Celebrating Phil Hughes
Australia’s women, who are the defending champions in Dubai, had a cricket bat lodged against the goalposts while they trained at Dubai College yesterday. The session started shortly after the conclusion of Phil Hughes’s funeral back at home, and the players were moved by it.
“It was such a tragic accident that shook the world of sport, not just Australia,” said Sharni Williams, the Australia captain.
Put out your bat
After training, the side staged an impromptu game of cricket with the bat they brought to use as part of the worldwide #putoutyourbats tribute. Williams had a perfect fast-bowler’s action.
“I grew up in the country, too, loved cricket, and we were the same age,” the team captain said of Hughes. “I’ve watched cricket since I was eight, played it and was the only girl in the boys team in hometown right up until year 12.”
Stolen bat
The women’s side always take a cricket bat on tour, but their old faithful has been commandeered by the men’s team this weekend, so they bought a new one in Dubai.
The men’s side, who are in a tough group with England, Kenya and the United States, also watched the televised service for Hughes. “I saw Michael Clarke’s eulogy on the internet. I think everybody in sport would have been thinking of him this week,” said Cameron Clark, the men’s captain.
The defenders
Australia won the women’s title in Dubai 12 months ago with an extraordinary comeback in the second half of the final against New Zealand, and they are hopeful of a repeat.
“We have prepared very well, have some young girls coming through,” Williams said.
“We also have some girls here who have won it before, and having the belief that stems from that is massive to have over teams. We dug deep to win that final and that is what Aussie spirit is about.”
Olympic focus
It was no surprise that a number of the Australia side proved to be adept cricketers. The Australian union have made a conscious effort to scour other sports to find talented athletes for their sevens programme. It is all with the first sevens Olympics tournament, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, in mind.
Thanks to funding from the Australian Olympic committee and the rugby union, women are playing professionally in Australia for the first time. “This is the best preparation we have ever had,” said Tim Walsh, the coach of the women’s side.
BEST GAMES TO WATCH
Thursday, 9am, Pitch 2: Xodus Steelers v Krasnoyars, International Vets
There are plenty of recognisable faces in the international 10s tournament for 35-and-overs, and the Xodus Steelers are the defending champions. With the likes of former Scotland Test players Jason White, Simon Taylor and Scott Murray, they have tons of experience. New recruit Bruce Reihana provides the flair.
Thursday, 3.40pm, Pitch 3: Gulf Legends v J9 Legends, International Vets
Some of Arabian Gulf rugby’s finest servants will face several stars of the past. If they come away with all their bones intact, they should be happy. Brian “The Chiropractor” Lima and Viliame “The Stretcher” Satala lie in wait with J9.
Thursday, 6.42pm, Pitch 1: England v Canada, Women’s World Series
The two nations met in the World Cup final of the 15-a-side game earlier this year, with England winning. Many who played that day are here this weekend.
Friday, 11.14am, Pitch 1: England v United States, World Series
A first chance to see the two American fliers, Carlin Isles and Perry Baker, in harness. Mike Friday, the US coach, will be keen to get one over his former protege, Simon Amor. The duo were coach and captain when England won back-to-back Dubai titles in 2004 and 2005.
Friday, 11.20am, Pitch 6: English College v Dubai College, Gulf U18 Boys
The Dubai Sevens gives ample scope to view rugby’s past, present and future. It is one of the oldest in the local age-group competition. While the rest have caught up with English College in recent years, Dubai College have maintained their status as the leading rugby school in the region.
Friday, 6.31pm, Pitch 1: Women’s World Series final
Friday culminates in the final of the two-day women’s competition. Australia are the defending champions, having stunned New Zealand 35-27 in last year’s showpiece, but the likes of England and Canada will be expecting to challenge this time around.
Saturday, 12.30pm, Pitch 1: International Veterans final
Last year’s corresponding fixture provided one of the most enduring images in the storied history of the Sevens. J9 Legends lost out after the buzzer, before Waisale Serevi pushed the wheelchair-bound former South Africa scrum-half Joost van der Westhuizen, who has ALS, through a tunnel of applauding ex-Test players.
Saturday, 3.25pm, Pitch 1: Gulf Men’s League final
Jebel Ali Dragons have owned this competition for most of the recent past, with six wins in 10 years. However, they were toppled in the domestic Premiership season in XVs, then lost in the national sevens series to the resurgent Abu Dhabi Harlequins. Al Ain Amblers may also be a threat.
Saturday, 8.12pm, Pitch 1: World Series final
DJ Otzi. Neil Diamond. The Way to Amarillo. The Aggreko Dynamos. The scaffolding stands. The most exciting talent in rugby’s fastest format. What is not to love about the Dubai Rugby Sevens? Maybe only the final whistle, because that means it’s all over.
pradley@thenational.ae
Follow our sports coverage on twitter at @SprtNationalUAE
Straightforward ways to reduce sugar in your family's diet
- Ban fruit juice and sodas
- Eat a hearty breakfast that contains fats and wholegrains, such as peanut butter on multigrain toast or full-fat plain yoghurt with whole fruit and nuts, to avoid the need for a 10am snack
- Give young children plain yoghurt with whole fruits mashed into it
- Reduce the number of cakes, biscuits and sweets. Reserve them for a treat
- Don’t eat dessert every day
- Make your own smoothies. Always use the whole fruit to maintain the benefit of its fibre content and don’t add any sweeteners
- Always go for natural whole foods over processed, packaged foods. Ask yourself would your grandmother have eaten it?
- Read food labels if you really do feel the need to buy processed food
- Eat everything in moderation
Company%20profile
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Jawan
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COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Electric scooters: some rules to remember
- Riders must be 14-years-old or over
- Wear a protective helmet
- Park the electric scooter in designated parking lots (if any)
- Do not leave electric scooter in locations that obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- Solo riders only, no passengers allowed
- Do not drive outside designated lanes
MEDIEVIL%20(1998)
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COMPANY%20PROFILE%20
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Fixtures:
Thursday:
Hatta v Al Jazira, 4.55pm
Al Wasl v Dibba, 7.45pm
Friday:
Al Dhafra v Al Nasr, 5.05pm
Shabab Al Ahli Dubai v Al Wahda, 7.45pm
Saturday:
Ajman v Emirates, 4.55pm
Al Ain v Sharjah, 7.45pm
SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD5
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Confirmed%20bouts%20(more%20to%20be%20added)
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Company%20Profile
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The Perfect Couple
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor
Creator: Jenna Lamia
Rating: 3/5
Company%20Profile
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Men's football draw
Group A: UAE, Spain, South Africa, Jamaica
Group B: Bangladesh, Serbia, Korea
Group C: Bharat, Denmark, Kenya, USA
Group D: Oman, Austria, Rwanda
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Bahrain%20GP
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Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
BEETLEJUICE BEETLEJUICE
Starring: Winona Ryder, Michael Keaton, Jenny Ortega
Director: Tim Burton
Rating: 3/5
How Islam's view of posthumous transplant surgery changed
Transplants from the deceased have been carried out in hospitals across the globe for decades, but in some countries in the Middle East, including the UAE, the practise was banned until relatively recently.
Opinion has been divided as to whether organ donations from a deceased person is permissible in Islam.
The body is viewed as sacred, during and after death, thus prohibiting cremation and tattoos.
One school of thought viewed the removal of organs after death as equally impermissible.
That view has largely changed, and among scholars and indeed many in society, to be seen as permissible to save another life.