International Hockey back on track from 22nd September Germany/Belgium, Schedule of 18 matches in September/October

 

International Hockey back on track from 22nd September Germany/Belgium, Schedule of 18 matches in September/October

Lausanne, Switzerland: The Executive Board (EB) of the International Hockey Federation (FIH) held a meeting on Friday 7 August 2021, via online video conference due to the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 global health pandemic.  

As well as discussing and evaluating the current uncertainties surrounding the pandemic, which will continue to be closely monitored, the EB was presented with reports from all departments of the Federation.

With health and safety being of the utmost importance, the EB was informed about the safeguards being developed between the FIH and the National Associations ahead of the re-start of the FIH Hockey Pro League, with the men and women of Germany and Belgium taking to the field behind closed doors on 22 & 23 September. The precautions that will be implemented are based on the government guidelines of both nations, designed to ensure that players, umpires, team staff, broadcasters and everyone involved in the planning and delivery of the matches can do so as safely as possible. A total of 18 matches are set to be played in September and October, with the remaining 76 scheduled between January and June 2021.

In terms of development, the EB was informed about the success of the various online courses that have been held by the FIH Hockey Academy in recent months. The switch from a face-to-face scenario to online video conferences has been extremely well received, with high attendance rates and very positive feedback from participants. Over 1,500 people from 72 nations have participated in the 93 courses that took place in the first six months of 2020.  

The Regulations for the delayed Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 have also been approved and will be available on the FIH and IOC website in the coming days. Aside from the competition dates, all information from this year's Regulations, including the match schedule and the qualified teams, remains unchanged.

The EB was also informed that, in line with the new Code from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), the updated FIH Anti-Doping Rules have been approved and will be in use from January 2021. 

Following a recent review, the Hockey5s Rules have been updated and will soon be available or download on the FIH website.   

In other news, the EB formally ratified the decision to move the new dates for the next FIH Congress which, as previously announced, will take place from 18-23 May 2021. The EB also approved the selection of the Deputy President of the FIH Judicial Commission, with nomination of Janice Shardlow (ENG) being unanimously approved.

The EB held a moment’s silence in memory of all members of the Hockey Family who have passed away in recent months, including but not limited to Olympic gold medallists Balbir Singh (IND) and Muhammad Asad Malik (PAK).

England will play without Anderson in 2nd Test, Joe Root will lead

Gabriel, Holder who made Historical Covid-19 test for West Indies, may they can do it again?
England Cricket Team management announced 13 players squad for the second test against West Indies yesterday, The Captain of the English team Joe Root who missed the first test following the birth of second child will now lead the team and will bat at number four, Anderson rested in the second test. Stuart Broad with Jofra and Woakes in thirteen men squad who was not opted for first test.
The rotation of bowlers is normal in England Cricket, but the defeat in the first test against west indies in the deadly Covid-19 Era is not normal for team management and well wishers of the English Cricket team in the cricket world.
West Indies who won the first test match with excellent performances of Holder and Gabriel, Holder 20 overs six maiden 42 runs and 6 dismissals first inning while in 2nd innings bowled 22 overs 8 maidens and grabbed only one wicket on the cost of 42 runs.
West Indian Gabriel become the hero of the Covid Test with his outstanding performance, in the first innings bowled 15 overs 3 maiden 62 runs and four wickets, in the 2nd innings his 21 overs tally had 4 maiden 75 runs and five wickets.
When we shadowed the batting stats, we found Blackwood as batsman of ages bowl ground, who played brilliant inning of 95 runs, and built concrete partnership for WI victory was with R-chase who scored 37 runs.
English batting in the first inning was limited only on 204 runs and West Indies avail chance of 114 runs lead with total 318 runs, England batting side who was only well contributed by captain Ben Stoke in both innings (43+46) made 313 and the target of 200 runs was so simple for West Indies in 4th inning.

England 13 men Squad for the second test  Joe Root Captain, Jofra Archer, Dominic Bess, Stuart Broad, Rory Burns, Jos Buttler, Zak Crawley, Sam Curran, Ollie Pope, Ollie Robinson, Dom Sibley, Ben Stokes, Chris Woakes.

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