While it is disappointing news for UAE cricket fans that Michael Clarke will not be leading Australia in the one-day international (ODI) series against Pakistan next month, to the man in question it is the most sensible decision he could have made.
Clarke’s well documented back problems have already led to him acknowledging he has to think carefully about travel plans for overseas tours to ensure his fragile body can cope with the rigours of Test and ODI cricket, so it made sense not to risk his hamstring in the coming three matches in Sharjah, Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
There is still time for him to regain fitness for the two Tests and, in many ways, that is the most important element of the tour as Australia look to become the first visiting side to win a Test series against Pakistan in the UAE.
Clarke is crucial to Australia’s hopes and not just because of his batting, which averages 51.50 after 105 Tests.
He has become arguably the most inventive captain around and Australia cannot afford to lose him for any length of time with a busy 12 months ahead of them.
First comes the World Cup on home soil, then Clarke will bid to become the first Australia captain to retain the Ashes since Steve Waugh in 2002 when they take on England next summer.
Clarke and coach Darren Lehmann have found some momentum for the Australians in the past year, if being careful on injury risks means helping maintain it, then that can only be a good thing.
gcaygill@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on Twitter @SprtNationalUAE
THE 12 BREAKAWAY CLUBS
England
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur
Italy
AC Milan, Inter Milan, Juventus
Spain
Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Real Madrid
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Power: 235hp
Torque: 350Nm
Transmission: Nine-speed automatic
Price: From Dh167,500 ($45,000)
On sale: Now
In-demand jobs and monthly salaries
- Technology expert in robotics and automation: Dh20,000 to Dh40,000
- Energy engineer: Dh25,000 to Dh30,000
- Production engineer: Dh30,000 to Dh40,000
- Data-driven supply chain management professional: Dh30,000 to Dh50,000
- HR leader: Dh40,000 to Dh60,000
- Engineering leader: Dh30,000 to Dh55,000
- Project manager: Dh55,000 to Dh65,000
- Senior reservoir engineer: Dh40,000 to Dh55,000
- Senior drilling engineer: Dh38,000 to Dh46,000
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- Field engineer: Dh6,500 to Dh7,500
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La Mer lowdown
La Mer beach is open from 10am until midnight, daily, and is located in Jumeirah 1, well after Kite Beach. Some restaurants, like Cupagahwa, are open from 8am for breakfast; most others start at noon. At the time of writing, we noticed that signs for Vicolo, an Italian eatery, and Kaftan, a Turkish restaurant, indicated that these two restaurants will be open soon, most likely this month. Parking is available, as well as a Dh100 all-day valet option or a Dh50 valet service if you’re just stopping by for a few hours.
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EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS
Estijaba – 8001717 – number to call to request coronavirus testing
Ministry of Health and Prevention – 80011111
Dubai Health Authority – 800342 – The number to book a free video or voice consultation with a doctor or connect to a local health centre
Emirates airline – 600555555
Etihad Airways – 600555666
Ambulance – 998
Knowledge and Human Development Authority – 8005432 ext. 4 for Covid-19 queries
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Name: Qyubic
Started: October 2023
Founder: Namrata Raina
Based: Dubai
Sector: E-commerce
Current number of staff: 10
Investment stage: Pre-seed
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