Teams facing 'crazy' Dubai travel plans for semis
Australia and South Africa will travel to Dubai before the Champions Trophy semi-finals, despite not knowing if they will play there or in Pakistan.Dubai will host the first semi-final on Tuesday with the second match played in Lahore, Pakistan, a day later.India, who are guaranteed to progress from Group A, are playing all of their matches in Dubai after opting not to travel to Pakistan.Group B concludes with South Africa's match against England on Saturday but neither the Proteas or Australia will know the venue for their semi-final until after the conclusion of India's match against New Zealand on Sunday.Were they to wait until Monday and only travel when the fixtures were confirmed, that would rule out the possibility of training in Dubai – where India will have played all three group matches.It raises the prospect of Australia taking the three-hour flight from Lahore to Dubai on Saturday, only to have to fly back on Monday if they do not meet India.Similarly, South Africa will fly to Dubai in the early hours of Sunday and could return to Pakistan 24 hours later if they do not have to face India.
Whichever team finishes second in Group A will meet the winner of Group B and vice-versa. India are guaranteed to play the first semi-final on Tuesday regardless of their group position, however.There has been criticism throughout the tournament of the advantage India hold by playing all of their matches at the venue.Others have played across the four venues in Pakistan and Dubai."If you can stay in one place, stay in one hotel, practice in the same facilities, play in the same stadium, on the same pitches every time, it's definitely an advantage," South Africa batter Rassie van der Dussen said earlier this week."I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to know that."BBC chief cricket commentator Jonathan Agnew said: "India are camped out in Dubai, playing in the same ground and same places in the changing room. "Both Australia and South Africa will fly to Dubai but only one will play there and the other will get back on a plane to Lahore. It's all got a bit crazy."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
27 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Australia are odds-on favourites to claim consecutive World Test Championship titles this week - while South Africa are 5/2 outsiders to cause the upset at Lord's
The Australia cricket team can create history in London this week - as they look to become the first nation to win multiple World Test Championship titles. Patrick Cummins and Co claimed their maiden WTC crown in 2023 - defeating India by 209 runs at The Oval. The Aussies will be up against South Africa this time around - as the famed Lord's plays host to a blockbuster final starting Wednesday. For those who will be following closely - Australia are the best-backed at 1/2 to be victorious and secure successive World Test Championships. Meanwhile, South Africa are 5/2 outsiders to upset the applecart and win just their second major trophy and first since 1998. In addition to the head-to-head odds - Sky Bet are offering three Price Boosts that are generating interest in the betting lines. The first boost - which has been enhanced to 11/4 - requires Australia to win the match, hit the most sixes and the most fours. Meanwhile, the other two boosts need Steve Smith to score 100+ runs and take a catch in the first innings at 8/1, and Cummins to take the most wickets for Australia and Kabiso Rabada to take the most wickets in the first innings for South Africa at 12/1 (ties are losers). Smith scored a century and took two catches in the first innings of Australia's aforementioned 2023 WTC final victory over India. Additionally, in the same final - Cummins took the most wickets for Australia in the first innings with three. Lastly, Rabada has a strong record against Australia in his career to date - with the fast bowler taking 49 wickets at an average of 23.08. Sky Bet odds for the World Test Championship final (Australia vs South Africa): Australia 1/2 South Africa 5/2 Draw 8/1 Sky Bet Price Boosts for the World Test Championship final: Australia to win the match, hit the most sixes and the most fours WAS 9/4 NOW 11/4 Steve Smith to score 100+ runs and take a catch in the first innings WAS 7/1 NOW 8/1 Patrick Cummins to take the most wickets for Australia and Kabiso Rabada to take the most wickets in the first innings for South Africa WAS 10/1 NOW 12/1
Scottish Sun
an hour ago
- Scottish Sun
‘It's humbling' – Andy Murray admits embarrassment at being beaten by 5-year-old son in different sport
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) SIR ANDY MURRAY has revealed that he is regularly "humbled" by his five-year-old son as the youngster has started to beat him at a new sport. Murray, 38, may have been hoping to raise tennis' next big star, but it would appear he is developing a chess prodigy instead. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Andy Murray has revealed that his five-year-old son is beating him at chess Credit: PA The Scot, who retired from tennis last year, has been spending his time away from the court taking on son Teddy at chess. Murray revealed that the little one is already learning the strategic sport and is doing so well that is often getting the better of his dad. Speaking to the BBC, Murray revealed why losing to your own son can be pretty hard to take as a parent. He said: "My five-year-old boy has got really into chess, which I'm really enjoying playing with him. READ MORE ON TENNIS RAF & READY Nadal set for new job seven months after 14-time French Open winner retired "I'm not a particularly good chess player, but I've got quite an analytical mind and I enjoy the game and watching him learn and playing with him. "It's difficult losing to a five-year-old when in the middle of the game he's asking you to come and wipe his bum, essentially. "He's going to the toilet in the middle of the game, and then he comes back and is beating me at chess. It's humbling that, for my intelligence". Murray has had more time to spend polishing his chess game since he left his role as Novak Djokovic's coach last month, splitting on amicable terms after spending most of the year on the Serbian's team. 2 Murray recently split from coaching Novak Djokovic Credit: Reuters CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS But he has found himself a new career in the time since, entering the world of venture capitalism. The two-time Wimbledon champion has taken up a role as an associate partner at London-based investment firm Redrice Ventures. Rafael Nadal reveals Andy Murray's 18-word text message ONE second after Arsenal beat Real Madrid He told the Sunday Times: "It's difficult to step away from a sport like tennis, which has been so all-consuming for me for so long, and then not have anything to fill that void. 'I've seen it before with other athletes — when they haven't had other interests straight after sport, it becomes hard for them to know who they are. 'I'm also only 38 years old, so that's a long time to be retired. 'My plan was always to spend more time on my other business interests once I'd finished playing tennis, and I'm enjoying starting to work on some of those projects now. 'I think for me it's the work ethic and single-minded determination to succeed.' Murray previously worked with Redrice in 2018 as part of a co-investment involving sportswear company Castore. He already has several business interests including a five-star country house hotel in Scotland, a padel tennis firm and a crowdfunding platform called Seedrs.
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
F1 calendar announced for 2026 season - as fans lament one Grand Prix that will be 'deeply missed' with a new race added for the first time
The Formula One calendar for the 2026 season has been confirmed in an announcement released by the organisation on Tuesday morning. It will see another 24-race campaign take place, but with one fan-favourite Grand Prix nowhere to be seen on the list. Meanwhile, a new race in Madrid has been earmarked for the weekend of September 11-13 subject to FIA approval of the circuit. The sport's traditional curtain-raiser in Australia will occur from March 6-8 with the final race of the season being the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix from December 4-6. Elsewhere, the Canadian Grand Prix will be moved to an earlier slot on the penultimate weekend of May as the FIA implements further 'improvements to the geographical flow of races' - meaning it will follow the race in Miami. That paves the way for an expanded European run of races, beginning with the Monaco Grand Prix on the first weekend of June and culminating with the new race in the Spanish capital. However, some fans were dismayed to learn that the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - held at the historic Imola circuit in San Marino - had been omitted. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, one user wrote: 'Woke up to the worst news ever. imola GP, you will be deeply missed'. A second lamented: 'We lost Imola to add another street circuit and five million years more of Miami GP'. Another remarked: 'it's very sad & disappointing that Imola is not on the calendar'. A further comment questioned: 'A country can't have more than one Grand Prix, so no Imola, but here you go with two races in Spain and three in the United States'. With Ramadan taking place throughout February and March in 2026, both the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix will be held in April. Following the new race in Madrid, the sport will return to Asia for the Azerbaijan and Singapore Grands Prix, prior to three successive races in the Americas, before Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi close out the season. Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali said: '2026 will be a new era for Formula 1 where we will witness a brand-new set of regulations for our sport, the cars and the engines that will be powered by 100% sustainable fuel. Taking to X, formerly Twitter, fans voiced their disappointment over the omission of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix at Imola 'We are excited to welcome Madrid to the calendar, and to see huge automotive brands like Audi, Cadillac and Ford join the Formula 1 grid.' 'It promises to be an unforgettable season, where once again we will come together at 24 amazing global venues to watch the best drivers in the world push themselves to the limit and produce incredible wheel to wheel racing for our millions of fans watching around the globe. 'I want to thank all our fans for their passionate support and the FIA for their commitment and support in delivering this schedule in what I know will be another historic year for Formula 1.' Full F1 2026 race calendar March 6-8: Australia March 13-15 China Shanghai March 27-29 Japan Suzuka April 10-12 Bahrain Sakhir April 17-19 Saudi Arabia Jeddah May 1-3 USA Miami May 22-24 Canada Montreal June 5-7 Monaco Monaco June 12-14 Spain Barcelona-Catalunya June 26-28 Austria Spielberg July 3-5 United Kingdom Silverstone July 17-19 Belgium Spa-Francorchamps July 24-26 Hungary Budapest August 21-23 Netherlands Zandvoort September 4-6 Italy Monza September 11-13 Spain Madrid* September 25-27 Azerbaijan Baku October 9-11 Singapore Singapore October 23-25 USA Austin October 30 - November 1 Mexico Mexico City November 6-8 Brazil Sao Paulo November 19-21 USA Las Vegas November 27-29 Qatar Lusail December 4-6 Abu Dhabi Yas Marina
