WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 2014 SPORTS Dolphins ground Jets

EAST RUTHERFORD: The Miami Dolphins kept their playoff hopes intact by rallying for a 16-13 victory over the New York Jets on Monday when Caleb Sturgis made a 26-yard field goal with 1:57 remaining New York (2-10) rushed for 277 yards on 49 carries, but made enough key errors in the second half to lose. The Dolphins remained a factor in the wild-card race thanks to rookie Jarvis Landry’s eight receptions, Lamar Miller’s 4- yard TD run early in the fourth quarter, and plen- ty of defense when the Jets needed to pass. New York threw only 13 times, fewest in the NFL this season, and gained 49 yards. The usual- ly reliable Nick Folk missed two field goals. All of that offset a season high on the ground as Chris Johnson had his best performance for the Jets with 105 yards. Sturgis also made field goals of 43 and 44 yards. After trailing most of the way, Miami tied it on Miller’s run with 10:24 remaining. That brought the loudest cheers of the night; thousands of Dolphins fans at MetLife Stadium braved the wet, windy conditions. Jets problems with penalties on special teams hurt them all night, and a holding call against Saalim Hakim set up the Dolphins at New York’s 39 on the tying drive. On the winning possession, backup tight end Dion Sims had catches of 18 and 17 yards. The MUMBAI: Indian player Virender Sehwag holds the ICC World Cup trophy after Jets kept pounding the ball effectively. They its arrival in the country as part of its visit to competing countries. The ICC Cricket even got into field goal position after Miami World Cup 2015 will start on Feb. 14 in Melbourne. — AP made it 13-13. But Koa Misi’s sack pushed New York back to the Miami 27 and Folk missed wide left for the second time. Folk had made 18 of 20 Sehwag: Don’t ban bouncers entering the game. That’s the way the Jets’ sea- son has gone, of course. MUMBAI: Banning bouncers following the met by quite a few bouncers. But it’s a weapon Early on, Greg Salas, with his fourth team in death of Australia’s Phillip Hughes would be for the bowlers so they should not be robbed four pro seasons, scored his first career touch- unfair on bowlers because batsmen always off it.” The flamboyant right-hander, who last down. But the receiver didn’t get it through the have the option of ducking under short- played for India in March 2013, was an integral air, instead scoring on a well-conceived reverse pitched deliveries, former India opener part of the country’s World Cup-winning team on which the Dolphins had no one close to him Virender Sehwag said yesterday. in 2011 on home soil. until he reached the 2. He dived into the end Hughes, who would have been 26 at the He has not given up hope of playing in zone to cap an 85-yard drive, but that ended his weekend, died last Thursday from an injury next year’s tournament in Australia and New night; Salas hurt a hamstring. EAST RUTHERFORD: Miami Dolphins tight end Dion Sims (80) is tripped up by New York Jets caused by a ball striking him on the back of Zealand and believes India have the strength Sturgis missed a 43-yard field goal on the inside linebacker David Harris (52) during the second quarter of an NFL football game. — AP the head during a domestic match, triggering to defend the trophy. Leading up to the World next possession for Miami, further boosting New a huge outpouring of grief in Australia and Cup, India will play a triangular one-day series York’s confidence. The Jets took the ball into will perform from week to week. And yes, that the one thing they always have done under Rex around the world. in Australia along with England but a four- Dolphins territory for the third successive series, has been true for some of the better clubs in the Ryan is play hard and physical football. This year, Restricting Sehwag in full flow has been a test series starting this month will be their and got more points on Folk’s 40-yard field goal. league. Defining what the Cowboys, Seahawks, they’ve barely showed up on a trip to San Diego very difficult task for bowlers over the years priority. Very strong at home, India’s problems As New York kept grinding away on the 49ers, Chiefs, Chargers and each team in the AFC and in two losses to Buffalo - the most recent but the 36-year-old, who has scored two triple on their travels have been well documented ground - it had 210 yards rushing in the opening North is has become an unsolvable puzzle. after the Bills were displaced by massive snow- centuries in tests, feels there should be no with the team losing 13 of their last 17 test half - it also ate up the clock. But Folk missed As for the tail enders, the two New York teams storms and forced to play a home game in clampdown on bouncers. “It was very sad that matches on foreign soil. They were thrashed from 48 yards and Miami took advantage on offer a case in point, which is surprising for the Detroit. Hughes died in such a way. But it’s part of 4-0 on their last trip Down Under. “I think we Sturgis’ 43-yard field goal to end the half. Giants, not so much for the Jets. Once reliable on defense, now they are fun- cricket and injuries are part of any sport,” have a very good chance of doing well in Sturgis added his 44-yarder to start the sec- Under Tom Coughlin, the Giants have had lots damentally weak. Their offense hasn’t been any Sehwag told reporters at a promotional event Australia because the conditions will not be ond half, and Folk followed with a 45-yarder that of ups and downs. But they’ve generally blocked good since Ryan’s first two seasons in New organised by MoneyGram to mark next year’s like in England where the ball swings and bounced off the crossbar and through, making it well for Eli Manning, had a substantial running Jersey (2009-10). Thus, ridiculously long negative 50-over World Cup. seams,” Sehwag said, referring to India’s series 13-6. Meanwhile, NFL coaches harp on the need game and a staunch pass rush filled with sack streaks fill the Jersey Meadowlands. Still, Ryan “You have an option to duck bouncers as a loss in England this year. “The only thing will for consistency. Regimen is everything. Yet the masters. The reasons they are in the midst of the and Coughlin would be less agitated if they had batsman. If you cut out the bouncers, then be the extra bounce and I am hoping our streakiness of some teams, and the unpre- NFL’s longest current slide is that all of those ele- any clue which team would suit up and take the there is no fun left in the game and it’s already team will be able to adjust to that and do dictability for others, has marked this football ments have failed. Yes, Coughlin always looks field. Shockingly, that’s also true for some of the a batsman’s game. “I have been hit on the hel- well.” — Reuters season. Now streakiness can be a good thing, as exasperated on the sideline, and he’s never had positive streaky teams. Such as Dallas. When the the Patriots (seven consecutive wins), Cardinals more reason to be so than this year. The only Cowboys were winning their six in a row, from (six) and Cowboys (six) proved. Of course, each consistent things about the Giants are their Sept. 14-Oct. 19, they ran the ball down oppo- of them lost in Week 13. inconsistency - and the steady losing. “It’s a loss nents’ throats - even against the likes of defend- And streakiness also can shatter a season, as that we feel we should’ve won,” Coughlin said ing Super Bowl champion Seattle. That allowed the losses piled up for the Raiders (10), Jets after the Giants blew a 21-0 lead and fell in them to be choosy in their passing game, and it (eight), Giants (seven), Jaguars (six), Titans (six) Jacksonville. “We’ve done this too many times. kept the defense off the field. Now that the and Panthers (six). What is most maddening for We just helped somebody beat us. Instead of Cowboys have dropped three of their past five, it coaches, general managers and players, though, forcing them to beat us, we helped them.” would be easy to presume their approach has is when they don’t have a clue how their team The Jets are even more befuddling because changed. It hasn’t really done so. —AP Gul’s return boosts in New Zealand

DUBAI: Paceman Umar Gul’s return boosts former world champions Pakistan against an under-strength New Zealand in the two internationals starting in Dubai tomorrow. The 30-year-old returns from a knee problem which kept him away from international cricket since AUSTRALIA: A tribute reading: ‘Rest In Peace Phil’ written on a cricket bat hangs with the fifth edition of the World Twenty20 in Bangladesh green and gold ribbons by a sports field in the hometown of Australian cricket player in April this year. His inclusion will help Pakistan over- Phillip Hughes in Macksville. Mourners, led by Australian cricket Michael Clarke, come the absence of ace off-spinner who is suspended from international cricket after his bowl- are converging on the small rural town of Macksville ahead of today’s funeral service for ing action was found illegal in September this year. Hughes, as the test batsman’s birthplace becomes the epicenter of a nation’s grief. — AP Gul is the second highest -taker in the short- est format of the game with 80 in 56 games, five No pressure on Australia behind Ajmal’s 85. He famously took 5-6 in a World Twenty20 group match against New Zealand at The Oval when Pakistan won the title in 2009. players for Adelaide Test Pakistan will hope their pace attack, which also includes the lanky 7 feet, one inch (2.1m) Mohammad SYDNEY: Cricketers and officials from around see how we go tomorrow, I guess. But this is Irfan supplement the attack which has spin- Australia began converging on the small town of tough for some boys and it is going to be tough ners in Raza Hasan and Shahid Afridi. Pakistan had a Macksville, New South Wales for the funeral of for me. I will have to work it out when I get to miserable World Twenty20 in Bangladesh where they Phillip Hughes as the impact of his untimely Adelaide and see how we all feel. failed to reach the last four for the first time in five edi- death on the international game unfolded yes- “The boys who were there who witnessed tions of the tournament. That prompted captain terday. Hughes, who would have been 26 at the what happened I can’t speak for them because I to step down, giving the respon- weekend, died last Thursday from a catastrophic can’t imagine what they are going through.” sibility to all-rounder Afridi for a second stint. But HAMBANTOTA: Clouds hover over illuminated Mahinda Rajapaksa International Cricket injury caused by a ball striking him in the back of Sutherland said consideration had been giv- Afridi’s return as captain wasn’t auspicious as Pakistan Stadium as ground crew cover the field from rain. Sri Lanka and England will play their third the head during a domestic match, triggering a en to cancelling the Brisbane test, which is worth lost the only Twenty20 against Australia in Dubai in cricket match of seven match series today. — AP huge outpouring of grief in Australia and around some A$20 million ($16.97 million) to Cricket October by six . Afridi said Pakistan will not the world. Australia and will now be squeezed between the underestimate New Zealand who are without their Some 5,000 people are expected for the Adelaide and Melbourne tests from Dec. 17-21. dashing skipper Brendon McCullum who, along with Anyone for fast-forward funeral at 2pm local time (0300 GMT) on “To be honest it was close, there were only a few pacemen and , have returned Wednesday in the small coastal town halfway days in it, but in the end we’ve been able to get to New Zealand to prepare for the upcoming home between Sydney and Brisbane, where Hughes to a solution that I believe was optimal,” he said. series against Sri Lanka. tennis? Welcome to IPTL grew up on a farm producing bananas and beef. “I just hope everyone will understand the big “New Zealand is a dangerous limited over side and Among them will be his team mates from the picture here, these are tragic and extraordinary we will not underestimate them,” said Afridi. “We have SINGAPORE: It’s tennis, but not as we know per set, no advantages, no lets, coaching time- Australia squad, whose grief at his death caused circumstances.” Alistair Nicholson, chief executive to be at out best to beat them.” it. Singapore welcomed the International outs and a five-minute shootout if a match is the postponement of the first test of a four- of the Australian Cricketers’ Association (ACA), McCullum smashed a brilliant 202 to help New Premier Tennis League (IPTL) for the first time tied at 5-5. The matches, played under bright match series against India which was scheduled represented the players in the discussions about Zealand win the third and final Test in Sharjah on yesterday and while the initial turnout at the lights, are punctuated by loud music at key to start in Brisbane tomorrow. the rescheduling and said the solution satisfied Sunday, levelling the three-match Test series 1-1. Indoor Stadium was low, players and organis- moments with the audience asked to partici- Cricket Australia have re-jigged the schedule their two main concerns. “It was very important , who has led New Zealand in ers were doing their best to create a party pate by tweeting ‘selfies’ that get flashed up with the series now getting underway in that the Hughes family were given a chance to three one-day matches and two Twenty20s will lead atmosphere. on the scoreboard and questions asked to Adelaide next Tuesday but are aware that even lay Phil to rest and the preparation time was also New Zealand while , fast bowler Adam The four-team tournament kicked off in winning players in post-match interviews. that might still be too soon for some players. important,” he said. “It’s obviously going to be a Milne and batting all-rounder Anton Devcich return to Manila on Friday and will proceed to Delhi The tournament has be fortunate to get Chief executive James Sutherland said CA tough summer with four tests against India and the squad. Pacemen Mitchell McClenaghan and Kyle next before concluding in Dubai on Dec. 13, big names like Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, would be understanding of players who still feel the World Cup but the players will now be able Mills and spinner Nathan McCullum will also boost the event mirroring its India-based cricket Andy Murray, Serena Williams and Ana uncomfortable about playing next week. to focus because there’s now certainty.” New Zealand. Pakistan have beaten New Zealand in counterpart by adding bright lights, glitz, Ivanovic to take part, and while some strug- “There’s a funeral tomorrow, let’s just under- In another tweak to the schedule announced six of their nine Twenty20s with three losses. After the glamour and audience participation to a fast- gled to adapt to the mixed-team format most stand that’s going to be difficult enough as it is,” on Tuesday, the venues for Australia’s ODIs second Twentyw20, also in Dubai on Friday, both paced format. warmed to the event in Manila. he told reporters at Sydney Airport on his way to against England on Jan 16 and Jan 18, which will teams will play five one-day internationals. Early signs coming out of the Philippines The Delhi-based Indian Aces have dominat- Macksville. “I’d encourage everyone to give play- also serve as World Cup warm-ups, have been suggest the tournament got off to a positive ed so far, winning all three matches in Manila ers their space and let them in their own way switched with Sydney now hosting the former Teams: start and once the audience get to fully under- and opening with a resounding 30-11 win over work through that. “It’s absolutely up to the indi- and Melbourne the latter. Sutherland also Pakistan: Shahid Afridi (captain), Ahmed Shehzad, vidual (whether they play), and any player that is expressed sympathy for India’s players, whose Mohammad Hafeez, Awais Zia, Anwar Ali, Haris Sohail, stand the complex scoring and in-game the UAE Royals in Singapore. A bigger crowd is not comfortable or doesn’t feel right, or there is preparations for the series have been severely Mohammad Irfan, Raza Hasan, Saad Nasim, Sarfraz nuances, the IPTL could establish itself as an expected in Tuesday’s late match between medical advice that it is not quite right, we will disrupted after the cancellation of one of their Ahmed, Sohail Tanvir, Umar Akmal, Umar Gul, Wahab interesting addition to the regular tennis cal- Williams’ Singapore Slammers and the Manila obviously understand that.” two warm-up matches last week. A match Riaz. endar. The emphasis of the event is on speed, Mavericks in an event confident that its mod- against an Cricket Australia XI has now been New Zealand: Kane Williamson (captain), Corey fun and noise with ties made up of five one- ern approach will afford it a big future in ten- EMOTIONALLY READY scheduled for Thursday and Friday at Glenelg Anderson, Dean Brownlie, Anton Devcich, Martin set shootouts in men’s and women’s singles, nis. However, one player looking in the past Pace bowler Ryan Harris later said he was not Oval in Adelaide, while India’s stand-in skipper Guptill, , , Mitchell men’s and mixed doubles and a legends sin- was Serbia’s Ivanovic, who answered a tweeted sure he would be emotionally ready to bowl in Virat Kohli will be among the mourners at the McClenaghan, Nathan McCullum, , Adam gles match with the team that wins the most question asking what decade she would have Adelaide. “Tomorrow is the day we are thinking funeral. “It will be a sad day, as every funeral is,” Milne, James Neesham, , Ross Taylor, games, not sets, declared the winner. liked to live in by saying “the 14th century, to about. In the back of our mind is Tuesday and we Hughes’s manager James Henderson told . Additional touches include a 20-second develop the world”. Her first task would have have got to do what we can to try to prepare for reporters in Macksville. “But it will also be a won- Umpires: (PAK) and Ahmed Shahab serve clock, a ‘Happiness Power Point’ joker been to invent the tennis racket as they did that,” he told reporters in Brisbane. derful celebration of a young man who achieved (PAK) TV : Shozab Raza (PAK), Match referee: that scores double and can be played once not arrive until 200 years later. — Reuters “I’m still thinking about it and I’m not sure, so much in 26 years of life.” — Reuters Roshan Mahnama (SRI). — AFP