Essex fined 100,000 pounds over racism at club between 2001-2010

English county side Essex have been fined £100,000 ($131,000) after admitting a failure to address
English county side Essex have been fined £100,000 ($131,000) after admitting a failure to address "systemic" racist language and conduct at the cricket club between 2001 and 2010. (Essex County Cricket Club)
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Updated 18 September 2024

Essex fined 100,000 pounds over racism at club between 2001-2010

Essex fined 100,000 pounds over racism at club between 2001-2010
  • Disciplinary body finds Essex guilty of failing to address racist or discriminatory language and conduct
  • Last year, Yorkshire were fined 400,000 pounds for their handling of racism allegations by a former player

Essex have been fined 100,000 pounds ($132,190) after admitting to a charge of racism at the county club which they failed to address between 2001 and 2010, England’s Cricket Regulator said on Wednesday.

Essex were charged in June after an investigation undertaken by the Cricket Regulator, a body responsible for monitoring compliance with the sport’s rules which operates independently from the rest of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB).

An independent Cricket Discipline Commission (CDC) panel held a sanctions hearing and published its decision on Wednesday.

“Essex County Cricket Club has admitted a charge in breach of Directive 3.3, in relation to the systemic use of racist and/or discriminatory language and/or conduct during the period between 2001 and 2010 which Essex failed to address,” it said in a statement.

The CDC panel also cautioned and reprimanded Essex while 50,000 pounds of the fine was suspended for two years.

“There is deep regret for what occurred in the past but these events do not reflect the Essex Cricket of today,” Essex chair Anu Mohindru said.

“The club have accepted the sanctions and remains committed to tackling all forms of discrimination, and is fully aligned with the ECB’s goal of making cricket the country’s most inclusive team sport.

“We have made significant progress in achieving these aims in the communities we represent through our excellent outreach work, as well as building a workplace that values and respects every individual.”

Dave Lewis, the interim director of the Cricket Regulator, said the racism experienced at Essex was “abhorrent” while the evidence was “deeply disturbing.”

Lewis added that the sanctions had been decided following a “long and complex investigation” after the club had conducted its own investigation.

The people subjected to abuse had “shown real bravery in speaking out,” Lewis said, adding: ” I hope that this prosecution will help ensure that no one suffers again as they did and that racism of this kind is never normalized.

“The CDC panel took into account the fact that Essex had pleaded guilty to the charge and has already taken significant action to address these issues and become a more inclusive club.”

Last year, Yorkshire were fined 400,000 pounds and given a 48-point deduction in the County Championship by the CDC over their handling of racism allegations made by Azeem Rafiq.

The former England Under-19s captain, who is of Pakistani descent, told a British parliamentary committee in 2021 of ‘inhuman’ treatment at Yorkshire and said he had been a victim of institutional racism at the club.

($1 = 0.7565 pounds)


Taif Derby to headline weekend racing at King Khalid Racecourse

Taif Derby to headline weekend racing at King Khalid Racecourse
Updated 21 August 2025

Taif Derby to headline weekend racing at King Khalid Racecourse

Taif Derby to headline weekend racing at King Khalid Racecourse
  • 2000 Guineas winner Mhally will be chasing Classic double on Saturday
  • Trainer Mustafa Al-Mosa’s Wared Al-Sengar (KSA) is top-rated in the Taif Arabian Derby

TAIF: King Khalid Racecourse is set for a packed weekend of racing with 2000 Guineas winner Mhally (GB) facing several familiar rivals in a field of 12 assembled for the $106,000 Taif Derby on Saturday.

A significant purse is on offer for the final two events, with another $106,000 prize purse attached to the concluding Taif Arabian Derby for Purebred Arabians, which sees prep winner Wared Al-Sengar (KSA) take on nine opponents over 1600m.

Mhally, trained by the in-form Thamer Al-Daihani for Sheikh Abdullah Homoud Al-Malek Al-Sabah, will be making his seasonal debut having beaten several of the field in last season’s 2000 Guineas held in Riyadh on Jan. 25, an effort which was franked by his third to Golden Vekoma (USA) in the Saudi Derby the following month.

Jaarif (USA) was just a half-length behind Mhally in the 2000 Guineas and will be making his first start under Khaled Al-Mimoni for trainer Abdullah Al-Monif, with the fourth home that day, Faal Khair (USA), also in the lineup for the White Stables of King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz and Sons.

Camilo Ospina, who blitzed his rivals in the Taif Jockey Championship with six winners last weekend, will again be aboard for trainer Ahmed Mohamoud following their comeback second in the trial for this at the beginning of the month, with the Mohammed Al-Daham-ridden Mhalhal (USA) third on that occasion and a second representative for Al-Daihani.

A fascinating addition to the field is Prince Faisal Bin Khaled Bin Abdulaziz’s Bernard Shaw (USA) after his debut in the country last weekend for the Red Stable.

A $1.8 million yearling, the mount of Fahad Al-Fouraidi for trainer Hadi Gharawi was sixth on his first outing and joined connections having won one of his four starts for the legendary Aidan O’Brien in Ireland.

Trainer Mustafa Al-Mosa’s Wared Al-Sengar (KSA) is top-rated in the Taif Arabian Derby under Mohammad Al-Hubail and clashes again with the placed horses from the trial — runner-up Abdulaziz Al-Mosa’s Wasib (FR) and third home HM Al-Nasserallah (FR) for Bassim Al-Mousa.

Also in the field is Lacy Des Vialettes (FR), winner of the King Faisal Cup last season, but bidding to improve on her comeback seventh earlier this month. She goes post under Al-Mimoni for Al-Mosa.

The four-year-old won the first four races of her career before finding the company too hot on Saudi Cup day and running down the field in the Group 1 Obaiyah Arabian Classic.

Sixteen runners have been declared for the Taif University Cup Local Bred Horses Open over 1400m and they include four for the Red Stable headed by Riyadh Dirt Sprint fifth Saodad (KSA), who has worked his way back into form in two Taif outings this campaign.

Friday’s feature is the 1600m Makkah Al-Mokarramah Reg. Gov. Cup in which Al-Daihani has a strong hand with Tuwaiq Cup fourth Final Destination (GB) and Uncle (GB), who does battle once again with Nicolas Bachalard’s Henry Q (USA) after they fought out the finish for the prep here on Aug. 1.


Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai
Updated 21 August 2025

Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai

Squads locked in for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament in Dubai
  • The 6-team, 18-match tournament, which begins on Aug. 24, provides a platform for rising cricket stars in the UAE to showcase their talent

DUBAI: The six franchises that will compete at the third DP World International League T20 Development Tournament have finalized their squads for the competition through a player selection draft.

Each team features 15 cricketers from the UAE who represent some of the most exciting talent in the country, including several who have already played in the DP World ILT20.

The tournament, which begins on Aug 24 and culminates with the final on Sept. 3, serves as a platform for the country’s rising stars in the sport to showcase their talent ahead of the DP World ILT20 2025 Player Auction, which will take place at the end of September, a few days after the Asia Cup 2025 concludes in the UAE.

The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development squad includes Ibrar Ahmad, who picked up four wickets in seven appearances for Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the third season of the DP World ILT20 at the start of this year. He is joined by Aditya Shetty, who played for the team in season 2, and Shahid Iqbal Bhutta, who made three appearances in season 3.

The Desert Vipers Development team features Khuzaima Bin Tanveer, who impressed by taking seven wickets in as many matches during season 3 of the DP World ILT20, including a match-winning 4 for 22 against Sharjah Warriorz. Also in the squad are Ali Naseer, who has represented the Vipers in all three seasons of the DP World ILT20 to date, and Tanish Suri, who was in the squad for seasons 2 and 3.

The lineup for Dubai Capitals Development includes Farhan Khan, who stood out during DP World ILT20 Season 3 by defending 11 runs against MI Emirates’ Kieron Pollard in the season opener and went on to play in seven matches. His teammates include Zeeshan Naseer, who was part of the Capitals’ senior squad last season.

Gulf Giants Development will look for strong performances from Aayan Khan, who has been part of the senior Giants squad since the inaugural season of the DP World ILT20 in 2023 and shone last year with 10 wickets in 10 games at an economy of 6.17, along with Mohammed Uzair Khan, who played twice for the team in DP World ILT20 season 3.

The MI Emirates Development squad includes Aryan Lakra, who made his first appearance at the DP World ILT20 in season 2 and rejoined the senior side in season 3, and Zahoor Khan, who has been with the franchise for three years and took five wickets in seven matches last season.

Sharjah Warriorz Development includes the experienced Rohan Mustafa, who played 12 matches for the Warriorz during season 3 of the DP World ILT20, helping them to reach the playoffs for the first time. The highlight of his campaign was a match-winning 45 against Gulf Giants in the opening fixture.

The format of the DP World ILT20 Development Tournament is a single-league, round-robin format. Season 4 of the DP World ILT20 will begin on Dec. 2, with the final due to be played on Jan. 4.

Full squads for the 2025 DP World ILT20 Development Tournament

Abu Dhabi Knight Riders Development: Syed Mohammed Haider Shah, Ronak Panoly, Ahmed Tariq, Sagar Kalyan, Ali Abid, Uddish Suri, Sanchit Sharma, Usaid Amin, Mohammed Shahdad, Rameez Shahzad, Madhav Manoj, Zia Mukhtar, Adithya Shetty, Mohammed Shahid Iqbal, Ibrar Ahmad

Desert Vipers Development: Nilansh Keswani, Mayank Mayank, Sanjay Pahal, Usman Pandit, Awais Ahmed, Taimoor Ali, Nabeel Aziz, Basil Hameed, Angad Nehru, Hafiz Almas Ayub, Arron Lilley, Daniel Pawson, Ali Naseer, Tanish Suri, Khuzaima Bin Tanveer

Dubai Capitals Development: Daniyal Liaquat, Luqman Faisal, Siyam Khan, Israr Ahmad, Mohammed Irfan, Sohaib Khan, Ihtisham Ul Haq, Junaid Shamsudheen, Harshit Seth, Ritesh Mallikarjuna Grandhi, Said Nazeer, Abdul Rahman Nasir, Zeeshan Naseer, Farhan Khan, Khalid Shah

Gulf Giants Development: Mohammed Ibrahim Masood, Ajay Kumar, Junaid Khan Afridi, Mohammed Aftab Alam, Jonathan Figy John, Zahid Ali, Hameed Khan, Tahir Zaman Noor Zaman, Nawodya Wijayakumara, Jash Nitinkumar Giyanani, Uzair Haider Naheed Ullah, Mohammed Aftab Javed, Ayaan Misbah, Aayan Khan, Mohammed Uzair Khan

MI Emirates Development: Vriitya Aravind, Usman Khan, Mohammed Farooq, Danish Qureshi, Rizwaan CP, Mohammed Kamran Atta, Mohammed Faraazuddin, Yug Sharma, Vishnu Kannath Sukumaran, Aryan Saxena, Rahul Bhatia, Mohammed Mohsin, Sabir Ali, Zahoor Khan, Aryan Lakra

Sharjah Warriorz Development: Wasim Akram, Haider Razzaq, Harsh Desai, Simranjeet Singh, Raees Ahmad, Umair Ali Khan, Mohit Singh Kalyan, Mohammed Shahbaz Ali, Omid Rahman, Yassir Kaleem, Rayan Khan, Mohammed Adeeb Usmani, Zawar Farid, Vaibhav Govekar, Rohan Mustafa

Full schedule for DP World ILT20 Development Tournament 2025

Sunday, Aug. 24

5 p.m.: Dubai Capitals Development vs. Desert Vipers Development

9:30 p.m.: MI Emirates Development vs. Gulf Giants Development

Monday, Aug. 25

5 p.m.: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs. ADKR Development

9 p.m.: Gulf Giants Development vs. Dubai Capitals Development

Tuesday, Aug. 26

5 p.m.: ADKR Development vs. MI Emirates Development

9 p.m.: Desert Vipers Development vs. Sharjah Warriorz Development

Wednesday, Aug. 27

5 p.m.: MI Emirates Development vs. Dubai Capitals Development

9 p.m.: Gulf Giants Development vs. Desert Vipers Development

Thursday, Aug. 28:

Rest/training

Friday, Aug. 29

5 p.m.: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs. Gulf Giants Development

9 p.m.: ADKR Development vs. Dubai Capitals Development

Saturday, Aug. 30

5 p.m.: Desert Vipers Development vs. MI Emirates Development

9:30 p.m.: Dubai Capitals Development vs. Sharjah Warriorz Development

Sunday, Aug. 31

7 p.m.: Desert Vipers Development vs. ADKR Development

Monday, Sept. 1

5 p.m.: Sharjah Warriorz Development vs. MI Emirates Development

9 p.m.: ADKR Development vs. Gulf Giants Development

Tuesday, Sept. 2

5 p.m.: Semi-final 1

9 p.m.: Semi-final 2

Wednesday, Sept. 3

7 p.m.: Final

  • All matches will be played at the ICC Academy in Dubai.

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket
Updated 21 August 2025

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket

Increasing clamour for full player substitution in cricket
  • During its historical development, first-class cricket has flirted with substitution from time to time, and injuries in recent Test between England and India have reignited the debate

In the recent Test series between England and India, serious injuries were sustained by two players during a match that prevented their ongoing full contribution. Consequently, discussions have reopened relating to the introduction of full like-for-like substitutes in the game’s longest format.

During its historical development, first-class cricket has flirted with substitution from time to time.

An early example of substitution occurred in 1843. Thomas Barker of Nottinghamshire broke his leg while getting out of a horse-drawn carriage before a match against Hampshire at Southampton. It was agreed that, rather than Nottinghamshire playing with 10 men, another member of the team would be allowed to bat twice in each innings. It seems that in the gentlemanly era of the mid to late 19th century, numerous substitutions occurred for reasons other than injury. One England XI captain decided not to take any further part in a match against Yorkshire because he was booed by the crowd.

More recently, there have been occasions when a player has been called up for his national team while playing for his state or county team. A playing substitute was allowed, only for him to be replaced by the returning original player who had not been selected to play for his country. A more frequent occurrence is when a player is selected for a Test squad, but is not selected for the playing 11 and returns to his state or county team to replace someone who began the match. While this rather fluid approach is allowed in relation to national call-ups, neither illness nor injury have been considered acceptable reasons for full substitution.

Partial substitution has been allowed since the late 19th century. This allows for the injured or ill player to be substituted in the field, but the substitute may not bowl, bat or be captain. In 2017, a previous ban on substitute wicketkeepers was lifted. A more fundamental change occurred in 2019 with the introduction of concussion substitutes. If a player is hit on the head/helmet, a concussion review is conducted by a doctor or suitably trained person. The player is asked if there is any feeling of headache or nausea. His or her balance is checked and memory tested through questions. If concussion is diagnosed, a like-for-like substitute is allowed, who participates fully. 

In 2005, the International Cricket Council trialled tactical substitutions in One Day Internationals over a ten-month period. Each team was allowed one substitute, termed a “super-sub,” who had to be named prior to the toss and could be introduced at any stage of the match. The trial first applied to an ODI series between England and Australia. It was not popular, largely on the basis that it was perceived to give the team that won the toss an enhanced advantage. Captains suggested that it would be preferable to nominate the sub after the toss had been made. The level of opposition to the trial was sufficient for the ICC to withdraw the regulation.  

More recently, in 2023, the Board of Control for Cricket in India — BCCI — introduced the Impact Player into the Indian Premier League, having trialled it in a domestic competition. A team can replace any player from the original starting 11 with a substitute at any point of the match from after the first ball of the first innings to before the last ball of the second innings. Both teams are allowed to name their playing eleven after the toss. Despite criticism from leading players, the regulation will stay in place until 2027. The ILT20 franchise league in the UAE introduced an Impact Sub in 2024.

The extension of substitutes to the longer formats received a boost this week when the BCCI announced an amendment to playing conditions for its 2025-26 season, due to open on Aug. 28. In multi-day cricket, injury replacements will be allowed. The amendment states that “If a player sustains a serious injury during the course of the relevant match, a Serious Injury Replacement may be permitted in the following circumstances.”

The first of these circumstances’ states that “The serious injury must have been sustained during play and within the playing area.” Furthermore, “the injury must have occurred due to an external blow and result in fracture/ deep cut/dislocation. The injury should render the player unavailable for remainder of the match.” Both of the recent serious injuries to Rishabh Pant in the fourth Test and Chris Woakes in the fifth Test should have rendered them unavailable for the remainder of the match. Yet, because of the circumstances of the match, both did participate, clearly in great pain and at risk of exacerbating their injuries.

The speed with which the BCCI has moved reflects the division of opinion on the subject. India’s coach, Gautam Gambir, said that he was “all for it,” whereas England’s captain, Ben Stokes, was resolutely against it, saying that “there would just be too many loopholes for teams to be able to go through.” He went on to say that “if you stick me in an MRI scanner, I could get someone else in straightaway.”  

Clearly mindful of the potential abuse to which the proposal may be subject, the BCCI has laid out in detail the procedure for an injury replacement. Nevertheless, there is some inconsistency. One clause says that “On-field umpires shall be the final authority to decide on the extent of serious injury and allowability of Serious Injury Replacement. They may consult the BCCI Match Referee and/ or doctor available on the ground.” A later clause says that “the decision of the BCCI Match Referee in relation to any Serious Injury Replacement Request shall be final and neither team shall have any right of appeal.”

This illustrates the complexity of the issue. It is further complicated by the definition of what is a like-for-like player. It may be assumed that a right-handed batter will be replaced by another right-handed batter, and similarly for a bowler. However, will a fast bowler be replaced by another fast bowler or can a slow bowler act as a replacement? The BCCI has partially addressed this in stating that a “like-for-like replacement will not excessively advantage his team for the remainder of the match.” This is very much a matter of judgment and potential controversy.   

It seems that India has decided which side it sits in this polarizing issue. In an increasing frantic playing calendar, in which players are subjecting their bodies to unprecedented pressures, their safety should be paramount. The alternative argument is the one articulated by Stokes: “You pick your 11 for a game; injuries are part of the game.” Those who agree with him will say that Test cricket’s charm lies in its raw, unscripted, human moments, sometimes occasioned by injury, which generate authentic, compelling, drama.

This charm includes the notion of 10 versus 11. It is one that is becoming more difficult to justify. Concussion substitution has been introduced seamlessly, impact substitutions are part of the franchise game, the BCCI has shown its hand, the ICC is encouraging national boards to trial full substitution in domestic competitions. It is hard to deny that a direction of travel seems to be set for the next stage, Test cricket. This will require a watertight process to assess whether a player is genuinely injured. 


Malaysia rules out return of F1 over costs

Malaysia rules out return of F1 over costs
Updated 21 August 2025

Malaysia rules out return of F1 over costs

Malaysia rules out return of F1 over costs
  • Malaysia on Thursday ruled out Formula One returning to the country in the near future, citing costs and an already packed racing calendar

KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia on Thursday ruled out Formula One returning to the country in the near future, citing costs and an already packed racing calendar.
The Southeast Asian nation first hosted an F1 race in 1999 at its Sepang International Circuit, with the last grand prix held there in 2017.
Malaysia dropped out of the F1 calendar from 2018 amid the rising costs of hosting the event.
Sepang still annually stages MotoGP motorbike racing.
Sports minister Hannah Yeoh said hosting F1 again would require the Malaysian government to pay about 300 million ringgit ($71.09 million) annually.
Beyond hosting rights, Yeoh said the circuit requires about 10 million ringgit a year to maintain to the required standards for top-level motor racing.
“Malaysia must also bind itself to a contract of between three to five years with Liberty Media (which holds F1’s commercial rights), amounting to a commitment of about 1.5 billion ringgit during this period,” she told parliament on Thursday.
“The current race calendar is very tight and if Malaysia is interested in hosting again, we will have to compete with other countries for a place on the calendar,” she added.
In the region, Singapore stages a night race and Thailand hopes to become the latest host.
The Thai cabinet in June approved a $1.2 billion bid to stage F1 on the streets of Bangkok from 2028.
Yeoh said Malaysia is not shutting the door completely on having F1 races again, if any corporate entities were willing to shoulder the costs.
“We are open to this and can cooperate,” she added.
“The Formula 1 is a very prestigious sporting event that is followed by many fans around the world.
“So if we could afford it, it’s a good-to-have event in Malaysia.”


Ten hurt, 90 arrested as match abandoned following fan violence in Argentina

Ten hurt, 90 arrested as match abandoned following fan violence in Argentina
Updated 21 August 2025

Ten hurt, 90 arrested as match abandoned following fan violence in Argentina

Ten hurt, 90 arrested as match abandoned following fan violence in Argentina
  • A stun grenade was among the objects hurled by fans as the last-16 second-leg encounter in the regional competition at the Libertadores de America stadium was initially suspended and then abandoned

BUENOS AIRES: Ten people were hurt and 90 arrested Wednesday after violent clashes erupted between rival fans during a Copa Sudamericana match involving Argentina’s Independiente and visiting Universidad de Chile in Buenos Aires, club officials and police said.
A stun grenade was among the objects hurled by fans as the last-16 second-leg encounter in the regional competition at the Libertadores de America stadium was initially suspended and then abandoned.
In shocking and chaotic scenes, one fan of the Chilean visitors jumped from the stands to escape attacking opposing supporters after being cornered.
Home supporters beat and stripped some visiting fans of their clothes, an AFP reporter at the scene said.
The violence had flared at half time when fans of the Chilean side began throwing stones, sticks, bottles and seats at a section housing home supporters.
“We have 90 people detained outside the stadium because they tried to cause trouble and they have already been taken to the police station,” a source from the security ministry told AFP.
An Independiente spokesperson said that 10 people were injured.
The match was 1-1 when it was suspended in the 48th minute, before being abandoned.
The Chilean side won the first leg 1-0.