16 SPORT FRIDAY 4 AUGUST 2017 MOST EXPENSIVE SOCCER TRANSFERS OF ALL TIME Neymar free to join PSG in €222m: Neymar Barcelona to Paris Saint Germain, (2017) €105m: Paul Pogba Juventus to Manchester United, ‘transfer of the century’ (2016) €100.8m: Gareth Bale TottenhamTottenham ttoo ReRealala MMadrid,adrir d, ((2013)2013) Madrid Clubs can be sanctioned by responsibilities that may arise Barca’sca’s playerspllayers “My“MMy frfriendiend I wwishish yoyouu ththee €9€94m:4m: CrCristianoistiano RoRonaldonaldo AFP European football’s governing from this case,” continued the havee ccontinuedontinuedd ttoo bestbest iinn eveverythingerything tthathat cocomes!!!”mem s!!!!” ManchesterMancheh ster UUnitednitet d too RRealeal body for making a loss of more Barca statement. wishh ttheirheir nnowow LuisLuis SSuarezuaarez popostedstedd oonn InInsta-sta-a Madrid,MaM drrid, (2((2009)009) eymar’s world than €30m over a three-year Neymar is due to arrive in formermer tteammateeaammmate gramgramm aalongsidelonggside a ppictureici ture ooff ththee record move to period. Paris today, according to airport well.l. twotwwo hugging.huhuggggining.g €90m: Gonzalo HiguaiHiguainn Paris Saint-Ger- However, UEFA insisted the sources, and could be presented “Also“A“Alsso thankthannk youyou forfor youryour NapoliNaN pooli ttoo Juventus,Juuvev ntus, (2016)(20116)) main is set to be move will not automatically at PSG’s Ligue 1 opener at home susupport,pport,t forfor everythingeveeryythining thatthata I completed when trigger a failure to comply with to Amiens tomorrow although learnedlearrneed wiwwithithh yyououo aandndn ffororo tthehehe €86€86.2M:.2M: NeymarNeymar Nthe player jets into France today FFP regulations. he is unlikely to play. uniqueununiqi uee mmomentsommenntst tthathat wew sspentpeentn SantosSantoso toto Barcelona,BaBarccele ono a, (2013)(20113) after the Brazilian paid his “The transfer of Neymar to His new mark is more than together!!!!totogegether!!!! KeepKeee p likelil kek thisthihis andana d €222m ($263.6m) buyout PSG will have an effect on the double the previous record set nevernever chchangehanngeg lloveove yoyouou lilittlettt lele €81.7m: Luis SuareSuarezz clause to Barcelona yesterday. club’s finances over several by Manchester United’s capture bro.”brro.” LiLiverpoolverpool to Barcelona,Barrcceloonna, (2(2014)201014)) Barca confirmed Neymar’s years but the impact of such an of Paul Pogba from Juventus last lawyers “made the payment of operation cannot be judged in year for €105m, leaving many €79.8m: James RodrigueRodriguezz 222 million euros in the play- advance, notably as PSG could commentators aghast at the ASS MonacoMononacco tot RealReaal Madrid,MaMadrd id, (2014)(200144)) er’s name” to release him from well sell several players for a rampant inflation in football the five-year contract he signed significant amount,” UEFA said transfer fees. €€75.7m:75.7m: Kevin De BruyneBruyne just last year. in a statement. Leading coaches such as WolfsburgWoW lffsbburu g toto ManchesterMana chesstteer City,CCitty, Earlier, Spain’s football Barca added that they will Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger and (2015)(2010 5)5 league threatened to stall the aid UEFA in any future enquiry Manchester United’s Jose Mour- My friend saga by refusing to accept a into whether the French side fall inho lamented that the move €75m: AngelAngel Di MariaMaria cheque presented by Neymar’s foul of regulations. could cause even greater infla- I wish you RealReReal MadridMaddrir d too ManchesterMaanccheestter representatives at its Madrid “The club will pass on to tion in transfer fees and player the best in United,UnU ittedd, (2(2014)2010 4)) headquarters. UEFA the details of the above wages. everything La Liga president Javier operation so that they can “It also looks like the infla- TeTebasbas hahass acaccusedcused dedeterminetermine thethe tiontio is accelerating,” said that comes!!! ththee FrFrenchench cclublub disciplinarydisciplinary Wenger,W whose 21 years at Arse- Also thank you ooff bbreachingreachih ng nalna have been characterised by for your support, UEUEFA’sFA’s ffinan-inan- prudentpr spending. cicialala ffairair playplay “It’s beyond calculation and for everything rules.ruuleess. beyondbe rationality.” that I learned However, in the French capitalcac there is huge excitement with you and for atat PSG’s Qatari-backed project the unique landingla a star name to finally moments that makem them feared among Euro- peanpep football’s elite with even we spent FrenchFr president Emmanuel together!!!! MacronM enthused. Keep like this “It adds attractiveness. Yes, it’sit’ good news,” said Macron. and never “Neymar to PSG -- the change love trtransfer of the century”, you little bro: spsplashed Le Parisien’s front papage yesterday with the first Luis Suarez fifivev pages devoted to his on Twitter impendingim arrival. The mood is understanda- blbly more sombre in Barcelona wherew attention has turned to whow the Catalans can sign to replacerere Neymar in the month beforebe the transfer window closes.clo Neymar’s Brazilian interna- Paris Saint-Germain’s Qatari President Nasser Al Khelaifi tionaltio teammate Philippe applauds after PSG beat Montpellier at La Mosson CoCoutinho of Liverpool and Stadium in this file photo. Barcelona player Neymar is BorussiaBoBo Dortmund’s Ousmane set for world record move to Paris Saint-Germain when DembeleDe have both been linked. the player jets into France today. But whilst La Liga protests ata losing one of its biggest stars, Qatar Goodwood Festival: Trainer Meehan bags third win

The Peninsula having previously finished fifth, trained by Richard Fahey, who 5.5 on the stands’ side, 5.6 in the five lengths adrift of Lady Aure- also fields Withernsea. The six- centre and 6.0 on the far side. he six-furlong Group Two lia, in the G1 King’s Stand Stakes year-old has a marked Those able to get early selec- Qatar Richmond Stakes at Royal Ascot. The improving preference for some give in the tions, and so with all options Twas won by Barraquero, Charlie Hills-trained Battaash ground - he was third in a seven- open, tended to head to the rails trained by the Manton-based comes here seeking a hat-trick furlong International Stakes at on both sides - opinion split as Brian Meehan for Manton Thor- after Listed and Group Three Ascot on Saturday on good to soft to where the best ground might oughbreds sporting the late successes at Sandown. - and all of his four victories have be come Saturday. Robert Sangster silks. It is a third The Clive Cox-trained Prof- come on soft or heavy ground. Abdulla Rashid Al Kubaisi, win in the race for the trainer, itable won the 2016 running of The seven-year-old George QREC Racing Manager, described previously successful with Car- the Group One King’s Stand Baker-trained Boomshacklacker this edition of the Qatar Good- rizo Creek (2003) and Easycall Stakes at Royal Ascot on soft has finished mid-division in a wood Festival as one that has (1996). The winning margin over ground and finished second in number of this year’s big hand- seen several surprises, especially Nebo was a length and a Deauville’s Prix de Saint-Georges icaps ¬- the Royal Hunt Cup and with the condition of the Good- quarter. in May on going reported as the Bunbury Cup - and last year wood course following the heavy Meehan won the Group One “very soft”. finished seventh in the Cam- rains yesterday, as the very soft Prix Morny with Arcano in 2009 Marsha has been a superstar bridgeshire and fifth in this race. ground had its effects on a most and Bad As I Wanna Be in 2000. for Elite Racing Club and won the Jockey W Buick astride Barraquero (centre) extends lead on The draw for tomorrow’s horses. The Group Two five-furlong Group One Prix de l’Abbaye last his way to win the Qatar Richmond Stakes (Group 2) event at £250,000 Qatar Stewards’ Cup “The Festival is being held £312,100 Qatar King George year. the Qatar Goodwood Festival in West Sussex, England yesterday. took place ahead of racing yes- according to plans and the heavy Stakes (3.35pm) is the highlight She beat Washington DC terday. The event was hosted by rains didn’t affect the order or of today’s Qatar Goodwood Fes- then, and again first time out this (Kyllang Rock second) in June on The early market is siding Nick Luck, and the horses drawn the running of races”, he said, tival card. It is a race that has spring when taking the Group soft. with Godolphin’s Blair House, by racehorse owner and ex-foot- “However, they had affected the been won twice (2014 & 2016) in Three Palace House Stakes at Oisin Murphy was aboard who finished second to Perrett’s baller Michael Owen and Abdulla results as many favourites, the last three years by Take Newmarket. Washington DC has then, and he renews the horse at Ascot. Master The Rashid Al Kuabisi, QREC Racing including Al Shaqab’s Zelzal in Cover (he was second in the mid- already been beaten by most of partnership. World has form on a softer sur- Manager, with trainers or their the Qatar Sussex Stakes, didn’t dle year, 2015), and the the more fancied runners, but as The Amanda Perrett-trained faces and finished second in this representatives then able to win, which is still normal in the admirable 10-year-old sprinter a son of Zoffany he might be one Royal Hunt Cup winner Zhui last year, while Birchwood, select their own stall. world of horseracing. We’ve also is due to line up again. for the ground. Feng at the top of the handicap. despite being largely out of form After the near 50mm deluge noticed that a good number of The David Griffiths-trained One at a longer price is Final He has gone up 6lb for his Ascot this year, was the winner of a of rain that fell on Wednesday, horses were withdrawn today gelding remains in good heart - Venture. He has proven form on victory and, although he has run soft ground Listed sprint at yesterday’s 9.00am reading on because of the ground following last time out he won the Listed soft ground, having won the on good to soft, his best form has Chester in 2016. the Going Stick gave the ground the heavy rains which continued John Smith’s City Walls Stakes, Listed Achilles Stakes at Haydock come on a faster surface. Godolphin’s Birchwood is as 5.8 overall and in the straight for the whole day. FRIDAY 4 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 17 Sharapova pulls out of Real Madrid top MLS Rogers Cup with injury

Montreal AFP

All-Stars in shootout ive-time Grand Slam champion Maria Sharap- Marcelo scores shot deflected off the leg of a Fova (pictured) withdrew diving defender and into the yesterday from next week’s decisive goal back of the net for the Spanish WTA Rogers Cup tournament Real Madrid played giants, who were playing with- in Toronto with a sore left fore- out a 1-1 draw in out superstar Cristiano arm, Tennis Canada announced. regulation time in the Ronaldo. The move came a day after MLS All-Star Game Dom Dwyer, an England- the former world number one born member of the US national from Russia withdrew from the before taking the team, equalized for the MLS WTA event in Stanford, Califor- shootout 4-2 in front squad in the 87th minute with a nia, before a second-round of a sellout crowd of header from in close. match. Jennifer Brady 6-1, 4-6, 6-0 in 61,000 at Soldier Dwyer was in the right place “I am so sorry to be missing her Monday opener at Field, the home for the rebound after Dax McCa- the Rogers Cup this year,” Stanford. stadium of the NFL’s rty’s header off a corner kick Sharapova said. She had not played in the Chicago Bears. bounced off the post, winning a “I am so appreciative to the US since March of 2015 due in foot race with Real Madrid’s tournament for the wild card part to a 15-month doping sus- 19-year-old goalkeeper Luca and my fans in Toronto for their pension for the use of Chicago Zidane, who entered late in the Gareth Bale (left) of support. meldonium. AFP second half. Real Madri in action “I am disappointed that “Toward the end of the “It was important to go back against Matt Hedges of injury is keeping me from the Monday night’s match, I felt arcelo scored a with a win but now we are look- the MLS All-Stars during tennis court once again and I pain in my left forearm,” Shara- the decisive pen- ing forward to the UEFA Super the 2017 MLS All-Star will work as hard as I can to pova said on Wednesday. alty kick as La Cup,” said Mayoral, who was return to the game I love as “After yesterday’s scan, the Game at Soldier Field on Liga and Cham- named player of the match. soon as possible.” doctor has recommended I Wednesday in Chicago, pions League Real Madrid will now return The injury will cast further don’t risk further injury.” Mtitle holders Real Madrid took to Europe to meet Manchester Illinois. doubt over Sharapova’s partic- Canadian 17-year-old a shootout victory on Wednes- United in the UEFA Super Cup ipation at the US Open, the last Bianca Andreescu will receive day over the Major League in Macedonia on August 8, then the first half with a possible sep- penalties to the English side in Grand Slam event of the season the wildcard entry vacated by Soccer All-Stars. take on Barcelona in the two- arated shoulder that will cost San Francisco on July 23 and lost which starts in New York on Sharapova. Real Madrid played to a 1-1 legged Spanish Super Cup on him some time with Atlanta to Manchester City in Los Ange- August 28. “We wish Maria the best draw in regulation time in the August 13 and 16 before open- United. les on July 26. Due to her low ranking, and hope she is able to return MLS All-Star Game before tak- ing the La Liga season on August “What an amazing experi- Real Madrid has captured Sharapova would also need a to the court 100 percent healthy ing the shootout 4-2 before a 20. ence! It was an honor to share back-to-back Champions wild card to play in the main soon,” said Karl Hale, Rogers sellout crowd of 61,000 at Sol- Real Madrid coach Zinedine the field with such great play- League titles and a record 33 La draw of the tournament. Cup Toronto tournament dier Field, the home stadium of Zidane rotated his squad liber- ers!” tweeted MLS forward David Liga championships. Sharapova suffered the director. the NFL’s Chicago Bears. ally during the contest. The stars Villa. Ronaldo, the reigning FIFA injury while playing in her first “We know many of our fans Borja Mayoral opened the made their appearances but he The All-Star match marks player of the year and the US match in more than two were excited to see her play,” scoring in the 59th minute for also inserted several youngsters the end of a four-match, 11-day world’s highest-paid athlete at years, defeating American Hale added. Real Madrid, which controlled and fringe players who are try- pre-season US tour for Real a reported $93m per year, was possession of the ball through- ing to make the club. Madrid that included a 3-2 loss ordered before a Spanish court out the contest. At times when the stars were to rival Barcelona in a Clasico on Monday to answer to tax Mayoral found open space on the field it was a humbling matchup at Miami on Sunday. fraud charges. Citi Open: Kyrgios retires in front of the goal before tak- affair for the MLS. Left back Greg Real Madrid also drew Man- Ronaldo denies the ing a short pass. His well-timed Garza had to leave the game in chester United before falling in allegations. after shoulder injury

Washington shoulder before retiring and Neuer edges Reuters looked in obvious discomfort. Terry targets Aston Villa’s Kyrgios was playing in the njuries continued to plague second round after receiving an closer to Bayern Australian Nick Kyrgios, who opening round bye and was return to Munich return I retired with a shoulder seeded to play Germany’s Alex- injury while losing 6-3, 3-0 to ander Zverev in a keenly American Tenny Sandgren at anticipated third-round match. London most unpredictable leagues Berlin the Citi Open on Wednesday in Earlier, Zverev needed AFP within world football.” AFP Washington DC and left the three sets to overcome serve- “Does that bring more court to a chorus of boos. and-volleyer Jordan Thompson ohn Terry (pictured) has pressure on you? Probably. ayern Munich captain It marked the third succes- 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(5) to advance as pledged to lead Aston Villa Do we like that as a group? Manuel Neuer took a sig- sive tournament in which the the Australian dropped the last Jback into the Premier Yeah. With the history of this Bnificant step towards his 22-year-old retired during a three points of the decisive tie- League as the Championship club, it deserves to be back in comeback yesterday by resum- match. breaker including his first season kicks off with a host the Premier League.” ing goalkeeper training for the “Just struggling, mentally, double fault of the match. of big-spending clubs gear- All three teams relegated first time since foot surgery. physically,” said Kyrgios. “I’m just happy to get ing up for a frenzied from the Premier League The 31-year-old Bayern and He had called out the med- through that one,” said the fifth- promotion battle. have undergone painful Germany goalkeeper took part ical trainer for treatment on his seeded German. After winning 15 major changes as they try to bounce in 20-minutes worth of exercises honours in 22 years with back at the first attempt. at the Bundesliga champion’s Chelsea, Terry had to search ’s £30m training ground in Munich hav- for a new club following his at Nottingham Forest in investment on Jonny Howson, ing only been able to run in release at the end of last sea- 2000. Given Villa’s abject fail- Ashley Fletcher and Britt training on Monday. son and rejected interest from ures in recent years and the Assombalonga has convinced “It felt so good to be back in several Premier League clubs cut-throat nature of the Cham- the bookmakers Middles- training,” said Neuer, who is to sign a £60,000-per-week pionship, the 36-year-old brough are promotion expected to be fit for Bayern’s deal with Villa. believes winning promotion at favourites in their new man- first league game of the season Terry’s presence in the a club that finished 18 points ager’s first season after on Friday August 18 against second tier will keep Villa in adrift of the play-offs last sea- leaving Leeds. Bayer Leverkusen. the spotlight while Steve son would rank among the In contrast, Sunderland are Neuer missed the Confeder- Bruce’s side battle to return finest achievements of his glit- still mired in recriminations, ations Cup win in Russia last to the top-flight after a two- tering career. as Darron Gibson proved when month with Germany after frac- year absence. “It would be really spe- the former Manchester United turing his left foot at the end of But the former England cial, it would be up there for midfielder was filmed in a bar the season. Neuer is expected to star knows he won’t have an me. To step out of my com- making a foul-mouthed rant miss Bayern’s German Super Cup Nick Kyrgios of Australia receives treatment during an injury easy ride as he plays his first fort zone was a big decision,” about his team-mates follow- showdown at Borussia Dort- matches outside the Premier Terry said. ing a friendly thrashing against mund on Saturday. timeout during his Citi Open match in Washington DC on League since a brief loan spell “It’s probably one of the Celtic last weekend. Wednesday. Golf: Star McIlroy sacks caddie after ‘build-up of stuff’

Rory McIlroy Dublin those over the past year or so,” Country Club and at next week’s dominant force and became world (right) of Reuters McIlroy told reporters in Ohio on major, the PGA Championship number one. Northern the eve of the World Golf Cham- in Charlotte because he was At the British Open at Royal Ireland and ory McIlroy sacked his pionships Bridgestone looking for familiarity. Birkdale earlier this month, McIl- caddie of nine years after Invitational. He has not made a long-term roy again heaped praise on new caddie “a build-up of stuff” over “I’d been putting this line out decision about who to use after Fitzgerald, who delivered some Harry Diamond R the past year or so, the four- there for a while that I’m trying that. blunt words to his boss after the look on during times major winner said on to take ownership of my game a “I just needed someone that Northern Irishman started the the World Golf Wednesday. little bit more and trying to take knew me and that’s why I took tournament with a string of Championships McIlroy parted company more responsibility. Harry for the next couple of bogeys. at Firestone with JP Fitzgerald last week after “It was one of those times I weeks.” After fighting back to shoot Country Club the British Open and will have felt I needed to mix something McIlroy, who won his last major one-over 71 in the first round, South Course his best friend Harry Diamond up a bit ... It was just a build up at the 2014 PGA Championship, McIlroy told reporters that Fit- in Akron, Ohio on his bag for the next two of stuff that I felt I needed to employed Fitzgerald in 2008 shortly zgerald had done a “great job”. yesterday. weeks. make that change.” after turning professional. The pair McIlroy eventually finished “Player/caddie relationships The 28-year-old Northern enjoyed a brilliantly successful part- equal fourth in what turned out have their ups and downs. There Irishman said he decided to use nership as McIlroy took over from to be the swan song for was probably a few too many of Diamond this week at Firestone Tiger Woods as the game’s Fitzgerald. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 4 AUGUST 2017 Sigh of relief Philander fit, for BD after ready to aid Australia pay South Africa deal revival

Dhaka Manchester AFP AFP

angladesh breathed a ernon Philander is con- sigh of relief yesterday fident both he and Bas Australia ended its VSouth Africa will be fir- protracted pay dispute with ing on all cylinders as they their cricket board, ensuring look to draw their Test series Steve Smith’s side can visit with England at Old later this month for a long- Trafford. awaited tour. Philander was unable to Australia were due to be at his best during England’s arrive in Dhaka on August 18 239-run win in the third Test for their first Test series in at the Oval after being struck Bangladesh since 2006 but a down by a mystery stomach row between players and virus which meant he could management had cast doubt only bowl 32 overs in the over the tour. match. But the bruising dispute What made it worse for Indian cricketer Ajinkya Rahane (centre) and team-mate Cheteshwar Pujara run between the wickets during the first day of was resolved yesterday as the Proteas was that the over- players and management the second Test against Sri Lanka at the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Ground in Colombo, yesterday. cast conditions appeared agreed to a new “in-princi- ideal for accurate seamer ple” deal, ensuring upcoming Philander, renowned for his series against Bangladesh, ability to make the most of India and England can go any assistance from either ahead. Pujara, Rahane hit tons as cloudy skies or a pitch with “It’s great news for Bang- some ‘juice’ in it. ladesh. Definitely we are very The man-of-the-match in happy to see the problem has the Proteas’ second Test suc- resolved,” Bangladesh Cricket cess at Trent Bridge, Board head Nizamuddin India dominate first day Philander even spent one Chowdhury said. night of the Oval match on a “Their next commitment hospital drip. is in Bangladesh. Now after Colombo Sri Lanka’s first innings of the opening Test, The best South Africa can the dispute is resolved, we AFP captain Dinesh hit 10 fours and a six. hope for now, at 2-1 down in can look forward to hosting Chandimal Rahane also tackled the this four-match series, is a them.” heteshwar Pujara and and Rangana spinners with aplomb, using his share of the spoils. The bad-tempered stand- Ajinkya Rahane hit centu- feet to great effect during his And Philander is eager to Herath off had been rumbling for ries as India took opening 168-ball stay at the crease so far. play his full part when the C celebrate months, rattling the game and day honours on 344-3 at stumps Sri Lanka’s interim coach Nic Manchester fixture starts badly straining the players’ against Sri Lanka in the second the wicket of Pothas praised Rahane for his today. relationship with the sport’s Test in Colombo yesterday. India’s captain gritty knock but conceded the “It was either something governing body. Pujara (128) and Rahane Virat Kohli. squad didn’t maintain pressure I picked up or something I ate Some 230 cricketers had (103) put on an unbeaten 211-run on the world’s top Test team. that really ‘drilled’ me for a been unemployed since the partnership for the fourth wicket “Rahane came and played couple of days,” Philander end of June when their con- to thwart Sri Lankan bowlers very well. From that point told reporters at tracts expired, putting this who struck two crucial blows in onwards we didn’t perhaps exe- on Wednesday as he recalled month’s Test tour to Bangla- the afternoon session. cute as well as we had done up his illness. desh under serious threat. The in-form Pujara regis- to that point,” said the former “It was a tough week per- Bangladeshi authorities tered his 13th Test century in his South Africa player. sonally, but I’m looking grew increasingly anxious as “We just released the pres- forward to this one,” he the spat dragged on, espe- SCOREBOARD landmark 50th game as Rahane was waiting for his return post sure a little bit. That was the added. cially when a home series India (I innings): fired his ninth Test hundred. recovery “made a big difference turning session. India got Philander was already against Pakistan slated for S Dhawan lbw b Perera ...... 35 The visitors, who lead the and I came back with a lot more momentum back. This is the day unwell come the toss in south July-August was cancelled. L Rahul run out (Chandimal/Dickwella) ..57 three-match series 1-0, wobbled confidence”. one and it’s Test match cricket. London but, with few other Australia was scheduled C Pujara (batting) ...... 128 slightly when Lokesh Rahul went “The pitch was on the slower It’s about how you bounce back.” options at his disposal, South to play two Tests in Bangla- V Kohli c Mathews b Herath ...... 13 for 57 and skipper Virat Kohli side and would turn as the Test In the morning session, off- Africa captain Faf du Plessis desh in late 2015 but the tour A Rahane (batting)...... 103 followed for 13 soon after lunch. went on,” he added. spinner Dilruwan Perera had decided a half-fit Philander Extras (B4, NB1, LB3) ...... 8 was cancelled after a wave of Total (3 wkts) ...... 344 Rahul, who scored his eighth Veteran left-arm spinner Shikhar Dhawan trapped lbw for was better than none at all. attacks by Islamist extremists To bat: H Pandya, W Saha, R Ashwin, R Jadeja, Test fifty despite only just recov- Rangana Herath sent Kohli 35 after the tourists elected to “I think it probably got a in the Muslim-majority U Yadav, M Shami ering from a virus, was run out trudging back to the pavilion bat first. lot worse having to bowl after nation. Bowling: Pradeep 17.4-2-63-0, Herath 24-3- in a mix-up with Pujara. with a tossed-up delivery that Debutant left-arm spinner losing quite a lot of fluids,” the Bangladesh’s first Test 83-1, Karunaratne 3-0-10-0, Perera 18-2-68-1, “I was disappointed because got the edge of the captain’s bat Malinda Pushpakumara was still 32-year-old Philander against Australia will be held Pushpakumara 19.2-0-82-0, De Silva 8-0-31-0. I have been away from the game and went to slip. searching for his first Test scalp explained. at Dhaka’s Sher-e-Bangla Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-109, 3-133 so long and I didn’t want to get Pujara and Rahane ground as paceman Nuwan Pradeep had “The night in hospital, Sri Lanka: D Chandimal, U Tharanga, D Karu- National Stadium from naratne, K Mendis, A Mathews, D de Silva, N out at all,” he told reporters at out the runs to deny Dinesh to leave the field due to a sus- being on a drip, really revi-

August 27. The second starts Dickwella, D Perera, R Herath, M Pushpaku- the Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) Chandimal’s side any more pected pulled hamstring. talised me. But then in the in Chittagong on September mara, N Pradeep Ground. wickets during the day. The hosts need at least a morning, it was (not good) 4. He said knowing the team Pujara, who scored 153 in the draw to stay alive in the series. again.” Truce: Australian players and CA end long stand-off

Melbourne result of sensible compromises Players have been paid a per- that a one-day tour to India in AFP by both parties,” said CA chief centage of gross revenue for the September and October and the James Sutherland, adding that past two decades, and they showpiece home Ashes series ustralia’s bruising and the “core issues” had been argued that changing the system against England, beginning in protracted cricket pay worked out. He said the five- would make them employees November, are now safe. Adispute was finally year deal would “restore much rather than partners with incen- An Australian A tour to South resolved yesterday with play- certainty to the game of tives to grow the game. Africa last month was called off ers and management agreeing cricket”. CA wanted to pay them from after players announced a boy- on a new “in-principle” deal, “It will allow all players -- a set pool instead, with only sur- cott, and Sutherland admitted ensuring upcoming series state and international players plus revenue shared, to give it relationships within the game had against Bangladesh, India and -- to be contracted immediately more cash to invest in grassroots been “tested”. England can go ahead. and it will also allow the all- programs and facilities. “Both parties acknowledge The players appeared to be important tour of Bangladesh to In the end, it was the play- and regret that,” he said. the winners in the five-year proceed as planned.” ers who came out on top, with “We are restoring certainty agreement, worth an estimated Captain Steve Smith wel- the revenue-sharing model and beginning to repair rela- Aus$500m (US$396m), as they comed the deal on Twitter, retained. tionships, especially with the retained the revenue-sharing adding: “It’s been a long and Under the new deal, they fans. We want the focus to be model they had been fighting for challenging process and it’s will share up to 30 percent of back on the cricket.” -- with women cricketers also great that we can now get on agreed revenue -- 27.5 percent Sutherland had warned that included for the first time. with playing the game that we of forecast revenue streams, and Cricket Australia CEO James Sutherland (left) and Australian unless negotiations produced a The bad-tempered stand-off all love. a 2.5 percent performance pool. Cricketers’ Association CEO Alistair Nicholson attend a press compromise this week, he had been rumbling for months, “I’m excited that we can all This is estimated to be worth conference in Melbourne, yesterday. would take the matter to arbi- rattling the game and badly start working together again to Aus$500m over the next five tration and let the industrial straining the players’ relation- continue to grow our great years. Australia”. breaking for Australian sport. umpire sort out the mess. ship with governing body game.” Under the previous system, Players also won a greater “One MOU for men and This sparked new urgency Cricket Australia (CA). At the heart of the dispute male players had been sharing say on scheduling. women, the maintenance of the to strike a deal, with talks con- Some 230 cricketers had had been the divisive issue of up to 26 percent of revenues. “The new MOU is a great partnership model, and record tinuing over the weekend. been unemployed since the end revenue-sharing. In a significant move, the achievement for the players and investments for grassroots An announcement was of June when their contracts CA wanted to scrap the format will also apply to female the game,” said ACA president cricket is what we wanted and widely expected on Tuesday or expired, putting this month’s model that has governed play- players in what the Australian Greg Dyer. it’s what has been achieved.” Wednesday, but it took longer Test tour to Bangladesh under ers’ salaries since their first Cricketers’ Association (ACA) “Like anything worthwhile Smith can now lead his team than expected for the two sides serious threat. memorandum of understand- said was “the biggest pay rise in it’s been hard to achieve. But to Dhaka on August 18 with their to sign off on the formalities for “Today’s agreement is the ing was brokered 20 years ago. the history of women’s sport in what has been agreed is ground- futures secured. It also ensures the agreement. FRIDAY 4 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 19

London QNA/The Peninsula Barshim leads Team Qatar at he 16th World Athlet- ics Championships IAAF World Championships will kick off today at the London Olympic Stadium with more Tthan 1,900 athletes from around 200 countries vying for honours. The Qatari team for the World athletics extravaganza consists of champion high jumper Mutaz Essa Barshim, hammer thrower Ashraf Al Saifi, javelin thrower Ahmed Bader and sprinters Abdulrah- man Samba and Abdalelah Andre de Grasse Haroun. Barshim, the national and Asian record holder with a London best mark of 2.43m, enjoyed De Grasse out podium finishes at the last two Olympics, having won a silver medal in Rio and a bronze at the 2012 Games in London. Qatari star with injury The former Asian Indoor and show athlete Mutaz world Junior champion, Essa Barshim Barshim is one of the top competes in the and misses favourites to win his pet event men’s high jump at the in London on August 13. World Indoor Athletics The Qatari Athletes are championships in Bolt duel already in London and first to begins Sopot, Poland in this London arrive was Haroun who will file photo. compete in the men’s 400m Reuters event. Haroun is the 2015 Asian champion in the event, ndre de Grasse, the triple Olympic is the proud holder of the Felix ready to forget sprint medallist, has pulled out of AUG Asian indoor record. the World Athletics Championships 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 A Samba will take part in the EVENT FRI SAT SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT SUN 2016 nightmare and win in London with injury, boosting Usain Bolt’s preliminaries of the men’s Ceremonies chances of a golden swansong. 400m hurdles on Sunday and 100m The Canadian was expected to be Bolt’s is expected to join from his 200m London main rival for his 100 metres crown in the training camp. 400m Reuters Jamaican’s farewell championship but he Bader was the youngest 800m suffered a hamstring strain in training on competitor in his discipline at 1500m fter a nightmarish 2016, Allyson Felix is hoping for “a Monday and will miss the rest of the the Rio 2016 Olympic Games 5000m redo” this year as the American defends her 400 metres season. and the first-ever Qatari to 10,000m title at the World Athletics Championships. “The entire year this 100m race in Lon- Marathon A compete in the javelin throw “I feel like I am in really good shape right now,” Ameri- don was my focus. I am really in the best 100m Hurdles at Olympics. 110m Hurdles ca’s most decorated female sprinter said following a US news shape of my life and was looking forward The young javelin thrower 400m Hurdles conference yesterday. “So I am looking forward to seeing to competing against the best in the world,”

has proven to be a formidable TRACK 3000m Steeplechase what I can do. 22-year-old De Grasse said in a competitor after qualifying to 20km Race Walk She goes into the championships the favourite and holder statement. Rio with an incredible throw 50km Race Walk of the outdoor season’s fastest 400 metres, 49.65 seconds. “To not have this opportunity is unim- of 84.74 metres. 4 x 100m Relay “I wish I could have a redo of last year,” she said. aginable to me but it is the reality I am now Qatari hammer thrower, 4 x 400m Relay “I think it is a different year, and I try not to bring any of faced with. world junior record-holder High Jump that into this year.” “I am sad to miss this chance but I am and world leader Elseify won Pole Vault “That” was tearing ligaments in her right ankle in a freak- young and with treatment and rehabilita- a gold medal at the 2012 Asian Long Jump ish gym accident that put her 2016 season in jeopardy before tion I will be back and better than ever in Junior Athletics Champion- Triple Jump she rebounded to make the US Olympic team in the 400 the near future.” ships in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Shot Put metres but narrowly missed out on a Rio spot in her favour- De Grasse, who won the Olympic 200m establishing a new Asian jun- Discus Throw ite event, the 200 metres. silver and bronzes in the 100m and 4 x ior record. Elseify is also the Hammer Throw Then Shaunae Miller of the Bahamas lunged across the 100m relay, had been due to line up in the holder of the youth record Javelin Throw finish line in the 400m Rio final to deny Felix a second indi- 100m heats on the Championships’ open- FIELD after clearing a distance of Heptathlon vidual Olympic gold medal. ing day on Friday as the first part of 85.57 metres during the World Decathlon Already with nine world gold medals, she hopes to round another triple medal bid. Championships held in Bar- Source: IAAF © GRAPHIC NEWS that total up to an even dozen with victories in the 400 and He had recorded the fastest time of celona 2013 and defended his the 4x100 and 4x400 metres relays, where she also won gold the year, albeit strongly wind-assisted, of crown at Eugene 2015 Games. In a statement, Dr. Al The Secretary-General of in the Rio Olympics. 9.69 seconds in Stockholm in June and Meanwhile, the Qatar del- Kuwari expressed his pride in the QOC affirmed Qatar’s abil- Now aged 31, she hopes to continue her career through had been shaping up as the man most egation, headed by the active participation in the ity to organise a high-quality, the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, which means she will have an likely to spoil the script in Bolt’s final Secretary-General of the Qatar IAAF General Assembly meet- internationally-acclaimed opportunity to earn more world gold at the 2019 Championship. Olympic Committee (QOC) ings and the World Athletics event that honours and excites championships. De Grasse first came on Bolt’s radar and Chairman of Qatar Ath- Championships, at the end of every Qatari. “Our youth are There might also be an opportunity to return to the 200 last year at the Rio Games when the con- letics Federation Dr. Thani which, the Qatari delegation competent and able to win the metres, where she was the London Olympic champion and fident Canadian pushed him hard in the Abdulrahman Al Kuwari will will officially receive the challenges,” he said wishing three-times world champion. 200m semi-finals, prompting the Jamai- take part in the General Games flag as the host of the success to the Qatari champi- But never will she try the 400 hurdles as a questioner can to wag his finger at the youngster. Assembly meeting of the Inter- next (17th) world champion- ons participating in the global hinted might happen. There had been a claim from De national Association of ship, Qatar 2019. sports event. Grasse’s team that Bolt had tried to get Athletics Federations (IAAF). Dr. Al Kuwari said: “We Officials of the Qatar Ath- the Canadian ousted from the 100m that The meeting in expected to are participating in London letics Federation have started he was running at the Diamond League take a number of important with a distinguished Qatari several meetings and side con- meeting in Monaco - a suggestion of ‘run- decisions, most notably the delegation comprising a tacts with the IAAF President ning scared’ that the Jamaican vehemently amendment of some articles number of the presidents of Sebastian Coe and a number denied. of Athletics international law, the Doha 2019 committees, of friendly associations, De Grasse’s absence from the 100m in addition to discussing per- who came to attend the event informing them of the efforts unquestionably boosts Bolt’s chances of formance and financial and gain experience through and activities of the Qatari Three-time ensuring he adds an eighth individual reports as well as adopting the workshops and daily contact Athletics Federation and the world Champion World Championship gold to his incredi- plans for the coming years and with the championship preparations for the Qatar Allyson Felix ble tally in his final solo race on other items on the agenda. committees.” 2019 Championship. Saturday. End of an era as Klitschko hangs his gloves Kiev fighters to reach 64 career victories yet often dragged into the gutter with pro- He won his first 24 fights before los- Reuters few, if any of them, will feature in a show- fessionalism and dignity. ing to American Ross Puritty in 1998 - his reel of the sport’s greatest contests. An eagerly anticipated Las Vegas re- only fight in his native Ukraine. ladimir Klitschko (pictured) Instead it will be his final fight, against match with Joshua was in the pipeline, Klitschko won his first world title in ruled the heavyweight scene Britain’s Joshua, that will be define yet Klitschko, who had lost his WBA, IBF 2000, beating American Chris Byrd to Wwith a steel glove for more than Klitschko’s legacy. and WBO heavyweight belts in a disap- claim the WBO title. a decade yet it was a defeat by Anthony Despite a 14-year age gap and fight- pointing defeat by Britain’s Tyson Fury He suffered defeats at the hands of Joshua which ensured the Ukrain- ing in front of a partisan 90,000 in 2015, has decided enough is enough. South Africa’s Corrie Sanders and Amer- ian retired yesterday with the crowd, Klitschko pro- “Twenty-seven years ago I started ican Lamon Brewster in 2003 and 2004. universal respect that duced arguably his best performance my journey,” he said in the video After teaming up with trainer eluded him for so long. before being stopped in the 11th round announcing his decision to retire yester- Emanuel Steward, Klitschko became a Often denigrated for of a sensational fight. day. “And it was the best choice of far greater all-round fighter and went 11 a robotic style, short on Had he finished off a wobbling profession I could have ever made. years unbeaten before losing to Fury. flair, Klitschko reigned Joshua in the sixth round Klitschko would “At some point in our lives we need It was an era dominated known as supreme in a heavy- have become only the second fighter to, or just want to, switch our careers and the “Klitschko era” with his older brother weight era suffering after George Foreman to win a recog- get ourselves ready for the next chapter Vitali also holding the WBC belt from from a dearth of nised version of the world title as a and chart a course towards fresh chal- 2008 to 2012 before retiring in 2013. box office names. 40-something. lenges. Obviously I am not an exception Klitschko is second on the all-time The 41-year- Yet, even in defeat, a global audi- to this and now is my turn.” list for successful title defences with 23, old dispatched a ence finally gave the Germany-based Klitschko turned professional in 1996 behind the 25 of Joe Louis, while his 29 regular supply fighter the acclaim he deserved for a shortly after winning super-heavyweight heavyweight title fights remains a of average career in which he carried the a sport so gold at the Atlanta Olympics. record.