SPORT Monday 26 March 2018

PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 35 PAGE | 36 SmiSSmitht steps down amid Federer loses match ‘Lucky’ Vettel holds ball-tampering and the No. 1 ranking off Hamilton to win probe at Australian Grand Prixix ICC bans Smith for one match Australian batsman and HOW THE WORLD REACTED TO THE SCANDAL leaves the ground AFP Steve Smith was banned after having been dismissed for one match and loses REUTERS by South Africa bowler Kagiso DUBAI: International bosses his entire match fee for Rabada during day one of the suspended captain Steve the current Test. Opener Reaction after Australia captain Steve smith confessed that second Sunfoil Test in Port Smith for one match and docked his the team's "leadership group" had hatched a plan to alter Elizabeth in this March 9 file Cameron Bancroft, 25, was entire match fee for the current Test the condition of the ball during the third day of the third photo. hit by three demerit points, after he admitted responsibility for test against South Africa. the ball-tampering scandal in the fined 75 percent of his match ongoing game against South Africa. fee and warned for his part. MALCOLM TURNBULL, Prime Minister of Australia Opener Cameron Bancroft, 25, "Shocked and bitterly disappointed by the news from was hit by three demerit points, fined to hide the evidence down his South Africa. It seemed completely beyond belief that the 75 percent of his match fee and trousers. Australian cricket team had been involved in cheating. Our warned for his part in attempting to The plan was to attach a sticky “change the condition of the ball in substance to the ball that would pick cricketers are role models and cricket is synonymous with order to gain an unfair advantage” up abrasive dirt from the pitch. fair play. How can our team be engaged in cheating like on Saturday, the International were bowling at the time this? It beggars belief." Council (ICC) said in a statement and the move was likely aimed at yesterday. getting a more unpredictable bounce JAMES SUTHERLAND, Cricket Australia chief “The decision made by the lead- when the ball was bowled at the South "To our Australian cricket fans. We are sorry. We are sorry ership group of the Australian team Africa batsmen. that you had to wake up this morning to the news ... that to act in this way is clearly contrary “To carry a foreign object on to our Australian men's cricket team and our captain admitted to the spirit of the game, risks causing the field of play with the intention of to conduct that is outside both the laws of our game and significant damage to the integrity of changing the condition of the ball to spirit of cricket. the match, the players and the sport gain an unfair advantage over your itself and is therefore ‘serious’ in opponent is against not only the laws, DAVID RICHARDSON, International Cricket Council CEO nature,” said ICC chief executive but the spirit of the game as well,” said "The decision made by the leadership group of the Austral- David Richardson. ICC refereeing chief Andy Pycroft. ian team to act in this way is clearly contrary to the spirit of “As captain, Steve Smith must Before the start of play on Sunday the game, risks causing significant damage to the integrity take full responsibility for the actions at Newlands, Smith and Australian of his players and it is appropriate vice-captain agreed to of the match, the players and the sport itself and is there- that he be suspended.” stand down from their positions for fore ‘serious’ in nature." The ICC statement said Smith had the remainder of the match. “accepted the charge” and a “sanction led the team out MICHAEL CLARKE, former Australia captain of two suspension points which yesterday. "It's a terrible day for Australian cricket. I can't believe the equates to a ban for the next Test Richardson noted a worrying leadership group have got a young kid playing in his eighth match and which will see four recent trend in cricket and said the test match to do this." demerit points added to his record”. time had come for the sport to take Smith, 28, had admitted to stock and fix its problems. ADAM GILCHRIST, former Australia wicketkeeper planning the during “The game needs to have a hard "Australian cricket is the laughing stock of the sporting lunch on the third day of the fourth look at itself,” he said. “In recent world." Test against South Africa in Cape weeks we have seen incidents of ugly Town on Saturday. sledging, send-offs, dissent against , former Australia spinner Bancroft was caught on tele- umpires’ decisions, a walk-off, ball- "Disappointed in Steve smith as captain to go out there and vision, first rubbing a piece of yellow tampering and some ordinary off-field do that. To me it was unAustralian. I don't care who you are sticky tape on the ball and then trying behaviour.” you can't tamper with the ball."

Sanchez satisfied with impressive Al Annabi show RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

BASRA: Qatar coach Felix Sanchez (pictured) has termed his team’s performance in Iraq as ‘satisfactory, saying the ‘young players’ in the side gave their 100 percent in matches against Iraq and Syria at the International Friendship Tournament. The three-nation tournament is being organised by Iraq Football Association (IFA) to celebrate the return of football on Iraqi soil. Qatar beat Iraq 3-2 in the opening game followed by a 2-2 draw against Syria on Saturday. Akram Afif scored three goals in the two matches as Qatar impressed with attacking football. “In general, I am satisfied with what the team has done in the two matches they have played in this tournament. A victory and a fighting draw are good results,” Sanchez said after the 2-2 draw against Syria. “We played a strong game after con- We played the tournament ceding the opening goal. We scored the equaliser and then we also took the lead with young players but this did but the Syrians managed to equalise and Qatar’s Abdulaziz Hatem Mohamed (third left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring a goal during their Tri-nation not affect our performances. the game ended in a draw,” Sanchez said. Friendly Tournament match played in Basra, Iraq on Saturday. They gave a good show and “We played the tournament with we got positive results. We young players but this did not affect our were close to winning the performances. They gave a good show the 100 percent commitment. I made worth will get a chance to play. There are will look to play more friendly matches second game also I am happy and we got positive results. We were close several changes to the playing XI. I had other positives that we have to look at in order to get ready for the 2019 Asian to winning the second game also I am to do that because injury to a few players,” like scoring five goals in two matches,” Cup,” said the Al Annabi coach. with the performance of the happy with the performance of the Sanchez said. Sanchez said. Syria’s coach Bernd Stang said: “Qatar players. I am happy with what players. I am happy with what they have “I have 21 players in the squad. I trust Sanchez said the team needs to look plays in a style that is more of the they have provided on the provided on the pitch and that confirms them and faith in their abilities,” Sanchez at reducing mistakes that cost goals being European school. They have good players pitch and that confirms that that we are going well. said. “I think all the players in the team scored by the opposition. such as Abdul Karim Hassan and Hassan we are going well: Sanchez. “I spoke with the players before the and those who were on the bench have “Overall, we played 180 minutes well Al Haydos in addition to the presence of Syria match and I said I was looking for done well. Any player who proves his and managed to control the matches, We a number of young players on the bench.” 30 SPORT MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 QGF eyes memorable World Championships

FAWAD HUSSAIN make it best World Champion- THE PENINSULA ships for artistic gymnastics A Japanese gymnast because we have great capabil- in action during the DOHA: Hailing the recently- ities and modern facilities.” FIG World Cup finals concluded FIG Artistic Indi- Top International Feder- on Friday at Aspire vidual World Cup a huge ation of Gymnastics, who were Dome. success, President of the Qatar here during the event, praised Gymnastics Federation (QGF) QGF for hosting successful Ali Al Hitmi has vowed to host World Cup series since 11 years a memorable World Champi- and hoped World Champion- onships when top athletes will ships in Qatar will be a come back to Doha later this blockbuster. year. In addition, top gymnasts Qatar, which has been also showed their interest in hosting the FIG World Cup participating in the October- series since 2007 will become November event. the first country in the Middle Uzbek veteran Oksana East to host the mega event Chusovitana who successfully scheduled from October 25 – defended her volt title on Friday November 3, 2018. said she was desperate to come The QGF tested their mettle The President of Qatar Gymnastics Federation (QGF) Ali Al Hitmi. to Doha. for hosting the spectacle during “ I love competing in Doha. the World Cup which was held gymnasts fought for a total of 10 experience of hosting top notch The support I get here from the from March 21 to 24 at the gold medals. events and I am confident we spectators here motivates me to Aspire Dome. Over 360 athletes “The event was a successful will be able to deliver memo- come back again and again,” the from 39 countries took part in dress rehearsal for the World rable World Championships in 42-year-old said. “I am looking the four-day annual event Championships,” Al Hitmi said. Doha,” he added. forward to come here and win which saw thrilling battles as “We have plenty of “We will try very hard to more gold medals,” she added. Qatar’s Adel second in desert stage at Abu Dhabi Challenge

THE PENINSULA

QASR AL SARAB: Qatar’s Adel Abdulla completed the opening 276.01km desert selective section of the Abu Dhabi Desert Tala Abu Jabara Challenge in second position in the T2 standings after a measured drive in difficult conditions. Tala wins With the later morning start, the car drivers had to endure the first-ever worst of the midday heat in the UAE desert and that made the sand even softer and more rowing gold treacherous than usual. Adel’s rented and near- standard Nissan Safari Y61 is not for Qatar ideally suited to these conditions, Qatar’s Adel Abdulla competes on the opening THE PENINSULA but the Qatar and navigator day of Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge. INSET: Abdulla Nasser Al Kuwari maintained during the desert stage. their composure and conserved DOHA: Promising Tala Abu the vehicle without taking risks Jabara (pictured above) to complete the stage in 4hrs made Qatar proud by 52min 37sec. winning the first-ever gold A niggling exhaust issue medal in country’s rowing forced them to stop on several occasions and cost valuable Adel said: “Today was a good there could be a fire, so we T2 programme with the crucial history during the recently- minutes. That dropped them to day for us because we did not stopped to check several times support of the Qatar gov- concluded Arab Indoor POSITIONS second position - 30min 33sec get stuck. But, unfortunately, we to check the car. ernment, the Qatar Motor and Rowing Championship in behind Saudi Arabian rival had some problems with the car. “On the last part of the stage, Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) Kuwait. 1. Ahmed Al Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent Lich- Ahmed Shegawi - but there are It’s a rental car and I suppose this before PC3, we start to hear the and Ooredoo Qatar. A total of 8 countries tleuchter (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 4hrs 23min four long stages remaining can be expected. exhaust knocking on the car and Competitors will remain at took part in the 2000 pad- 31.7sec before the finish on Thursday “Until PC2, I think we were we stopped after the PC for a the Qasr Al Sarab bivouac for the dling event in which Tala 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al-Kuwari (QAT) afternoon at Yas Marina. leading and then we heard time and lost a lot of time. Still, next four nights and tackle the gave her personal record of Nissan Patrol 4hrs 54min 05.6sec Both Russia’s Yuliya Khegay- something wrong with the we have four days to go and 30 longest special of the entire 7.02.7 minutes to clinch gold

3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS)/Aldis Vilcans Migunova and Romania’s exhaust. When we drove fast, we minutes on the Desert Challenge event – a loop of 287.92km medal. (LVA) Toyota LC 200 6hrs 08min 41.5sec Claudia Laurentiu Barbu hit could see some smoke coming is nothing.” through the towering sand dunes UAE’s Amana Khalfan trouble on the stage. inside the car and we thought Adel Abdulla is running his of the Liwa Desert - today. took silver medal in the contest. The Qatari player showed top performance during the tournament to win the contest. Algeria, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Kuwait, Bahrain and the UAE are the other countries which took part in the contest. This achievement is a continuation of Qatar’s improving performance in rowing, as this is Tala’s second medal after her bronze at the 12th Arab Rowing Championship 2017, which was hosted by Tunisia last October. The Qatar Sailing and Kayaking Federation is taking several efforts to prepare it’s upcoming rowers for top international competitions. The body has also been hosting various international events which is also helping the local rowers. The Qatar Sailing and Kayaking Federation also QC crowned Qatar Basketball Cup champions hosted the Asian Indoor The podium winners and officials pose for a group photo after the final of Qatar Basketball Cup on Saturday in Doha. Qatar Club (QC) won the final after defeating Al Gharafa Rowing Championship in (91-90) in a thrilling final at Al Gharafa Club Lounge. The winners, who were trailing in the first three quarters of the final, made a dramatic comeback in the decisive session to March 2014 with the partici- win the exciting final. pation of as many as 13 countries. MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 SPORT 31

Islamabad dethrone Peshawar to regain PSL title

Islamabad United’s (left) celebrates a boundary against Peshawar Zalmi during their Pakistan Super League (PSL) final at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi yesterday. Islamabad beat Peshawar by three to regain their PSL title. Kiwi master blaster Luke Ronchi scored a swashbuckling 52 off 26 balls as Islamabad achieved their target of 149-7 in 16.5 overs. RIGHT: Islamabad players celebrate a of Peshawar captain Darren Sammy. Islamabad won the inaugural edition in 2016.

Sanchez kicks 19 Italy friendly a chance points as Jaguares for Alli to state his case tame Lions again REUTERS AFP England’s problems in midfield, unpunished. England’s Dele Alli (right) is once again absent injured and Wellington Hurricanes in action in friendly game LONDON: England approach appears to be too brittle for a BUENOS AIRES: Star play- ended Otago Highlanders’ tomorrow’s friendly against Italy against the Netherlands major tournament. maker Nicolas Sanchez kicked perfect start to the season with grappling with a familiar set of recently. That leaves Southgate short 19 points as Jaguares main- a 29-12 victory and Waikato recurring problems that seem to of creativity with Liverpool’s tained their Super Rugby Chiefs kept the Sunwolves resurface whenever major Adam Lallana struggling for mastery of Golden Lions in winless in a 61-10 Tokyo rout. soccer tournaments approach. games and fitness after Argentina with a 49-35 triumph After 12-point home wins An injury to Harry Kane will impressing for England last on Saturday after a 11-try fest. over 2016 and 2017 runners-up deny them their most potent season. The Buenos Aires result the Lions in the past two weapon at Wembley with con- There is further uncertainty completed a disastrous seasons, Jaguares shook off a cerns over the Tottenham over the goalkeeper, an area of weekend for South African poor start this year that Hotspur striker’s availability for traditional English strength. With teams on the road in round 6 included a 20-point drubbing the World Cup mirroring sto- little more than two months with Northern Bulls and Coastal at the Lions to win rylines from other build-ups remaining, Southgate has yet to Sharks crashing in impressively. when former linchpins Bryan settle on a first choice and Stoke Australasia. The South Americans were Robson, David Beckham, Wayne City’s Jack Butland is likely to be Western Stormers were the ahead within 45 seconds Rooney and Ashley Cole all given a chance to stake his claim lone South African winners, through a Bautista Delguy try, struggled for fitness. on Tuesday ahead of Everton’s surviving a late Queensland led 25-14 at half-time and Kane is expected to return Jordan Pickford, who kept a Reds rally to win 25-19 in a responded swiftly when the to action next month and, if the clean sheet in Amsterdam. Cape Town match marred by a Lions twice closed the gap to 24-year-old then stays fit, will Observers cautiously praised dangerous tackle that went four points. be one of only a handful of England’s performance against Jaguares winger Emiliano players guaranteed a start in a Dutch side who showed why Boffelli and loose forward England’s World Cup opener they were not good enough to Javier Ortega Desio and Lions against Tunisia in June, as qualify for the World Cup finals. hooker Malcolm Marx scored manager Gareth Southgate Few, though, are tipping two tries each. struggles with issues throughout England to progress far in Russia Meanwhile, SuperSport TV the team. despite a favourable group draw analyst and former South Africa Kane’s club mate Dele Alli that has placed them alongside coach Nick Mallett said Reds has long seemed a shoo-in as Belgium, Tunisia and Panama. prop Taniela Tupou should support striker but he has Off the field, there were have been red-carded for a struggled to live up to the praise more echoes from the past as the no-arms, high tackle on Craig from Tottenham manager Mau- Cup starting line-up. has the chance to make his case Football Association (FA) con- Barry during the first half. ricio Pochettino, who this month Alli’s chances may be further against Italy when Southgate is demned the “unacceptable The Reds, who arrived in referred to him as the best restricted if England go into the expected to name him up front scenes” which led to 100 Cape Town from Buenos Aires 21-year-old in the world. tournament with the 3-5-2 for- with Jamie Vardy, whose pace England supporters being via London after defeating the Alli again looked ineffectual mation employed in Amsterdam and prolific goal-scoring record arrested in Amsterdam. Jaguares last weekend, were when he came on as a substitute as Southgate might opt for make him a certainty for the While England’s hooligan Nicolas soon 18 points behind. in England’s 1-0 victory over the Raheem Sterling alongside Kane squad. problem is not on the same scale Sanchez But scores just before and Netherlands in Amsterdam on on the back of the 23-year-old’s The same can no longer be as in the past, police have raised takes a after half-time from forwards Friday and goalscorer Jesse fine club season with Man- said about Arsenal’s Jack concerns over supporters penalty Caleb Timu and Alex Mafi Lingard made a strong case for chester City. Wilshere who, although long clashing with Russian counter- kick. slashed the deficit to four inclusion in Southgate’s World With time running out, Alli touted as the answer to parts in June and July. points.

South Korea’s : Team Ji Eun-hee in Ji grabs share of Classic Qatar leaves for action. Vietnam lead as Kerr collapses

THE PENINSULA AFP with Taiwan’s Hsu Wei-Ling CLASSIC SCORES (68), Sweden’s Caroline DOHA: Qatar’s men’s team LOS ANGELES: South Korea’s Hedwall (70) and fellow 205 - Ji Eun-hee (KOR) 70-68-67, Lizette yesterday left for Hanoi, Vietnam to Ji Eun-hee fired five birdies in American Cindy LaCrosse (68). Salas 69-67-69, Kim In-kyung (KOR) 67-69- participate in the 2018 Davis Cup Asia/ a five-under par 67 on A day after a sparkling 64, 69 Oceania Zone Group III to begin early Saturday to share the LPGA Kia Kerr had three bogeys and a 206 - Hsu Wei-Ling (TPE) 72-66-68, Cindy next month. Classic third-round lead with double-bogey six at the par- LaCrosse 69-69-68, Caroline Hedwall (SWE) The Qatari delegation to the event compatriot Kim In-kyung and four 15th -- where she hooked 66-70-70, Cristie Kerr 67-64-75 starting on April 2 includes Mousa American Lizette Salas. her drive into the trees. 207 - Anna Nordqvist (SWE) 71-70-66, Kris Shanan, Mubarak Shanan, Essa Shanan, The trio’s 11-under total of Kerr, 40, had just two Tamulis 70-70-67, Carlota Ciganda (ESP) 70- Jabor Al Mutawa, the team captain 205 put them one stroke in birdies on the Aviara Golf Club 68-69, Lee Jeong-eun (KOR) 68-69-70 Mohammad Khenji and Head coach front of a group of four players course where she won in 2015. 208 - Choi Hye-jin (KOR) 72-70-66, Kim Jin- Younes Al Aynoui. headed by American Cristie “I just didn’t have it,” Kerr young (KOR) 70-72-66, Jane Park 71-69-68, The 2018 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania Kerr -- who started the day said on Saturday. Caroline Masson (GER) 70-70-68, Park Hee- Zone Group III will feature nine coun- with a five-shot lead but carded “I’ve got to go work on my young (KOR) 66-70-72 tries including Malaysia, Kuwait, Cam- a three-over par 75. game a little bit.” On a tightly 209 - Brittany Lincicome 72-72-65, Perrine bodia, Jordan, Oceania, Saudi Arabia, “The conditions were bunched leaderboard, another Delacour (FRA) 70-72-67, Bronte Law (ENG) Syria and Vietnam. rough so I just tried to keep the four players were tied on 207. As per the ITF rules the participating ball on the fairway,” Ji said. Sweden’s Anna Nordqvist 69-72-68, Feng Shanshan (CHN) 72-68-69,

teams in the 2018 Davis Cup Asia/Oceania “It (course) is a challenge. I joined that group with a six- Lydia Ko (NZL) 68-71-70, Thidapa Suwan- Zone Group III will be divided into two keep trying to change my under 66 that included seven napura (THA) 69-69-71 groups where the winners and runners- swing. I am starting to feel birdies. up will qualify to Group II. more comfortable with my new She was level with Spain’s Korean Lee Jeong-eun (70) and swing.” Kerr was tied on 206 Carlota Ciganda (69), South American Kris Tamulis (67). 32 SPORT MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 SPORT 33

SCOREBOARD Ball-tampering South Africa’s Morne Morkel (left) celebrates with team-mates after taking SOUTH AFRICA, first innings, 311 the wicket of Australia’s during the Third Test against Australia AUSTRALIA, first innings, 255 in Newlands, Cape Town, South Africa yesterday. SOUTH AFRICA, second innings incidents in (Overnight 238-5) A. Markram c Cummins b Starc ...... 84 D. Elgar c Smith b Cummins ...... 14 Smith steps down amid H. Amla c Bancroft b Cummins ...... 31 internationals A. de Villiers c S. Marsh b Hazlewood ..63 F. du Plessis lbw b Lyon ...... 20 REUTERS T. Bavuma c sub (Handscomb) b Hazle- wood ...... 5 CAPE TOWN: Factbox on major ball-tampering inci- Q. de Kock c Paine b Cummins ...... 65 dents in cricket after in the wake of the ongoing probe V. Philander ...... 52 ball-tampering probe K. Rabada st Paine b Lyon ...... 20 into the Australian team for attempting to alter the state of the ball during the third day of the third Test against K. Maharaj c Cummins b Lyon ...... 5 M. Morkel c Khawaja b Hazlewood ...... 6 South Africa: Extras (b4, lb1, nb1, w2) ...... 8 * 1977 - England bowler John Lever was accused REUTERS demotion came hours after Austral- Saturday that the ball-tampering Smith had admitted on Five incidents Total (112.2 overs) ...... 373 of applying Vaseline on one side of the ball to make it ia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull carried out by Cameron Bancroft Saturday that the ball- Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-104, 3-151, 4-196, swing better during the third Test against India in Chen- 5-201, 6-269, 7-324, 8-354, 9-362, 10-373 /CAPE TOWN: Steve heaped pressure on CA to act swiftly had been orchestrated by himself tampering carried out that tarnished nai. The visitors said that Lever and bowling partner Bob Smith stepped down as Australia and decisively. and senior players but although he Bowling: Starc 23-5-98-1 (1nb), Hazle- Willis had applied Vaseline-covered gauze above their captain yesterday and his deputy “I have to say that the whole was “embarrassed” by the scandal, by Cameron Bancroft Steve Smith wood 25.2-5-69-3, Cummins 27-5-67-2 eyes to divert sweat from their forehead away. No (2w), Lyon 31-2-102-3, Smith 1-0-6-0, M. David Warner also relinquished nation which holds those who wear he had no intention of stepping had been orchestrated Marsh 5-0-26-0 charges were brought. the vice-captaincy amid stunning the ‘baggy green’ up on a pedestal down as skipper. by himself and senior AFP AUSTRALIA, second innings * 1990 - New Zealand had used bottle topsp to ball-tamperingpg revelations that about as highgy as you can gget in Aus- Captainp since 2015,, Smith did players but although he C. Bancroft run out (Du Plessis) ...... 26 tamper the ball during the third Test againstinst Pakistan Pakistan have plungedplunged the Test team into tralia,tralia, certainlycertainly hihighergher than ananyy notnot join his team mates as they MELBOURNE: Steve Smith was fighting D. Warner c De Villiers b Rabada ...... 32 in Faisalabad, former wicket-keeper batsmansman Adam crisis.crisis. politician that’s for sure, this is a warmedwarmed up at Newlands before the was “embarrassed” by to save his job and reputation yesterday U. Khawaja c De Villiers b Maharaj ...... 1 Parore said decades later. The tamperingn increasedcreased the the CricketCricket Australia said the pair shocking disappointment,” TurnTurn-- fourthfourth day’s play yesterday. The the scandal, he had no after admitting he was the chief plotter S. Smith c Elgar b Morkel ...... 7 swing on the ball and helped seamer Chriss Pringle Pringle take take had agreedagreed to ggiveive upup theirtheir leaderleader-- bull said.said. four-Testfour-Test seseriesries i sis tied tied at at 1- 1-11 with with the the in a ball-tampering scandal. S. Marsh c Markram b Maharaj ...... 0 intention of stepping M. Marsh c De Villiers b Morkel ...... 16 an 11-wicket haul. No charges were brought.ht. shipship roles following “discussions” Smith had admittedted on hosts in a strong positionpos in the It is not the first time that the Aus- * 1994 - down as skipper. T. Paine not out ...... 9 England captain Michael Athertonerton ru rubbedbbed with the ggoverningoverning bod body,y, with with wic wick-k- ongoingongoing matcmatch.h. tralia cricket captain has been involved P. Cummins c Elgar b Morkel ...... 0 loose dirt from his pocket onto the ball duringuring the the first first etkeeper Tim Paine to take the reins Opening batsman Bancroft,Bancroftt, ,the the in controversy. Here are five incidents M. Starc c Markram b Morkel ...... 7 Test against South Africa at Lord’s. Athertonton said said that that for the remainder of the third Test most jjuniorunior member in the side at where Smith made headlines for rea- N. Lyon run out (Bavuma) ...... 0 he used the soil, taken from the pitch, to ekeepep his his ha handsnds in CaCapepe Town. 25, hhasas beenbeeneen charg chargeded by by th thee In Inter-ter- he didd notn have the ball in his gloves. sons other than his since taking J. Hazlewood c Philander b Morkel ...... 5 dry. He was fined but avoided suspensionand and held held on on “T“Thishis Test matcmatchh neeneedsds toto propro-- national CricketCricket CCouncilounciloun ( (ICC).ICC). “IfIf Jacobs got three games for over the captaincy in 2015. Extras (b4) ...... 4 to the captaincy. ceed,ceed, and in the interim we will TheThe cost to AustraAustralia’stralia’s thatthat ooffencef then I wonder what is Total (39.4 overs) ...... 107 * 2000 - Pakistan paceman Waqar Younisounis worked worked DRS ‘BRAIN FADE’ Fall of wickets: 1-57, 2-59, 3-59, 4-59, continue to investigate thisthis mamat-t- reputationreputation iiss immeimmeasura-asuraa- goinggoing tto happen to these Austral- 5-75, 6-86, 7-86, 8-94 on the ball with his fingers in a match againstgainst SouthSouth terter withwith tthehe urgency tthathat it blybly hhigher,igher, hhowever,owever, ians?” Wessels asked yesterday. Steve Smith set off a storm of con- Bowling: Rabada 12-6-31-1, Philander 6-2- Africa during a triangular one-day series nin Sri Sri Lanka Lanka in in demands,” CA CEO Jamesmeses withwith fformerormer pplayerslayers SSouthou Africa coach Ottis Gibson troversy in the second Test of the 17-0, Morkel 9.4-3-23-5, Maharaj 12-2-32-2 2000. The bowler was the first player to bee susp suspendedended Sutherland said ini a acrossacrocross tthehe gglobelobe alsoso ccalleda for strong action from four-match series in India a year ago Result: South Africa won by 322 runs for ball tampering after being found guiltyy and and was was statement.statement. brandingbrandiding the team the ICC.ICCC when he looked to his dressing room also fined 50 percent of his match fees. “Cricket“Crickicket AusAustraliastraralia cheats andan ffansans “I’m shocked at what’s gone on. for help while deciding whether to call * 2001 - Indian batting great Sachin TenTen-- and AuAustralianA straliannnc cricricketickcketet castigatingcastigc ating thethe plplayersayersa I’veI’ve nnevere seen anything as blatant for a review into his lbw dismissal in dulkar was accused of scuffing the seam byby fansfanans eexpectxpecectt ccertacertainertain on socialsocciali memedia.dia. as that,”tha he told SuperSport Bangalore -- describing the moment a running his fingers on it by match refereeee standardsststandardsds off coconductonductt KeplerKepleKeplerr WesseWessels,ls, wh whoho television.televis “brain fade”. Morkel rips through sorry Aussies Mike Denness during the second Test againstst fromf cricketerscrickicketeterss re represent-presenent- playedpplalayed TTestt crickeccrickett for bothbo “Th“The statement from them said South Africa in 2001. Tendulkar maintainedd ingi ourour ccoucountry,ountry,, a andnd on onn this histhis AustraliaAustralia andandSd SSoutSouthh AfriAfrica,ca, it waswas the ‘leadership group’ and BULLY RETORT his innocence saying that he was trying oto occasionooccasion theththesese sta standardstanndardsdss hahave havee suggessuggestedteddth ththereeree e sshshouldouldou d b bee thereforetherefrefo it was quite a few people England bowler James Anderson remove dirt from the ball in wet conditions notn beenbeenn metmmet.. lengthylengthybansy bansans forfo tthosehoseho ffoundound involved,invinvolvnvolvolve so we’ll see how the ICC claimed the Australians were bullies but was handed a suspended one-matchh “All AAustralians,usustraliaians, lilikeikekee uus,s, wanwantant guiltyil y of wrwrong-doing.ong-doong- inging.g dealsdea wwith the situation.” who overstepped the line in the recent to guide Proteas to massive win ban. The Indian team threatened to pull outt answersananswerrs anda wwe wilwilll keepk youy He citedcitede the casecasse ofof forformermer TeaTeam manager Mohammed Ashes series and Smith returned fire, of the tour if the decision was not reversed.. updaupdateddateted on ooururr finffindings,inddings,, as a West IndianIndian wicketwicketkeeperkeepeepperpeerr Rid Rid-- Moosajee,Moosaoosa an influential figure calling the England paceman one of the AP pride-restoring resistance and way Cameron Bancroft, also involved in game on Saturday. Australia’s South Africa set Australia a The Indian cricket board (BCCI) boycottedd mattermamatttter of prpriority.”ioriorityy.” leyey JaJJacobs,cobs, suspensuspendeduspenendeded foforr withinw thin Cricket South Africa, said he biggest sledgers in cricket, as insults off the winning target of 430. the tampering plan, made 26 with proud record of having never lost huge task to win by making 373 in the third Test and fielded a reserve team oto SmithSmimith andandnd Wa WWarner’srneer’ss threehree gamesg mes in 20022020022 didd nonot believe the scandal would flew ahead of the Adelaide Test. CAPE TOWN: Arriving and With captain Steve Smith and an opening partnership of 57. They a series in South Africa since 1970 the second innings and then cut- play an unofficial Test. International Cricketet forrrap apappealingpealinpeaealinng a affecta ect rrelations between the cricket The rancour spilt onto the pitch as departing to boos from the crowd, vice-captain David Warner step- were both booed as they arrived and is seriously under threat in Johan- ting through the Australian Council (ICC) subsequently said that Tendulkarar runrur n ouooutut boardsboardards of the two nations. Aleem Dar had to separate Australia’s cricketers endured ping down from their leadership then trudged off the field, as was nesburg next week. batsmen mercilessly. was not guilty of ball tampering but ratherer whewhwwhenen “Th“TheTh fact that Australia have Smith from Anderson in ugly scenes further humiliation yesterday after roles while their involvement in a Smith, who made just 7. South Africa’s players had Fast bowler Morne Morkel of cleaning the ball without the umpire’se’s admittedadmadmittmitt to what they have done,” when the Aussie skipper was batting. being bowled out for 107 and ball-tampering scandal is fully Away from the reputational been told to maintain their focus took 5-23 in Australia’s second permission. he saisaid.d “There is no place for that losing to South Africa by 322 runs investigated, Australia looked like damage suffered by Australia from on winning the Test amid sepa- innings and nine wickets in the * 2004 - Indian batsman Rahul Dravidavid in cricketcrickk at all. They will go through UMPIRE RANT in the third Test, after admitting to a team with its morale shattered. its ball tampering on Day 3, Aus- rate investigations by the match in what is his last series in rubbed a cough lozenge on the shiny side fof the the ann ininternal process as well. We Smith was fined 30 percent of his cheating a day earlier. Smith and Warner played on tralia now trails 2-1 in the series International Cricket Council and international cricket. ball during a one-day international win overr Zim Zim-- leavel ve it to the ICC to make the call match fee for dissent after an obscen- Australia was removed in less Sunday but wicketkeeper Tim Paine with one Test to go. Smith is Cricket Australia into the ball tam- It was Australia’s second- babwe in a triangular series held at Brisbane.sbane. ono wwhat the next steps are and ity-sprinkled rant against the umpires than 40 overs in its second innings took over as stand-in captain. banned for that last Test because pering which was planned, carried heaviest defeat to South Africa in Dravid was found to be guilty by match refereeree Clive Clive whatwhw the sanction will be.” after a decision review went against on Day 4 at Newlands in Cape Warner top-scored for the Aus- of his leading role in hatching a out and then botched by senior terms of runs and its heaviest since Lloyd and was fined 50 percent of his matchtch fee. fee. “DISGRACEFUL” the Aussies during the second Test Town, failing to offer sies with 32 and fellow opener plan to cheat in the Cape Town Australian players and Bancroft. 1970. * 2005 - Former England batsman Marcusarcus Tresco Tresco-- Australia cricket chief Suth- against New Zealand in Christchurch thick said in his autobiography that he usedm int-inducedmint-induced erlanderrla had earlier told a news in February, 2016. saliva to keep the shine on the ball as his teamam recor recordedded conferencecco in Melbourne that Smith said: “I’ll cop that on the chin their first Ashes victory after 18 years. Thee tamperintamperingg theth CA’s head of integrity and I need to be better as a leader. For aided with the unplayable swing deliveredd by by En Englandgland wouldw fly to South Africa to me it’s about trying to learn from my bowlers as Australia lost the series 2-1. Noc harchargesges w wereere investigatei the incident. mistakes and improve.” Root out in final over as Black Caps tighten grip brought against Trescothick, who retired beforefore his his book book Sutherland described it as was published. “very“vv sad for Australian RABADA APPEAL QUESTIONED REUTERS breakthrough in England’s sec- SCOREBOARD * 2006 - Dawid Malan was 19 not out During a controversial Test atat thethe Oval,Oval, cricket”ccri and said fans had Smith raised eyebrows when he and will be joined by , ond innings when he had a ENGLAND, first innings 58 (C. Overton 33 not 6-309 (de Grandhomme), 7-341 (Astle), 8-413 England were awarded five extra runs afterfter PakistanPakistan “every“evev reason to wake up and appeared to question the ICC appeal AUCKLAND: Captain Joe Root who will face the final ball of woefully out-of-form Alastair out; Boult 6-32, Southee 4-25) (Southee) were accused of ball tampering by umpiress Darrell Darrell Hair Hair nnonot be proud of the Australian process after a ban on South African was dismissed off the last ball of Boult’s 14th over when play Cook caught down the leg side NEW ZEALAND first innings Did not bat: Trent Boult and Billy Doctrove. Pakistan refused to takeake thethe fieldfield ccricketri team”. bowler Kagiso Rabada for bumping the fourth day moments after he resumes on Monday. by wicketkeeper Watling for (overnight 233-4) Bowling: Anderson 29-10-87-3, Broad 34-9-78-3, after the tea break, in protest of the decision,ion, and and f ofor-r- However, the long-serving the Australian captain was lifted last had been struck on the hand by a Earlier, New Zealand captain two. J. Raval c Bairstow b Anderson ...... 3 Overton 25-7-70-1 (1w), Woakes 33-9-107-0 (1w), feited the Test. The scandal led to yearss ooff conconflictflict chiefchhie executive declined to call week. Trent Boult bouncer to put New Kane Williamson had declared his Mark Stoneman and Root had T. Latham c Woakes b Broad ...... 26 Ali 17-1-59-0, Root 3-0-13-1 between the England and Wales CricketB Boardoard (ECB), (ECB), thethe bball-tamperingbaa “cheating” and “They’ve deemed the contact not Zealand firmly in the driving seat side’s first innings at 427-8, a lead looked comfortable after seeing K. Williamson lbw Anderson ...... 102 ENGLAND second innings Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and currentt andand formerformer steeredssteereered studiously clear of using the to be deliberate and set the line in the to win the rain-affected first Test of 369 runs, about an hour into off the threat of Boult and fellow R. Taylor c Woakes b Anderson ...... 20 A. Cook c Watling b Boult ...... 2 players. word.wo d. sand of what is appropriate and what’s at Eden Park. the middle session. England were opening bowler Tim Southee as H. Nicholls not out ...... 145 M. Stoneman c Boult b Wagner ...... 55 * 2010 - England bowlers Stuart Broadd and and Ja Jamesmes HisHis reticence was not shared by not,” he said, adding it was “pretty Root, who received on-field dismissed for just 58 in their first they compiled an 88-run partner- B. Watling c Bairstow b Broad ...... 31 J. Root c Watling b Boult ...... 51 Anderson were accused of ball tamperingng aafterfter the AustralianAAusustraral media pundits and a host interesting” that he had no input at the treatment, was bounced again on innings on Saturday. ship and appeared well set to go C. de Grandhomme c Bairstow b Overton ...... 29 D. Malan not out ...... 19 former treaded on the ball with his spikesw whilehile the the lat lat-- off forformerfo f rm players who lined up to six-hour hearing. the next and caught off Rain had washed out virtually through to the close. T. Astle b Broad ...... 18 Extras: (b4, lb1) ...... 5 ter appeared to be picking at the seam dduringuring aa TestTest ddecrdecrydeccryy tthe incident. the glove by BJ Watling to leave all of the previous two days, with Stoneman, however, undid all T. Southee c and b Root ...... 25 Total: (for 3 wickets, 46.5 overs) ...... 132 against South Africa. The duo both rejectedd the the accus accusa-a- AAuAustralian newspapers BALL-TAMPER SHAME England in desperate trouble at only 23.1 overs bowled by Eng- of their good work when he dis- N. Wagner not out ...... 9 Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Cook), 2-94 (Stoneman), 3-132 tions, with Broad saying he was just beingng llazyazy while describeddescridescribb the scandal as the worst Smith faced calls to quit after con- 132 for three, needing another 237 land on Friday and just 17 patched successive Neil Wagner Extras: (b4, lb9, w6) ...... 19 (Root) stopping the ball and Anderson claiming he was was absent- absent- captaincycaptai crisis since 1981 when fessing he was the chief plotter in runs to make New Zealand bat deliveries on Saturday. deliveries for a four and then a Total: (8 wkts dec; 141 overs) ...... 427 Bowling: Boult 13.5-6-24-2, Southee 13-1-40-0, de mindedly playing with it. Neither player wass char charged.ged. skipperskippe instructed Saturday’s ball-tampering scandal again. Finally able to enjoy a period six that brought up his fourth Test Fall of wickets: 1-8 (Raval), 2-92 (Latham), 3-123 Grandhomme 10-1-31-0, Wagner 10-2-32-1 * 2010 - Pakistan all-rounder Shahidd Afridi was youngeryoung brother Trevor to bowl which plunged the game into crisis. Until those last two deliveries of uninterrupted play, Henry half century, only to be caught by (Taylor), 4-206 (Williamson), 5-260 (Watling), Toss: New Zealand caught on camera biting the ball during a one-dayne-day inter inter-- uunderarmndera with the last ball of a Teammate Cameron Bancroft was on Sunday, Root had looked like Nicholls advanced from his over- Boult in the deep off the next ball. national against Australia in Perth. Afridi wasas banned banned for for one-dayone-da match against New Zea- caught using yellow sticky tape laden he might be able to defy New Zea- night score of 52 to reach his Root and Malan then contin- century with a cut past point for The second Test, a standard Australia’s Steve Smith two Twenty20 internationals. land toto secure a victory. with dirt to alter the condition of the land on the final day, having highest Test score of 145 not out ued to defy New Zealand’s two runs, before the dramatic daytime match, is at Hagley Oval * 2012 - Australia bowler Peter Siddlewas was accused accused ball. reached his 38th Test half century before Williamson declared. bowlers, with the 27-year-old final two deliveries put New Zea- in Christchurch from March by Sri Lanka of raising the seam of the ball uduringring th thee fir firstst before Boult removed him for 51. Boult then made an early captain bringing up his half land firmly back in control. 30-April 3. Test at Hobart after the paceman collected five wickets for 54 runs in the first innings. Siddle was later cleared by the ICC. * 2013 - South Africa batsman scuffed the ball on the zippers of his trousers while fielding dur- ing a Test against Pakistan in 2013. On-field umpires Relations with Australia unaffected Aussies jeered by home crowd awarded Pakistan five runs and changed the ball. Du Ples- sis plead guilty to the charge and was fined 50 percent AFP start of play. Some boos could Smith had admitted follow- he described as “whingeing” of his match fees. by scandal: SA Manager Moosajee be heard but a loud public ing Saturday’s third day action about the behaviour of South * 2014 - South Africa’s Vernon Philander scratched CAPE TOWN: A muted chorus address system was played until that he had masterminded an African spectators and Steve the ball with his finger and thumbs during a Test against REUTERS International Cricket Council (ICC). The fact Moosajee was not surprised that Smith of boos greeted Australia when the Australians had taken their attempt by Cameron Bancroft Smith’s anger that Rabada had Sri Lanka at Galle. Philander was found guilty and fined that Australia have admitted to what they have came clean at a news conference on Satur- stand-in captain Tim Paine led places on the field. to alter the condition of the ball been reprieved despite being 75 percent of his match fees. CAPE TOWN: South Africa team manager done... there is no place for that in cricket at day, believing he had no choice after television the team out at the start of play Former Australia captain in the outfield using a yellow banned after reaching a demerit * 2016 - Faf du Plessis was charged for ball tamper- Mohammed Moosajee does not expect rela- all. They will go through an internal process pictures showed fielder Cameron Bancroft against South Africa yesterday said in SuperSport object. point threshold. ing yet again during the second Test against Australia at tions between the country’s board and their as well. trying to hide sticky tape he used to pick up in the wake of a ball-tampering television’s build-up to the day’s “The leadership group knew , another Hobart after the South African skipper applied saliva from Australian counterparts to be unduly affected “We leave it to the ICC to make the call grit to rub on the ball. scandal. play that he was “angry and about it,” Smith said. “I’m not former South African captain, a mint or lollipop onto the ball. Du Plessis was found guilty by the ball-tampering scandal engulfing the on what the next steps are and what the sanc- “When the evidence is as damning as it Paine was made captain for embarrassed” by Saturday’s proud of what happened.” said the Australians would have by the ICC and fined his entire match fee. third Test at Newlands. tion will be.” was, it is sometimes better just to plea and the rest of the third Test -- events. Former South African cap- to face the consequences of their * 2018 - Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft was He added the South African team was Moosajee added that the South African come clean. That is probably what they were which has reached the fourth Australian leg-spinning great tain said the actions. caught on camera using a yellow object to rub the ball focused on applying “relentless pressure” on team remained focused on winning the game. thinking,” he added. “There are so many cam- day -- at Newlands after regu- Shane Warne also spoke of his ire. current team was unlike previ- “It was pre-meditated and and then concealing the object in his trousers during the the Australian side in order to win the Test “(Coach) Ottis Gibson addressed the boys eras these days, if people are trying to do lar captain Steve Smith and “I am disappointed in Steve ous Australian outfits he had they’ve been caught. They A South African supporter holds third Test against South Africa. Captain Steve Smith and and take a 2-1 lead in the tempestuous four- this morning and the focus is very much about something untoward it is only a matter of time vice-captain David Warner Smith as captain to take that deci- encountered, pointing to a move have been shown to cheat,” he a placard reading “Sandpaper 4 Bancroft admitted to the offence at the end-of-day, say- match series. applying relentless pressure. From a mental before they will be exposed.” were stood down following Sat- sion to go out and try to do this.” from before the tour to try to get said. woodwork + not 2 craft balls” as the ing a number of senior Australian players had planned “I don’t think it will hurt the relations space point of view, the team are certainly in But Moosajee did take issue with the fact urday’s revelations. He said the actions were “un- South African fast bowler Kagiso South Africa started Sun- Australian team leaves for the changing the tampering. Smith and David Warner stepped down between the two boards,” Moosajee told a good one. The most important thing for us that umpires Nigel Llong and R Illingworth Although all tickets for the Australian” and opened the team Rabada banned. day’s fourth day with a 294-run room during the fourth day of the from their roles as captain and vice-captain reporters on Sunday. is to focus on the job at hand and win the Test had not changed the ball after compelling evi- day had been sold, the ground up to criticism from around the “That’s not Australia for me,” lead and five wickets remain- third Test at Newlands. respectively. “The process is now in the hands of the match.” dence of tampering had been revealed. was only about a third full at the world. said Smith, who criticised what ing in their second innings. 34 SPORT MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 Rockets notch record 59th win AGENCIES and Malik Monk scored 11 for the Hornets, who won their third NEW YORK: James Harden straight game. Charlotte posted paired a game-high 27 points a 62-52 rebounding edge and hit with eight assists and Clint 12 of 25 from 3-point range Capela produced a monster despite shooting just 38 percent effort on both ends as the overall. Houston Rockets extended their Dennis Smith Jr. scored 21 winning streak to eight games points and Harrison Barnes with a 114-91 victory over the added 18 but couldn’t prevent New Orleans Pelicans on Dallas from dropping its fifth Saturday at Toyota Center. straight game. Houston set a new franchise Pistons 117, Bulls 95 Anthony record with its 59th win, besting Tolliver scored a season-high 25 the mark set by the 1993-94 NBA points, including a career-best champions. six 3-pointers, and Detroit had The Rockets have won 15 eight players in double figures consecutive home games, the while rolling past depleted second-longest streak in team Chicago in Detroit. history, and claimed the season Tolliver, a reserve forward, series from the Pelicans by had not scored more than 20 winning three of four games. points this season prior to his Harden surpassed 2,000 outburst. points on the season, the first Andre Drummond posted 15 player in the league to do so this points, 20 rebounds, four assists, season. He has hit that plateau four steals and four blocks for in four consecutive campaigns Detroit, which has won three of and five times in six seasons with its last four games. Houston. Blake Griffin had 10 points Capela posted 18 points, 16 and nine assists while sitting out rebounds and a career-high- the fourth quarter in the lopsided tying six blocks in an entertaining win. battle with Pelicans All-Star Magic 105, Suns 99 Aaron Anthony Davis, who totaled 25 Gordon enjoyed a solid all- points, eight boards and four around game with 29 points, 11 blocks. rebounds, a career-best eight Houston Rockets guard James Harden (right) assists and three steals to lead attempts to drive the ball past New Orleans host Orlando past Phoenix. Pelicans forward Cheick Diallo during the Nikola Vucevic recorded 24 first quarter at Toyota Center on Saturday. points and 11 rebounds for Orlando, which won for just the James Harden fourth time in the past 19 surpasses 2,000 76ers 120, Timberwolves 108 and holding Minnesota to 15.8 Rookie Kyle Kuzma scored 15 of Andrew Harrison had 20 points games. DJ Augustin had 15 points, the first player Rookie Ben Simmons recorded percent. his 25 points in the fourth quarter and Marc Gasol scored 18 for the points, 10 assists and nine his 10th triple-double with 15 Simmons had 10 points and as visiting Los Angeles beat Grizzlies, who lost their fourth rebounds, Mario Hezonja reg- in the league to do points, 13 assists and 12 rebounds five assists in the third as Phila- Memphis. straight game and for the 23rd istered 14 points, eight rebounds so this season. He as Philadelphia dominated the delphia totaled 33 assists. Kuzma helped the Lakers time in 24 games. and matched his season high of has hit that plateau third quarter and defeated vis- It was the Sixers’ 24th halt a four-game losing streak Hornets 102, Mavericks 98 four steals and Shelvin Mack in four consecutive iting Minnesota. straight game with at least 20 by posting his 21st game with at Kemba Walker scored 24 points scored 12 points. The 76ers won their sixth assists, equaling the team record least 20 points, including his and made a pivotal steal and Josh Jackson scored 18 points campaigns and five straight by outscoring Minnesota set during the 1992-93 season, third straight. Dwight Howard contributed 18 and Alex Len added 15 points and times in six seasons 39-19 in the third quarter. and their 20th game this season He shot 5-of-6 in the final 12 points and 23 rebounds to help nine rebounds for Phoenix, with Houston. They shot 55.6 percent in the with at least 30 assists. minutes and 9-of-21 overall Charlotte defeat host Dallas. which has lost 11 straight games period while getting 13 assists Lakers 100, Grizzlies 93 while adding 10 rebounds. Jeremy Lamb added 14 points and 26 of its last 28. NHL: McDavid stars MLB: Bumgarner undergoes surgery

AGENCIES as Oilers edge Kings against the Houston Astros. Sale was facing his fourth batter of the game NEW YORK: New San Francisco when Houston’s JD Davis sent a liner AP Giants ace Madison Bumgarner right at him. underwent hand surgery on Saturday The ball smashed into Sale’s left EDMONTON, ALBERTA: to repair the fractured bone he hip and the Boston ace went down to Once again, Connor McDavid suffered one day earlier. the ground in obvious pain, but seem- has put the rest of the NHL in The Giants announced that the ingly clutching his knee. He told his rearview mirror. left-hander had three pins inserted reporters that the ball hit a nerve in McDavid had two goals to into the fifth metacarpal bone on his his hip and sent numbness down his take over the league scoring throwing hand. leg, and he was relieved to hear later lead, and the Edmonton Bumgarner suffered the injury in that he only suffered a bruise. Oilers held off the Los Angeles Friday’s exhibition game against the “I don’t see anything lingering Kings 3-2 on Saturday night Kansas City Royals when he was from this,” Sale told reporters, for their third straight victory. struck by a line drive off the bat of insisting he would make Thursday’s The Oilers captain and Whit Merrifield. Opening Day start against the Tampa last year’s scoring champion Bumgarner told reporters on Bay Rays. has 23 goals in his last 26 Friday that he will be sidelined from Elsewhere, New York Yankees games and 12 points in his four to six weeks while some outlets first baseman Greg Bird underwent past six. have reported he will miss up to two a magnetic resonance imaging test “I’m just going to put months. and CT scan on his right foot after he repeat on,” said McDavid, The Giants didn’t immediately recently informed medical staff of who added he would be lying announce a timetable after the discomfort. if he said he hasn’t kept an surgery. The team appears concerned that eye on where he sat in the Meanwhile, Boston Red Sox left- Bird’s soreness is related to the foot/ race for the Art Ross Trophy. hander Chris Sale departed in the first ankle injury that required surgery last “We pay attention to it. inning of his final spring start after season and sidelined him for all but Guys that are in the race, I’m being hit by a line drive in the hip 48 games in 2017. sure they are paying attention Edmonton Oilers forward Connor McDavid (left) carries the puck up the ice during the second to it. We are so far along in period against the Los Angeles Kings at Rogers Place on Saturday. the year and everyone has Madison Bumgarner come so far that you might as well put your best foot least a good feeling.” Jake first period when Aberg McDavid sent a shot through forward and go for it.” Muzzin and Jeff Carter had hooked a puck from behind Quick’s legs on a partial Pontus Aberg also scored the goals for the Kings, who the net past surprised Kings breakaway. for the Oilers, who are 4-1-1 have lost two of three. Los goalie Jonathan Quick for his The goal gave McDavid in their last six games. During Angeles remained tied with sixth point in the last three the NHL scoring lead with 96 that span, however, they idle Anaheim for third place games. points, moving him ahead of were eliminated from the in the Pacific Division. Edmonton made it 2-0 Tampa Bay’s Nikita playoff race. “Chasing games on the with 4:28 left in the period Kucherov. “Lately we have been road is tough,” Muzzin said. when McDavid had a strong The Kings got that goal stringing some games “We had some chances and second effort to bang his own back a couple of minutes later together, something we didn’t didn’t score. I don’t think we rebound under Quick’s stick when Tobias Rieder made a do as well at the start of the were as prepared as we for his 37th goal of the season. long feed to Carter, who season,” forward Ryan should have emotionally in However, the Kings scored at the side of the net. Nugent-Hopkins said. this game and I don’t know bounced back just 28 seconds Talbot made a huge stop “It was obviously not the why. We got desperate a little later when Muzzin cleanly on a short-handed way we wanted it to go in the too late. We weren’t able to beat Oilers goalie Cam Talbot breakaway by Nate first half, but we can take capitalise and able to come with a shot from the slot. Thompson early in the third some confidence and play the back.” The Oilers regained their and withstood some late game the right way to at least The Oilers started the two-goal advantage four pressure to preserve the go into the summer with at scoring 45 seconds into the minutes into the second when win. MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 SPORT 35

Wozniacki says she, her family Federer loses match and the verbally abused at Miami match No. 1 ranking at Miami Open REUTERS MIAMI: AP champion Caroline Wozniacki said on Saturday she and her KEY BISCAYNE: family were verbally abused and lost his second consecutive the subject of death threats by match and the No. 1 ranking spectators during her loss to Saturday. Monica Puig at the Miami Open Big-serving Australian the previous day. Thanasi Kokkinakis, a qualifier Wozniacki, in a Twitter ranked 175th, rallied to upset posting, said tournament staff Federer 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (4) at the and security did nothing to Miami Open. The 36-year-old prevent the abuse. Federer had been the oldest No. However, Miami Open offi- 1 man ever, but he’ll lose that cials said they were not aware spot to when the during the match of any threats new rankings come out April 2. and would have been handled “I deserve it after this the situation immediately if match,” Federer said. “That’s notified. how I feel.” Number two seed Wozniacki Kokkinakis became the won the first set against Puig 6-0, lowest-ranked man to beat a No. but then lost the next two 6-4 1 player since No. 178 Francisco 6-4. Clavet upset in “I am fully aware that tennis 2003. That upset was also at Key is a game of wins and losses,” the Biscayne. Dane said on her Twitter account “Pretty crazy,” said Kokki- after the match. nakis, 21. “I’m pretty happy about “However, during the match it.” last night people in the crowd Federer now has lost back- threatened my family, wished to-back matches for the first death threats on my mom and dad, time since 2014, a dip that comes called me names that I can’t repeat after a career-best 17-0 start to here and told my fiance’s niece the year. He lost to Juan Martin and nephew (who are 10 years old) del Potro in the Indian Wells final Thanasi Kokkinakis (left) of Australia in action against Roger to sit down and shut... up. Sunday, a defeat that also came Federer (right) of Switzerland during Day 6 of the Miami Open “Meanwhile security and down to a winner-take-all at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, Florida. staff did nothing to prevent this tiebreaker. and even accepted this to take Did the losses have anything Simona Halep lost hours earlier Federer’s match turned his back, but couldn’t win even The crowd goes nuts when he place.” in common? to Agnieszka Radwanska 3-6, when he played a poor service that point. He laughed then - it does his walk onto court.” Tournament director James “Yes, 7-6 in the third,” 6-2, 6-3. game and was broken at love to was early in the match - but The walk to the exit was the Blake denied security had been Federer said. “Other than that, Eight-time women’s fall behind 3-1 in the second set. looked grim two hours later as last at Key Biscayne for Federer, notified of the incident. not much.” champion Serena Williams and “That game I knuckled down the end neared. a three-time champion. The “During the match we had The 6-foot-5 Kokkinakis has six-time winner and put pressure on him,” Kok- On match point, Federer event is moving next year to the tournament and WTA staff as long been regarded as a prom- were also eliminated in their kinakis said. “I started to dictate buried a backhand return in the Miami Dolphins’ stadium. well as tournament security ising talent thanks to a thun- opening matches. from there.” bottom of the net. Kokkinakis Nadal will become the new courtside,” he said in a statement. derous serve and forehand, but Federer won’t be playing to Kokkinakis never broke screamed in celebration, waved No. 1 even though he missed Key “They never witnessed, nor has been plagued by injuries. The reclaim the No. 1 spot anytime again but held the rest of the his index finger and gestured for Biscayne because of a hip injury were they notified of any spe- match was his first against soon. He said he’ll skip the way, consistently topping 125 more noise from the appreciative that also forced him to skip cific threats made to the players Federer, although they’ve prac- upcoming clay season for the mph with his serve. capacity crowd. Indian Wells. Kokkinakis is or their families. If we had been ticed together. second year in a row, including “Every time I had chances, Kokkinakis said he didn’t healthy for a change. The tour- notified, the situation would have “I’ve always liked his game,” the . something bad happened,” mind that fans were firmly in nament is just his fifth in the past been handled immediately.” Federer said. During a stadium ceremony Federer said. Federer’s corner during the seven months, but he said he He noted the match “was “I’m happy for him that on before the night session, tour “Wrong decision-making by match - and even before it. thought he could beat Federer. played in front of a loud and pas- the big stage he was able to show professionals joined members of me, good decision-making by “When I came on court there “When I’m playing on my sionate crowd,” adding “while I it. It’s a big result for him in his the boys’ and girls’ tennis teams him. It’s disappointing. I don’t wasn’t much cheering,” Kokki- terms, I don’t feel there are too personally feel that no one career, and I hope it’s going to at Marjory Stoneman Douglas know why I couldn’t get to any nakis said with a laugh. “He many people that can go with should have to endure any sort launch him.” High School to promote a fund- level I was happy with today.” came on court with a little delay me,” Kokkinakis said. “I just of abuse on the court, we do our Federer’s defeat left both No. raising campaign for victims of Federer kept one exchange and that sort of strut he does, and needed to play my game and best to provide a safe and fair 1 players out of the tournament. last month’s mass shooting there. going by hitting a volley behind I was like, ‘This is pretty nuts.’ aggressive tennis.” environment.”

WTA AND ATP MIAMI OPEN RESULTS Agnieszka Azarenka of Belarus shows Federer to skip Radwanska her emotions against Anastasija of Poland European clay Sevastova of Latvia in their third- MIAMI: Results at the WTA and ATP Miami Open tournament on Saturday (x denotes celebrates round match at the Miami Open. seeding): her win over court season Men’s Second Round Simona Halep REUTERS Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) bt Roger Federer (SUI x1) 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) of Romania. (ESP x31) bt Guillermo García-López (ESP) 4-6, 6-0, 6-2 (USA) bt Adrian Mannarino (FRA x18) 6-3, 6-3 MIAMI: Roger Federer will skip Pablo Carreño-Busta (ESP x16) bt (UZB) 6-1, 6-0 the upcoming European clay Tomas Berdych (CZE x10) bt Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-1, 6-4 court season, including the (USA) bt (GBR x21) 7-6 (7/4), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) French Open, he said after his (RUS x32) bt Marius Copil (ROU) 7-5, 6-3 shock loss to 175th-ranked (RSA x6) bt (GEO) 6-4, 6-3 Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis Alexander Zverev (GER x4) bt (RUS) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/5) at the Miami Open. David Ferrer (ESP x28) bt Evgeny Donskoy (RUS) 6-2, 6-2 “I decided not to play,” (ITA x15) bt Nicola Kuhn (ESP) 6-2, 6-4 Federer said of his plans for (AUS x17) bt (SRB) 6-4, 6-1 Europe. (USA x11) bt Radu Albot (MDA) 7-6 (7/4), 6-1 The decision means the Denis Shapovalov (CAN) bt Damir Dzumhur (BIH x24) 6-1, 7-5 36-year-old will follow the same Borna Coric (CRO x29) bt (ARG) 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4 path as last year, when he also Jack Sock (USA x8) bt Yuki Bhambri (IND) 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) took two months off after the Miami Open, before returning to Women’s Third Round win the Wimbledon. Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x30) bt Simona Halep (ROM x1) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 Federer’s loss to Kokkinakis Victoria Azarenka (BLR) bt Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x20) 3-6, 6-4, 6-1 was his second in six days, after Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt Carina Witthoeft (GER) 4-6, 7-5, 6-0 falling to Juan Martin del Potro Karolina Pliskova (CZE x5) bt Hsieh Su-Wei (TPE) 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4) at Indian Wells. Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x3) bt Christina McHale (USA) 6-2, 6-1 Kokkinakis is the lowest- Sloane Stephens (USA x13) bt Monica Niculescu (ROU) 6-7 (1/7), 6-3, 4-0 retired ranked player to defeat a men’s Angelique Kerber (GER x10) bt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS x23) 6-4, 6-4 world number one since 178th- Wang Yafan (CHN) bt Alison Riske (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/4) ranked beat Lleyton Hewitt in Miami in 2003. Radwanska beats Halep in three sets; Azarenka advances AFP With the first set in hand, the overcome as Radwanska won six after taking time off to have a Saturday, not from anything Puig American Christina McHale 6-2, mercurial Halep was clearly of the last seven games to seal baby. Despite the defeat, Halep offered on court but from what 6-1 and US Open winner Sloane MIAMI: World number one frustrated when Radwanska the victory. is assured of retaining the she said was threatening and Stephens was handed a victory Simona Halep tumbled out of the dropped just four points in the Radwanska, the 2012 Miami number one spot when the vulgar behavior by fans at the when opponent Monica Nicu- Miami Open on Saturday, falling opening four games of the champion, hadn’t posted back- rankings are updated at the end match. lescu retired in the third set with 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 to Poland’s second to seize a 4-0 lead. to-back match victories since of the tournament. In a Twitter post, the Danish an injury. Agnieszka Radwanska. Halep reclaimed one break, January. She next faces former But her exit leaves the star called on Miami Open organ- Fifth-seeded Czech Karolina The third-round defeat but was broken again as Rad- world number one Victoria Aza- women’s field in the elite hard- izers to act after fans threatened Pliskova also defeated Taiwan’s comes a week after Romania’s wanska forced a third set, in renka, who rallied for a 3-6, 6-4, court tournament without its top her parents and swore at the Hsieh Su-Wei 6-4, 1-6, 7-6 (7/4). Halep was toppled in the semi- which an early break put Halep 6-1 victory over 20th-seeded two seeds after second-seeded niece and nephew of her fiance, Pliskova will battle for a quarter- finals at Indian Wells by Japan’s up 2-0. The Romanian couldn’t Latvian Anastasija Sevastova. Australian Open champion David Lee. final berth against Zarina Diyas Naomi Osaka, who went on to maintain the advantage, Azarenka, of Belarus, is Caroline Wozniacki lost to In other third-round action, of Kazakhstan, who defeated win the title in the California however, and her 44 unforced unseeded this year as she tries Monica Puig on Friday night. reigning Wimbledon champion German Carina Witthoeft 4-6, desert. errors were too much to to get her career back on track Wozniacki was smarting Garbine Muguruza crushed 7-5, 6-0. MONDAY 26 MARCH 2018 SPORT 36 Sometimes you have those matches. Sometimes you find CRICKET RALLYING a way through. I just couldn’t Roger Federer England vs New Zealand Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge get it done today (against reflects on his 3rd Test - Day 5 at Liwa Desert

wildcard Thanasi Kokkinakis) first-round loss ACTION at Newlands, Cape Town United Arab Emirates TODAY’S

Team analysis at ‘Lucky’ Vettel holds off Hamilton the season’s first Grand Prix

MELBOURNE: Team by team to win analysis at yesterday’s Australian Grand AP Prix (teams listed in champi- onship order): MELBOURNE: Believing his Ferrari still lacks the race pace FERRARI (Sebastian Vettel 1, to fully challenge Mercedes in Kimi Raikkonen 3) Formula One, Sebastian Vettel Vettel won in Melbourne for will take a little luck when he can the second year in a row and get it. third time in total. The German Yesterday at the season- had the virtual safety car to opening Australian Grand Prix, thank for allowing him to pit and his Ferrari team benefitted not stay ahead. The podium was his only from a smart pit-stop 100th, making Vettel only the strategy, but also the fortuitous fourth driver to reach that mile- emergence of a safety car stone, and the win his 48th. midway through the race that Raikkonen, who started in helped Vettel take the lead from second place with Vettel third, rival Lewis Hamilton and hold now has 92 podiums. on for victory. “We got a bit lucky, but we’ll Ferrari’s German MERCEDES (Lewis Hamilton 2, Valtteri Bottas 8) take it,” Vettel said. “We’re not driver Sebastian Vettel Hamilton led from pole (his yet there where we want to be.. celebrates winning the 73rd and record seventh in Aus- But I think it gives us a good start, Australian Grand Prix tralia) but lost out to Vettel, who a good wind and fresh moti- beside second-placed stayed out after the Briton and vation for the coming weeks.” Mercedes’ British It was the 48th race win of Raikkonen had pitted and was driver Lewis Hamilton Vettel’s career and his 100th rewarded by the virtual safety (left) in Melbourne podium finish, coming in his car being deployed just as he 200th F1 race. was about to come in. The German becomes the fourth driver to claim 100 comfortable up front for the first Vettel was in the pits?” Hamilton Vettel’s victory comes a day driver put in a masterful drive to RED BULL (Daniel Ricciardo 4, podium finishes, joining Ham- 20 laps before deciding to pit, asked. “We thought we were after Hamilton set a blistering hold him off and maintain third. Max Verstappen 6) ilton, and giving up the lead to Vettel. safe, but there’s obviously some- track record to capture pole “I think we’re pretty close Ricciardo started eighth Alain Prost. The race then took a dra- thing wrong,” his team position nearly 0.7 of a second with Ferrari and our race pace after a three place grid drop and Vettel finished the race a full matic turn when Haas drivers responded. ahead of the rest of the field, a is strong,” Ricciardo said. “Being moved up thanks to the two five seconds ahead of Hamilton, Kevin Magnussen and Romain When racing resumed, Ham- massive margin that raised con- so close to the podium and Haas cars retiring and Ver- who started from pole and had Grosjean suffered calamitous ilton stayed close to Vettel’s cerns among some teams that getting fastest lap is definitely an stappen suffering a 360 degree made several late attempts to back-to-back pit stops midway Ferrari, trailing by less than a Mercedes had the speed to dom- encouraging way to start the spin on lap 10. The Australian catch the Ferrari but couldn’t through the race. second for more than 10 laps, but inate yet another Formula One season.” still missed out on an elusive manage to pass on the narrow Both drivers had been was unable to find space on the season. Alonso also put several dis- home podium. Verstappen Albert Park circuit. running strongly in fourth and tight circuit to pass the German. But Vettel said he believed piriting years of technical started fourth but lost a position Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen fifth places, respectively, but With victory looking increas- Ferrari would fare better in race failures with McLaren’s Honda- at the start to Magnussen. finished third, denying Red Bull’s were forced to stop immediately ingly out of reach, Hamilton then conditions - and he was right. made engines behind him, Daniel Ricciardo a chance to after coming out of pit lane with eased up toward the end to con- “I think we didn’t have the securing his best race result since MCLAREN (Fernando Alonso become the first Australian loose wheels. serve his engine for future races. true race pace to match them but late 2016 with the team’s new 5, Stoffel Vandoorne 9) driver to secure a podium place The virtual safety car Hamilton said after the race we weren’t that far off,” he said. Renault engines. Renault’s Nico Alonso, who started 10th, at the Australian GP. emerged as race marshals that he still wasn’t clear exactly “Even though we were Hulkenberg finished in seventh equalled McLaren’s highest A resurgent Fernando Alonso removed Grosjean’s car from the what happened. probably lucky with the virtual place, just ahead of the other finish from their three dismal of McLaren made a bold run to circuit and Vettel took advantage “I think just disbelief was safety car, we still had enough Mercedes driver, Valtteri Bottas, years with Honda in the team’s finish in fifth place, holding off of the slowdown to pit and really from that moment until pace to stay ahead and make it who crashed in qualifying and debut with Renault power. The a spirited challenge by Red Bull’s change tires. He came out of the the end. Just disbelief,” he said. very difficult for him to be close ended up starting in 15th place double points finish represents Max Verstappen, who recovered pit lane just ahead of a confused “I had extra tools and could have and try and do something.” on the grid after incurring a McLaren’s best start to a season after losing control of his car and Hamilton, who got on the radio been further ahead by the first Ricciardo also pushed Raik- penalty for switching out his since 2014. doing a 360-degree spin early in to ask his team what had just pit stop. There were so many konen hard for the entire second damaged gearbox. McLaren’s the race to take sixth. happened. good things we could have half of the race for a chance at a Stoffel Vandoorne finished in RENAULT (Nico Hulkenberg 7, Hamilton looked “Why did you not tell me done.” podium spot, but the Ferrari ninth place. Carlos Sainz 10) A solid start for Renault but still behind their two customer teams. Hulkenberg started seventh while Sainz was ninth on the grid. The Spaniard struggled with a problem with Vettel has last laugh in Australia his drinks bottle, which left him feeling sick. REUTERS in that regard, I don’t see why Second-placed Mercedes’ British driver Lewis Hamilton wipes his face after we shouldn’t get on with each (Sergio Perez 11, having a drink next to Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel during a press MELBOURNE: Sebastian Vettel’s other.” Esteban Ocon 12) hopes of a Sunday “party” after conference after the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne yesterday. Vettel’s win had echoes of No points for Force India, Mercedes’ Saturday celebrations last year’s race, when he re- who had Perez chasing Sainz at were fulfilled in spades with a entered from the pits in front the end. The team, fourth overall “lucky” win for Ferrari at the of pole-sitter Hamilton and last year, are hoping for a step season-opening Australian burned away to victory as the up at the next race in Bahrain, Grand Prix. Briton battled traffic. with new parts to come. Vettel capitalised on a virtual Last year, however, Ferrari Ocon passed Stroll at the safety car deployment to sneak had a better car and the per- start and then battled with out of the pits in front of pole- formance gap with Mercedes Bottas. sitter Hamilton and held off the was far less glaring, added champion Briton to claim a 48th Vettel, making a sobering SAUBER (Charles Leclerc 13, win overall and third at Albert assessment of his team’s Marcus Ericsson retired) Park. immediate prospects in the Formula Two champion On Saturday, Hamilton and series. Leclerc made his debut and Mercedes had far superior pace “I think last year we had chalked up a first finish. Ericsson, in qualifying, and the excited more pace in relative terms. who has not scored a point since Briton could not help but make Last year, we were putting 2015, retired on lap six with an a cheeky dig at Vettel, saying his them under pressure,” said the hydraulic issue. blistering pole lap was intended four-times world champion. to “wipe the smile” off the Ger- “At the moment we’re a bit WILLIAMS (Lance Stroll 14, man’s face. And so it proved, as a frus- denied there was extra satis- sort of level. It’s fine as long as worse off. If you look at the Sergey Sirotkin retired) Vettel, who had been third trated Hamilton was left in a faction winning after the we joke with each other. gaps the whole weekend and Debutant Sirotkin was the fastest, retorted that “what goes Ferrari sandwich between Briton’s taunt. “I think we share -- all of us we’re not yet a true match,” he first retirement, pulling over on around comes around”. Vettel and third-placed Kimi “Not really. He said he was -- a common passion and that told reporters yesterday. lap four with a rear brake failure “He’s free to have a party Raikkonen. joking and I believe him,” Vettel makes us quite equal again. “Therefore at this point we that may have been caused by tonight and then hopefully Kimi Although presented with a told reporters yesterday. “We love racing and we try know that we are not yet a stray plastic bag that blocked and myself will have a party golden opportunity to rub “I think we are old enough, I to do our best, once we’re in the where we want to be because the cooling. tomorrow,” he countered. Hamilton’s nose in it, Vettel don’t think we need to go on that car and beat all the others. I think we want to be fastest.”