But one method becoming increasingly popular amongst players is the PRAYER GRIP.

This is a method that sees the hands level and facing directly opposite each other.

Click here to read the advantages of this grip style…

He doesn't see himself as a role model for young Muslims but said if he can inspire anyone to follow their dreams and stick to their beliefs then he would be proud of that.

He says Muslim athletes such as All Black Sonny Bill Williams are great because they bring the topic of religion and sport to the forefront.

"He has been fantastic in terms of creating that awareness around religion and sport. Generally relating awareness for all religions."

Patel has played cricket since he was a child and never encountered major issues when practising his faith.

"Everyone is really respectful of what everyone believes in," he says.

But having chosen a sport that takes up the better half of a day, cricket and Islam is a juggling act.

Setting his alarm for prayer at 6am probably won't make him the perfect room-mate on tour.

" You don't really want to disturb your room-mates or disturb their routine, but overall everyone has been really accommodating and understanding," he said.

He prays five times a day, visits the mosque once a week and once a year fasts for an entire month.

Fasting is more of a mental challenge for him than a physical one, but Patel's belief helps him through it and he has never found it alters his on-field performance.

Patel has finished as the highest wicket-taker in New Zealand's Plunkett Shield in the last three seasons and has just been included in the Test squad bound for the UAE to play Pakistan in a three-game series this December.

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• crictracker.com
• Image: indianexpress.com

He started surfing almost immediately after arriving. When Mondor spoke about surfing, it mostly focused on the spiritual side of the sport: "it can be very contemplative. When you're out alone, between waves, you experience a beautiful calm." Continue reading

Hijama has been around for millennia. It was recommended by the Prophet Muhammad.

Williams left the field just before halftime in the Blues Super Rugby match against the Waratahs in Sydney on Saturday night for a head injury assessment, and never returned.

"The doctors did a great job, I passed the test at halftime but they said because I still felt a bit foggy it was better for me to sit down," said Williams.

Williams underwent hijama after the 2015 Rugby World Cup final and it is believed to help alleviate aches and pains.

The technique, which some describe as form of acupuncture, is done by lighting flammable liquid in a glass cup.

The flame burns away the oxygen in the cup, which creates a vacuum. Once the flame goes out, the vacuum creates suction which sticks the cup to the body.

Along with the drop in temperature, this sucks the skin away from the body and draws blood to the surface.

The red spots, which typically last for three or four days, are caused by ruptured capillaries beneath the skin.

Hijama shot to prominence in 2004, when actor Gwyneth Paltrow attended a film premier with the tell-tale circular marks on her skin.

At the Rio Olympics a number of the athletes used hijama.

US swimmer Michael Phelps's skin showed the circular welts that are produced by the treatment, as did that of his his compatriot, the gymnast Alex Naddour.

Practitioners of Hijama, say it is "used to remove harmful blood and toxins from the body.'

"The toxic blood is taken out of circulation, by making small incisions on the skin and extracting it using a vacuum pump."

An Auckland practitioner of Hijama Mohammad Almasri says, "Hijama therapy is part of prophetic medicine (Sunnah Medicine), and is capable of treating a wide range of diseases and physical issues."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• www.independent.co.uk
• hijamaclinic.co.nz
• bbc.com
• Image: twitter.com/SonnyBWilliams

It was a move that made world-wide headlines and it was not received well by all.

It even merited a comment from the prime minister of New Zealand, Bill English, "It is hard to understand that one guy has to behave differently than the rest," he said.

Williams said his objection to wearing clothing that markets banks is central to his religious beliefs.

In many cultures it is not unusual to see people in the public eye giving some expression to their religious conviction. Players can be seen making the sign of the cross, or pointing up to heaven after they have scored.

Teams gather for prematch prayer sessions and even attend church services together.

But in New Zealand such displays of religious conviction are rare. New Zealanders of European decent tend to be more circumspect.

"Religion is normally considered a private matter in New Zealand. We don't expect politicians, celebrities or sports stars to make heartfelt public declarations of their beliefs as they do in the United States, " writes Philip Matthews.

Matthews goes on to say that there is an exception to the rule:

" If we have an unofficial national faith, it is a tolerant and pragmatic agnosticism. Except if the religion is Islam, when it is assumed we all need to know."

"Recent scandals involving sex, drugs and alcohol have prompted another round of soul-searching," says Matthews.

" By comparison, the strong moral position taken by Williams, clearly based on personal faith, can only be considered a good news story for rugby."

"And no matter which side you are on, or who you worship, Williams' decision to replace the BNZ logo with Plunket was a public relations masterstroke."

Source

• stuff.co.nz
• stuff.co.nz
• Image: resources.stuff.co.nz

Last Sunday they went to mass at St Mary Magdalen's Church.

A video of the team singing was shared on the team's Facebook page and has so far been viewed more than 80,000 times.

Clare Bowskill, choir director at the church, praised the Samoans' singing, hailing them as a "beautiful and lovely group".

"They rang up on Saturday and said they were coming but to have 50 of them come along, they were so big they filled up half the church," she said.

"The singing was beautiful, I think it was the captain who came up to me and asked if we would like them to sing - which is what they did."

The team stayed at the church for about 20 minutes afterwards, posing for photos and selfies with fans and parishioners.

Father Ray Blake said: "It was impressive to see so many devout young men, who think worshipping God on a Sunday morning is just a normal manly thing to do. God bless them."

Manu Samoa also put their vocals to the test at their welcoming ceremony at the Brighton Dome.

The team performed a traditional dance and sang a native (sic) song which would not have sounded out of place in a professional choir competition according to the local reporter.

Source

• theargus.co.uk
• Image: theargus.co.uk

He plays back row for Saracens in the Aviva Premiership and for England.

His brother, Mako Vunipola also plays for Saracens.

The English team conduct their post-match reviews on Monday mornings.

By that time Billy says he has already analysed his performance with his father, former Tongan captain Fe'ao Vunipola.

"My dad is honest and if he thinks I was quiet, he will say I was quiet. If he thinks I played well, he will say I played all right."

However rugby talk comes only after his mother the Reverend Iesinga has conducted a service for her Methodist congregation in High Wycombe.

Six of Billy's uncles and his grandfather have represented Tonga.

Source

• espnscrum.com
• The Telegraph
• Image: The Daily Mail