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Home , Dean Elgar, Hilton Cartwright

TUESDAY, JAUNUARY 3, 2017 SPORTS Cartwright, O’Keefe in third Test team

SYDNEY: All-rounder Hilton Cartwright to play at number six.” The 24-year-old the team with a crucial three- be there. “I think it was just a good Bird could consider himself unlucky to will make his Test debut among two Cartwright is a all-rounder who spell on the final day of the Melbourne opportunity for those three to come miss out after taking 13 in the changes in the Australia team for this bowls medium pace and will support Test. O’Keefe has played three Tests, together and do a little bit of work last three ests. “I thought he bowled par- week’s final Test against Pakistan in front-line fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and including in Sydney against the West together.” Cartwright said he was ready ticularly well in Melbourne but, look, Sydney, Steve Smith said yester- Josh Hazlewood. “He’s improved (his Indies last season, and partnered Lyon in to step up with the ball. “I can definitely conditions sometimes change the team,” day. Zimbabwe-born Cartwright and bowling) a lot over the last year or so. the first Test in Sri Lanka in July before contribute overs during a game,” Smith said. “We’ve gone with two spin- left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe replace He’s gained 10 kph,” Smith said of injury ruled him out for the remainder of Cartwright told reporters on Sunday. ners on this occasion and it’s unlucky for and Jackson Bird in the Cartwright. the series. “That’s always been a part of my Jackson.” Australia are chasing a 3-0 team that demolished Pakistan by an The need for a second spinner in game. The bowling’s been there. I’ve just whitewash in the Test that starts in innings in Melbourne last week to clinch Sydney had been flagged by selectors, ‘EYE ON INDIA’ been trying to get it to work as close to Sydney today. the three-match series. “Cartwright is an with O’Keefe getting the final nod over Explaining Agar’s inclusion in the (as good) as my batting.” While Australia: David Warner, Matthew extra bowling option to go with the two . “We’re playing the two expanded squad, Smith said: “It was to Cartwright has taken only 14 Sheffield Renshaw, , Steve Smith quicks and the two spinners,” Smith told spinners, traditionally out here it does bring him into the mix and have those Shield wickets at 42.50 in his career, he is (capt), Peter Handscomb, Hilton reporters. take some spin,” Smith said. three spinners working together. “I think averaging 36.67 with the bat in the Cartwright, Matthew Wade, Mitchell “It just adds a little bit to the bowling O’Keefe will partner veteran spinner the selectors probably have an eye on Shield so far this season, including three Starc, Steve O’Keefe, Josh Hazlewood, stocks, and he deserves an opportunity Nathan Lyon, who cemented his place in India and the guys that are possible to half-centuries. Smith said pace bowler Nathan Lyon.— AFP Indian court orders removal of BCCI chief

NEW DELHI: Judges ordered the dismissal yesterday of the Indian board’s presi- dent over the failure to enact a series of rec- ommended reforms, plunging the game’s most powerful body into turmoil. In a shock ruling, a panel of Supreme Court judges said Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president Anurag Thakur and its number two Ajay Shirke must stand down immediately. Thakur said he would respect the decision, while voicing bitterness at the court for siding with a retired judge who had been demand- ing the shake-up in the BCCI’s governance. “The Supreme Court passes an order directing the BCCI president and secretary to desist from any board functions from hereon,” said the ruling. The order comes after judges slapped restrictions on the BCCI’s accounts last year SYDNEY: Pakistan cricket captain Misbah-ul-Haq (R) speaks with team coach Mickey over its failure to implement a series of Arthur (L) during a training session at the SCG in Sydney yesterday. Pakistan take on reforms recommended by a panel headed by Australia in the third cricket Test match starting today. — AFP a former top judge, Rajendra Mal Lodha. Cricket’s massive popularity in India has helped the BCCI become by far the wealthiest Misbah to captain of all of the sport’s national boards, netting massive money from sponsorship and TV deals. But it has also been embroiled in a Pakistan in Sydney series of scandals, including accusations of corruption and match-fixing that tarnished SYDNEY: Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq end of his international career that started the Indian Premier League (IPL) — the board’s said yesterday he will lead the side in the in 2001, although well-placed sources said lucrative Twenty20 competition. A corruption third Test against Australia in Sydney, dis- he would make the final decision about his and match-fixing scandal in the sixth edition of the IPL in 2013 brought about the downfall missing suggestions he is about to retire. playing status once he returns home to DHARAMSALA: In this photograph taken on June 24, 2016, President of the Board of Control of the board’s then-president Narayanaswami Misbah, 42, raised the possibility follow- Pakistan. for Cricket in India (BCCI) Anurag Thakur addresses a press conference in Dharamsala. — AFP ing his team’s abject innings defeat in the Misbah now concentrates only on Test Srinivasan after his son-in-law was accused of second Melbourne Test last week to lose cricket and retired from one-day interna- betting on matches. could do better under retired judges, I wish tary as a result of the illnesses and absences of the series, when he said he would contem- tionals after Pakistan’s defeat to Australia in The elevation of Thakur and Shirke had them all the best. I am sure Indian cricket will his superiors. Thakur said the game’s adminis- plate his future and may even retire before the World Cup quarter-final in 2015. been seen as representing a break with the do well under their guidance.” tration and development had been at “its very today’s final Test. After the Australia Test series Pakistan past. But the board’s reluctance to implement Lodha said Thakur’s removal was an best” under his stewardship. But Pakistan’s most successful skipper do not have any Tests scheduled until April, Lodha’s recommendations, which included inevitable consequence of the board’s foot- “India has the best cricket infrastructure, yesterday appeared at the captain’s media when they will tour the West Indies for a age limits and term limits on office-bearers, dragging. “One should understand that when built and maintained by the state associations conference before the Test to hose down four-match series. had triggered a number of legal battles. the order of the Supreme Court, which is the with the help of BCCI,” he said. “India has more speculation of his imminent retirement. Misbah’s most immediate assignment The recent series against England was highest court of the land, has come, it has to quality players than anywhere in the world.” Misbah, who has scored a total of 20 after the Australia series will be in the nearly cancelled on the eve of the first Test as be obeyed by all. It is the law of the land. India, the world’s number one-ranked Test runs in four innings in the series, said his United Arab Emirates in the Pakistan Super a result of the funding restrictions. Nobody can escape it,” Lodha told reporters. team, is in the middle of a busy season, with comments after the innings and 18-run League with Islamabad United, which starts The judges also ordered Thakur to explain England due to play a one-day series later this defeat in Melbourne were triggered by on February 9. frustration. Misbah opted against naming a final ‘NOTHING PERSONAL’ why he allegedly lied on oath about seeking a month ahead of tours by Australia and “That was 2016 — now it’s 2017,” he told Test team yesterday, admitting there could In a video message posted on social letter from the International Cricket Council Bangladesh. Veteran commentator Ayaz reporters. “That is gone, that is gone. “You be changes after his side’s woeful last day media, Thakur indicated he would abide by stating that Lodha’s recommendations Memon said the turmoil should not have an have to fight as a sportsman and that’s in the Melbourne Test. “Traditionally, the verdict while expressing bitterness at the amounted to government interference. They impact on the field but important issues important for me also. “I’m happy that I’ve Sydney is a bit different. It all depends on decision. threatened to charge him with perjury and would remain up in the air until a new leader- got a very good family, all the team. The the final look of the pitch,” he said. “For me, it was not a personal battle. It was contempt of court. ship team is put in place. “It’s not just hosting way they supported me (was appreciated). Australia hold an unassailable 2-0 lead a battle for the autonomy of the sports body,” Thakur, who has until January 19 to reply of the IPL but there are broadcast rights and “Everyone, from the support staff to the in the Test series. Heading into Sydney, said Thakur, who is a lawmaker for India’s rul- to the contempt notice, only took over as so many other things,” he told AFP. Cricket players-and they’re up for that (fight), so Pakistan have not won a Test Down Under ing Bharatiya Janata Party. head of the BCCI in May 2016. writer Prem Panicker agreed that the players I’m also up. I need to play at my best.” since their ‘dead rubber’ victory at the “I respect the Supreme Court as any citizen But he had been effectively running the would be unaffected. “They will go about Misbah said he was not thinking about the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1995. —AFP should. Supreme Court judges feel that BCCI board for much of the previous year as secre- their business as usual,” he said. —AFP Elgar leads South Africa fightback

CAPE TOWN: Dean Elgar’s century and a There was an immediate breakthrough quickfire unbeaten 68 from Quinton de before the home team had scored a run Kock lifted South Africa to 297 for six on the with Stephen Cook, who made a century opening day of the second test against Sri and was named man of the match in the Lanka at Newlands yesterday. first test, out to the fourth ball of the game. Elgar scored a career-high 129 and He pushed at a rising from Lakmal shared a 103-run partnership with De Kock and got a faint edge to Mendis. to lift the home side into a handy position The 19-year-old Kumara dismissed after they had struggled early on. and JP Duminy in the same The opener went past his previous top over just before lunch. Amla, continuing his test score and his ton came up off 186 balls indifferent form, was clean bowled for 29 before he was caught by wicketkeeper and five balls later Duminy gloved a quick Kusal Mendis off Suranga Lakmal half an leg-side delivery to be caught for a duck hour before the close. De Kock, whose runs after an acrobatic leap by Mendis. came off 90 balls, will resume with night- In the second session, captain Faf du watchman Kyle Abbott unbeaten on 16. Plessis was the only wicket to fall, making Teenager Lahiru Kumara claimed three 38 in a 76-run partnership with Elgar that wickets, including two in the same over, launched South Africa’s fightback. He was after he was brought into the side following caught at first slip by Angelo Mathews off Sri Lanka’s 206-run defeat in the first test in the left-arm spin of Rangana Herath. Port Elizabeth. After tea, , who twice But the touring side will feel they did went out cheaply in the first test, was not take full advantage of the seamer- caught for 10 trying to flick a delivery over friendly track as they took as many wickets the field but taken at square leg by Upul in the second two sessions as they had Tharanga off Kumara. Elgar followed with a before lunch when South Africa were tee- thick edge off the second new ball but not tering on 69-3 after losing the toss and before seeing his team into a relatively being put into bat. strong position.— Reuters SCOREBOARD

Scoreboard at stumps on the first day in the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka yesterday in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa 1st innings Extras (lb-2 nb-1 w-4) 7 S. Cook c K. Mendis b Lakmal 0 Total (for 6 wickets, 90 overs) 297 D. Elgar c K. Mendis b Lakmal 129 Fall of wickets: 1-0 S. Cook, 2-66 H. Amla, 3-66 J. H. Amla b Kumara 29 Duminy, 4-142 F. du Plessis, 5-169 T. Bavuma, 6-272 D. J. Duminy c K. Mendis b Kumara 0 Elgar. F. du Plessis c Mathews b Herath 38 To bat: V. Philander, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada. T. Bavuma c Tharanga b Kumara 10 Bowling: S. Lakmal 21-3-69-2; N. Pradeep 15.4-3-46-0; Q. de Kock 68 A. Mathews 14-3-30-0(w-1); L. Kumara 17-1-86-3(nb-1 CAPE TOWN: South African batsman Dean Elgar plays a shot during the second Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka yesterday at K. Abbott not out 16 w-3); R. Herath 14.2-3-34-1; D. de Silva 8-0-30-0. Newlands Cricket Stadium in Cape Town, South Africa. — AFP