Sport

THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2020 StarcS blocks out ‘noise’ ahead of India series

I thinkt I let the noise get to me, to be perfectly honest, which is a bigbi reason why I don’t pay attention to anything now. ... Now I jujust couldn’t care less what people say. I just don’t need to listen to ththata stuff anymore. I don’t read it and I’m a happier person for it.

Mitchell Starc Sport | 10 MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL WORLD SERIES - GAME 6: Los Angeles Dodgers 3, Tampa Bay Rays 1 (Dodgers win World Series 4-2) Rashford nets hat-trick in big United win as Chelsea thump Krasnodar Barca beat Juventus; Kean lifts PSG REUTERS – TURIN Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring Barcelona’s Ronaldo An early goal from Ousmane second goal during the Dembele and a late Lionel Messi Champions League Group furious at penalty gave Barcelona a 2-0 win G match against Juventus away to Juventus in the Cham- at the Allianz Stadium in missing pions League yesterday after Turin, Italy, yesterday. Alvaro Morata had three goals disallowed for offside for the Serie Barca game A side. Dembele struck with a AFP – TURIN deflected shot in the 14th minute for a Barcelona side smarting Portuguese star Cristiano from Saturday's home defeat by Ronaldo has been left out of Real Madrid and rocked by the Juventus’ team for yester- resignation of club president Josep day’s Champions League Maria Bartomeu on Tuesday. clash against Barcelona in Juventus, still missing Cris- Turin, two weeks after tiano Ronaldo after he tested pos- testing positive for corona- itive for COVID-19 two weeks ago, virus. were frustrated as Morata had two The 35-year-old, the top goals disallowed in the first half scorer in the history of the and a third after halftime when competition with 130 goals, VAR showed that his heel was needed to test negative 24 offside. hours before the game Juve's frustration was com- against his great rival Lionel plete as defender Merih Demiral Messi’s Spanish team. was sent off in the 85th minute A furious Ronaldo and Messi settled the match with posted a photo on a stoppage-time penalty to leave Instagram, with the Barcelona top of Group G with six comment: “Feeling good points and Juventus on three. and healthy! Forza Juve! #finoallafine.” Ronaldo, who PSG beat Basaksehir 2-0 conservative Krasnodar and Pogba in the side and Rashford Paris St Germain’s has more than 241 million passed up a glorious chance to and Bruno Fernandes on the Moise Kean (right) Instagram followers, Earlier, Paris St Germain's take the lead when Jorginho hit bench, took the lead in the 21st heads the ball during removed the comment after Moise Kean scored twice and the post from the penalty spot. minute through Mason yesterday's match an hour an a half. Kylian Mbappe grabbed two 's side went Greenwood, who delivered a against Istanbul Ronaldo first tested pos- assists as they beat Turkish side ahead in the 37th minute with a clinical finish after being slipped Basaksehir F.K. itive for Covid-19 on Istanbul Basaksehir 2-0 away stroke of fortune when Hudson- through by Pogba. October 13 while playing yesterday to secure their first win Odoi's tame shot squirmed Rashford came on for with Portugal, and has been in this season's group stage. through the hands of Krasnodar Greenwood in the 63rd minute in self-isolation since Kean opened the scoring in keeper Matvey Safonov. and soon set about deciding the returning to Italy. the Group H encounter in the 64th Krasnodar nearly equalised match, after the Germans had According to Portuguese minute, heading home unmarked when Yuri Gazinskiy hit the looked capable of causing United TV1, the five-time Ballon from an Mbappe corner from the crossbar in the second half but problems. d’Or winner has tested pos- left. Chelsea extended their lead when The England striker raced on itive 18 times. The match The 20-year-old Kean, on Werner smashed home from the to a long ball from Fernandes to against Barcelona, which loan at PSG from penalty spot in the 76th minute, make it 2-0 in the 74th minute, kicks off at 2000 GMT, will Everton, got their second in the after Jorginho had been with the initial offside call being be the fourth missed by 79th minute, firing a left-footed substituted. overturned on review. Ronaldo, who has no shot into the net after controlling Ziyech grabbed his first goal Rashford made it 3-0 after symptoms of the virus, and a pass from Mbappe. for Chelsea since switching from Fred robbed Marcel Sabitzer and has posted photos of himself PSG's Brazil forward Neymar Ajax Amsterdam by firing low into Anthony Martial added the fourth training on social media. was forced off in the 26th minute the net and Pulisic completed the from the penalty spot. Footballing legends due to a thigh injury and was rout in added time, helped by The hat-trick, inside 29 Ronaldo and Messi will now, replaced by Pablo Sarabia. another lapse of concentration minutes, was completed in all being well, meet in the from Safonov. stoppage time when Rashford reverse Group G fixture in Chelsea ease to win at Chelsea have four points after blasted home after good work Barcelona on December 8. Krasnodar two games in Group E. Krasnodar from Martial who cut in from the They have not faced off have one. left. since the five-time Ballon Meanwhile, Chelsea kick- United have the maximum six d’Or winner left Real Madrid started their group campaign by Rashford nets hat-trick as points from their opening two for Juventus in 2018. coasting to a 4-0 win at Kras- United crush Leipzig games in the group. Barcelona and Juventus nodar yesterday thanks to goals Elsewhere, in Dortmund, both won their Champions from Callum Hudson-Odoi, Timo Substitute Marcus Rashford Borussia Dortmund needed a League openers -- the Span- Werner, Hakim Ziyech and a late scored a quickfire hat-trick for 78th-minute penalty from Jadon iards 5-1 at home against strike from . Manchester United as they over- Sancho and a stoppage-time goal Hungary’s Ferencvaros and Having drawn their opening whelmed Germany's RB Leipzig from Erling Haaland to beat vis- the Italians 2-0 at Dynamo game with Sevilla 0-0, Chelsea 5-0 at Old Trafford in group H. itors Zenit St Petersburg 2-0 in Kiev. got off to a slow start against a United, who started with Paul Group F. Coleman to appeal ban Djokovic virtually assures year-end AFP – PARIS “Mr. Coleman has nothing further to top ranking for record sixth time say until such time as the matter can be World champion sprinter Christian heard in the Court of jurisdiction.” AFP – VIENNA years in succession between 1993 Coleman will appeal his two-year ban Coleman, who won the men’s 100 and 1998. from athletics for anti-doping violations, metres at last year’s World Champion- Novak Djokovic virtually ensured “Sampras was my childhood idol his manager said yesterday. ships in Doha in a world-leading time for equalling Pete Sampras’s record of growing up and it will be amazing “The decision of the Disciplinary Tri- the season of 9.76 seconds, was provi- ending the year as world number to tie his record by being the year- bunal established under World Athletics sionally suspended for three ‘whereabouts one for the sixth time yesterday end world number one six times,” Rules is unfortunate and will be immedi- failures’ in June. when he reached the Vienna ATP Djokovic said on Sunday. ately appealed to ththee Court of World AAthletics’ Disciplinary Tribunal quarter-finals. Djokovic also has another target ArbitrationArbitration for S Sport,”port,” upheld thethe charge and banned the Djokovic defeated Croatia’s -- beating Federer’s all-time best of EmanuelEmanuel HHudsonudson 224-year-old4-year-ol American for two years, Borna Coric 7-6 (13/11), 6-3 and will 310 weeks spent on top of the tweetedtweeted frfromom tthehe backdatedbackdated tot May 14, 2020. secure the year-end top spot as long rankings. accountaccount ofof hishis HSIHSI ShouldShould the ban remain in place, as Rafael Nadal does not take a wild He is currently enjoying his company. Coleman wouldwo miss next year’s Olympic card into the Sofia event next month. 292nd week in total as world GamesGames in JJapan,a where he would have If the 33-year-old Serb wins the number one. beenbeen amonamong the favourites to win 100m Vienna title on Sunday, he will make Should he stay in pole position, gold. sure of the landmark regardless of he will pass Federer in early March Coleman,Colem who is also the 60m whether or not Nadal plays in 2021. worldworld rrecord holder, only ran in the Bulgaria. Djokovic, a 17-time Grand Slam 4x100m4x100 relay heats in his first Djokovic, who now has 39 wins title winner, is playing his first tour- OlympicOlym appearance in Rio de and just two defeats in 2020, has nament since his straight sets loss JaneiroJaneir four years ago. The Athletics been the top-ranked player at the to Nadal in the Roland Garros final IntegrityInteg Unit (AIU) charged end of a season five times: in 2011, over two weeks ago. ColemanCole for missed tests in 2012, 2014, 2015 and 2018. He is seeking a fifth title of the Novak Djokovic returns the ball to JanuaryJan and December 2019, as He shares that mark with career year and next faces either Poland’s Croatia’s Borna Coric during their wellwe as for a “filing failure” last rivals Roger Federer and Nadal. Hubert Hurkacz or Italian lucky pre-quarter-final match yesterday. April.A Sampras achieved the feat six loser Lorenzo Sonego. THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2020 SPORT 11 Venedegar, Reznikov clinch Qatar Cup title

— DOHA THE PENINSULA Qatar Cup winners pose QATAR CUP WINNERS for a group picture. (Horse, Trainer, Jockey) Venedegar, helmed by Alex- ander Reznikov, ended a year QATAR CUP long wait of title by winning the Venedegar (IRE), Hadi Nasser Rashid Qatar Cup – the feature race of Al Ramzani, Alexander Reznikov yesterday’s fifth Race Meeting at Qatar Racing and Equestrian LOCAL THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE Club’s Al Rayyan Park. Lehwaila, Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Al After failing in nine attempts Malki, Francois Herholdt since the victory last November, THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE the Mohammed bin Hamad (Class 6) Khalifa Al Attiyah-owned Leafy Moss (IRE), Hamad Ahmed Al 4-year-old gelding displayed a Malki Al-Jehani, Rashid Ali Al-Marri top show to clinch win by PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE 1¾-length in the 1700m Ghali Al Athman, Julian Colin Smart, challenge. Tomas Lukasek It was a maiden appearance for Venedegar at Al Rayyan THOROUGHBRED NOVICE PLATE Park that lent the winning (Class 5) squad QR57,000 in the Ernest Aldrich (GB), Ibrahim Saeed QR100,000 event. Ibrahim Al Malki, Soufiane Saadi Daneyan, ridden by JP Guil- PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP lambert took second position Anees, Gassim Mohammad Ghazali, and won QR22,000 while High Saleh Salem Al-Marri Commander (GB), with Alberto LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP Sanna in the saddle picked Ajal (QA), Majed Mahadi Seifeddine, QR11,000 for winning third Novice Plate and Thoroughbred his second win. In Local Thor- riding the Majed Seifeddine- Today’s race meeting will Alberto Sanna position in the event. Handicap titles. oughbred Handicap, Ali Bin trained colt. also include a total of eight THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) Also yesterday, Soufiane He guided Ernest Aldrich to Saeed Aljafali Al Nuaimi’s Ajal Lehwaila, Leafy Moss, Ghali races with riders eyeing the , Ibrahim Saeed Ibrahim Saadi claimed two victories win in Thoroughbred Novice recorded a huge 9¾-length Al Athman and Anees also Losail Cup – the top prize of the X Force (IRE) winning the Thoroughbred Plate and then rode X Force for victory, with Alberto Sanna claimed victories, yesterday. day. Al Malki, Soufiane Saadi QTTA General Assembly gives go ahead to competition schedule for new season

THE PENINSULA — DOHA

Khalil bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, President of Qatar Table Tennis Associ- ation (QTTA), yesterday joined officials of nine sports clubs and top officials to approve the playing schedule for the new season besides hammering a number of key decisions at the Annual General Assembly meeting. The AGM, which was rescheduled from March this year, was held at the Al Wajba Hall inside the head- quarters of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) building. Primoz Roglic celebrates as he crosses the Representatives of nine finish-line of the 8th stage of the 2020 sports clubs associated with A view of QTTA's AGM held at the Al Wajba Hall at the headquarters of La Vuelta cycling tour of Spain, yesterday. QTTA namely Al Sadd, Al the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC), yesterday. Gharafa, Al Arabi, Qatar SC, Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al Ahli Yesterday’s AGM also Khalil bin Ahmed Al Mohannadi, President of Qatar Table Tennis Association joins will be met to ward of any Roglic wins were also present at the AGM. finalised the playing schedule officials of nine sports clubs and top officials to approve the playing schedule for potential threat of COVID-19 The meeting was chaired for the new season set to start the new season besides hammering a number of key decisions at the Annual pandemic currently by Al Mohannadi, who is also at the beginning of 2021 with sweeping the globe. Vuelta Stage 8 the President of the Arab competitions in senior and General Assembly meeting. He said about the idea of Table Tennis Federation, junior categories. forming a committee to First Vice President of the The AGM also decided to Representatives of nine sports clubs associated with QTTA namely Al Sadd, Al develop the game at clubs and cuts gap Asian and International form a committee to be Gharafa, Al Arabi, Qatar SC, Al Wakrah, Al Rayyan, Al Shamal, Al Khor and Al Ahli will be ‘hugely beneficial’. Table Tennis Federations. headed by Muhammad were also present at the AGM. “Undoubtedly, for a long Ishaq Al Hashemi, represent- Abdullah Saleh, Secretary time, we have been striving behind Carapaz ative of Sports Affairs of General of QTTA. to do something at the junior QOC, and Ali Al Kubaisi, rep- The role of this com- level. It is definitely a won- AFP — ALTO DE MONCALVILLO, SPAIN resentative of Legal Affairs mittee will be to develop the Table tennis heads at Qatari table tennis industry. derful initiative from clubs. of QOC, were also present. game at clubs by creating clubs Ali Faraj (Al Sadd), Ali This is our primary goal QTTA fully backs such an ini- Primoz Roglic powered clear of The meeting began with data on young players and to Abdullah Al Makki (Al and this is what we look tiative,” Saleh said Richard Carapaz to win the eighth stage a speech by Al Mohannadi help them improve their Rayyan) and Khaled Al forward to after our great yesterday. of the Vuelta a Espana yesterday and who said: “I must applaud the technical side. Kuwari (Qatar SC) in addition successes at the international Abdullah Yusuf Al Mulla, close the gap on Carapaz in the overall great role of clubs in working The committee will also to three members of QTTA administrative level as QTTA President of Al Ahli Sports classification. hand in hand with QTTA to work on setting up mecha- Mounir Basah, Ziyad Abu has become massively Club, yesterday said: “The Slovenia’s Roglic absorbed a late develop the game at all nisms to discover and polish Karaki and Maher Ahmed are involved in decision-making main goal of the QTTA is to attack from Carapaz and then pulled levels. We have tasted great young players that benefit also named on the new at the Arab, regional and develop the game at all away to cross the line 13 seconds ahead success in recent years, clubs and eventually the committee. internationally levels,” he sports clubs in Qatar. There of his Ecuadorian rival, with Ireland’s administratively, organiza- Qatar national teams. Al Mohannadi said yes- added. must be constant coordi- Dan Martin coming in third. tionally as well on the field The committee will also terday: “We are in one boat Saleh, Secretary General nation with the clubs so The race’s top four are separated of play.” work on expanding the with the clubs. We are of QTTA, said before the start developing the game by less than a minute, although Roglic’s The meeting approved coaching net by hosting working together for the of the new season in early becomes everyone’s gutsy victory means he cuts the cap the financial report. workshops. benefit of Qatar and the 2021 all MOPH requirements responsibility.” behind Carapaz from 30 seconds to 13. Martin is third, 28 seconds off the lead while Hugh Carthy is fourth, 44 seconds back and Movistar’s Enric Mas Volleyball: Al Arabi down Al Rayyan to reach Amir Cup final completes the front five almost two minutes behind. Roglic prevailed after a monu- mental effort on the Vuelta’s first ever finish on the category one climb of Alto de Moncalvillo, coming at the end of a twisting 164km ride beginning in Logrono. “It was quite a boring, slow start but the pace went up and it was super fast and harder after the second to last climb,” said Roglic. “On the last climb, it was actually the first time I’d done it in my life. I didn’t know it, only all I could see from the profile was that it was a hard climb. “But then it’s a good opportunity, you have to go if you want to win. It was more going with my feeling.” Roglic looked up to the sky and thrust both his arms in the air as he sailed over the line. “I always like to win, so if there is a small opportunity I will take it,” he added. “It was super hard today and Action during the semi-final of Emir Cup Volleyball Tournament luckily I had the legs and I’m happy to win the stage. It’s nice to get some time between Al Arabi and Al Rayyan at QVA Hall yesterday. Al Arabi won back but most of all it’s nice to win the the match 3-2 (25-23, 23-25, 22-25, 25-22, 15-11) to reach the final race.” of the prestigious event. 10 SPORT THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2020

The famed 100,000-seat stadium will be at one-quarter capacity for the traditional Boxing Day Test, one of the marquee events of the Australian sporting calendar. Boxing Day Test at MCG as dates set for India tour AFP – SYDNEY INDIA TOUR TO AUSTRALIA MCG Test to Mitchell Starc Cricket Australia confirmed yesterday that ONE-DAY INTERNATIONAL SERIES: India will play a four-Test series on their November 27 - 1st ODI (Sydney, day-night) have crowds of upcoming tour Down Under, including the November 29 - 2nd ODI (Sydney, day-night) traditional Boxing Day Test in Melbourne, December 2 - 3rd ODI (Canberra, day-night) which had been under threat due to a coro- 25,000: Minister navirus outbreak. TWENTY 20 INTERNATIONAL SERIES: REUTERS – MELBOURNE The announcement came hours after December 4 - 1st T20 (Canberra, night) Australia’s second-largest city exited a December 6 - 2nd T20 (Sydney, night) months-long lockdown, allowing the Mel- December 8 - 3rd T20 (Sydney, night) Authorities are targeting crowds of at least bourne Cricket Ground to stage the 25,000 people per day at the Melbourne Cricket December 26 fixture. BORDER-GAVASKAR TROPHY TEST SERIES Ground (MCG) for Australia’s second Test against CA said crowd numbers at the December 17-21 - 1st Test (Adelaide Oval, day-night) India, a government official said yesterday. 100,000-capacity MCG would be capped Melbourne, Australia’s second most pop- December 26-30 - 2nd Test (Melbourne) at 25,000 for one of the marquee events ulous city, was released from a coronavirus January 7-11 - 3rd Test (Sydney) of the Australian sporting calendar. lockdown yesterday, with retail and hospitality January 15-19 - 4th Test (Brisbane) “Australia and India represents one businesses opening their doors for the first time of the great rivalries in world sport and *Matches and travel remain subject to any relevant in months. we are delighted to welcome Virat Kohli’s government restrictions or requirements Victoria State Sports Minister Martin Pakula outstanding squad to Australian shores said the government would develop a plan with this summer,” CA chief Nick Hockley Cricket Australia and the MCG to allow the said. “I cannot speak more highly of the pro- famed 100,000-seat stadium to be at one- Wrangling over quarantine require- fessional, thorough and collaborative quarter capacity for the Test starting on Dec. ments and the Melbourne virus outbreak manner with which they have approached 26. had delayed confirmation of detailed plans this tour in these extraordinary and “We’ve been really clear with Cricket Aus- for the tour, which will generate much- complex times,” he said. tralia and the MCG that we’ll make final deci- needed revenue for CA. The series begins with India’s first day- sions about numbers closer to the day, The pandemic has already scuppered night Test in Australia at the Adelaide Oval depending on the epidemiological situation that plans to host the West Indies, Zimbabwe, on December 17, followed by Melbourne abides at the time,” he said. Afghanistan, New Zealand and the T20 before moving to Sydney on January 7 with “At this stage, (25,000) is what we believe World Cup this year. the tour finale at Brisbane’s Gabba on would be the safe and appropriate number per A similar fate for the India tour would January 15. day here at the MCG.” have been a financial disaster for CA and Neither side has lost a day-night Test Pakula said he would not rule out raising Australia’s Starc Hockley said the organisation spent previously, with the Australians winning the cap if the health situation allowed. months working with the Board of Control all four pink-ball Tests in Adelaide against Melbourne’s liberation from lockdown has for Cricket in India to ensure it went New Zealand, South Africa, England and come too late for the country’s biggest week in blocks out ‘noise’ ahead. Pakistan. horse racing, the Melbourne Cup carnival, which India defeated Bangladesh in their only starts this weekend. ahead of India series day-night encounter at Kolkata’s Eden The carnival usually attracts crowds of Neither side has lost a day-night Test previously, with Gardens last year. 90,000-plus to major races and is crowned by REUTERS – SYDNEY Pandemic permitting, the India squad the A$8m ($5.7m) Melbourne Cup, which is run the Australians winning all four pink-ball Tests in will arrive on November 12 and complete on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington Mitchell Starc admits criticism affected his performances the Adelaide against New Zealand, South Africa, England quarantine and Covid-19 protocols before and known as “the race that stops the nation”. last time India toured Australia but the fast bowler says he and Pakistan. Pandemic permitting, the India squad the first of three one-day internationals But no spectators will be at the track this has learned to block out the “noise” and is determined to will arrive on November 12 and complete quarantine on November 27. year. make amends against Virat Kohli’s side in the upcoming Test and COVID-19 protocols before the first of three After three 50-over games and three The government last week initially approved series. in Sydney and Canberra, the owners at the A$5m Cox Plate that ran Saturday Spin great Shane Warne described Starc’s bowling as one-day internationals on November 27. tour will move to Adelaide, Melbourne, but quickly backflipped on the decision after “atrocious” after he took five wickets in the opening match Sydney and Brisbane for the Tests. community outrage. against India on their 2018-19 tour, a match the tourists won by 31 runs to set up their first ever Test series win in Australia. “I think I let the noise get to me, to be perfectly honest, Suryakumar which is a big reason why I don’t pay attention to anything now,” the left-arm quick told Cricket Australia’s website. leads Mumbai “... now I just couldn’t care less what people say. I just don’t need to listen to that stuff anymore. I don’t read it and to five-wicket I’m a happier person for it. “As long as I have people around me who I trust talking win over RCB to, and (in) the change room as well ... that positive rein- forcement is there no matter what,” added the IANS – ABU DHABI 30-year-old. Starc will play in New South Wales’ next two Sheffield Mumbai Indians (MI) yesterdau Shield games as he looks to fine-tune his slightly tweaked took a two-point lead at the top bowling action before facing India. of the Indian Premier League Kohli’s side arrive next month for six limited-overs inter- (IPL) table with a five-wicket nationals followed by a four-Test series for the Border- win over Royal Challengers Gavaskar trophy. Bangalore (RCB). “To have a couple of Shield games now, to just focus on Jasprit Bumrah’s heroics that and continue to reinforce some of the little changes I’ve with the ball restricted RCB to made over the last couple of months, it’s a good chance to 164/6 wickets after which make that happen against some good domestic players,” said Suryakumar Yadav led his Starc. team to victory with an unbeaten 79 off 43 balls at the West Indies cricketers and officials during a training session.PIC: TWITTER/@WINDIESCRICKET Sheikh Zayed Stadium. Suryakumar hit the winning runs with a four and Players can’t stay in took MI to victory with five balls to spare. He hit 10 fours Windies players get all clear ‘bubbles’ too long: Giles and three sixes in his innings. He anchored the innings after These are extreme circumstances for everyone -- it walking into the middle in the before tour to New Zealand is not normal spending a long period of time in a sixth over, notably putting up AP – BRIDGETOWN, BARBADOS bio-secure environment. We are working on a 51-run stand with Hardik WEST INDIES SQUADS: play our part to bring joy and Pandya for the fifth wicket that smiles to the faces of those who strategies to get people in and out of bubbles Tests: Jason Holder (captain), Jermaine all but sealed the win for MI. The West Indies cricket squad support and enjoy our cricket.” easier, whether that be players or management, Earlier, RCB were off to a is touring again, becoming the Blackwood, Kraigg Brathwaite, Darren The Caribbean-based strong start with openers first test team to embark on two Bravo, Shamarh Brooks, John Campbell, players, coaches and staff and that will need the Devdutt Padikkal and Josh tours during the COVID-19 Roston Chase, Rahkeem Cornwall, Shane departed from Barbados late cooperation of Philippe putting up a part- pandemic. Dowrich, Shannon Gabriel, Shimron Tuesday for New Zealand, where opposition teams. We nership of 71 runs in 47 balls. The West Indies re-opened Hetmyer, Chemar Holder, Alzarri Joseph, they’ll complete quarantine in are very aware we have Padikkal then struck up useful international cricket after a Christchurch ahead of the series. , Kemar Roach. partnerships with RCB captain global sports shutdown when “All these squad members a huge amount of cricket Virat Kohli and AB de Villiers they underwent quarantine in have completed COVID-19 tests coming up and we can’t but the team went into a tailspin Britain before playing against T20s: Kieron Pollard (captain), Fabian and were all given a clean bill of keep the same people in after the latter’s dismissal. England in July and August. Allen, Sheldon Cottrell, Andre Fletcher, health to travel,” Cricket West those bubbles the whole Gurkeerat Mann Singh and Now the Caribbean-based Indies said in a statement. , , Kyle time. Washington Sundar took RCB players have all tested negative Mayers, Rovman Powell, Keemo Paul, There are squads for the T20 beyond the 160-run mark. to COVID-19 and are on the way , Romario Shepherd, and test formats of the tour, and Brief scores: to New Zealand for a tour six reserve players who will RCB 164/6 wkts in 20 overs involved two tests and three Oshane Thomas, Hayden Walsh Jr., travel with the squad to ensure Director (Devdutt Padikkal 74, Josh internationals. Kesrick Williams. replacements are available as of cricket Philippe 33; Jasprit Bumrah “This is a very important tour injury cover. at ECB, 3/14) lost to MI 166/6 wkts in for us as we build towards West Indies Chief Executive The three T20s will be played Ashley 19.1 overs (Suryakumar Yadav defending our ICC T20 World Johnny Grave said. Nov. 27, 29 and 30 and the test 79 not out, Ishan Kishan 25; Cup title and also complete “Fans all around the world matches will staged in Auckland Giles Mohammed Siraj 2/28) by 5 another series in the ICC World have been missing their favourite from Dec. 3 and in Wellington wkts Test Championship,” Cricket sports, so we want to continue to from Dec. 11. Sport THURSDAY 29 OCTOBER 2020 09 Dodgers end World Series drought with win over Rays

AFP — ARLINGTON, UNITED STATES But he lasted just 1 2/3 innings before giving way to Dylan Floro. Snell, meanwhile, retired the The Los Angeles Dodgers ended first six batters he faced before their 32-year wait for a World giving off a leadoff single to Chris Series title, beating the Tampa Taylor in the third, then retired Bay Rays 3-1 to finally claim the nine more as the Rays preserved Major League Baseball crown their one-run lead through five after a string of agonising near- innings. misses. Los Angeles After Arozarena cracked a Corey Seager drove in the Dodgers single to left field with two outs go-ahead run, Mookie Betts shortstop in the top of the fifth off the homered late and a stream of Los Corey Dodgers’ fourth pitcher of the Angeles pitchers stood firm as the Seager night -- Pedro Baez -- Victor Dodgers won the seventh World celebrates Gonzalez took over on the mound Series in club history but their being and recorded the last out of the first since 1988. named inning. Back in Major League Base- the World Gonzalez retired three ball’s championship showcase for Series MVP. straight in the top of the sixth, and the third time in four years, the after the Dodgers seized the lead Dodgers eased the disap- in the bottom of the frame pointment of defeats in 2017 and Brusdar Graterol took over on the 2018. The Los Angeles Dodgers ended their 32-year wait for a World Series title, mound for Los Angeles in the They beat the Rays four- beating the Tampa Bay Rays 3-1 to finally claim the Major League Baseball seventh. games-to-two at Globe Life Field crown after a string of agonising near-misses. With two outs in the inning in Arlington, Texas, where the Graterol gave up a line drive first neutral site World Series in single to Mike Zunino and was baseball history capped a pan- Back in Major League Baseball’s championship showcase for the third time in replaced by game-four starter demic-shortened campaign. four years, the Dodgers eased the disappointment of defeats in 2017 and 2018. Julio Urias of Mexico -- who “This is what you think about didn’t allow a baserunner in when you are a kid,” said Seager, closing out the victory. who was named Most Valuable They beat the Rays four-games-to-two at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, where “Man this was just awesome,” Player of the series after batting the first neutral site World Series in baseball history capped a pandemic-shortened said Seager, who is among the .400 with two home runs and five core of players who lived through runs-batted-in. campaign. the Dodgers’ recent World Series “You strive to hear that,” he defeats, a group that also includes said of being called a World star pitcher Clayton Kershaw -- Series champion. couldn’t take advantage of a Snell, advanced to third and who finally added a World Series “To do it with this group dominant performance from scored on a wild pitch. title to his Hall of Fame resume. couldn’t be any more special.” starting pitcher Blake Snell, who Seager then made it to first “The resilience, the energy, Added catcher Austin Barnes: gave up just two hits and no runs on a fielder’s choice, with Betts everything that this team’s done “We had our hearts broken so with nine strikeouts in 5 1/3 beating the throw to home to give this year, it’s been fun to be a part many times. This group worked innings. the Dodgers a 2-1 lead. of,” Seager said. so hard.” But Rays manager Kevin Cash “Snell was pitching a great “We won a World Series, I As the Dodgers celebrated on opted to pull Snell with one out game,” Betts said. “That’s all we can’t believe it,” Kershaw added. the field, one key contributor was and one on in the bottom of the needed.” “Let me say it a few more missing, as third baseman Justin sixth with the Rays leading by just A parade of Dodgers pitchers times. It feels really good.” Clayton Kershaw celebrates with Turner was pulled in the late one run thanks to Randy Aroza- -- it would total seven in all -- Betts was a newcomer this the Commissioner’s Trophy. innings after testing positive for rena’s first-inning homer. kept it close after rookie sen- year, traded prior to the season coronavirus -- a final sombre “I wanted to keep going, sation Arozarena clubbed his from the Boston Red Sox team reminder of the shadow cast on man,” Snell said. record-extending 10th home run that broke Dodgers hearts in the season by the pandemic. “I felt so confident in how I of the post-season off an 88 mph 2018. It was the first positive test adjusted. I wanted to go the slider from Dodgers manager Roberts since baseball put teams in quar- whole game.” Gonsolin, the rookie right- said he was a key component as We won a World Series, I can’t believe it. Let me antine bubbles for the League Sure enough, when Snell hander whose impressive regular the team finally got over the say it a few more times. It feels really good. Championship Series, prompting departed, the momentum shifted. season numbers haven’t trans- hump. commissioner Rob Manfred to Dodgers rightfielder Mookie lated in the play-offs. “Mookie is a superstar player Clayton Kershaw call it a “bittersweet night” for Betts promptly smacked a double Dodgers manager Dave who is present in every conver- Los Angeles Dodgers star pitcher MLB. up the left field line off Rays relief Roberts had said he was hoping sation,” Roberts said. The Rays, needing a victory pitcher Nick Anderson. for five or six innings from the “He’s that sort of player,” he to force a decisive game seven, Barnes, who had singled off rookie Gonsolin. added.

The Los Angeles Dodgers pose for a picture after beating the Tampa Bay Rays to win the World Series in game six.

Texans close facility due to positive test I take my hat off to Hamilton: Rosberg REUTERS — LONDON that starts next year with both someone destined to become the awareness to do good in the men entering teams. most successful Formula One world. He’s really looking REUTERS — NEW YORK Nico Rosberg (pictured) hailed “One thing is being at the level driver of all time. forward, thinking about the Lewis Hamilton’s record 92nd that he’s at, just a phenomenal The German added that it was future... I also have huge respect An unidentified member of the Houston Texans tested Formula One win and sporting driver, but then to stick in there impossible to decide between for that,” he added. positive for COVID-19, and the team facility will be closed. longevity as a great achievement andand yeyear-inar-in yeyear-outar-out stastayy at that SchumacherSchumacher andand “Amongst all this craziness of The team said the positive result was returned late on but said the way the Briton was highhigh level and be the guy to HaHamiltonmilton in becoming the best of all time in Tuesday night. using his platform to raise beatbeat every year and still tetermsrms of Formula One, he still has capacity “In accordance with NFL protocols, the player imme- awareness for global issues was dominate,dominate, tthat’shat’s jjustust so greatnessgreat ness to think of the greater picture and diately self-isolated and our Infection Control Officer and just as impressive. hard.hard. aandnd hhee that I respect maybe even more,” other members of the Infection Response Team began The 35-year-olds were team- “It“It surely will go wouldwould put he said. working with the NFL to perform contact tracing,” the mates and fierce rivals at Mer- ddownown as one of the themthem as Formula One’s only Black team said in a statement. cedes from 2013 until the German ggreatestreatest sporting equals.equals. driver, Hamilton has been cam- “Our facility will be closed today to players for deep won the 2016 title and immedi- acachievementshievements inin “At“At thethe paigning for racial justice and cleaning. We are in close consultation with the NFL, as ately retired. ggeneral,eneral, not onlyonly in samesam e wearing a Black Lives Matter well as our team of independent doctors and specialists, Rosberg was also the team- FormulaFormula One,One, across all ttimeime I T-shirt when taking a knee before and will follow their guidance regarding our scheduled mate to Michael Schumacher, sports.sports. I can just take my thinkthink iit’st’s races. Last Sunday, in a television bye week operations. The health and safety of our team, whose record Hamilton broke hat offoff to him.”him.” reallyreally cool interview before the Portuguese as well as our entire staff, are of highest priority.” in Portugal last Sunday, at Mer- RosbergRosberg said he was howhow LewisLewis Grand Prix, he wore a T-shirt pro- Interim head coach Romeo Crennel said earlier this cedes from 2010-12 after the alsoalso ‘super-proud’‘super-proud’ of isis using hishis testing about police violence in week that most players are off during the current bye week. Ferrari's great had made a hhavingaving beaten pplatformlatform Nigeria. Crennel said the club would focus on self-scouting and comeback. anda n d A vegan, he has spoken out consider any roster needs ahead of next week’s trade “I have huge respect for what for animal welfare, pushed for a deadline. he’s managed to achieve,” more sustainable sport and set up The Texans (1-6) are scheduled to play at the Jackson- Rosberg said after a launch for the a commission to make motor- ville Jaguars (1-6) on November 8 in an AFC South clash. Extreme E off-road electric series sport more diverse.