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Monday, December 30, 2019 FOOTBALL Jumada I 4, 1441 AH Chelsea fi ght back GULF TIMES to win at Arsenal; Reds beat Wolves SPORT Page 2

FOOTBALL / AFC U23 CHAMPIONSHIP Qatar’s Palang among young stars to watch out for Qatar are in Group B with Japan, Saudi Arabia, Syria Qatar team arrive for AFC U23 Championship in Thailand PICTURES: Fadi al-Assaad

Qatar’s Hassan Ahmad Palang

AFC Having been in the limelight a member of Saudi Arabia’s 2019 Kuala Lumpur with his nation’s various age- AFC Asian Cup squad before group teams, the 21-year-old Al scoring a sensational late win- Sadd forward, who is currently ner in the 2019 AFC Champions he latest graduate from on loan at Al Wakrah, will look League group stage that assured the vaunted Aspire to fi re Qatar to the title and the Al Ahli a place in the Knockout Academy, J League’s 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Stage. best young player and A graduate of the Al Ahli acad- Ttwo West Asian starlets, Group emy, Ghareeb will look to famous AO TANAKA B of the AFC U23 Championship JAPAN MIDFIELDER Saudi Arabia alumni from the Thailand 2020 boasts a quartet Ao Tanaka enjoyed a breakout AFC U23 Championship with of talented tyros worth looking 2019 on the Continent, starting both current Saudi stars Abdul- out for. four of Kawasaki Frontale’s six lah Otayf and Abulfattah Asiri A group that involves four of AFC Champions League ties. The having appeared at the 2014 edi- Asia’s biggest sides in Qatar, Ja- 21-year-old also put in several tion in Oman. pan, Saudi Arabia and Syria is set impressive performances on the up to be one of the most intrigu- domestic front which saw him ABD AL RAHMAN BARAKAT ing, with some of the Continent’s earn J League Rookie of the Year SYRIA FORWARD best next generation on display. award. Part of the Syria squad at the Here’s a look at the talent to Having already made two sen- 2018 AFC U23 Championship in look out for at the tournament ior national team appearances, China, Abd Al Rahman Barakat, much is expected of Tanaka who 21, was the stand-out in qualify- HASSAN AHMAD PALANG will be expected to follow in the ing for Syria with three goals in QATAR FORWARD footsteps of veteran playmaker three games, netting in each of Qatar will be counting on Aspire and clubmate Kengo Nakamura, the ties against Kyrgyz Republic, Academy prodigy Hassan Ahmad 18 years his senior. Kuwait and Jordan. Palang to deliver the goals for The Al Jaish youngster need them in an extremely competi- ABDULRAHMAN GHAREEB not look far for a role model for tive looking group. SAUDI ARABIA MIDFIELDER success at the AFC U23 Cham- Palang’s two goals secured Qa- Another player who has already pionship with countryman and tar a 2-2 draw with Oman in the made his presence for both his 2017 AFC Player of the Year Omar Qualifi ers to seal Qatar the top senior national team and club Khribin appearing at the 2014 spot and a place in the Finals. side, Abdulrahman Ghareeb was and 2016 editions.

TENNIS Qatar ExxonMobil Open not less than ATP 500 event: QTF secretary-general

QNA by the players and the ATP Tour tournament will see the partici- mittee has three invitation cards; Doha as the best in the 250 category in pation of the best 24 countries a Turkish player will be invited to 2019; the third time after 2015 participate, and it is being held participate along with the Tuni- and 2017. at the beginning of the calendar.” sian player Malik al-Jaziri, and atar Tennis Federation “In all our work, we seek to Zeinal added that most of the QTF will keep the third card be- (QTF) secretary-gen- promote the name of Qatar by big players were forced to par- cause one of the big players can eral Tareq Zeinal has improving the organisation, ticipate in the ATP Cup in Aus- request it. said that with world- which makes players participate tralia, which takes place from About the Qatari participa- classQ facilities, prize purse com- in Qatar ExxonMobil Open even January 3 to 12. But despite that, tion, he said that several Qatari parable to bigger tournaments from the 250 category off er prizes members of the ATP, who praised though there are more than one Qatar ExxonMobil Open will wit- tennis players (Musa Shannan, and winning the best ATP 250 USD 400,000, Qatar ExxonMobil the level of organisation that tournaments held at the same ness the participation of several Rayan al-Alami, Jabr al-Mutawa, tournament award for third time Open off ers prizes of up to USD compares with what they see at time,” he said. distinguished and well-known and Rashid Nawwaf) will par- in the last fi ve years shows that 1.3mn.” Masters 1000 tournaments. “Tourist sites such as Souq players. ticipate in a mini-tournament the Qatar ExxonMobil Open is Talking about the raising the Talking ahead of the upcom- Waqif, Lusail, museums, Aspire On the latest preparations for among them to win one of the one of the most important tour- tier of the tournament, he said, ing edition of the tournament, Zone, shopping malls, and the the upcoming edition, Zeinal said cards to participate in the main naments on the ATP schedule. “We hope to raise the Qatar Zeinal said, Qatar ExxonMobil cultural village contributes to the that all technical preparations round, besides two cards will be Zeinal was speaking to report- championship to Masters level. Open, with a large participation success of our championship, in have been completed and work awarded to Qatari players to par- ers in the presence of tourna- The problem is in the crowding of top players, has reached an addition to the good weather,” has started on the fans village, the ticipate in the qualifying round. ment director Karim Alami ahead of the calendar; there are 9 Mas- outstanding global level due to Zeinal added pointing to the VIP village, and the kids’ zone, On the participation of Qatari of the event which will be held at ters category tournaments with the great facilities, starting from trend of sports tourism. Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) adding that the QTF is working referees, Zainal said, “The Qatar Khalifa International Tennis and 1000 points. If we fi nd any city their arrival at Hamad Interna- “At QTF, our goal is to promote secretary-general Tareq Zeinal. around the clock to complete all Open will witness the partici- Squash Complex from January that organises a Masters tourna- tional Airport, through their stay the game and sports tourism, and requirement ahead of the sched- pation of referee Mohamed al- 6-11, 2020. ment and wants to sell (the rights in fi ve-star hotels, and provid- we also keen to have our players week of the year to the second, ule. He explained that QTF will Mulla, who is one of the distin- Talking about the profi le of to host), we will buy it immedi- ing them with all the amenities watch these big tournaments, Zeinal said, “A year and a half organise several events on the guished referees and participates the ATP 250 tournament, Zeinal ately.” at the hotel, on the court, and on which motivate and encourage ago, we were in discussions be- sidelines of the tournament, such in many tournaments even at the said, “Qatar ExxonMobil Open is QTF secretary-general said all their movements, which helps them to advance their perform- cause there is a new team cham- as the heritage village, which will level of the Grand Slam tourna- not less than any ATP 500 tour- that after the last edition, the or- the player focus only on his per- ance,” Zeinal said. pionship (ATP Cup) that was to attract fans and tourists. ments. We are optimistic that he nament. It’s the best in fi nancial ganising committee sensed great formance on the court. Talking about the change in the be held in the same week of the QTF secretary-general con- will receive the silver badge, then prizes. While some tournaments satisfaction in the players and The tournament was chosen tournament’s date from the fi rst Qatar Open.” He added, “The fi rmed that the organising com- the gold.” Gulf Times 2 Monday, December 30, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Pellegrini sacked as West Ham slide continues

Reuters ($104.62mn) in the summer on confi dence against a Leicester London, United Kingdom West Ham set to reappoint Moyes aft er transfer window on the likes of side showing nine changes to the French striker Sebastien Haller, line-up beaten by Liverpool 48 Pellegrini sacking: reports from Eintracht Frankfurt, and hours earlier but who were far too anuel Pellegrini’s Reuters six-month deal. He was hired by Spaniard Pablo Fornals, from good. 18-month reign as London, United Kingdom West Ham in November 2017 to Villareal. Fans made their frustrations West Ham United replace Slaven Bilic with the Lon- For a while, it looked encour- clear on Saturday, jeering Pel- manager ended don side in the relegation zone aging and there was talk of chal- legrini’s substitutions of Haller Mabruptly on Saturday as the Chil- lenging for Europe when they and Manuel Lanzini. remier League strugglers and the Scotsman led them to a ean was sacked shortly after his West Ham United are 13th-placed finish to ensure the went on a six-match unbeaten “I understand the fans, they side’s 2-1 home defeat by Leices- Pset to reappoint David club’s survival in the top flight. streak after losing to Manchester deserve better results and de- ter City in the Premier League. Moyes as their new head coach However, the club chose to hire City on the opening day. serve a better performance of the The defeat, following the Box- to replace the sacked Manuel Manchester City’s former title- But since beating Manchester team,” Pellegrini said in his fi nal ing Day loss at Crystal Palace, left Pellegrini, Sky Sports and the winning manager Pellegrini in United at home on September post-match news conference. West Ham fourth from bottom, BBC reported yesterday. the off season last year. 28, they have won only twice in Asked if he could turn around just one point above the relega- It would be Moyes’ second stint If appointed, Moyes’ first game their last 13 league games, but the club’s fortunes, he said: tion zone after a dreadful run of with West Ham after he saved in charge will be at home not at the London Stadium where “When you are a manager and form. the club from relegation in the against 16th-placed Bourne- a mood of gloom had descended you don’t have the points we Former Manchester City title- 2017-18 campaign during a mouth on Wednesday. even before Saturday. need to have, of course it is dif- winning manager Pellegrini, who “The trick is whether you are fi cult. took the team to 10th place last 15 minutes later. “Manuel is a gentleman and it “We felt it was necessary to chettino and Unai Emery at Lon- able to get that new manag- “But I have experience. You season and briefl y into the top West Ham broke the news in a has been a real pleasure to work act now in order to give the new don rivals, Tottenham Hotspur er-bounce like Watford have,” must try to continue convinc- four early in this campaign, had statement on its website. with someone of his calibre. manager as much time as possi- and Arsenal. former goalkeeper Rob Green ing that it is the right way to do already given his post-match “It is with great disappoint- However, it has become clear ble to try and achieve that.” West Ham have spent around said. it. Football is all about results. news conference at the London ment that we’ve had to make this that that a change is required to Pellegrini is the sixth top- 150mn pounds ($196.17mn) “That’s certainly what West Sure, with one game we can win Stadium and had not hinted at decision,” joint-chairman David get the club back on track in line fl ight manager to lose his job this since Pellegrini took charge, Ham need right now.” here, maybe Bournemouth, it will what was about to follow around Sullivan said. with our ambitions this season. season, following Mauricio Po- including around 80mn West Ham looked woefully low make it better.”

ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE REACTION Wolves’ Coady fumes at ‘ridiculous’ Chelsea fi ght back VAR decisions

Reuters to, but I ask a question and I Liverpool, United Kingdom don’t get an answer.” Coady explained that his side’s main grievance was not from the olverhampton decision reached over Lallana’s to win at Arsenal; Wanderers captain control, but because they felt Conor Coady hit out the ball had been handled earlier at what he called the in the move by Virgil van Dijk, WPremier League’s ridiculous use whose long pass to Lallana led to of VAR after his side were on the the goal. receiving end of two controver- “It is horrible for me, it is sial decisions in their 1-0 defeat tough to take,” he said. to Premier League leaders Liver- “We thought Van Dijk hand- Reds beat Wolves pool yesterday. balled it, but the referee tells Sadio Mane’s winner late in the me Van Dijk is too far away. He fi rst half had initially been disal- played the pass. VAR is aff ecting Manchester City beat Sheff ield courtesy second-half goals by Aguero and De Bruyne lowed by referee Anthony Taylor the game. No-one has asked us for handball by Adam Lallana in (players) about it. Reuters the build-up, only for a lengthy “It is still confusing, I can’t get London, United Kingdom VAR intervention to overturn the my head around it, you don’t get decision and award the goal. answers on the pitch.” Wolves were then denied an Wolves were also aff ected by helsea produced a stun- equaliser two minutes later as VAR in their 3-2 come-from-be- ning late comeback to Jonny Otto was deemed margin- hind win over Manchester City beat Arsenal 2-1 in the ally off side by the video assistant on Friday. Premier League yes- before squaring to Pedro Neto, A review awarded City a terday,C consigning Mikel Arteta who fi red into the bottom corner. penalty — ruling that Leander to defeat on his home debut as A seething Coady, who came Dendoncker trod on the foot coach of the north London side, through the Liverpool academy, of winger Riyad Mahrez — but even as a controversial Sadio called for better communication Wolves keeper Rui Patricio saved Mane goal was enough for Liv- between the authorities, offi cials Raheem Sterling’s spot kick. erpool to secure a nervy 1-0 vic- and players as the VAR technol- However, VAR spotted an en- tory over Wolverhampton Wan- ogy is implemented in England’s croachment in the area by Coady derers and open up a 13-point top fl ight. who had cleared the loose ball cushion over their nearest chal- “We feel massively hard done and the penalty had to be re- lengers. by. I can’t get my head around it. taken. Again, Patricio saved from Manchester City remain 14 It’s ridiculous,” Coady told Sky Sterling but this time the Eng- points adrift of the runaway Sports. land winger drove home the re- league leaders, but closed the “For me it (VAR) is not work- bound to put City in front. gap on second-placed Leicester ing. Some people are saying it “It is so tough to take, it has thanks to second-half goals from gets the right decision but we’re happened twice to us in the last Sergio Aguero and Kevin de Bru- the players on the pitch and it two games against probably the yne to beat Sheffi eld United 2-0. doesn’t feel right to me. Anthony best two sides in the world,” Mane, in his 150th game for Taylor is a great fellow to speak Coady added. the club, netted three minutes before the break only for Adam Lallana to be penalised for hand- ODDBALL ball in the build-up. However, a lengthy VAR review deemed the ball hit the midfi elder’s shoulder and the goal stood. Team heads home Liverpool have 55 points from 19 games, while Wolves are sev- enth in the table fi ve points be- at halft ime aft er 8-0 hind Chelsea in fourth. Liverpool, sporting gold Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham (second from right) scores their second goal during the English Premier League match against Arsenal at the World Champions badges on Emirates Stadium in London, United Kingdom, yesterday. (AFP) humbling in derby their shirts after their Club World Cup triumph, were rarely The hosts showed more spark “I’m really disappointed with Reuters manager and players didn’t come at their brilliant best but showed than in recent weeks but could the result and the way we con- London, United Kingdom out for the second half. once again that they appear to not capitalise and Jorginho’s ceded the goals and the timing “There was a reasonable have the mettle to claim a fi rst presence helped Chelsea turn of it as well,” said Arteta. crowd there of about 160 people domestic league title in 30 years. the game around after the break. “I’m pleased with a lot of nglish side Abingdon and they were as gobsmacked as The only goal of the game “I give credit to the boys, things we trained on and saw in United were set to record anybody else. We want to win caused a fl urry of controversy. credit to Jorginho,” said Chelsea the game, but disappointed with one of their most memo- a game, but not in this sort of Referee Anthony Taylor had striker Abraham. “In the fi rst the result. We have to move on.” rable wins on Saturday fashion.” blown for handball as Lallana 30 minutes they dominated the VAR also had a big role to play whenE they were 8-0 up on rivals Abingdon Town chairman Bri- brought down Virgil van Dijk’s ball... then this man (Jorginho) at the Etihad where City were Abingdon Town, only to fi nd the an Kirk said he was “incredibly long ball before Mane swept in a comes on and it’s a whole dif- again far from convincing but opposition had left the stadium disappointed” to hear about the half-volley. A lengthy VAR stop- ferent ball game. Him coming on did enough to infl ict a fi rst away at halftime to spare themselves incident. page ensued before the decision lifted us as a team.” defeat in nearly a year on Shef- of more embarrassment. “After all the problems we had was overturned much to the fury Abraham saw one eff ort fi eld United. The two teams play in the Hel- last year we hoped we had turned of the Wolves players and bench. blocked and another saved by The Blades had a goal ruled lenic League Division One East, a corner and could stabilise the The visitors were then left Leno in the second half, while out by a VAR review before half- the 10th tier of English football, club,” Kirk said, referring to their seething when denied an imme- Arsenal substitute Joe Willock time for another close off side and second-placed United are fi nancial issues that nearly saw diate riposte after Pedro Neto’s fi red narrowly wide. call against Lys Mousset. chasing promotion while Town the club fold. eff ort was disallowed — again fol- Arsenal complained when The Frenchman also wasted are bottom of the standings with “I can’t make too many more lowing a VAR review — following Jorginho, already booked, another good chance when one- only two wins all season. comments until I can get hold of the most marginal of off side deci- brought down Lucas Torreira, on-one with Claudio Bravo and The hosts were 4-0 up in 15 the manager.” sions against Jonny Otto. but referee Craig Pawson did not the visitors were punished by a minutes at the Northcourt Road The club also released a state- Joao Moutinho and Romain Liverpool’s Sadio Mane celebrates after scoring a goal against issue a second yellow card. characteristically clinical fi nish venue and added four more ment yesterday apologising to Saiss blasted over presentable Wolverhampton Wanderers in Liverpool yesterday. (Reuters) Then with the clock ticking from Aguero as he rifl ed home before the break, after which spectators who had hoped to opportunities for Wolves, who down Leno missed his punch as De Bruyne’s through ball. Town’s players refused to come watch a full game. pressed hard for an equaliser but through the hapless Leno’s legs. Fourth-place Chelsea, who he tried to reach Mason Mount’s De Bruyne then doubled out for the restart. “We are clearly disappointed, failed to fi nd the net. Arsenal, 12th, started with lost fi ve of their previous seven free kick, allowing Jorginho a City’s advantage eight minutes Instead, the visitors left their and continue to fi nd ourselves At Emirates, Pierre-Emerick great intensity, forcing Frank league games, had the better of simple tap-in at the far post. from time with a fi ne low fi nish. kits behind in the dressing room in a tough position and strug- Aubameyang gave the hosts the Lampard’s tired-looking Chel- the second half and when Leno Abraham and Willian broke and left the ground without any gling to recover from previous lead in the 13th minute but Ar- sea back, until Aubameyang blundered they quickly turned at lightning pace and combined RESULTS explanation. club management. This has not senal goalkeeper Bernd Leno’s broke the deadlock after 13 min- the screw to leave Arteta still for the English striker to net the Arsenal 1 (Aubameyang 13) “In my 30 years of football helped us get back on our feet,” howler handed Jorginho an utes with an acrobatic header. hunting for his fi rst win, follow- second against a shell-shocked Chelsea 2 (Jorginho 83, Abraham I’ve never known anything like the club said on Twitter. equaliser on a plate after 83 Lampard brought on Jorginho ing a draw at Bournemouth. Arsenal, his 12th league goal of 87) that to happen,” United secretary “We apologise to everyone minutes. after 34 minutes and changed After Aubameyang’s opener, the campaign. Liverpool 1 (Mane 42) John Blackmore told BBC Sport. who turned up hoping to watch Four minutes later, Tammy from a 3-4-3 formation to 4-3-3, Alexandre Lacazette came close For the fi rst time since 1959, Wolves 0 “The game started off fi ne, 90 minutes of football and we Abraham settled a bad-tem- as he did on Boxing Day against to adding a second but N’Golo Arsenal suff ered a fourth con- Manchester City 2 (Aguero there was no nastiness or any- on the board agree this is embar- pered London derby when he Southampton, and it helped the Kante made a vital interception secutive home defeat, across all 52, De Bruyne 82) Sheff ield thing like that, but we were 8-0 rassing and not in the spirit of the turned in the box and drilled visitors fi nd a foothold. in front of goal. competitions. United 0 up at halftime and then their game.” Gulf Times Monday, December 30, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP FOCUS Dortmund signs Salzburg striker Gerrard savours Haaland until 2024 biggest win as Rangers beat Celtic Ryan Kent and Nikola Katic score in 2-1 win, Rangers’ first at Celtic Park since 2010

AFP Glasgow, Scotland

teven Gerrard hailed Rangers’ 2-1 win at Celt- ic as the best feeling of Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke (left) poses with his managerial career so the club’s new recruit, Norwegian forward Erling Braut Haaland, in farS as the blue side of Glasgow Dortmund, Germany, yesterday. (AFP) won an Old Firm clash on enemy soil for the fi rst time since 2010. Reuters Haaland was linked with a Ryan Kent and Nikola Katic Bengaluru, India number of top European clubs struck either side of Odsonne after Salzburg failed to qualify Edouard’s controversial equal- for the knockout stages of the iser to take control of the Scot- orussia Dortmund have Champions League, with Pre- tish Premiership title race. signed promising young mier League side Manchester Gerrard’s men still trail Celtic striker Erling Haaland United and Serie A champions by two points, but have a game from Austrian side Red Juventus heavily linked with the in hand on the Scottish cham- BullB Salzburg on a four-and-a- Norwegian. pions as they aim to end a run half year deal, the Bundesliga The striker is the son of former of eight straight league titles club said yesterday. footballer Alf-Inge Haaland, for the green-and-white half of The transfer fee was undis- who played for Nottingham For- Glasgow. closed but British media re- est, Leeds United and Manches- “It feels the best right now,” ported the German side paid the ter City in England. said the former Liverpool cap- equivalent of about 18mn pounds “I had several intense conversa- tain on whether this was his big- ($23mn) for the 19-year-old, who tions with the club’s management gest win since taking charge 18 signed a deal until June 2024. team, in particular with (Dort- months ago. Haaland shot to fame this sea- mund CEO) Hans-Joachim Watz- “It’s emotional. You can see in son when he scored 16 league ke, Michael Zorc and coach Lucien my reaction after the game. It’s a goals and eight goals in the Favre,” said Haaland, who has four big moment for the team, for the Champions League group stages club hat-tricks this season. club, it’s been through too much — second only to Bayern Munich “Right from the very start, I pain here.” striker Robert Lewandowski’s knew I wanted to move here. I Celtic were left to rue Ryan tally of 10. can’t wait to get started and play Christie’s penalty miss with the “We can all look forward to in front of over 80,000 fans (at score at 0-0 as they suff ered a having an ambitious, athletic Signal Iduna Park) in the incred- fi rst home league defeat since and physically imposing centre ible Dortmund atmosphere.” May 2018. forward here at the club,” sport- Dortmund are fourth in the Rangers dominated the Rangers’ Ryan Kent (right) celebrates after scoring a goal with teammates during the Scottish Premiership match against Celtic at Celtic Park ing director Michael Zorc said in Bundesliga, seven points be- League Cup fi nal between the in Glasgow, Scotland, yesterday. (Reuters) a statement. hind leaders RB Leipzig and they sides earlier this month, but a “Haaland boasts a real eye for return to action following the host of missed chances and a Borna Barisic’s low cross in off the pressure paid off when Katic goal and impressive speed, and we winter break with a trip away to stunning goalkeeping perform- the post. powered home a Barisic corner. are confi dent that we can develop Augsburg on Jan. 18. ance from Fraser Forster won The lead lasted just six min- “Big moments decide big him even further here in Dort- The club said Haaland will 10-man Celtic the trophy. utes, though, as luck shined on games and you cannot give a guy mund. At just 19 years of age, he is join the fi rst team squad on Jan. However, Gerrard believes Celtic when Callum McGregor’s a free header in our box,” said at the very start of what promises 3 before their trip to Marbella in his side’s performance in that shot defl ected in off the arm of Celtic manager Neil Lennon. to be an incredible career.” Spain for a winter training camp. match laid the foundations to Edouard and was not spotted by Morelos saw red for the second get their reward this time round. referee Kevin Clancy. time in three games with virtually “Celtic took a trophy away Alfredo Morelos has scored the last action of the game as he LIGUE 1 from us, but we’ve come away 28 goals this season but had an- was shown a second yellow card with huge belief from that other Old Firm derby to forget as for diving inside the area. game,” added Gerrard. the Colombian has still not net- However, Rangers comfort- “That’s why we’ve come here, ted in 12 meetings against Celtic ably saw out the fi nal stages to Moreno given took the game to Celtic and got a and was sent-off for the seventh snap Celtic’s 11-game winning lot of joy from it.” time in two seasons deep into streak in the league and set up After a bright start from the stoppage time. a thrilling title race when the Monaco opportunity visitors, it was Celtic who were Morelos had a huge chance to action resumes in the new year gifted a huge chance to take restore Rangers’ lead early in the after a three-week winter break. the lead just after the half hour second half but spooned over “I think they need a rest. We aft er Jardim sacked mark when Katic was penalised Rangers’ manager Steven Gerrard (right) celebrates with coaching after a brilliant low cross from were not at our best today,” add- for holding Christopher Jullien staff after the win over Celtic yesterday. (Reuters) Kent left the goal at his mercy. ed Lennon. from a corner. Rangers had to wait just six “They’ve got to get really Christie struck his penalty ball to safety. scored their fi rst goal against minutes longer to get back in front hungry now. We are not pre- low and hard but Alan McGregor Just as the hosts were begin- their bitter rivals in three games as they peppered the Celtic goal pared to give up anything and we got down to his left to turn the ning to take control, Rangers this season when Kent smashed with a series of set-pieces and won’t.”

SPOTLIGHT Coach Mohamed typifi es Argentine infl uence on Mexican soccer Reuters til the end of next year’s tourna- Reuters Mexico City’s biggest and most Paris, France ment until Luis Enrique decided Sao Paulo, Brazil working-class suburbs. to return to the role in November Mohamed led a mercurial and declared he no longer want- band of players there — includ- ormer Spain coach Rob- ed to work with Moreno due to a e is little known out- ing his opposite number in Sun- ert Moreno was named personal falling out. side Latin America, day’s fi nal, America’s Miguel as AS Monaco manager on Luis Enrique claimed in a news but Antonio Mo- Herrera — who brought an un- Saturday after Leonardo conference that Moreno had hamed, who hoped to precedented splash of colour FJardim was sacked by the Ligue 1 wanted to take charge of the team Hcoach Monterrey to the Mexi- to both their dusty barrio and team for the second time, off ering at Euro 2020 before allowing his can league title later yesterday, Mexican football. the long-time assistant his fi rst former boss to return to the role, is one of the best-known faces They all shaved their heads shot at club management. describing his long-time col- in his adopted homeland and for one match, dyed them diff er- “AS Monaco announces the end league as “disloyal”. an outsize example of Argentine ent colours for another and took of its collaboration with coach Le- Moreno, an international rela- infl uence on Mexican soccer. to the fi eld for playoff games onardo Jardim. Former Spain na- tions graduate who did not play Mohamed’s Monterrey beat wearing outlandish Halloween tional team coach Robert Moreno football professionally, worked America 2-1 in the fi rst leg of masks. takes over fi rst-team duties in an alongside Luis Enrique at AS the Apertura fi nal on December That charisma endeared Mo- agreement that runs until 2022,” Roma, Celta Vigo, Barca and with 26 and only need a draw at the hamed to Mexicans and the 49- said a club statement. Spain as well as having a short Aztec Stadium to end the year year old has rarely been away. He Moreno has spent the bulk of stint at Celta as assistant to Juan as both Mexican champions and played for seven clubs and has his career as an assistant to Luis Carlos Unzue. CONCACAF Champions League now coached eight. Enrique but became Spain coach Jardim led Monaco to the Ligue winners. “I know Mexico’s idiosyncra- in June after the Barcelona great 1 title and a remarkable run to the Mohamed’s presence on the sies very well,” he told Clarin stepped down from the role af- Champions League semi-fi nals sidelines is one of the clearest newspaper earlier this year. “It ter his daughter Xana was diag- in 2017 but was relieved of his examples of how Argentine im- Monterrey coach Antonio Mohamed watches the third place match against Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal during was a place where I always felt nosed with cancer. She tragically duties in October 2018 following ports have become key players in the FIFA Club World Cup Qatar 2019 earlier this month. wanted. I need to be loved if I am passed away in August. a disastrous start to the season. the rise of Mexican soccer. to win. I don’t need to win to be Moreno led Spain to Euro 2020 The Portuguese coach was ap- Six of the 22 players who In addition, Mexico’s national tinent heading north to play at of someone who came as a play- loved. And that has generated a qualifi cation as runaway Group pointed again little more than started Thursday’s fi rst leg are team coach is Argentina’s Ger- a higher level on better salaries er and built a career in Mexico. lovely commitment.” F winners, earning four victories three months later, however, af- Argentine and this season every ardo Martino. than they could fi nd at home. After catching the eye as a Having lost two previous and two draws as head coach as ter his successor Thierry Henry one of the league’s 19 teams, Mexico has long been a desti- The Argentine infl uence is not teenager at Huracan, he was league fi nals with Monterrey, well as three wins while in tem- was dismissed. bar Guadalajara, which has a nation for South American foot- new but has gathered strength signed by Fiorentina but never Sunday’s second leg is a chance porary charge of the team while He departs once more with long history of selecting only ballers, with Brazilians migrat- in recent years as the domestic made the grade in Italy and left to cement that commitment Luis Enrique was on leave. the principality club seventh in Mexicans, featured at least one ing there in the 1970s and 80s game in Argentina declined. in 1996 to join Toros Neza, a with club and country even fur- The 42-year-old was expected Ligue 1, 17 points adrift of leaders Argentine-born player. and players from across the con- Mohamed is a classic example little-known team from one of ther. to remain in charge of Spain un- Paris St Germain. Gulf Times 4 Monday, December 30, 2019 SPORT

TENNIS ‘Gutted’ Murray out of ATP Cup and Australian Open ‘I’ve worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I’m gutted I’m not going to be able to play in Australia’

AFP London

ndy Murray said he was “gutted” to be missing next month’s Austral- ian Open after being ruledA out of the fi rst Grand Slam of 2020 with a pelvic injury. The 32-year-old Scot suff ered the injury playing for Britain in the Davis Cup last month and will also miss the inaugural ATP Cup team event across three Australian cities in early January. “I’ve worked so hard to get myself into a situation where I can play at the top level and I’m gutted I’m not going to be able to play in Australia in January,” Murray said Saturday. “After the AO (Australian Open) this year, when I wasn’t sure whether I’d be able to play again, I was excited about com- ing back to Australia and giving my best, and that makes this even more disappointing for me. “Unfortunately I’ve had a set- back recently and as a precau- tion, need to work through that before I get back on court com- peting.” Murray had hoped to make his return to Grand Slam action in Melbourne following a hip op- eration in January. But concerns over the fi tness of the fi ve-time losing Austral- ian Open fi nalist were raised when he cancelled a scheduled block of training in Miami. As a result he won’t be back at Melbourne Park, the scene of an emotional press conference this year where he suggested he might retire as a result of his hip injury. Despite being less than fully fi t Murray played a gruelling fi ve- set loss to Roberto Bautista Agut. A fortnight later the double Olympic gold medallist, twice a Wimbledon champion and the winner of the 2012 US Open sin- In this file photo, Andy Murray of Britain leaves the court after losing against Fabio Fognini of Italy in their match at the Shanghai Masters in Shanghai on October 8, 2019. (AFP) gles, had hip resurfacing surgery and started his return to action European Open in Antwerp, a means he will not play again un- in Australia in January, and how “determination and iron will”. forward to seeing him back on 2 with the ATP Cup acting as the at the Queen’s Club grass-court victory that suggested he could til February at the earliest. disappointed he is not to make it “Although we will miss him in court very soon.” new men’s lead-up tournament event in London in June. still contend for major honours. “I know how excited Andy was for 2020,” said Tennis Australia January, we wish him all the very The Australian Open takes in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane for October saw Murray win the But the latest announcement about coming back to compete chief Craig Tiley, who praised his best for his recovery and look place from January 20-February 10 days from January 3.

RUGBY SPOTLIGHT Montpellier held by Stade Francais despite Cyclist Dlamini suff ers broken World Cup winner Pollard’s fi rst try arm in Table AFP Lyon Mountain

outh Africa’s Rugby World ticket row Cup winner Handre Pollard’s fi rst try in the French Top 14 AFP was not enough as Montpel- Cape Town lierS drew 20-20 with Stade Francais on Saturday. Pollard, 25, who made his club outh African cyclist Nicholas Dlamini debut last weekend after lifting the suff ered a broken arm in a confronta- Webb Ellis trophy in early Novem- tion with park rangers on Table Moun- ber, crossed in the fi nal quarter of an tain on Friday over whether he had hour after taking a quick penalty fi ve dodgedS paying his entry fee. metres from the Parisians line on his His team, NTT, blamed South African Na- maiden home appearance. tional Park (SANParks) staff . Despite his eff orts the visitors’ 22- “Nicolas Dlamini sustained a broken arm year old fl y-half Joris Segonds slot- after being stopped by SANParks offi cials ted a penalty with six minutes to go in the Silvermine section of Table Mountain to claim a draw for the side who re- National Park on Friday,” NTT said in a state- main bottom of the table. ment. Argentina outside-half Nicholas “There can be no justifi cation for the level of Sanchez wasted nine points from the violence meted out to him.” boot which would have claimed the The park authorities responded that a Parisians’ fi rst away league win of cyclist had suff ered a broken arm but said the campaign. that the rider had entered the park without “I’m disappointed because it’s a paying. game we should have won but we When he was stopped by rangers and asked didn’t have the ingredients to win,” to show a ticket or permit “the situation spi- Pollard said after the fi xture. ralled causing the suspect to injure himself “The squad’s lacking confi dence during the ordeal”. because we’re failing to win succes- Photos and videos posted on social media sive games,” he added. show a ranger pushing Dlamini against a SAN- The hosts led 10-0 after 25 min- Montpellier’s South African fly-half Handre Pollard (centre) vies with Stade Francais’ French flanker Sekou Macalou (right) and Stade Francais’ French full back Parks vehicle while twisting the cyclist’s arm, utes as Pollard converted Arthur Kylan Hamdaoui during the French Top 14 rugby union match between Montpellier and Stade Francais at the GGL stadium in Montpellier. (AFP) behind his back. Vincent’s try and kicked a penalty In the evening, South Africa’s Environment goal. over. His conversion made it 20-17 onto 40 points. motor of Bayonne’s destruction and Hendrik Roodt led to Bayonne crum- Minister Barbara Creecy tweeted that she Stade, owned by billionaire Hans- but Segonds stepped up with have a Bordeaux-Begles, who are two is a good bet to add to his one Test bling. had visited the bedside of the hospitalised ath- Peter Wild, sparked into action be- dozen of minutes to play to deny Pol- points back in second, went into the cap in the up-coming Six Nations. Elsewhere on Saturday, newly lete “and heard fi rst hand his horrible experi- fore the break as Australia’s Sefa lard a winning home debut. weekend top and travel to struggling Bayonne coach Yannick Bru re- promoted Brive lost at home in the ence.” Naivalu and France’s Gael Fickou Earlier, Lyon destroyed Bayonne Pau on Sunday needing a win to put fused to take the defeat on the chin. league for the fi rst time this season “I have instructed @SANParks to suspend all crossed for a 14-10 lead but Pumas with an emphatic 52-9 win that fea- them back at the summit. “It was a bit of a spanking, but as hooker Camille Chat scored twice offi cial involved and implement an independ- back-rower Pablo Matera left the tured seven tries and hoists them Lyon got off to a fl ying start to the strangely, despite the score, we in Racing 92’s 44-20 victory at Stade ent investigation,” she wrote. fi eld with a suspected back injury. provisionally to fi rst spot in the ta- Top 14 season but three defeats in the weren’t far off ,” he claimed after the Amedee-Domenech. Dlamini, a 24 year-old, who is from Cape Pollard and Segonds traded a pen- ble. The fl urry of tries from six dif- past four outings were fi rmly put be- game. Ex-France fl y-half Francois Town, rode for NTT in the Vuelta this year. alty each before the Springbok’s mo- ferent scorers in front of a 16,000 hind them Saturday. Barassi dotted down four min- Trinh-Duc made his debut in the Pa- NTT called the injury “a major setback” for ment of magic with 13 minutes to go home crowd at the Stade Gerland The 21-year-old France centre utes into the second half before two risians’ seventh win from their past the South African who planned to ride in the as he took a penalty quickly to crash lifts early-season pace-setters Lyon Pierre-Louis Barassi was the chief quickfi re tries from South African eight games across all competitions. Tokyo Olympics next year. Gulf Times Monday, December 30, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA NFL Texans’ Mercilus, Anger receive Lakers halt skid, get contract extensions

Reuters fumbles in 15 games this sea- Los Angeles son. The 2012 fi rst-round pick has played all eight of his NFL ouston Texans pass- seasons in Houston, record- back on track with rushing linebacker ing 324 tackles and 50 sacks in Whitney Mercilus 114 games (88 starts). His two and punter Bryan career interceptions came this AngerH received contract ex- season. tensions, the team announced Mercilus made two sacks in Saturday. last week’s 23-20 win over the While the Texans did not Tampa Bay Buccaneers, after divulge the terms of the deals, which coach Bill O’Brien told win over Trail Blazers the Houston Chronicle re- reporters he wanted the team ported that Mercilus was pre- to re-sign him. ‘We got a win. We made some adjustments to things that were hurting us the last couple of games’ sented with a four-year con- “We want Whitney back,” tract extension worth $54mn, O’Brien said. “We want Whit- AFP with $24.5mn guaranteed. ney back here and we want Los Angeles The newspaper also report- him to be a part of the team for ed that Anger was handed a a while.” three-year deal worth $7.5mn. Anger averaged 46.2 yards eBron James scored 21 points and Mercilus was set to become per kick and a career-high net equalled his season best of 16 as- an unrestricted free agent af- average of 44.1 yards during sists as the Los Angeles Lakers ter completing a four-year, his fi rst season in Houston. snapped a four game losing streak $26mn contract this season. The 31-year-old has compet- Lwith a 128-120 win over Portland on Sat- The 29-year-old has 48 tack- ed in 125 games with the Jack- urday. les, including 7 1/2 sacks, sonville Jaguars, Buccaneers “We just wanted to play well,” Jame said. and a career-high four forced and Texans. “We just try to play the right way, sharing the ball on off ence. Win, lose, or draw we did that tonight.” James was a late addition to the lineup be- cause of a groin injury that has hampered his play of late. James said treatment for the in- jury includes plenty of ice packs.

RESULTS Miami 117-116 Philadelphia Washington 100-107 New York Utah 120-107 Clippers Milwaukee 111-100 Orlando San Antonio 136-109 Detroit LA Lakers 128-120 Portland Chicago 116-81 Atlanta Houston 108-98 Brooklyn Cleveland 94-88 Minnesota Toronto 113-97 Boston Phoenix 112-110 Sacramento New Orleans 120-98 Indiana Dallas 141-121 Golden State File photo of Kansas City Chiefs’ Alex Smith (left) is sacked by Denver 119-110 Memphis Houston Texans’ Whitney Mercilus during the AFC Wild Card game in Houston. (TNS) “I am doing all right. I am playing on it. I let the ice take care of it’s business,” he said. Kyle Kuzma scored a team-high 24 points and Anthony Davis added 20 points, nine Redskins to fi re team president Allen rebounds and fi ve assists in the win. Coach The Washington Redskins wild-card round. In the Allen Frank Vogel said the Lakers needed to clean will remove team president era, the Redskins have hired up the mistakes that caused them to suff er Bruce Allen from his role in and fired two head coaches their longest losing streak of the season. charge of football opera- — Mike Shanahan and Jay “We got a win and we are all happy about tions, NBC Sports Washing- Gruden. The Redskins also it,” he said. “We made some adjustments to ton reported on Saturday. fired then-head coach Jim things that were hurting us the last couple of His dismissal will come by Zorn less than three weeks games.” Monday, according to the into Allen’s tenure in Jan. Damian Lillard recorded 31 points and nine report, which added it was 2010, and Bill Callahan is fin- assists for the Trail Blazers, who lost their unclear whether Allen would ishing this season as interim third straight game. stay with the organisation in coach after Gruden was fired Elsewhere, Kyle Lowry scored 30 points a diff erent role. in early October. as the Toronto Raptors avenged a Christmas The Redskins hired Allen NBC Sports Washington re- Day loss to Boston with a 113-97 rematch vic- Los Angeles Lakers forward Kyle Kuzma shoots over Portland Trail Blazers forward Anthony Tolliver in the second half at Moda Center. as general manager in De- ported that former NFL head tory over the Celtics. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports cember 2009. He previously coaches Ron Rivera and Mar- Serge Ibaka fi nished with 20 points and 10 worked in the front off ices vin Lewis could be among rebounds as the Raptors snapped a two-game a target on their back, you know? They’re the 15 assists and 12 rebounds to lead the Dallas 24 points, and a half dozen teammates also of the Oakland Raiders and the candidates for the job. losing skid which included a 118-102 loss to team to beat.” Mavericks to a 141-121 victory over the hap- scored in double fi gures as the New Orleans Tampa Bay Buccaneers, The outlet also reported that Boston on Wednesday, as the two Eastern The injury-hit Raptors managed to slow less Golden State Warriors. Pelicans cruised past the Indiana Pacers 120- winning the Sporting News Redskins owner Dan Snyder Conference contenders were playing for the down Jaylen Brown, who fi nished with 17 The triple-double was the ninth of the sea- 98. Executive of the Year award has put together “a select second time in less than 72 hours. points. Gordon Hayward (13), Jayson Tatum son for Doncic and ties the franchise record Jrue Holiday added 20 points, J J Redick in 2002 when the Raiders group of football advisers” Patrick McCaw had 18 points, seven re- (12) and Enes Kanter (11) also reached double set by Jason Kidd in 1995-96. Doncic also scored 15 and E’Twaun Moore and Josh Hart won the AFC championship. to help him plot the team’s bounds and eight assists, while a resurgent fi gures in scoring. McCaw got a layup in the made fi ve three-pointers as Dallas set a fran- came off the bench to score 11 each for the Starting with the 2010 sea- course. That group did not Fred VanVleet also scored 18 points in the fi rst quarter to give the Raptors the lead and chise record by making 24 from behind the Pelicans. son, the Redskins own the include Allen. win for the defending NBA champs. Lowry start a quarter ending 19-8 run. arc. The old mark of 22 took place three times. Jrue, Justin, and Aaron Holiday became NFL’s fourth-worst record Allen’s father, the legendary also had seven assists in front of the crowd of Terence Davis’ putback gave the Raptors an Tim Hardaway made six three-pointers and the fi rst trio of brothers to play in a NBA game at 62-96-1 under Allen’s coach George Allen, led the 19,100 at the Boston Garden arena. 89-79 lead heading into the fourth, and Iba- scored 25 points and Kristaps Porzingis made when Justin checked in for the Pacers with watch, including a 3-12 mark Redskins to their first Super Kemba Walker scored 30 points for the ka’s layup with 10:11 remaining lengthened four three pointers while adding 18 points as 5:13 left in the fi rst quarter. this season heading into Bowl appearance following Celtics, who had their fi ve-game winning the lead to double digits for good. Toronto the Mavericks won for the 15th time in the last Jrue started for New Orleans and Aaron Sunday’s season finale at the the 1972 season. They lost streak halted. “We beat those guys two times led by as many as 17 over the fi nal 12 minutes. 20 games. D’Angelo Russell scored a game started for Indiana. Dallas Cowboys. Super Bowl VII to the Miami already (this season), and obviously a few The Raptors were playing without forwards high 35 points in the loss. Due to the age diff erence between the Washington made the play- Dolphins, who capped their days ago on Christmas,” Walker said. “They Norman Powell (shoulder) and Pascal Siakam brothers — Justin is 30, while Aaron is 23 — off s twice in the past 10 sea- undefeated season with a defi nitely remembered that, of course. But (groin), as well as centre Marc Gasol (ham- FAMILY AFFAIR the three have never played in the same game sons, losing both times in the 14-7 win. – Reuetrs those are the defending champs. They’ve got string). Also, Luka Doncic tallied 31 points, In New Orleans, Brandon Ingram scored before, even as children.

NHL Fleury moves up wins list as Knights dump Coyotes Michael Grabner scored for Reuters RESULTS Los Angeles Arizona, which entered the contest tied with Vegas for fi rst Carolina 6-4 Washington place. Antti Raanta stopped 12 of Dallas 3-2 Colorado ark Stone scored 16 shots before being replaced by two goals and Adin Hill early in the second pe- Florida 5-4 Detroit Marc-Andre Fleury riod. Hill fi nished with 20 saves Pittsburgh 6-4 Nashville moved into a tie for in his fi rst appearance of the sea- M Tampa Bay 5-4 Montreal sixth place on the NHL’s all-time son. wins list as the Vegas Golden Vegas, after killing off a dou- NY Rangers 5-4 Toronto Knights moved into sole posses- ble-minor for high-sticking by Vancouver 3-2 Los Angeles sion of fi rst place in the Pacifi c Ryan Reaves, took a 1-0 lead at Las Vegas 4-1 Arizona Division with a 4-1 win over the the 9:05 mark of the fi rst period Arizona Coyotes on Saturday on a power play goal by Stone. San Jose 6-1 Philadelphia night in Las Vegas. Alex Tuch fi red a shot that de- Chandler Stephenson and fl ected off the face of Coyotes right post for his 15th goal of the Stastny followed with his 10th Paul Stastny also scored goals defenceman Jason Demers and season. It marked his fi rst two- goal, breaking in from the right and Shea Theodore tied a career- in front of the crease, where goal game of the season and 15th and deking Raanta, and then high with three assists for Vegas, Stone roofed the rebound. of his career. tucking a shot inside the left which snapped a two-game los- Grabner tied it a few minutes The Golden Knights then ex- post. ing streak. later with his eighth goal of the tended their lead to 4-1 early in Fleury, who had allowed a season, tapping in a cross-ice the second period, scoring goals dozen goals in his two previous pass from Oliver Ekman-Lars- on two of their fi rst three shots. Mark Stone of the Vegas Golden starts including seven in a 7-3 son into an open right side of the Stephenson got the fi rst on Knights celebrates with loss to Colorado on Monday, fi n- net. a power play off a nice outlet teammates after scoring a first- ished with 27 saves. He moved Stone put Vegas back ahead to pass from Theodore, and then period power-play goal against even with Curtis Joseph for sixth stay just 95 seconds later, back- fi ring a wrist shot from the left the Arizona Coyotes at T-Mobile place with his 454th career vic- handing a pass from behind the dot through Raanta’s pads for Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on tory. goal by Max Pacioretty inside the his seventh goal of the season. Saturday. (AFP) Gulf Times 6 Monday, December 30, 2019 SPORT

NBA Is preparing for Bucks key ‘The biggest thing about Milwaukee certainly is that Giannis is going to challenge you. And to East for Heat? what he’s doing now is shooting the three’ By Ira Winderman Sun Sentinel

Christmas Day loss to the Philadelphia 76ers notwithstanding, only one team in the East- ernA Conference has been able to separate itself from a tightly bunched pack of playoff con- tenders. In many ways, that not only makes the Milwaukee Bucks the targeted team in the East, but potentially one best avoided un- til as late in the process as pos- sible. With that in mind, we con- tacted a long-time NBA advance scout for perspective on what is needed to beat the Bucks and Gi- annis Antetokounmpo, whether there could be angling of avoid- ance when it comes to the race for the Nos. 4-5 seeds (which would face the top seed in the second round), and how the Heat would match up in a potential series against Milwaukee. With his own team involved in the race, the scout off ered his thoughts with assurances of anonymity. “The biggest thing about Mil- waukee certainly is that Giannis is going to challenge you,” the scout said. “And what he’s doing now is shooting the three. If he does that, he’s unstoppable. He’s driving into the lane and not be- ing contested. So you need some thick, some wide bodies to get in that lane and just keep him out of there, and try, if you can. But that’s the tall task.” Asked to relate that challenge to the Heat roster, the response was encouraging. “You have the best player in the league in Gian- nis. He’s really hard to stop. You really have to be solid in the mid- Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo stands as an East road block to the Heat and rest of the conference. dle,” he said. “I think Miami has the ability with (Bam) Adebayo (Khris) Middleton, Lopez is the the other side of the ball. “I like pletely is incredible. Milwaukee with them because of perimeter more favorable matchups. While they have the talent, the best su- and (Meyers) Leonard and some killer, coming down as the trail- Miami in the sense that, I think, is good because they shoot the shooting,” the scout said. “Now, the bottom of the East likely perstar in the East right now. big guys. You can’t let him get er, and burying the three. He’s you can never have enough good ball. Miami’s good because they for you, you’ll have some other will serve up fi rst-round fodder “It’s like when LeBron (James) into the middle.” just getting uncontested threes. shooters,” he said. “The addi- shoot the ball now.” tough outs.” to the No. 1 seed (presumably was with the Heat. You shouldn’t Closeout speed, which had Bigs just don’t come out.” tion of (Tyler) Herro and now Such shooting is among the And that is what could make Bucks), the rest of the East could be in any rush to face Giannis. been a Heat hallmark during the That is where the Heat’s ver- (Duncan) Robinson stepping up, reasons the 76ers were able to the race for seedings so essential, angle away from the Nos. 4-5 Any of those other teams at the Big Three era, is another area cit- satility could come into play, those two right there. push past the Bucks on Christ- with the Heat, 76ers, Toronto seeds that feed into the second top of the East can beat each ed as essential against the Bucks’ with enough long or bulky bod- “You guys added two really mas, going 21 of 44 from beyond Raptors, Boston Celtics and In- round against the No. 1-No. 8 other, have a chance to get to the barrage of 3s. “The other things ies in Adebayo, Derrick Jones Jr. good shooters and you added the arc. It also is a factor of Mike diana Pacers spending much of fi rst-round winner. conference fi nals. It all depends is their three-point shooting,” or even Justise Winslow to alter (Jimmy) Butler. I’m not sur- Budenholzer’s approach, with the past month within a game or “Right now, the Bucks are the on who you have to play and who the scout said. “They’re really, the equation, even with smaller prised by their success. You the Bucks coach known for sac- two of each other. team you’re looking at getting you’re built to play. really shooting it well. And you lineups. But where the scouts guys have been the surprise of rifi cing the 3-point line defen- Come March and especially to the Finals,” the scout, fresh “Everybody will be a tough really have to get out to (Brook) sees the Heat as possibly the best the East to some people. But the sively, prioritising paint protec- April, the scout said he could see off a trip to Milwaukee, noted. out. But Milwaukee, that’s the Lopez. Even with Giannis and matchup against the Bucks is on way they changed the team com- tion. “You guys can match up East contenders searching for “They’re so well coached. And one.”

NFL MLB Sorry, Dolphins’ plight mandates Marlins agree to contract with Grier be desperate for quarterback outfi elder Dickerson By Dave Hyde he’s-not-the-guy-itis. Fear runs By Wells Dusenbury Sun Sentinel rampant in the face of a big deci- Sun Sentinel sion, you see. The safe pick is al- ways defensible in the moment.The asn’t everything the only general manager to look smart ooking to upgrade the Miami Dolphins have for doing this in 20 years is the only off ense, the Miami done this past, painful one run out of town after one sea- Marlins are adding a year – from decon- son. Randy Mueller drafted receiver consistent left-handed structingH the roster to accumu- Ted Ginn Jr. with the ninth pick in Lbat to the lineup. The Marlins lating draft picks – been because 2007 rather than quarterback Brady have agreed to a two-year con- they’re desperate for a franchise Quinn. Fans howled. Headlines rose. tract with free-agent outfi elder quarterback? Quinn is a TV analyst today. Ginn is Corey Dickerson, according to Corey Dickerson So why is general manager still playing. the MLB Network. Chris Grier backing off that idea The more common story is The deal is worth a reported during his time in the majors. now? one of being double dumb. Not $17.5 million. Dickerson, 30, fi t Over his past three full seasons, Why did he tell The Ringer this just drafting the wrong guy like all the parameters Miami was Dickerson is averaging 35 dou- past week: “Mistakes are made Chad Henne or Tannehill. But targeting in a free agent – a bles and 21 home runs per sea- because you have to have it. You “putting all your eggs” in his left-handed hitting outfi elder son. Last season, the Marlins say, ‘We’re going with this guy,’ basket by staying with him even on a short contract who can ranked last in most off ensive and you put all your eggs on this when everyone knows it’s time provide an immediate off ensive statistical categories. one, even though, in the back of to move on. That’s why the Dol- boost. Dickerson is the fourth po- everyone’s mind, it’s ‘Well, may- phins watched Kansas City trade In seven MLB seasons, the sition player the Marlins have be it’s not quite the guy.’ “ up for Patrick Mahomes and left-handed hitter has posted a added to the big league roster No, no, two decades of a failed Houston trade up for DeShaun .286/.328/.504 (117 wRC+) slash this off season. franchise no. Watson in 2017. It’s why they line with 115 home runs and 190 Miami earlier acquired Villar Mistakes are made when gen- Everything the Dolphins have done this past year is to help Miami Dolphins General Manager Chris Grier watched Buff alo trade up for doubles. Splitting the 2019 sea- and fi rst baseman Jesus Aguilar, eral managers don’t do their find a quarterback. Josh Allen and Baltimore did for son between the Pittsburgh Pi- who both project to start. work, fall in love with the right Lamar Jackson in 2018. rates and Philadelphia Phillies, The Marlins also have vet- quarterback and are too fearful mal context. But what’s normal quarterback; we need to get bet- 1, Oregon’s Justin Herbert and You see, the Dolphins fran- Dickerson hit .304/.341/.565 eran catcher Francisco Cervelli to make the big move. The loser’s about this season? ter at a lot of positions. Quarter- Georgia’s Jake Fromm disap- chise has been governed by voic- (127 wRC+) with 12 home runs to serve as the backup. In addi- path of what-ifs this franchise This franchise was desperate back is obviously a very, very im- pointed – and what? es telling why they shouldn’t and 28 doubles in 78 games. tion, Miami signed former All- has slunk down says as much. enough to tear the roster down to portant piece, and we know we The Dolphins plan sunk? No, risk too much on a quarterback. The outfi elder missed the fi rst Star outfi elder Matt Kemp to a Who do you want to talk the dirt foundation, desperate to need to add competition there, it just wasn’t the lay-up every- And that voice is always there half of the season with a poste- minor league contract with an about? Dave Wannstedt and throw away any chance to com- and we’ll do everything we can one hoped.History says there – for every GM on any quarter- rior right shoulder strain. invitation to spring training. Drew Brees? Bill Parcells and pete this year and desperate to to fi nd the right guys.” are other franchise quarterbacks back. How do you think Jackson An All-Star in 2017 with With the off season addi- Matt Ryan? Let’s talk Jeff Ire- trade away some of their scant, Again, very sane. Again, very being dismissed right now. It’s dropped to the 32nd pick? the Tampa Bay Rays, Dicker- tions, the Marlins will have a land. The failed general manager elite talent to have fl exibility to rational. But, again, it doesn’t Grier’s job to fi nd which one. Is After Sunday, Grier takes cen- son likely projects in left fi eld, number of outfi eld permuta- loved Russell Wilson. Loved him. draft a franchise quarterback. fi t what’s at work here. The Dol- Tagovailoa healthy enough? Is tre stage. Sixty% of Grier’s job is where he’s spent the majority tions next season. In addition But he didn’t draft him because, It is Grier’s job coming up to phins had scouts double- and Herbert good enough? Does he to get a franchise quarterback as of his career. While he’s spent to Dickerson, Anderson will according to two former Dol- be desperate enough for a quar- triple-team games in a manner trade all three, fi rst-round picks it is for any GM without one. He some time in right and center, be an everyday starter – either phins offi cials, he was fearful of a terback that he does the work that an opposing scout said, “no up for Burrow – or double that can say in an interview how it’s he’s played 547 of his 571 games playing at third base or right small quarterback who didn’t fi t and falls in love with the right one else does,” to view quarter- fi rst-round haul by trading into not prudent to be desperate. But in left fi eld. With Isan Diaz and fi eld. Villar, Garrett Cooper and the traditional prototype. one. If not, what’s all this about? backs. Owner Steve Ross even next year’s draft and manoeuvre he better be desperate. Players Jonathan Villar as the only lefty Harold Ramirez are additional Tall, prototype-perfect Ryan The left tackle from Iowa? attended the quarterback-rich for Clemson’s Trevor Lawrence? were traded and this season de- bats, Dickerson addresses a options in the corner spots. Tannehill was drafted instead. “We’re going to do everything Alabama-LSU game. Then Ala- (Could he?) constructed to help get one. His hole in the Marlins lineup. In center, Jon Berti, Mag- Grier’s words are sane, rational we can at every position,” Grier bama’s Tua Tagovailoa got hurt, The one constant disease in this job is to desperately fall in love The veteran outfi elder has neuris Sierra and Lewis Brinson and understandable in a nor- told The Ringer. “It’s not just LSU’s Joe Burrow rose to No. franchise’s front offi ce is maybe- with the right one. been a consistent presence will all vie for time. Gulf Times Monday, December 30, 2019 7 SPORT

C RICKET BASKETBALL Bracy eff orts go in vain as Al Wakrah Fast-rising Wagner beat Qatar SC 95-77

By Sports Reporter est in a quarter in the match, but Doha that was not enough for them. Musa Muhajareen Abdul Al- eem scored team-high 31 points evin Darnell Bracy’s for the winners, while Tevin cracks Smith code match-high 38 points Glass netted 24 points. Julius went in vain as Al Wak- VColes Jr and captain Ahmad ‘One of my only attributes is that I bowl a lot of overs and I can back it up and keep going’ rah defeated Qatar SC al-Darwish also contributed 11 95-77K in their Qatar Men’s Bas- points each. ketball League match yesterday. Bracy was in full fl ow as he Al Wakrah started off cau- scored 35 points including four tiously as they took a three three-pointers and four turna- -point lead in the fi rst half of the rounds. Jonathan Michael fi rst quarter and later fi nished Lee also scored 19 points for the quarter 22-20. At the end Qatar SC. of the second quarter Wakrah In the second match of the were 46-37. In the third, Wakrah day Al Shamal defeated Al Sadd shifted the gears increasing their 83-71. Mikheil Berishvili of Al lead to 74-54. Shamal scored 26 points, while In the fourth quarter, Qatar Al Sadd’s Justin Lamar Baker club scored 23 points, the high- scored match-high 29.

New Zealand bowler Neil Wagner (left) celebrates with teammate Colin de Grandhomme after dismissing Australian batsman Steve Smith (centre) on the second day of the second cricket Test match at the MCG in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) Action from the match between Al Wakrah (in blue and white) and Qatar SC (in black and yellow) yesterday. PICTURES: Ram Chand IANS biggest challenges that any team During the first Test in -Wagner. “He’s an unbelievable too. That’s my role,” said Wagner. New Delhi faces when they are playing Perth, where temperatures athlete, and with the fi elds that “One of my only attributes is Australia and Wagner has only touched 40 degrees Celsius they set, how consistent he is that I bowl a lot of overs and I gone and made him his bunny. over the course of the match, (bowling short) and his (varied) can back it up and keep going,” teve Smith has managed This has pretty much been Wag- Wagner ran in for a total of a pace, I think that’s what makes he said. “I’m blessed with my to get scores of 43, 16, 85 ner’s season so far. whopping 60 overs over two it diffi cult. body that it’s been pretty good and 7 in Australia’s on- When New Zealand hosted innings, banging it in short for “He’s got the eff ort ball that’s and I can bowl long spells. If you going Test series against England before this series, he most of those. His gargantuan on the money, with the other keep putting pressure on then NewS Zealand. Compared to his thrived on pitches that reaped effort was one of the few posi- balls there are variations in pace hopefully wickets come your lofty standards, this is as lean a lean dividends for other fast tives for New Zealand as they off the wicket, and he’s got the way.” run as it gets, even though they bowlers. lost the Test by 296 runs. slower ball as well, so he’s got a New Zealand’s success in are only two Tests into the series. He took 13 wickets in four in- It has garnered praise from few tricks there.” Test cricket in recent years of- All four of his dismissals have nings which included two fi fers. the opposition. “He’s made it diffi cult for ten goes unnoticed. They are been against short balls deliv- The next best was his team mate “He’s an absolute machine,” us over the two games, but I ranked second, below the domi- ered by Neil Wagner. Tim Southee who took seven. said Travis Head, who defi ed think the way we’ve been able nant Indian team. In the fi rst instance, he was England spearheads Stuart him and the New Zealand attack to adapt to that from Perth was However, this season is a caught at leg gully, followed by Broad and Jofra Archer managed to score a century in the fi rst in- exceptional,” said Travis. chance for them and the in- a catch at deep square, then at four and two scalps respectively nings at the MCG. Wagner has a simple theory dividual players to make the gully in the fi rst innings of the and none of the bowlers - pac- “It’s been very impressive the - the more balls you bowl, the headlines due to the run-ins Boxing Day Test with Henry ers or spinners - managed to get way he’s gone about it. He just more wickets you get. Anyone they have. Nicholls bagging a one-handed a fi fer. didn’t stop, we were question- who has seen fast bowlers go They are done with the Eng- screamer and fi nally at back- Wagner is not someone that ing who was going to bowl after about their business would tell land series, which they won ward square. Kane Williamson would turn tea and there was no surprise you that this is a gross oversim- 1-0, and are now struggling in The last dismissal was Wag- to send down the new ball. His when he took his cap off and plifi cation of the process. Australia. Wagner’s consistency ner’s 200th Test wicket and he preferred mode of dismissal is started up,” he said. “I bowl a lot of overs,” he had has been a consistent feature is the second fastest New Zea- through catches and his USP is Head was eventually dis- said after the England series, in both series thus far and the land player to get there after Sir the ability to relentlessly send missed at 114 at a point when “And if you bowl the majority of Kiwis would be hoping that this Richard Hadlee. short pitched deliveries whis- he started looking for quick the overs the chances are high continues when they host India Dismissing Smith is one of the tling into the batsman. runs by - no prizes for guessing that you can take some wickets, in February. Al Shamal (in red) and Al Sadd (in white) players vie for the ball.

FOCUS Root blames defeat on slow start, new-ball malaise By Vick Marks excuse but 14 of our squad have been taken The Guardian ill in the last week and a half [this includes four of the support staff ]. Ben, in particular has had to deal with that horrible thing with oe Root looked a few pounds thin- his father and his illness. So we’ve had a lot ner than when he last addressed the thrown at us. Everyone has dealt with it the press and a little less cheerful. For the best they can. second time in three Tests this win- “I think the thing that’s frustrating me is terJ he was confronted with the unwelcome that when we fi nd ourselves behind we show yet justifi able question: where did it all go a lot of character, fi ght and determination, wrong? and we fi nd ways of getting back into it. We “The fi rst innings with bat and ball,” was need to do that at the start, get ahead of the his response. game and when the opportunity comes to “We got them to 111 for fi ve in good con- turn the screw; we really need to take it with ditions to bowl and you’re looking to bowl both bat and ball. That’s where the game them out for 180-200. I feel they got away was won and lost this time around. We have from us more than they should. We gave too to learn that lesson very quickly” many boundary balls to someone like Quin- Many challenges await Root in Cape ton de Kock, who likes to score quickly and Town; he is desperate for a fi t squad, in we allowed him to play which case there will be some very taxing in the manner he likes. Then with the bat, decisions to make when picking the next losing fi ve wickets very cheaply was very Test team. disappointing. For example the 11 at Centurion had a “From that point, we fought very hard disturbingly long tail and no spinner. If to get back in the game. We turned up to- Root wishes to change that the spotlight day with real belief we could win the Test. will be on his senior pace bowlers, Jimmy Even at lunch me and Ben Stokes looked at Anderson and Stuart Broad. the scenario and it was the same equation “They’ve got fantastic records behind as at Leeds not so long ago. So we knew we them,” Root said. would need a couple of really good partner- “You don’t want to wish those guys away ships and then, when the new ball came, we or look back and think: ‘We’ve forced Jimmy would have to negotiate that well and we Anderson out.’ You look at him physically weren’t able to do that. Credit to South Af- and he’s in fantastic fettle. It is similar with rica who exploited the conditions well.” Stuart. You’ve got to look at the surface and How much of an impact did the illness pick what you feel is the best attack but if running through the tour party have? diffi cult decisions have to be made down South Africa’s Anrich Nortje (left) celebrates after the dismissal of England’s Joe Root (right) during the fourth day of the first Test at The SuperSport Park “We’re not going to hide behind that as an the line then they will be.” Stadium yesterday. (AFP)

Monday, December 30, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

CENTURION TEST SPOTLIGHT Australia’s pacer Siddle retires from South Africa see off internationals stubborn England to claim 107-run victory ‘Our bowling unit was very eff ective and it is a massive confidence booster for our team’

Reuters maiden wicket. Melbourne He became the ninth Aus- tralian to take a hat-trick when he dismissed England’s ustralia paceman Alastair Cook, Matt Prior and Peter Siddle has Stuart Broad in successive announced his re- balls on his 26th birthday in tirement from inter- the 2010 Ashes test in Bris- nationalA cricket at the age of bane. 35 after taking 221 wickets in a Although plagued with in- distinguished 67-Test career. juries early in his career, Sid- Siddle broke the news to his dle became one of Australia’s team mates at the Melbourne most durable bowlers and his Cricket Ground yesterday af- ability to keep steaming in ter being released from the after long spells saw him in- South Africa’s Kagiso Rabada (centre) celebrates the wicket of England’s Dom Sibley (left) during the fourth day of the first Test at Centurion yesterday. (Reuters) squad for the third and fi nal evitably tagged a “workhorse” test against New Zealand in paceman. Reuters wickets of both England captain Joe Root Scorecard Sydney. He was much more than Pretoria and potential match-winner Ben Stokes. “It’s always hard to know that, however. Stokes, who had led England’s high- when the right time is,” he told With eight fi ve-wicket in- est ever successful run chase when they SOUTH AFRICA 1st innings ...... 284 S. Curran c De Kock b Rabada...... 9 local broadcaster Fox Cricket. nings hauls across his career, outh Africa swept to a 107-run scored 362-9 at Headingley to beat Aus- ENGLAND 1st innings...... 181 J. Archer c Van der Dussen b Nortje ...... 4 “The Ashes was the main goal, Siddle was often the spearhead victory over England on the tralia earlier this year, was bowled by SOUTH AFRICA second innings ...... 272 S. Broad b Rabada ...... 6 to try and get on that touring during a period of transition fourth day of the fi rst Test at spinner Keshav Maharaj for 14 just as he party and be a part of that se- following the retirements of Centurion Park yesterday after and Root were increasing the run rate af- ENGLAND, second innings (overnight 121-1) J. Anderson not out ...... 0 ries. bowling greats Glenn McGrath Staking seven wickets in the second ses- ter England had gone to lunch on 171-3. R. Burns c Rabada b Nortje ...... 84 Extras ...... (b8, lb3, w1) 12 “Once I’d ticked that off , and Shane Warne. sion to go ahead in the four-match series. The second new ball then accounted D. Sibley c and b Maharaj ...... 29 Total ...... (93 overs) 268 I was talking to Painey (cap- He also played in 20 one- England, needing an improbable 376 to for Jonny Bairstow, who hit a boundary Fall of wickets: 1-92 (Sibley), 2-139 (Burns), tain Tim Paine) and JL (coach day internationals and two win, were bowled out for 268 just before off Rabada before edging the second de- J. Denly lbw b Pretorius ...... 31 3-158 (Denly), 4-204 (Stokes), 5-222 Justin Langer), I thought I T20s. tea as their bottom order off ered scant livery of the 81st over to gully, where Zu- J. Root c De Kock b Nortje ...... 48 (Bairstow), 6-232 (Root), 7-251 (Curran), 8-256 could have (retired) there, but The rise of Pat Cummins, resistance to a barrage of pace once South bayr Hamza took a sharp catch. B. Stokes b Maharaj ...... 14 (Archer), 9-262 (Buttler)Bowlers: Rabada 24- the chance of getting one last Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Africa had taken the second new ball. Root battled his way to 48 before being 3-103-4, Philander 20-8-35-0, Nortje 17-4-56-3 crack if it came in Australia ... Starc saw him pushed to the J. Bairstow c Hamza b Rabada...... 9 Kagiso Rabada proved the destroyer- caught behind, eff ectively ending Eng- (1w), Pretorius 16-6-26-1, Maharaj 16-3-37-2 would have been nice.” sidelines in recent years, and J. Buttler c Pretorius b Rabada ...... 22 in-chief with 4-103, assisted by Anrich land’s hopes. Result: South Africa won by 107 runs Siddle will continue to play he went unused for a two-year Nortje who took three wickets for 56 “We turned up today with a real belief domestic cricket for Victoria period between 2016-18. runs. that we could win but unfortunately we state and Twenty20 side Ad- But a strong county season “Our bowling unit was very eff ective weren’t able to do it,” he said. elaide Strikers in the Big Bash and his profi ciency on English and it is a massive confi dence booster He was undone by a fuller delivery Du Plessis praises Cricket South Africa League, along with English pitches earned him a recall for for our team,” said South Africa captain from Nortje, playing a poor shot outside county cricket for Essex. the Ashes where he contrib- Faf du Plessis after arresting a run of fi ve off stump and getting a nick through to Proteas captain Faf du Plessis gave a ringing at the top of Cricket South Africa,” he said of The fi ery redhead, born in uted seven wickets in three successive Test defeats. wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock. endorsement of the changes in manage- the appointment of former captain Graeme country Victoria, has been matches to help Australia re- “We played with great skills over the The last four wickets followed quickly ment in South African cricket after his side Smith as director of cricket and Mark Bouch- on the fringes of Australia’s tain the urn for the fi rst time last two days with contributions from thereafter as the tail was swept away by won the first Test against England by 107 er as head coach after a period of upheaval formidable pace attack for a since 2002/03. everyone.” Rabada and Nortje. runs yesterday. South Africa desperately in the local game. “Leadership always comes number of years but featured “Sids has been the heart England had been hoping for hero- Rory Burns (84) and Joe Denly (31) were needed a win to regain their confidence from the top and filters down,” said Du Ples- in the team’s retention of the and soul of the team for a long ics in a delicately poised contest as they dismissed before lunch to tip the contest after five successive Test defeats, plus a sis. “I feel it set the tone for the way that we Ashes in England earlier this time,” Paine said. started the day on 121-1 and still looked in the home team’s favour. poor World Cup, and beating England in the are playing right now. That’s a start for us as year. “He has a massive heart and capable of a dramatic win despite losing The teams now move onto Cape Town first Test was just the tonic, said du Plessis. a team. Now you can trust the system a little He made his test debut in is a fantastic bowler. He’ll be two wickets by lunch. for the second Test at Newlands from “We’ve got the right people in the right jobs bit more and just focus on playing cricket.” Mohali in 2008 and claimed very much missed around the But the turning point proved the key January 3-7. India’s Sachin Tendulkar as his group.”

BOXING DAY TEST Australia thrash NZ despite Blundell’s century AFP Scorecard Melbourne AUSTRALIA 1st innings 467 (T. Head 114, S. Smith 85, T. Latham c Paine b Pattinson ...... 8 T. Paine 79, M. Labuschagne 63; Wagner 4-38, Southee T. Blundell c Lyon b Labuschagne ...... 121 3-103) athan Lyon took four wickets as Aus- K. Williamson lbw Pattinson ...... 0 tralia thrashed New Zealand by 247 runs NEW ZEALAND 1st innings 148 (T. Latham 50; P to win the second Test at Melbourne and Cummins 5-28, J. Pattinson 3-34) R. Taylor b Pattinson ...... 2 the series yesterday with a battling cen- AUSTRALIA second innings(overnight 137-4) H. Nicholls st Paine b Lyon ...... 33 turyN from opener Tom Blundell proving futile. D. Warner c Blundell b Wagner ...... 38 B. Watling c Warner b Lyon ...... 22 The Black Caps, chasing a massive 488 to win, were in serious trouble after a fi ery James Pattin- J. Burns c Watling b Santner ...... 35 C. de Grandhomme c Warner b Lyon...... 9 son ripped through the top order to leave them M. Labuschagne run out (Santner) ...... 19 M. Santner c Paine b Lyon ...... 27 reeling at 38 for three. S. Smith c Southee b Wagner ...... 7 T. Southee run out (Paine) ...... 2 But some fi ghting partnerships spearheaded by Blundell delayed the inevitable until Lyon worked M. Wade not out ...... 30 N. Wagner not out ...... 6 his magic as the pitch deteriorated. T. Head b Wagner ...... 28 T. Boult absent hurt — Blundell was last man out for a swashbuckling Extras ...... (lb4, b4, w2, nb1) 11 Extras ...... (lb7, nb1, w2) 10 121 — his second Test century and his fi rst for two Total ...... (5 wkts declared, 54.2 overs) 168 Total ...... (all out; 71 overs) 240 years — as New Zealand were dismissed for 240 Fall of wickets:1-62 (Warner), 2-100 Fall of wickets: with Trent Boult not batting after fracturing his 1-32 (Latham), 2-33 (Williamson), Australia’s Nathan Lyon (left), Joe Burns (centre) and Tim Paine celebrate the stumping of New (Labuschagne), 3-110 (Burns), 4-110 (Smith), 5-168 3-35 (Taylor), 4-89 (Nicholls), 5-161 (Watling), hand in the fi rst innings. It was the second heavy (Head) Zealand’s Henry Nicholls on the fourth day of the second Test at the MCG in Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) defeat for the Black Caps, who lost by 296 runs in 6-172 (de Grandhomme), 7-212 (Santner), 8-214 Perth and will be playing for pride only in the fi nal Bowlers: Boult 9-0-30-0, Southee 15-3-44-0, de (Southee), 9-240 (Blundell) three just runs.Latham, scorer of a dogged 50 in BJ Watling put on 72 before Lyon fi nally broke their Test at Sydney later this week. Grandhomme 5-0-14-0 (1w), Wagner 17.2-1-50-3 Bowlers: Starc 15-3-59-0 (2w, 1nb), Cummins New Zealand’s 148 fi rst innings, fell for eight when dangerous partnership, tempting an outside edge “It’s very pleasing. I thought the way we went (1w, 1nb), Santner 8-0-22-1 18-4-47-0, Pattinson 12-3-35-3, Lyon 23-4-81-4, he edged a thunderous delivery to the diving Paine. from the New Zealand wicketkeeper that fl ew to about this Test from the moment we lost the toss NEW ZEALAND second innings Labuschagne 3-1-11-1 Williamson soon followed without scoring, lbw David Warner at slip and he was gone for 22. was outstanding,” said Australia captain Tim after unsuccessfully reviewing the umpire’s origi- Lyon then mopped up Colin de Grandhomme Paine. “I thought our batters applied themselves No team had ever chased down more than 418 sideways movement and swing. But credit to Aus- nal decision. Taylor didn’t fare much better, drag- and Mitchell Santner before Tim Southee was run superbly on day one and made it easy for Travis in Test history, though the record was set against tralia for getting through that fi rst session and ging onto his middle stump to leave Pattinson with out in a horror mix-up, with Blundell swinging his (Head) and I on the second day to set up a big total.” Australia by the West Indies in Antigua in 2003. putting 400 on the board. Pattinson, playing for fi gures of 3-5 at lunch off two overs. bat before he was caught by Lyon off Marnus La- It was Head’s fi rst innings century and Paine’s “I felt like there was enough in the surface to the injured Josh Hazlewood, did the early damage. Henry Nicholls was the only wicket to fall be- buschagne. Paine earlier declared Australia’s sec- quick-fi re 79 that took the Test out of New Zea- bowl fi rst,” said Williamson. New Zealand had reached 32-0 when he snared tween lunch and tea, cleverly stumped for 33 by ond innings on 168 for fi ve after Head was bowled land’s reach after captain Kane Williamson’s bold “It was obviously very important for us to be the key wickets of Tom Latham, batting linchpin Paine off Lyon just one ball after he smashed the by Neil Wagner for 28. Matthew Wade was un- decision to bowl after winning the toss. on top of our game and the surface did off er some Williamson and the experienced Ross Taylor for spinner for six. Blundell, in only his third Test, and beaten on 30 with Wagner taking 3-50.