Skipper Jaydev Unadkat on Friday produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most against Bengal, leading Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph a year after stumbling at the last hurdle. The win was achieved on the basis of the first-innings lead here.

Bengal had the upper hand going into day five after Anustup Majumdar (63) and Arnab Nandi (40 not out) shared an unbeaten 91-run stand in the final session Thursday.

But Unadkat, who had single-handily taken Saurashtra into the final with a seven-wicket haul against Gujarat on the final day of their semifinal, rose to the occasion yet again to script a historic victory.

The left-arm pacer had the in-form Majumdar LBW and Akash Deep run out in a space of three balls to turn the game on its head. Unadkat ended as the season's leading wicket-taker with 67 scalps at a staggering average of 13.23, one short of an all-time record.

One hour and 10 minutes of play in the decisive morning session yielded 27 runs and four wickets with Bengal all out for 381, giving Saurashtra a 44-run first innings lead. At the start of the day, Bengal needed 72 runs for the first-innings lead with four wickets in hands.

In the second innings, all Saurashtra had to do was to bat time before both captains decided to call off the game and shake hands. They eventually did that at tea time after Saurashtra sauntered 105 for three in 34 overs.

With the win, Saurashtra ended their Ranji Trophy title drought while a fighting Bengal will have to wait longer for their first crown since the 1989-90 season.

Despite the loss, it was a memorable season for Bengal, who reached the title clash after 13 years at the back of stellar performances from the pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and veteran batsman Manoj Tiwary and Majumdar.

For Saurashtra, the star performers were Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, and of course, their captain.

Unadkat, who opened the bowling alongside Chetan Sakariya on day five, was a tad defensive with the field placement early on, considering the team conceded easy runs to Bengal on the penultimate day.

The onus was on the Saurashtra skipper to deliver again after his performance against Gujarat propelled his team to its fourth final in eight seasons. He had bowled 32 overs before that match-winning over without getting a wicket despite giving his all.

But such is his conviction that he backs himself to do the job in the toughest of situations. In fact, he thrives on it.

Majumdar and Nandi, who resumed the day on 58 and 28 after defying Saurashtra on Thursday, were expected to get the 72 runs for the all-important first innings but Unadkat changed it all in one over.

The left-arm pacer, who is known more for his IPL riches than his brave heart performances for his state team, ended the 98-run stand between Majumdar and Nandi by trapping the former in front of the stumps as he brought the ball back in sharply.

He could have had Wriddhiman Saha out twice on day four with a similar ball but did not have the required luck.

Two balls after sending back a dejected Majumdar, Unadkat was alert enough on the field to make Akash Deep pay for ignoring the basics.

Having played and miss, Akash Deep was found standing marginally outside the crease. The wicketkeeper was quick to observe that and went for the direct hit but missed, only for the bowler to collect the ball and disturb the timber, giving Saurashtra their second wicket in three balls.

The game was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus threat but the celebratory roar from the Saurashtra players could be heard from the highway next door.

Five overs later, spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja had Mukesh Kumar caught at short-leg after taking a successful DRS call, bringing Saurashtra just one wicket away from creating history.

With Bengal 55 runs behind, Nandi tried his best and went for his strokes but in the end, his team fell agonisingly short.

Fittingly, Unadkat took the last wicket of Bengal's innings by catching number 11 Ishan Porel plumb in front of the stumps.

Skipper Jaydev Unadkat on Friday produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most against Bengal, leading Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph a year after stumbling at the last hurdle.

Skipper Jaydev Unadkat on Friday produced a lion-hearted spell when it mattered the most against Bengal, leading Saurashtra to their maiden Ranji Trophy triumph a year after stumbling at the last hurdle. The win was achieved on the basis of the first-innings lead here. Bengal had the upper hand going into day five after Anustup Majumdar (63) and Arnab Nandi (40 not out) shared an unbeaten 91-run stand in the final session Thursday. But Unadkat, who had single-handily taken Saurashtra into the final with a seven-wicket haul against Gujarat on the final day of their semifinal, rose to the occasion yet again to script a historic victory. The left-arm pacer had the in-form Majumdar LBW and Akash Deep run out in a space of three balls to turn the game on its head. Unadkat ended as the season's leading wicket-taker with 67 scalps at a staggering average of 13.23, one short of an all-time record. One hour and 10 minutes of play in the decisive morning session yielded 27 runs and four wickets with Bengal all out for 381, giving Saurashtra a 44-run first innings lead. At the start of the day, Bengal needed 72 runs for the first-innings lead with four wickets in hands. In the second innings, all Saurashtra had to do was to bat time before both captains decided to call off the game and shake hands. They eventually did that at tea time after Saurashtra sauntered 105 for three in 34 overs. With the win, Saurashtra ended their Ranji Trophy title drought while a fighting Bengal will have to wait longer for their first crown since the 1989-90 season. Despite the loss, it was a memorable season for Bengal, who reached the title clash after 13 years at the back of stellar performances from the pace trio of Akash Deep, Mukesh Kumar, Ishan Porel and veteran batsman Manoj Tiwary and Majumdar. For Saurashtra, the star performers were Sheldon Jackson, Arpit Vasavada, and of course, their captain. Unadkat, who opened the bowling alongside Chetan Sakariya on day five, was a tad defensive with the field placement early on, considering the team conceded easy runs to Bengal on the penultimate day. The onus was on the Saurashtra skipper to deliver again after his performance against Gujarat propelled his team to its fourth final in eight seasons. He had bowled 32 overs before that match-winning over without getting a wicket despite giving his all. But such is his conviction that he backs himself to do the job in the toughest of situations. In fact, he thrives on it. Majumdar and Nandi, who resumed the day on 58 and 28 after defying Saurashtra on Thursday, were expected to get the 72 runs for the all-important first innings but Unadkat changed it all in one over. The left-arm pacer, who is known more for his IPL riches than his brave heart performances for his state team, ended the 98-run stand between Majumdar and Nandi by trapping the former in front of the stumps as he brought the ball back in sharply. He could have had Wriddhiman Saha out twice on day four with a similar ball but did not have the required luck. Two balls after sending back a dejected Majumdar, Unadkat was alert enough on the field to make Akash Deep pay for ignoring the basics. Having played and miss, Akash Deep was found standing marginally outside the crease. The wicketkeeper was quick to observe that and went for the direct hit but missed, only for the bowler to collect the ball and disturb the timber, giving Saurashtra their second wicket in three balls. The game was played behind closed doors due to the coronavirus threat but the celebratory roar from the Saurashtra players could be heard from the highway next door. Five overs later, spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja had Mukesh Kumar caught at short-leg after taking a successful DRS call, bringing Saurashtra just one wicket away from creating history. With Bengal 55 runs behind, Nandi tried his best and went for his strokes but in the end, his team fell agonisingly short. Fittingly, Unadkat took the last wicket of Bengal's innings by catching number 11 Ishan Porel plumb in front of the stumps.

Jaydev Unadkat fires Saurashtra to Ranji Trophy title truimph, delivers on final day yet again

Australia crushed New Zealand by 71 runs in the first one day international at an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday.

After New Zealand earlier kept the home side to 258 for seven, the Australian bowling attack dominated the Kiwi batsmen to dismiss the visitors for 187 in the 41st over.

Cricket Australia barred spectators from the match in response to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the strange sight of players acknowledging milestones to empty grandstands.

It was also revealed that Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson was in quarantine early in the day and had been tested for the virus after feeling unwell.

However, he was subsequently cleared of the virus and returned to the ground to rejoin his teammates.

Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat, with the home side at one stage looking at a score in excess of 300 following a superb opening partnership from Finch and David Warner.

But once Warner (67) and Finch (60) were dismissed, the Australian innings lost momentum and New Zealand clawed their way back into the game, despite a late flourish from Marnus Labuschagne, who made 56 from just 52 deliveries.

New Zealand must have given themselves a good chance of taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but some superb Australian bowling in the first 10 overs meant the visitors were always behind in the run chase.

None of the New Zealand batsmen was able to dominate -- Martin Guptill top scored with 40 -- and wickets fell at regular intervals as Australia took control.

The victory will come as a welcome boost to the Australians, who had lost their last five ODIs in series losses to South Africa and India.

Test spearhead Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers with 3-25, while allrounder Mitchell Marsh claimed 3-29.

Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood both picked up two wickets in an impressive team display.

Earlier, New Zealand spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi reined Australia in after Finch and Warner's bright start.

Warner brought up a chanceless half-century but soon began to struggle when New Zealand's fastest bowler, Lockie Ferguson, came round the wicket and he eventually fell when he was beaten by pace and sliced a Ferguson thunderbolt to mid-on.&nbsp;

Santner struck next when Finch got a faint edge to keeper Tom Latham to leave Australia 145 for two.

He then rocked the home side when he bowled Steve Smith (14) with the addition of only one run.

Leg-spinner Sodhi was expensive early but he adjusted his length and claimed the next three wickets to give New Zealand hope of chasing down the Australian total under the SCG lights.

The second match will take place on Sunday, also at the SCG.

Australia crushed New Zealand by 71 runs in the first one day international at an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. After New Zealand earlier kept the home side to 258 for seven, the Australian bowling attack dominated the Kiwi batsmen to dismiss the visitors for 187 in the 41st over.

Australia crushed New Zealand by 71 runs in the first one day international at an empty Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday. After New Zealand earlier kept the home side to 258 for seven, the Australian bowling attack dominated the Kiwi batsmen to dismiss the visitors for 187 in the 41st over. Cricket Australia barred spectators from the match in response to the coronavirus pandemic, leading to the strange sight of players acknowledging milestones to empty grandstands. It was also revealed that Australian fast bowler Kane Richardson was in quarantine early in the day and had been tested for the virus after feeling unwell. However, he was subsequently cleared of the virus and returned to the ground to rejoin his teammates. Australian skipper Aaron Finch won the toss and chose to bat, with the home side at one stage looking at a score in excess of 300 following a superb opening partnership from Finch and David Warner. But once Warner (67) and Finch (60) were dismissed, the Australian innings lost momentum and New Zealand clawed their way back into the game, despite a late flourish from Marnus Labuschagne, who made 56 from just 52 deliveries. New Zealand must have given themselves a good chance of taking a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, but some superb Australian bowling in the first 10 overs meant the visitors were always behind in the run chase. None of the New Zealand batsmen was able to dominate -- Martin Guptill top scored with 40 -- and wickets fell at regular intervals as Australia took control. The victory will come as a welcome boost to the Australians, who had lost their last five ODIs in series losses to South Africa and India. Test spearhead Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers with 3-25, while allrounder Mitchell Marsh claimed 3-29. Adam Zampa and Josh Hazlewood both picked up two wickets in an impressive team display. Earlier, New Zealand spinners Mitchell Santner and Ish Sodhi reined Australia in after Finch and Warner's bright start. Warner brought up a chanceless half-century but soon began to struggle when New Zealand's fastest bowler, Lockie Ferguson, came round the wicket and he eventually fell when he was beaten by pace and sliced a Ferguson thunderbolt to mid-on. Santner struck next when Finch got a faint edge to keeper Tom Latham to leave Australia 145 for two. He then rocked the home side when he bowled Steve Smith (14) with the addition of only one run. Leg-spinner Sodhi was expensive early but he adjusted his length and claimed the next three wickets to give New Zealand hope of chasing down the Australian total under the SCG lights. The second match will take place on Sunday, also at the SCG.

Australia crush New Zealand in first ODI by 71 runs

The ongoing India versus South Africa, three-match ODI series has been called off amid coronavirus pandemic. While the first ODI of the three-match rubber was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Dharamsala on Thursday, the remaining two matches of the series were to be held in Lucknow and Kolkata on March 15 and 18 respectively.

However, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have collectively decided to cancel the series. The Proteas players will leave India at the earliest available flight after coming to Delhi.&nbsp;

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday announced to reschedule the ongoing ODI series in view of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak. Cricket South Africa will visit India at a later date to play 3 One-day Internationals. The BCCI-CSA will jointly work out the revised schedule," the BCCI said in a statement on Friday.

Both the remaining ODIs of the three-match series were to be held behind closed doors amid the coronavirus outbreak but with the situation deteriorating, the BCCI has decided to call off the series completely keeping the health and well being of the players and staffs in mind.&nbsp;

Earlier on Friday, the board decided to suspend IPL 2020 till April 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the IPL Governing Council meeting is scheduled to be held on March 14 (Saturday), it will be interesting to see what final decision the board takes along with all the franchises while keeping the scheduling and logistics in mind.

The ongoing India versus South Africa, three-match ODI series has been called off amid coronavirus pandemic. While the first ODI of the three-match rubber was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Dharamsala on Thursday, the remaining two matches of the series were to be held in Lucknow and Kolkata on March 15 and 18 respectively.

The ongoing India versus South Africa, three-match ODI series has been called off amid coronavirus pandemic. While the first ODI of the three-match rubber was abandoned without a ball being bowled in Dharamsala on Thursday, the remaining two matches of the series were to be held in Lucknow and Kolkata on March 15 and 18 respectively. However, both the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and Cricket South Africa (CSA) have collectively decided to cancel the series. The Proteas players will leave India at the earliest available flight after coming to Delhi. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) along with Cricket South Africa (CSA) on Friday announced to reschedule the ongoing ODI series in view of the Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) outbreak. Cricket South Africa will visit India at a later date to play 3 One-day Internationals. The BCCI-CSA will jointly work out the revised schedule," the BCCI said in a statement on Friday. Both the remaining ODIs of the three-match series were to be held behind closed doors amid the coronavirus outbreak but with the situation deteriorating, the BCCI has decided to call off the series completely keeping the health and well being of the players and staffs in mind. Earlier on Friday, the board decided to suspend IPL 2020 till April 15 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the IPL Governing Council meeting is scheduled to be held on March 14 (Saturday), it will be interesting to see what final decision the board takes along with all the franchises while keeping the scheduling and logistics in mind.

India versus South Africa ODI series called off amid coronavirus pandemic

AFP looks at the effects on sport of the coronavirus, which by Thursday had killed over 4,600 people while infecting more than 127,000 in 115 countries and territories.

<h2>FOOTBALL</h2>

- Arsenal's match at Brighton &amp; Hove Albion was postponed early on Friday after Gunners manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for COVID-19.&nbsp;

-- The Premier League announced it was holding an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the fate of future fixtures.

-- Spanish club Real Madrid's players were put in quarantine as La Liga announced Spain's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks.

A member of Real's basketball squad tested positive for the virus leading to its senior football team being put in quarantine.

--&nbsp;UEFA&nbsp;will hold a crisis meeting next Tuesday with representatives from all 55 national associations and club and player bodies about Euro 2020 and the ongoing Champions League and Europa League.

-- In Italy, the hardest-hit European country with 1,016 deaths from COVID-19, all sporting events including Serie A have been suspended until April 3.

-- On Wednesday Juventus defender Daniele Rugani became the first Serie A footballer to test positive with Sampdoria forward Manolo Gabbiadini announcing that he had contracted the virus on Thursday.

-- The second leg of Juve's Champions League last 16 tie with Lyon was postponed on Wednesday, as was Manchester City v Real Madrid.

-- Barcelona v Napoli and Bayern Munich v Chelsea will be played behind closed doors.

-- France's Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will have no fans for at least the next two weeks.

-- Arsenal players have been put in quarantine after coming into contact with the owner of Greek club Olympiakos, who tested positive.

-- German Bundesliga teams have begun to close their stadiums to fans, with this weekend's matches set to be played in front of empty stands.

-- The Netherlands' Eredivisie has been suspended until March 31.

-- Three&nbsp;UEFA&nbsp;Europa League games on Thursday including Manchester United away to LASK Linz had no fans, while the ties between Inter Milan and Getafe and Roma and Sevilla were postponed.

-- The Netherlands' friendly against Spain set for March 29 cancelled. The United States has called off friendlies against the Dutch on March 26 and Wales (March 30).

-- International friendlies to be played behind closed doors include France v Ukraine and Germany v Italy.

-- The start of Japan's J-League was postponed till mid-March while China suspended all domestic football and shelved indefinitely the top-flight Super League season.

-- The French League Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon has been called off, with no new date yet fixed, as has the Spanish Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao.

-- A Euro 2020 warm-up tournament in Qatar featuring Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland, has been cancelled.

-- South American World Cup qualifiers have been postponed, as was the next round of the Copa Libertadores.

-- The FIFA Congress, due to take place in Addis Ababa on June 5, was pushed back to September 18.

<h2>TENNIS</h2>

-- The ATP has suspended its tour for six weeks "due to escalating health and safety issues".

-- The ATP and WTA Miami Open was called off&nbsp;after Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a state of emergency over the outbreak.

-- The prestigious ATP and WTA Indian Wells tournament was cancelled, the first major sports event in the US to be shelved because of the outbreak.

-- The inaugural Fed Cup Finals scheduled for next month in Budapest were postponed.

<h2>RUGBY UNION</h2>

-- The Six Nations match between Italy and England in Rome on Saturday as well as the Ireland v Italy duel in Dublin on March 7 were postponed.

-- Title challengers France's final game against Ireland, also scheduled for Saturday, was also put off until October.

-- Sevens World Series tournaments in Hong Kong on April 3-5 and Singapore the following weekend will now be played in October.

<h2>MOTORSPORT</h2>

-- Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix was called off early on Friday.

-- Bahrain's Formula One Grand Prix on March 20-22 will be held without spectators.

-- The Chinese Grand Prix, which was set for April 19 in Shanghai, has been postponed.

-- In motorcycling, the season-opening Qatar MotoGP was cancelled, along with the Thailand MotoGP on March 22 (postponed until October 4). On Tuesday the Grand Prix of the Americas at Austin was rescheduled from April to November, while the MotoGP race in Argentina was also put on hold.

-- Formula E indefinitely postponed the Rome E-Prix, which was due to be held on April 4.

<h2>BASKETBALL</h2>

-- NBA suspended the season after Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert tested positive for the new coronavirus. ESPN reported that his teammate Donovan Mitchell has also tested positive.

LeBron James and Stephen Curry have called on the league to cancel the season after a "rough" 2020.

-- NCAA 'March Madness' to also be closed to general public.

&nbsp;

<h2>CYCLING</h2>

-- The spring classic Milan-San Remo, scheduled for March 21, was postponed, having only previously been cancelled three times since the inaugural edition in 1907.

-- The Strade Bianchi, the first big race of the Italian cycling season set for last Saturday, was also cancelled along with the multi-day Tirreno-Adriatico.

-- This month's Tour of Catalonia has been postponed, organisers announced on Thursday.

<h2>TOKYO OLYMPICS</h2>

-- World Athletics Sebastian Coe said the 2020 Tokyo Games will go ahead.

Tokyo city governor Yuriko Koike said cancelling the Olympics is "unthinkable".

The Olympics take place from July 24-August 9.

-- US President Donald Trump suggested the Olympics could be postponed for a year. "I like that better than I like having empty stadiums," he said.

-- Spectators were absent as the Olympic flame was lit in ancient Olympia.

<h2>GOLF</h2>

-- Fans will be banned from attending PGA Tour events unril after next month's Texas Open, commissioner Jay Monahan said Thursday.

-- European Tour chiefs postponed the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the China Open in Shenzhen -- both set for April.

-- The US LPGA Tour cancelled all three of its lucrative early-season events in Asia, and also its next three events in the United States.

-- The Indian Open in New Delhi, set for March 19-22, was postponed on Wednesday.

<h2>CRICKET</h2>

-- India's IPL which starts on March 29 could be played behind closed doors an official told AFP, with the Indian government later advising it should be stopped.

-- The final two one day internationals between India and South Africa will be held without spectators.

-- Pakistan cricket authorities announced plans to close public access to a series of upcoming domestic league matches in Karachi.

<h2>ATHLETICS</h2>

-- The World Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed until next year.

-- The Paris Marathon, scheduled for April 5 with 60,000 registered runners, was postponed until October 18.

-- The Barcelona Marathon, which was scheduled for March 15 with 17,000 runners, was postponed until October.

<h2>ALPINE SKIING</h2>

-- Norway's Aleksander Kilde won alpine skiing's men's World Cup title after the final races of the season at Kranjska Gora at the weekend were scrapped due to the coronavirus threat

-- The World Cup finals, scheduled for Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy between March 16-22, were cancelled.

-- This weekend's three women's races in Are were scrapped, crowning Federica Brignone as the overall champion.

<h2>FIGURE SKATING</h2>

-- World championships, scheduled for Montreal next week, were cancelled.

<h2>BASEBALL</h2>

-- Japan's domestic baseball season, originally set to open on March 10, was postponed.

<h2>ICE HOCKEY</h2>

-- The NHL commissioner Gary Bettman halted the competition on Thursday three weeks before the scheduled conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season.

-- The Women's World Ice Hockey Championships, set for Halifax and Truro in Nova Scotia for March 31 to April 10,

AFP looks at the effects on sport of the coronavirus, which by Thursday had killed over 4,600 people while infecting more than 127,000 in 115 countries and territories.

AFP looks at the effects on sport of the coronavirus, which by Thursday had killed over 4,600 people while infecting more than 127,000 in 115 countries and territories. FOOTBALL - Arsenal's match at Brighton & Hove Albion was postponed early on Friday after Gunners manager Mikel Arteta tested positive for COVID-19. -- The Premier League announced it was holding an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the fate of future fixtures. -- Spanish club Real Madrid's players were put in quarantine as La Liga announced Spain's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks. A member of Real's basketball squad tested positive for the virus leading to its senior football team being put in quarantine. -- UEFA will hold a crisis meeting next Tuesday with representatives from all 55 national associations and club and player bodies about Euro 2020 and the ongoing Champions League and Europa League. -- In Italy, the hardest-hit European country with 1,016 deaths from COVID-19, all sporting events including Serie A have been suspended until April 3. -- On Wednesday Juventus defender Daniele Rugani became the first Serie A footballer to test positive with Sampdoria forward Manolo Gabbiadini announcing that he had contracted the virus on Thursday. -- The second leg of Juve's Champions League last 16 tie with Lyon was postponed on Wednesday, as was Manchester City v Real Madrid. -- Barcelona v Napoli and Bayern Munich v Chelsea will be played behind closed doors. -- France's Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 will have no fans for at least the next two weeks. -- Arsenal players have been put in quarantine after coming into contact with the owner of Greek club Olympiakos, who tested positive. -- German Bundesliga teams have begun to close their stadiums to fans, with this weekend's matches set to be played in front of empty stands. -- The Netherlands' Eredivisie has been suspended until March 31. -- Three UEFA Europa League games on Thursday including Manchester United away to LASK Linz had no fans, while the ties between Inter Milan and Getafe and Roma and Sevilla were postponed. -- The Netherlands' friendly against Spain set for March 29 cancelled. The United States has called off friendlies against the Dutch on March 26 and Wales (March 30). -- International friendlies to be played behind closed doors include France v Ukraine and Germany v Italy. -- The start of Japan's J-League was postponed till mid-March while China suspended all domestic football and shelved indefinitely the top-flight Super League season. -- The French League Cup final between Paris Saint-Germain and Lyon has been called off, with no new date yet fixed, as has the Spanish Copa del Rey final between Real Sociedad and Athletic Bilbao. -- A Euro 2020 warm-up tournament in Qatar featuring Portugal, Belgium, Croatia and Switzerland, has been cancelled. -- South American World Cup qualifiers have been postponed, as was the next round of the Copa Libertadores. -- The FIFA Congress, due to take place in Addis Ababa on June 5, was pushed back to September 18. TENNIS -- The ATP has suspended its tour for six weeks "due to escalating health and safety issues". -- The ATP and WTA Miami Open was called off after Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez declared a state of emergency over the outbreak. -- The prestigious ATP and WTA Indian Wells tournament was cancelled, the first major sports event in the US to be shelved because of the outbreak. -- The inaugural Fed Cup Finals scheduled for next month in Budapest were postponed. RUGBY UNION -- The Six Nations match between Italy and England in Rome on Saturday as well as the Ireland v Italy duel in Dublin on March 7 were postponed. -- Title challengers France's final game against Ireland, also scheduled for Saturday, was also put off until October. -- Sevens World Series tournaments in Hong Kong on April 3-5 and Singapore the following weekend will now be played in October. MOTORSPORT -- Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix was called off early on Friday. -- Bahrain's Formula One Grand Prix on March 20-22 will be held without spectators. -- The Chinese Grand Prix, which was set for April 19 in Shanghai, has been postponed. -- In motorcycling, the season-opening Qatar MotoGP was cancelled, along with the Thailand MotoGP on March 22 (postponed until October 4). On Tuesday the Grand Prix of the Americas at Austin was rescheduled from April to November, while the MotoGP race in Argentina was also put on hold. -- Formula E indefinitely postponed the Rome E-Prix, which was due to be held on April 4. BASKETBALL -- NBA suspended the season after Utah Jazz's Rudy Gobert tested positive for the new coronavirus. ESPN reported that his teammate Donovan Mitchell has also tested positive. LeBron James and Stephen Curry have called on the league to cancel the season after a "rough" 2020. -- NCAA 'March Madness' to also be closed to general public. CYCLING -- The spring classic Milan-San Remo, scheduled for March 21, was postponed, having only previously been cancelled three times since the inaugural edition in 1907. -- The Strade Bianchi, the first big race of the Italian cycling season set for last Saturday, was also cancelled along with the multi-day Tirreno-Adriatico. -- This month's Tour of Catalonia has been postponed, organisers announced on Thursday. TOKYO OLYMPICS -- World Athletics Sebastian Coe said the 2020 Tokyo Games will go ahead. Tokyo city governor Yuriko Koike said cancelling the Olympics is "unthinkable". The Olympics take place from July 24-August 9. -- US President Donald Trump suggested the Olympics could be postponed for a year. "I like that better than I like having empty stadiums," he said. -- Spectators were absent as the Olympic flame was lit in ancient Olympia. GOLF -- Fans will be banned from attending PGA Tour events unril after next month's Texas Open, commissioner Jay Monahan said Thursday. -- European Tour chiefs postponed the Maybank Championship in Malaysia and the China Open in Shenzhen -- both set for April. -- The US LPGA Tour cancelled all three of its lucrative early-season events in Asia, and also its next three events in the United States. -- The Indian Open in New Delhi, set for March 19-22, was postponed on Wednesday. CRICKET -- India's IPL which starts on March 29 could be played behind closed doors an official told AFP, with the Indian government later advising it should be stopped. -- The final two one day internationals between India and South Africa will be held without spectators. -- Pakistan cricket authorities announced plans to close public access to a series of upcoming domestic league matches in Karachi. ATHLETICS -- The World Indoor Championships, scheduled for Nanjing from March 13-15, were postponed until next year. -- The Paris Marathon, scheduled for April 5 with 60,000 registered runners, was postponed until October 18. -- The Barcelona Marathon, which was scheduled for March 15 with 17,000 runners, was postponed until October. ALPINE SKIING -- Norway's Aleksander Kilde won alpine skiing's men's World Cup title after the final races of the season at Kranjska Gora at the weekend were scrapped due to the coronavirus threat -- The World Cup finals, scheduled for Cortina d'Ampezzo in Italy between March 16-22, were cancelled. -- This weekend's three women's races in Are were scrapped, crowning Federica Brignone as the overall champion. FIGURE SKATING -- World championships, scheduled for Montreal next week, were cancelled. BASEBALL -- Japan's domestic baseball season, originally set to open on March 10, was postponed. ICE HOCKEY -- The NHL commissioner Gary Bettman halted the competition on Thursday three weeks before the scheduled conclusion of the 2019-20 regular season. -- The Women's World Ice Hockey Championships, set for Halifax and Truro in Nova Scotia for March 31 to April 10,

How the coronavirus has hit global sport

The collapse of sports events worldwide over the rapidly spreading new coronavirus gathered pace Friday with the English Premier League and European football's showpiece Champions League swept aside by the pandemic.

England's cricket tour of Sri Lanka also fell victim to the virus while suspension of the Premier League until April 4 came shortly after the French Football League announced that all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games would be on hold until further notice.

Formula One's Australian Grand Prix and The Players Championship, one of golf's most prestigious events, were among other events scrapped as the virus laid waste to the sporting calendar, with the future of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics looking increasingly in doubt.

The impact of COVID-19, which has killed 5,043 people according to an AFP tally, is accelerating just over four months from the Tokyo Olympics' start on July 24.

Football's Premier League, with a worldwide audience of billions, was put on hold after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi were confirmed to have the disease.

"Following a meeting of shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time," the Premier League said in a statement.

The decision by authorities in England and France to suspended top-flight football means that all Europe's top leagues have ground to a halt apart from Germany where matches have been ordered to be played behind closed doors. Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A have already suspended matches.

European football's governing body UEFA took a similar step in announcing that all UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches scheduled to be played next week had been postponed.

The move comes after two of next week's four scheduled Champions League last 16, second legs -- between Manchester City and Real Madrid, and between Juventus and Lyon -- had already been called off.

"In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed," UEFA said&nbsp;in a statement.

Sports across the globe have suffered major disruption because of the virus with the PGA Tour golf season, the men's tennis tour, NBA basketball, Major League Baseball and a host of top-flight events interrupted.

<h2>- Latest victims -</h2>

England's cricketers will be returning from Sri Lanka among the latest victims of the sporting chaos.&nbsp;

Their tour of Sri Lanka was scrapped on Friday as the team took part in a practice match ahead of the first of two Test matches due to start on March 19.

"At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount," said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement announcing the end of the tour.

More bad news could come as European football chiefs are to meet next week to consider whether to postpone Euro 2020, due to start in June and this year's other major international sports along with the Olympics.

Tokyo Olympics organisers, Japan's government and the International Olympic Committee have been adamant the Games will go ahead as planned despite the global panic.

But US President Donald Trump became the first foreign leader to break ranks and raise the prospect of delaying the Olympics until 2021.

"Maybe they postpone it for a year," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, 19 weeks before the opening ceremony in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium.

"You know, I like that better than I like having empty stadiums all over the place. I think if you cancel it, make it a year later, that's a better alternative than doing it with no crowd," he said.

Trump's comments came just hours after actresses dressed as ancient Greek priestesses held the ceremonial flame-lighting at a ruined temple in the original Olympia, Greece.

However, Japan's Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto said: "Neither the IOC nor the organising committee is thinking about delaying or cancelling the Games at all."

Asked about the possibility of scaling back the number of spectators, Hashimoto said: "We are not thinking about that at all."

In Melbourne, drivers were just hours from the first practice session when the season-opening Australian Grand Prix was axed on Friday, after a McLaren team member was diagnosed with COVID-19.

The last-minute cancellation raises fears for other races including next week's Bahrain Grand Prix, which has already barred fans.

The Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed, while the inaugural Formula One race in Vietnam on April 5 is also at risk.

The collapse of sports events worldwide over the rapidly spreading new coronavirus gathered pace Friday with the English Premier League and European football's showpiece Champions League swept aside by the pandemic.

The collapse of sports events worldwide over the rapidly spreading new coronavirus gathered pace Friday with the English Premier League and European football's showpiece Champions League swept aside by the pandemic. England's cricket tour of Sri Lanka also fell victim to the virus while suspension of the Premier League until April 4 came shortly after the French Football League announced that all Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 games would be on hold until further notice. Formula One's Australian Grand Prix and The Players Championship, one of golf's most prestigious events, were among other events scrapped as the virus laid waste to the sporting calendar, with the future of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics looking increasingly in doubt. The impact of COVID-19, which has killed 5,043 people according to an AFP tally, is accelerating just over four months from the Tokyo Olympics' start on July 24. Football's Premier League, with a worldwide audience of billions, was put on hold after Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea winger Callum Hudson-Odoi were confirmed to have the disease. "Following a meeting of shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time," the Premier League said in a statement. The decision by authorities in England and France to suspended top-flight football means that all Europe's top leagues have ground to a halt apart from Germany where matches have been ordered to be played behind closed doors. Spain's La Liga and Italy's Serie A have already suspended matches. European football's governing body UEFA took a similar step in announcing that all UEFA Champions League and Europa League matches scheduled to be played next week had been postponed. The move comes after two of next week's four scheduled Champions League last 16, second legs -- between Manchester City and Real Madrid, and between Juventus and Lyon -- had already been called off. "In the light of developments due to the spread of COVID-19 in Europe and related decisions made by different governments, all UEFA club competitions matches scheduled next week are postponed," UEFA said in a statement. Sports across the globe have suffered major disruption because of the virus with the PGA Tour golf season, the men's tennis tour, NBA basketball, Major League Baseball and a host of top-flight events interrupted. - Latest victims - England's cricketers will be returning from Sri Lanka among the latest victims of the sporting chaos. Their tour of Sri Lanka was scrapped on Friday as the team took part in a practice match ahead of the first of two Test matches due to start on March 19. "At this time, the physical and mental wellbeing of our players and support teams is paramount," said an England and Wales Cricket Board statement announcing the end of the tour. More bad news could come as European football chiefs are to meet next week to consider whether to postpone Euro 2020, due to start in June and this year's other major international sports along with the Olympics. Tokyo Olympics organisers, Japan's government and the International Olympic Committee have been adamant the Games will go ahead as planned despite the global panic. But US President Donald Trump became the first foreign leader to break ranks and raise the prospect of delaying the Olympics until 2021. "Maybe they postpone it for a year," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office, 19 weeks before the opening ceremony in Tokyo's Olympic Stadium. "You know, I like that better than I like having empty stadiums all over the place. I think if you cancel it, make it a year later, that's a better alternative than doing it with no crowd," he said. Trump's comments came just hours after actresses dressed as ancient Greek priestesses held the ceremonial flame-lighting at a ruined temple in the original Olympia, Greece. However, Japan's Olympic minister Seiko Hashimoto said: "Neither the IOC nor the organising committee is thinking about delaying or cancelling the Games at all." Asked about the possibility of scaling back the number of spectators, Hashimoto said: "We are not thinking about that at all." In Melbourne, drivers were just hours from the first practice session when the season-opening Australian Grand Prix was axed on Friday, after a McLaren team member was diagnosed with COVID-19. The last-minute cancellation raises fears for other races including next week's Bahrain Grand Prix, which has already barred fans. The Chinese Grand Prix has been postponed, while the inaugural Formula One race in Vietnam on April 5 is also at risk.

Champions League, Premier League swept aside as coronavirus ravages sport

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the novel coronavirus a pandemic, many sporting events all around the world have taken a major hit. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday confirmed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has been suspended till April 15 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic. With almost every sporting events either getting postponed or suspended, all eyes were on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 which was scheduled to start from March 29.&nbsp;

The BCCI, in a statement, said that the board is concerned and sensitive about the stakeholders and public health while adding that it is taking all steps to ensure that IPL 2020 is a safe cricketing experience.&nbsp;

"The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation. The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience," BCCI said in a statement on Friday.

"The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard," the statement added.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/bcci-explores-alternate-venues-after-delhi-shuts-doors-on-ipl-matches-due-to-coronavirus-286120">BCCI explores alternate venues after Delhi shuts doors on IPL matches due to coronavirus</a>

Earlier, the Indian government had suspended all the visas till April 15 which brought the future of IPL 2020 and the participation of foreign players under dark clouds. However, with IPL 2020 being suspended till April 15, cricket fans will hope that the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic improves.&nbsp;

On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi - Manish Sisodia - confirmed that there will be no sporting activities in the national capital, including IPL 2020, until further notice. The Delhi government's statement came as a big blow to IPL and BCCI with Feroz Shah Kotla being the home stadium of Delhi Capitals.

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/no-ipl-2020-other-sports-event-to-be-held-in-delhi-amid-coronavirus-outbreak-manish-sisodia-286089">No IPL 2020, other sports event to be held in Delhi amid coronavirus outbreak: Manish Sisodia</a>

Many sporting events such as ISSF Shooting World Cup, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro, NBA and Australia Grand Prix, to name a few have been either suspended or postponed and it will be interesting to see how the BCCI manages to conduct IPL 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the novel coronavirus a pandemic, many sporting events all around the world have taken a major hit. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday confirmed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has been suspended till April 15 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic.

With the World Health Organisation (WHO) declaring the novel coronavirus a pandemic, many sporting events all around the world have taken a major hit. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Friday confirmed that the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 has been suspended till April 15 as a precautionary measure against the coronavirus pandemic. With almost every sporting events either getting postponed or suspended, all eyes were on the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 which was scheduled to start from March 29. The BCCI, in a statement, said that the board is concerned and sensitive about the stakeholders and public health while adding that it is taking all steps to ensure that IPL 2020 is a safe cricketing experience. "The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has decided to suspend IPL 2020 till 15th April 2020, as a precautionary measure against the ongoing Novel Corona Virus (COVID-19) situation. The BCCI is concerned and sensitive about all its stakeholders, and public health in general, and it is taking all necessary steps to ensure that, all people related to IPL including fans have a safe cricketing experience," BCCI said in a statement on Friday. "The BCCI will work closely with the Government of India along with the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and all other relevant Central and State Government departments in this regard," the statement added. ALSO READ: BCCI explores alternate venues after Delhi shuts doors on IPL matches due to coronavirus Earlier, the Indian government had suspended all the visas till April 15 which brought the future of IPL 2020 and the participation of foreign players under dark clouds. However, with IPL 2020 being suspended till April 15, cricket fans will hope that the situation surrounding the coronavirus pandemic improves. On Friday, Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi - Manish Sisodia - confirmed that there will be no sporting activities in the national capital, including IPL 2020, until further notice. The Delhi government's statement came as a big blow to IPL and BCCI with Feroz Shah Kotla being the home stadium of Delhi Capitals. ALSO READ: No IPL 2020, other sports event to be held in Delhi amid coronavirus outbreak: Manish Sisodia Many sporting events such as ISSF Shooting World Cup, La Liga, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Euro, NBA and Australia Grand Prix, to name a few have been either suspended or postponed and it will be interesting to see how the BCCI manages to conduct IPL 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic.

IPL 2020 suspended till April 15 amid coronavirus outbreak, confirms BCCI

With the novel coronavirus spreading like a wildfire, the Delhi government has banned all sporting activities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 matches and other conferences until further notice, announced Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday (March 13). The Delhi government's ban will be specific to events where gatherings of 200 people or more are likely. However, this comes as a major blow to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL Governing Council ahead of their meeting on March 14 (Saturday).

"Thousands of people will come for these events, from all over. There is no way to know who is coming, where they are coming from and no way to control their arrival. It takes only one person to spread this disease, to be a carrier," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said.

"For this reason, the government has decided to ban these events. Right now, social distancing is the best solution. We have asked all District Magistrates and Sub-District Magistrates to follow all orders from the Health Department," he added.

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Sports gatherings including IPL prohibited in Delhi <a href="https://t.co/ALLf7J1NUo">pic.twitter.com/ALLf7J1NUo</a>
— Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) <a href="https://twitter.com/SatyendarJain/status/1238357521980522496?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 13, 2020</a></blockquote>
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<h2>Future of IPL 2020 unclear?</h2>

Even though it is yet unclear whether IPL 2020 matches will be allowed to take place in empty stadiums, as it will happen in the remaining two ODIs of the India vs South Africa ODI series. Meanwhile, Delhi have followed Maharashtra's footstep where the state government has banned ticket sales of IPL 2020.

However, it will be interesting to see the outcome of the IPL Governing Council meeting which will be held on March 14 (Saturday). All the IPL franchises have been invited to the meeting and it is highly likely that the cash-rich tournament will be pushed back with more afternoon matches and doubleheaders to be played.&nbsp;

With the novel coronavirus spreading like a wildfire, the Delhi government has banned all sporting activities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 matches and other conferences until further notice, announced Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday (March 13).

With the novel coronavirus spreading like a wildfire, the Delhi government has banned all sporting activities, including the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2020 matches and other conferences until further notice, announced Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday (March 13). The Delhi government's ban will be specific to events where gatherings of 200 people or more are likely. However, this comes as a major blow to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) and IPL Governing Council ahead of their meeting on March 14 (Saturday). "Thousands of people will come for these events, from all over. There is no way to know who is coming, where they are coming from and no way to control their arrival. It takes only one person to spread this disease, to be a carrier," Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia said. "For this reason, the government has decided to ban these events. Right now, social distancing is the best solution. We have asked all District Magistrates and Sub-District Magistrates to follow all orders from the Health Department," he added. Sports gatherings including IPL prohibited in Delhi pic.twitter.com/ALLf7J1NUo — Satyendar Jain (@SatyendarJain) March 13, 2020 × Future of IPL 2020 unclear? Even though it is yet unclear whether IPL 2020 matches will be allowed to take place in empty stadiums, as it will happen in the remaining two ODIs of the India vs South Africa ODI series. Meanwhile, Delhi have followed Maharashtra's footstep where the state government has banned ticket sales of IPL 2020. However, it will be interesting to see the outcome of the IPL Governing Council meeting which will be held on March 14 (Saturday). All the IPL franchises have been invited to the meeting and it is highly likely that the cash-rich tournament will be pushed back with more afternoon matches and doubleheaders to be played.

No IPL 2020, other sports event to be held in Delhi amid coronavirus outbreak: Manish Sisodia

The Delhi government's refusal to allow any IPL matches in the city owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the BCCI's woes with the board now looking for alternate venues in "willing" states to conduct a closed-door edition.

Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the national capital will not have any sporting events for a month to contain the spread of the deadly infection that has sent the world into turmoil with close to 5,000 deaths so far.

The IPL is due to start on March 29 in Mumbai and Delhi's first game was to be on March 30. "All sports gatherings will be banned, including the IPL, in wake of the coronavirus threat," Sisodia said. &nbsp;

The BCCI responded by listing the alternate venues that could play host. Delhi is home to the Delhi Capital IPL franchise. "Lucknow has been wanting to host IPL matches for a while now. If it's a closed-door tournament, it really doesn't matter where it is played," a BCCI source said.

Before Delhi, Karnataka has also expressed its unwillingness to host IPL matches, while Maharashtra have banned the sale of tickets.

The Delhi government's refusal to allow any IPL matches in the city owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the BCCI's woes with the board now looking for alternate venues in "willing" states to conduct a closed-door edition.

The Delhi government's refusal to allow any IPL matches in the city owing to the COVID-19 pandemic has added to the BCCI's woes with the board now looking for alternate venues in "willing" states to conduct a closed-door edition. Delhi's Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Friday said that the national capital will not have any sporting events for a month to contain the spread of the deadly infection that has sent the world into turmoil with close to 5,000 deaths so far. The IPL is due to start on March 29 in Mumbai and Delhi's first game was to be on March 30. "All sports gatherings will be banned, including the IPL, in wake of the coronavirus threat," Sisodia said. The BCCI responded by listing the alternate venues that could play host. Delhi is home to the Delhi Capital IPL franchise. "Lucknow has been wanting to host IPL matches for a while now. If it's a closed-door tournament, it really doesn't matter where it is played," a BCCI source said. Before Delhi, Karnataka has also expressed its unwillingness to host IPL matches, while Maharashtra have banned the sale of tickets.

BCCI explores alternate venues after Delhi shuts doors on IPL matches due to coronavirus

The ATP announced Thursday it was suspending the men's tennis tour for six weeks "due to escalating health and safety issues" arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

All events on the ATP Tour and second-tier ATP Challenger Tour are cancelled until April 27.

The announcement came shortly after the cancellation of the Miami Open, which followed the axing of Indian Wells and postponement of the Fed Cup finals.

"This is not a decision that was taken lightly," said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.&nbsp;

"However, we believe this is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health in the face of this global pandemic.

"The worldwide nature of our sport and the international travel required presents significant risks and challenges in today's circumstances, as do the increasingly restrictive directives issued by local authorities."

The virus, which has so far infected more than 127,000 people&nbsp;globally and killed over 4,600, according to an AFP tally, is wreaking havoc on global sport.

The ATP announced Thursday it was suspending the men's tennis tour for six weeks "due to escalating health and safety issues" arising from the coronavirus pandemic.

The ATP announced Thursday it was suspending the men's tennis tour for six weeks "due to escalating health and safety issues" arising from the coronavirus pandemic. All events on the ATP Tour and second-tier ATP Challenger Tour are cancelled until April 27. The announcement came shortly after the cancellation of the Miami Open, which followed the axing of Indian Wells and postponement of the Fed Cup finals. "This is not a decision that was taken lightly," said ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi. "However, we believe this is the responsible action needed at this time in order to protect the health and safety of our players, staff, the wider tennis community and general public health in the face of this global pandemic. "The worldwide nature of our sport and the international travel required presents significant risks and challenges in today's circumstances, as do the increasingly restrictive directives issued by local authorities." The virus, which has so far infected more than 127,000 people globally and killed over 4,600, according to an AFP tally, is wreaking havoc on global sport.

ATP suspends men's tour for six weeks over coronavirus

A number of Leicester players have shown symptoms of coronavirus and have been "kept away from the squad", manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday.

As it stands, a full Premier League programme is scheduled for this weekend, with third-placed Leicester due to travel to struggling Watford on Saturday, despite widespread cancellations of matches across Europe.

The game between Manchester City and Arsenal on Wednesday was postponed as a "precautionary measure" after Olympiakos owner Vangelis Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus.

Leicester boss Rodgers, quoted on the club's official Twitter feed, said at his pre-match press conference that disruption would be a "shame" but public health was more important than football.

"We're guided by football and federations," he said. "We have to press on with our work and prepare as normal."

"The game is all about the players and the fans," he added. "If you have one of those not there, it's obviously not the same."

Several Arsenal players are in self-isolation after Marinakis contracted coronavirus but they are expected to return to training on Friday.

Marinakis met several Arsenal players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match last month.

Serie A in Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, has already suspended its matches until April 3 while France's Ligue 1 will continue its season but without spectators.

Real Madrid went into quarantine on Thursday after a member of the club's basketball team tested positive for the virus and La Liga announced Spain's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks.

A number of Leicester players have shown symptoms of coronavirus and have been "kept away from the squad", manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday. As it stands, a full Premier League programme is scheduled for this weekend, with third-placed Leicester due to travel to struggling Watford on Saturday, despite widespread cancellations of matches across Europe.

A number of Leicester players have shown symptoms of coronavirus and have been "kept away from the squad", manager Brendan Rodgers said on Thursday. As it stands, a full Premier League programme is scheduled for this weekend, with third-placed Leicester due to travel to struggling Watford on Saturday, despite widespread cancellations of matches across Europe. The game between Manchester City and Arsenal on Wednesday was postponed as a "precautionary measure" after Olympiakos owner Vangelis Marinakis tested positive for coronavirus. Leicester boss Rodgers, quoted on the club's official Twitter feed, said at his pre-match press conference that disruption would be a "shame" but public health was more important than football. "We're guided by football and federations," he said. "We have to press on with our work and prepare as normal." "The game is all about the players and the fans," he added. "If you have one of those not there, it's obviously not the same." Several Arsenal players are in self-isolation after Marinakis contracted coronavirus but they are expected to return to training on Friday. Marinakis met several Arsenal players when the Gunners hosted the Greek side in a Europa League match last month. Serie A in Italy, the European country worst hit by the virus, has already suspended its matches until April 3 while France's Ligue 1 will continue its season but without spectators. Real Madrid went into quarantine on Thursday after a member of the club's basketball team tested positive for the virus and La Liga announced Spain's top two divisions will be suspended for at least two weeks.

Leicester players show symptoms of coronavirus, confirms Brendan Rodgers

The&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday amid an unprecedented health lockdown as Greece registered its first death from coronavirus.

With spectators banned, an actress dressed as an ancient Greek high priestess lit the flame using the rays of the sun reflected off a concave mirror, launching a week-long torch relay in Greece before the flame is handed to Tokyo organisers on March 19.

"Today marks the beginning of the journey of the&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;flame to Japan," said International&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach.

"When the flame returns to Tokyo after 56 years, hope will light the way across the entire country," he said.

Japan last hosted the summer Olympics -- also in Tokyo -- in 1964.

Now it seeks to use the 2020 Olympics to show the world it has regained its creative flair and innovative energy, but also as a means to highlight reconstruction following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima.

"Japan will demonstrate its groundbreaking innovation and boundless creative energy with regards to sustainability, technology and human-centred growth," Bach said.

"The&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;Games... will again be a symbol of hope and confidence for all Japanese people."

But with the coronavirus causing devastation in world sport, doubts are increasingly being raised over whether the Olympics can be held as scheduled from July 24 to August 9.

Organisers have insisted the Games will go ahead as planned and the IOC has said there has not yet been any talk of cancellation or postponement.

The IOC has said it will coordinate closely with the World Health Organization, which has now officially classified the outbreak as a pandemic.

The torch relay in Greece is scheduled to pass through 37 cities and 15 archaeological sites covering 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) and 842 nautical miles (1,559 km) and will be carried by 600 runners.

Once in Japan, the relay will start from Fukushima and travel along routes eventually leading to the capital.&nbsp;

<h2>- Closed to the public -</h2>

The hydrogen that powers the&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;flame will be produced in the town of Namia in Fukushima, one of the worst affected areas, said Toshiaki Endo, acting president of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee.

And the torch has been partially produced from recycled aluminium originally used to build temporary housing units in the aftermath of the quake, he said.

Greek&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;shooting champion Anna Korakaki was the initial torch bearer, the first time a woman has been chosen for the role.

She was followed by Mizuki Noguchi, gold medallist in the women's marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Hollywood actor Gerard Butler will be among the runners once the torch relay reaches Sparta. Butler starred as the ancient Spartan King Leonidas in the 2007 epic '300'.

The ceremony was held without spectators after dozens of people tested positive for COVID-19 in the broader western Peloponnese. Up to 12,000 had been expected to make their way to Olympia, where the ancient Games were held.

Only 100 accredited guests from the International&nbsp;Olympic&nbsp;Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, compared to 700 originally, were allowed to attend Thursday's ceremony.

The dress rehearsal on Wednesday was also closed to the public and dinners and galas arranged for the torch lighting have been scrapped.

The only precedent is in 1984 when the Greek leg of the torch relay was abandoned in a protest by Greek organisers against what they saw as the commercialisation of the Los Angeles Olympics.

The Olympic flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday amid an unprecedented health lockdown as Greece registered its first death from coronavirus.

The Olympic flame for the 2020 Tokyo Games was lit in ancient Olympia on Thursday amid an unprecedented health lockdown as Greece registered its first death from coronavirus. With spectators banned, an actress dressed as an ancient Greek high priestess lit the flame using the rays of the sun reflected off a concave mirror, launching a week-long torch relay in Greece before the flame is handed to Tokyo organisers on March 19. "Today marks the beginning of the journey of the Olympic flame to Japan," said International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach. "When the flame returns to Tokyo after 56 years, hope will light the way across the entire country," he said. Japan last hosted the summer Olympics -- also in Tokyo -- in 1964. Now it seeks to use the 2020 Olympics to show the world it has regained its creative flair and innovative energy, but also as a means to highlight reconstruction following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Fukushima. "Japan will demonstrate its groundbreaking innovation and boundless creative energy with regards to sustainability, technology and human-centred growth," Bach said. "The Olympic Games... will again be a symbol of hope and confidence for all Japanese people." But with the coronavirus causing devastation in world sport, doubts are increasingly being raised over whether the Olympics can be held as scheduled from July 24 to August 9. Organisers have insisted the Games will go ahead as planned and the IOC has said there has not yet been any talk of cancellation or postponement. The IOC has said it will coordinate closely with the World Health Organization, which has now officially classified the outbreak as a pandemic. The torch relay in Greece is scheduled to pass through 37 cities and 15 archaeological sites covering 3,500 kilometres (2,175 miles) and 842 nautical miles (1,559 km) and will be carried by 600 runners. Once in Japan, the relay will start from Fukushima and travel along routes eventually leading to the capital. - Closed to the public - The hydrogen that powers the Olympic flame will be produced in the town of Namia in Fukushima, one of the worst affected areas, said Toshiaki Endo, acting president of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee. And the torch has been partially produced from recycled aluminium originally used to build temporary housing units in the aftermath of the quake, he said. Greek Olympic shooting champion Anna Korakaki was the initial torch bearer, the first time a woman has been chosen for the role. She was followed by Mizuki Noguchi, gold medallist in the women's marathon at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Hollywood actor Gerard Butler will be among the runners once the torch relay reaches Sparta. Butler starred as the ancient Spartan King Leonidas in the 2007 epic '300'. The ceremony was held without spectators after dozens of people tested positive for COVID-19 in the broader western Peloponnese. Up to 12,000 had been expected to make their way to Olympia, where the ancient Games were held. Only 100 accredited guests from the International Olympic Committee and the Tokyo 2020 Organising Committee, compared to 700 originally, were allowed to attend Thursday's ceremony. The dress rehearsal on Wednesday was also closed to the public and dinners and galas arranged for the torch lighting have been scrapped. The only precedent is in 1984 when the Greek leg of the torch relay was abandoned in a protest by Greek organisers against what they saw as the commercialisation of the Los Angeles Olympics.

Flame for 2020 Tokyo Olympics lit in Greece amid virus lockdown

The UnAcademy Road Safety World Series 2020 which was being held for a noble cause, to spread road awareness through cricket, has been called off due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the COVID-19 spreading like a wildfire, the organisers of Road Safety World Series 2020 have decided to postpone the tournament to May or October, subject to players' availability.&nbsp;

The organisers of Road Safety World Series had a long meeting with the players on Thursday evening and it was decided that it is in the best interest of everyone, including the players, fans and organisers, that the tournament should be called off for the time being, as per a report.&nbsp;

With the health ministry urging people to avoid public gatherings, the organisers of Road Safety World Series had decided to conduct the matches behind closed doors but with the situation deteriorating, it had to change its stance and postpone the tournament.&nbsp;

Some of the members of Sri Lanka Legends - Muttiah Muralitharan, Marvan Atapattu and Rangana Herath - have already left for Sri Lanka and the other overseas cricketers are expected to leave India by Thursday or Friday.&nbsp;

The Road Safety World Series has managed to create a frenzy among cricket lovers with some of the legendary names in world cricket like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jonty Rhodes, to name a few, taking everyone to a nostalgic ride on the cricket field.

While immense anticipation and hype were surrounding the tournament, the ardent cricket loves will hope the situation improves and the remaining matches of the Road Safety World Series could be played later in the year.

The UnAcademy Road Safety World Series 2020 which was being held for a noble cause, to spread road awareness through cricket, has been called off due to the novel coronavirus pandemic.

The UnAcademy Road Safety World Series 2020 which was being held for a noble cause, to spread road awareness through cricket, has been called off due to the novel coronavirus pandemic. With the COVID-19 spreading like a wildfire, the organisers of Road Safety World Series 2020 have decided to postpone the tournament to May or October, subject to players' availability. The organisers of Road Safety World Series had a long meeting with the players on Thursday evening and it was decided that it is in the best interest of everyone, including the players, fans and organisers, that the tournament should be called off for the time being, as per a report. With the health ministry urging people to avoid public gatherings, the organisers of Road Safety World Series had decided to conduct the matches behind closed doors but with the situation deteriorating, it had to change its stance and postpone the tournament. Some of the members of Sri Lanka Legends - Muttiah Muralitharan, Marvan Atapattu and Rangana Herath - have already left for Sri Lanka and the other overseas cricketers are expected to leave India by Thursday or Friday. The Road Safety World Series has managed to create a frenzy among cricket lovers with some of the legendary names in world cricket like Sachin Tendulkar, Virender Sehwag, Brian Lara, Shivnarine Chanderpaul, Jonty Rhodes, to name a few, taking everyone to a nostalgic ride on the cricket field. While immense anticipation and hype were surrounding the tournament, the ardent cricket loves will hope the situation improves and the remaining matches of the Road Safety World Series could be played later in the year.

Road Safety World Series called off amid coronavirus pandemic, legends to fly out of India soon

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Zee News Rajasthan

Editor

Subhayan Chakraborty

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