COLOMBO // Michael Yardy, the England all-rounder, has returned home suffering from depression and will play no further part in the World Cup.
The England & Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said in a statement today that Yardy needed advice and treatment, "to overcome an illness he has been managing for a prolonged period of time."
Yardy said in a statement released by the ECB that leaving as England prepared for a crucial quarter-final against Sri Lanka was a difficult decision to make. "I felt that it was the only sensible option for me and I wanted to be honest about the reason behind that decision."
Yardy is the second England player to leave a tour because of depression. Marcus Trescothick, the ex-opener, fought and failed to beat the illness that attacked him whenever he left his family and home to travel abroad.
"I would like to wish the squad all the very best ahead of the game on Saturday. I would appreciate some privacy over the coming weeks while I spend time with family and close friends ahead of what I hope will be a successful season for Sussex," Yardy said.
The ECB has applied to the International Cricket Council (ICC) to replace Yardy, who has played a peripheral part in England's World Cup campaign.
"The decision was taken in close consultation with the England medical team after it was agreed Yardy should return home immediately to receive the best possible advice and support as he seeks to overcome an illness he has been managing for a prolonged period of time," The ECB said.
The 30-year-old played in just three of England's six group stage games, scoring 19 runs and taking two wickets.
Hugh Morris, the ECB chief executive, said it was important for Yardy to get well soon.
"Michael has been an integral part of the England set up in recent years and while he will be missed in the knock out stages of the World Cup, our priority now is to ensure that he returns home to his family and is able to spend time recovering with a strong support network around him," he said.
Gayle lashes out at criticism from Windies coach
Chris Gayle, the West Indies batsman, has apologised for the team's limp World Cup exit, but says it is "easy" to blame the senior players.
Ottis Gibson, the coach, used a news conference after the 10-wicket defeat by Pakistan to criticise senior players including Gayle for failing to perform at the tournament.
The 31-year-old Gayle used his Twitter account to respond, writing that it's "easy to blame the senior players, but difficult to accept the truth!!!"
Gibson said the team's management would take some "serious decisions" before West Indies play a home series against Pakistan in April, and that they would build the future on young players.
Imran wants Shoaib back in the Pakistan team
Imran Khan, the 1992 World Cup-winning captain, wants to see fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar restored to the Pakistan team if they meet India in the World Cup semi-finals. Akhtar has not played since the defeat by New Zealand midway through the group stages and has since announced he will end his 14-year international career following the tournament. Khan said in today's edition of the Urdu language newspaper Daily Express that the 35-year-old Akhtar "should get a chance and share the new ball with Umar Gul" if India beats Australia on Thursday and sets up a semi-final against Pakistan. Pakistan has won all their games since Akhtar was dropped, culminating in yesterday's 10-wicket victory over West Indies in the quarter-final.
UAE v IRELAND
All matches start at 10am, and will be played in Abu Dhabi
1st ODI, Friday, January 8
2nd ODI, Sunday, January 10
3rd ODI, Tuesday, January 12
4th ODI, Thursday, January 14
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
RESULTS
6.30pm: Emirates Holidays Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
Winner: Lady Snazz, Richard Mullen (jockey), Satish Seemar (trainer).
7.05pm: Arabian Adventures Maiden (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Zhou Storm, Connor Beasley, Ali Rashid Al Raihe.
7.40pm: Emirates Skywards Handicap (TB) Dh 82,500 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Rich And Famous, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer.
8.15pm: Emirates Airline Conditions (TB) Dh 120,000 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Rio Angie, Sam Hitchcock, Doug Watson.
8.50pm: Emirates Sky Cargo (TB) Dh 92,500 (D) 1,400m
Winner: Kinver Edge, Richard Mullen, Satish Seemar.
9.15pm: Emirates.com (TB) Dh 95,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Firnas, Xavier Ziani, Salem bin Ghadayer.
Ukraine
Capital: Kiev
Population: 44.13 million
Armed conflict in Donbass
Russia-backed fighters control territory
Company Profile
Company name: NutriCal
Started: 2019
Founder: Soniya Ashar
Based: Dubai
Industry: Food Technology
Initial investment: Self-funded undisclosed amount
Future plan: Looking to raise fresh capital and expand in Saudi Arabia
Total Clients: Over 50
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
The specs
Engine: 1.5-litre turbo
Power: 181hp
Torque: 230Nm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Starting price: Dh79,000
On sale: Now
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Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
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Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
Founders: Abdulmajeed Alsukhan, Turki Bin Zarah and Abdulmohsen Albabtain.
Based: Riyadh
Offices: UAE, Vietnam and Germany
Founded: September, 2020
Number of employees: 70
Sector: FinTech, online payment solutions
Funding to date: $116m in two funding rounds
Investors: Checkout.com, Impact46, Vision Ventures, Wealth Well, Seedra, Khwarizmi, Hala Ventures, Nama Ventures and family offices
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Washmen Profile
Date Started: May 2015
Founders: Rami Shaar and Jad Halaoui
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Laundry
Employees: 170
Funding: about $8m
Funders: Addventure, B&Y Partners, Clara Ventures, Cedar Mundi Partners, Henkel Ventures
The specs
Price: From Dh529,000
Engine: 5-litre V8
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Power: 520hp
Torque: 625Nm
Fuel economy, combined: 12.8L/100km
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
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Match info
Athletic Bilbao 0
Real Madrid 1 (Ramos 73' pen)
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