for electric cars as “a cornerstone of the company’s sustainable global motorsports strategy.”


PGA Tour commissioner and Saudi fund governor paired at pro-am event in Scotland

PGA Tour commissioner and Saudi fund governor paired at pro-am event in Scotland
Updated 02 October 2024
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PGA Tour commissioner and Saudi fund governor paired at pro-am event in Scotland

PGA Tour commissioner and Saudi fund governor paired at pro-am event in Scotland
  • Monahan is paired with Billy Horschel, while Al-Rumayyan is playing with Dean Burmester of South Africa, one of 14 players from LIV Golf in the field
  • Monahan and Al-Rumayyan were involved in meetings in New York on Sept. 11 and 12 as the two sides try to work out a deal

Three weeks after PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan met with Saudi Arabia’s financial backer of LIV Golf, they will be together again this week in Scotland, this time inside the ropes.

Monahan and Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of the Public Investment Fund that supports the LIV Golf League, are playing together in the Dunhill Links Championship on the European tour. The tournament starts Thursday.

Monahan is paired with Billy Horschel, while Al-Rumayyan is playing with Dean Burmester of South Africa, one of 14 players from LIV Golf in the field.

In the group directly behind them Thursday at Carnoustie will be Rory McIlroy, who will be playing with his father.

Monahan and Al-Rumayyan were involved in meetings in New York on Sept. 11 and 12 as the two sides try to work out a deal in which PIF would become a minority investor in PGA Tour Enterprises and they try to figure out a team concept and bring the sides together.

The PGA Tour has banned players who moved to LIV Golf, which launched in June 2022. The European tour has allowed players to return to certain events provided they take care of sanctions, a combination of suspensions and fines.

Jon Rahm is playing the Dunhill while he appeals his fines. A ruling on that — an independent panel previously ruled in favor of the European tour — is not expected until next year.

Guy Kinnings, the CEO of the European tour, also was part of the New York meetings and will be at the Dunhill Links. Kinnings expressed optimism that discussions were headed in the right direction although he said, “Long way to go. A lot of detail, complicated stuff to be done.”

There had been concern negotiations had stalled with little movement since June. The LIV Golf League ended on Sept. 22, and the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup playoffs ended at the end of August.

The tournament pairs a professional with an amateur for three rounds at St. Andrews, Carnoustie and Kingsbarns. Al-Rumayyan also played in the Dunhill a year ago. Monahan has occasionally played in the AT&T Pebble Beach under a similar format.


Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan T20 and one-day captain

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan T20 and one-day captain
Updated 02 October 2024
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Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan T20 and one-day captain

Babar Azam steps down as Pakistan T20 and one-day captain
  • Babar’s announcement came a week before Pakistan’s three-Test series against England, starting from October 7
  • He was removed as Pakistan captain in all formats after Pakistan’s humiliating exit from last year’s World Cup

ISLAMABAD: Babar Azam said on Tuesday he had stepped down as the captain of Pakistan’s Twenty20 and one-day teams, saying he wanted to focus more on his role as a batsman.

Babar’s announcement came a week before Pakistan’s three-Test series against England, starting from Oct. 7. Babar was named in the 15-member squad.

Pakistan are also scheduled to have a white-ball tour of Australia in Nov., but the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) will have to name a new captain following Baber’s resignation.

“I have decided to resign as captain of the Pakistan men’s cricket team,” Babar said on X late Tuesday.

“Captaincy has been a rewarding experience, but it’s added a significant workload. I want to prioritize my performance, enjoy my batting, and spend quality time with my family, which brings me joy.”

Babar said he was stepping down as Pakistan’s captain in all three formats in November last year after Pakistan's humiliating exit from the One-Day World Cup in India.

He was re-appointed in May this year and took over from Shaheen Shah Afridi after a change in the PCB chairmanship.

Babar led Pakistan’s T20 World Cup campaign in June, in which the Green Shirts suffered a humiliating loss to the United States and lost to arch-rivals India. The Pakistan side crashed out of the tournament in the first round.

“By stepping down, I will gain clarity moving forward and focus more energy on my game and personal growth,” he said.

“I’m grateful for your unwavering support and belief in me. Your enthusiasm has meant the world to me.”


Sinner to play Alcaraz in China Open final; Osaka out with back injury

Sinner to play Alcaraz in China Open final; Osaka out with back injury
Updated 02 October 2024
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Sinner to play Alcaraz in China Open final; Osaka out with back injury

Sinner to play Alcaraz in China Open final; Osaka out with back injury
  • Sinner and Alcaraz accounted for all four Grand Slam titles this year between them
  • Arthur Fils saved a championship point and rallied to beat Ugo Humbert 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the final of the Japan Open

BEIJING: Top-ranked Jannik Sinner will play rival Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the China Open after recording a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over home favorite Bu Yunchaokete on Tuesday.

Sinner and Alcaraz accounted for all four Grand Slam titles this year between them. Alcaraz leads the head-to-head series 5-4 — including wins at both their meetings this year — but Sinner doesn’t believe that recent history will have a bearing on Wednesday’s final.

“We know each other very well now, but every match is different, so the situation on the court is also a bit different than it was the last two matches,” Sinner said.

The 23-year-old Italian is the defending champion and hasn’t appeared distracted by the World Anti-Doping Agency announcing Saturday it was seeking a ban of one to two years for the US Open champion, who tested positive twice for an anabolic steroid in March.

Chinese wild card Yunchaokete, ranked 96th, couldn’t take any of his three break-point chances in the first set.

Sinner’s experience proved crucial during the pivotal moments, especially in the second-set tiebreaker, where he surged to a 6-1 lead.

Earlier, third-ranked Alcaraz’s athleticism was again on show as he advanced to the final with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Daniil Medvedev.

“I felt great on the court once again, so I’m really happy about it,” Alcaraz said. “I couldn’t ask for a better semifinal.”

The four-time Grand Slam champion — including this year’s French Open and Wimbledon — extended his head-to-head record against the Russian to 6-2.

The 21-year-old Spaniard found his way through a testing first set that had five breaks of serve, but crucially it was Alcaraz’s third service break in the 12th game that secured the set.

Alcaraz has now won eight straight matches — across the Davis Cup, Laver Cup and in Beijing — since his loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the second round at the US Open.

Osaka out with back injury

Coco Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals when Naomi Osaka retired at 3-6, 6-4 because of a lower back injury.

Osaka, a four-time major champion, was leading 4-3 in the second set before Gauff won three straight games.

The sixth-ranked Gauff then helped carry Osaka’s bags off the court.

Gauff hit six aces compared to Osaka’s one and improved to 3-2 over her opponent at WTA tournaments.

She will next meet No. 115-ranked Yuliia Starodubtseva, who earlier upset No. 14 Anna Kalinskaya 7-5, 6-0.

Paula Badosa reeled off 11 of the last 12 games in a 6-4, 6-0 victory over US Open finalist Jessica Pegula to reach her eighth career quarterfinal at a WTA 1000-level event.

“She’s one the of the players I never want to face — she’s very solid, hits very flat, changes very well direction,” said Badosa, who was 0-3 previously against Pegula. “I prepared myself for a battle, but I think today everything worked pretty well.”

Badosa next faces 35-year-old Chinese player Zhang Shuai, who continued her resurgence with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Magdalena Frech of Poland.

Zhang entered the China Open on a 24-match losing streak and ranked No. 595, but she’s yet to drop a set in four matches this week.

Zhang is now into her first women’s tour quarterfinal since Tokyo in 2022, and her first at a WTA 1000 tournament since Cincinnati in the same year.

“In this draw, everyone has a higher ranking than me,” Zhang said. “Just step on court, just play. So I do not have much to think about, to prepare. I will just focus on myself.”

Japan Open

Arthur Fils saved a championship point and rallied to beat Ugo Humbert 5-7, 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the final of the Japan Open to earn his third tour-level title.

The championship point was in the second-set tiebreaker against his French compatriot.

The 20-year-old Fils struggled with an injury to his left leg for much of the second set and when trailing 4-3 in the second set — with three break points for his opponent — it looked almost certain that Humbert would go on to win his seventh final in seven appearances.

Fils defeated four top-20 opponents — US Open finalist Taylor Fritz, defending champion Ben Shelton, Holger Rune and Humbert — on his way to the title.