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MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2020 RahaneRah sparkles as India banish nightmare 36
I think the last ball pretty much summed up our day. It was notn our best day, not our worst. We created a fair few chances butb unfortunately couldn’t hang on to those half-ones. ‘Jinksy’ (Rahane)( has batted pretty well throughout the day there.
Australian paceman Mitchell Starc Sport |09
HANDBALL: QATAR INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY TOURNAMENT Spain drew with Tunisia 30 - 30; Qatar beat Argentina 24-22 Al Sadd keen to end Qatar SC's winning streak CHINTHANA WASALA Al Sadd players in action during a practice session yesterday. THE PENINSULA We are ready to Favourites and points leaders Al Sadd compete, even today take on in-form Qatar SC in their without Akram Afif in QNB Stars League Round 11 match at the team. We will miss the Qatar SC Stadium. The kick off, considered as the biggest encounter of him a lot; he’s one of the day, is set for 6:30pm. the best players in the High-flying Al Sadd, coached by Barca squad. He’s been legend Xavi Hernandez, will eye noth- ing less than three points when they take making the difference on the hosts, coached by ex-Qatar inter- for the team and in my national Younis Ali, but the contest is opinion, he’s the best expected to be a thriller. Both teams are in great form and Xavi Qatari player in the is aware of what is to expect against Qatar country. So we will SC who have won five matches in a row. miss him a lot, but Speaking at a pre-match press con- ference yesterday, Xavi admitted that thanks to God, we have today's encounter won't be easy for Al a big squad and many Sadd. “In my opinion, we are playing against players to replace him: the team in the best form in the compe- Xavi Hernandez tition, because they won five games in a row, with their new player Belaili making the difference. They also have other good foreigner players – Berrahma, Galvez, Karimi and Okpotu," Xavi said. However, the Spaniard said that Al services of one of his key men Akram but thanks to God, we have a big squad “We have a tough task on hand efforts. The level of the team now Sadd are brimming with confidence and Afif due to COVID-19, Al Sadd will tar- and many players to replace him. Hope- because Al Sadd are League leaders and prompts us to pursue enthusiasm, drive is expecting a high-octane clash. get full points. fully, he can recover well and be in the the best team in Asia, and includes many and focus, as we have great ambition "So they have confidence, but we also “We need the three points. The prob- team as soon as possible,” Xavi said. star players - Qataris and foreigners,"Ali in the club to return to the position have confidence. I think we can expect lem is that we already lost Akram Afif, “We are in the top position, we are said yesterday. that Qatar SC deserve. We also have a top match. They have shown a good as he got the coronavirus. It’s a problem performing well and we are really happy “This match will be difficult also a strategy to provide opportunities level, and a good performance but we for us because he’s one of the best play- but it doesn’t finish here. We have to keep because Al Sadd are a technically sta- for young players. are also in a good condition. I expect a ers in our squad, so we will miss him,” going, and now we have defeat Qatar, ble team and have the ability to impose “There is no doubt that the recent high-level game. Xavi said. one of the best teams in the competition. their style excellently over their com- victories have fuelled our ambitions to Al Sadd widened the gap at the top “But it’s okay, and we are ready to “It (the campaign) is not over, we play petitors. They present themselves in provide our best in the next match, which to seven points following their victory compete, even without Akram Afif in this game and after that there’s the last the best possible way in every match, is the most important and our focus is over Al Rayyan in the blockbuster Qatar the team,” Xavi said. stage. We haven’t won anything. We have but the task is not impossible and we on it now," Ali added. Clasico last week. It was the ninth win in "We will miss him a lot; he’s one of to keep going," Xavi said. hope that we too will appear well. Our In other matches today, Al Gharafa this season's QSL for Al Sadd. The Wolves the best players in the squad. He’s been Xavi's opposite number Ali knows preparations went off well," Ali said. take on Umm Salal at Al Duhail are the only unbeaten side so far in the making the difference for the team and that they have a tough task but said his “The wonderful thing is that our Stadium(4:00pm) while Al Wakrah league, having drawn their other fixture. in my opinion, he’s the best Qatari player team's ambition is to return to the posi- team has become a well-oiled machine meet Al Kharaitiyat later at the same Xavi said that despite missing the in the country. So we will miss him a lot, tion that Qatar SC deserve. on the field, thanks to everyone's venue (6:30pm). Ronaldo wins QSL: Al Duhail beat Al Ahli in 8-goal Player of the Century thriller as Al Rayyan, Al Arabi win
Award THE PENINSULA – DOHA Al Duhail's Ahmed Yasser scores his team's second goal against Al Ahli Reigning champions Al Duhail yesterday during yesterday's match. defeated Al Ahli 5-3 in a thrilling Round 11 clash of the QNB Stars League (QSL) at the Al Ahli Stadium. Eduardo Rodrigues (5), Ahmed Yasser Juventus’ Cristiano (8), Paulo Edmilson (12), Almoez Ali (56) Ronaldo poses and Mohammed Muntari (90) found the with a trophy after net as Al Duhail posted their seventh win winning the Player of the season. of the Century Nasser Saleh Al Khalfan (2) and Nabil award at the Globe El Zhar (45+4 penalty and 67) scored the Soccer Awards in goals for Al Ahli, who remained on 19 Dubai yesterday. points after their fourth defeat. The win moved Al Duhail's points tally to 21 as they moved to the second spot in the standings above Al Gharafa (19 points) who play against Umm Salal today. Yesterday, Al Ahli surprised the vis- Everton up to 2nd in PL itors with a goal as early as the second minute through Al Khalfan, who was com- as Liverpool drop points pletely unmarked. After a couple of short passes among team-mates, El Zhar chipped AP – SHEFFIELD four-win streak of the season, in a cross for Al Khalfan. The young Al Ahli with the team also picking up a player jumped high in the air and easily Gylfi Sigurdsson produced a maximum of 12 points from its sent the ball into the net with defenders Merseyside top two in the opening four games to be the Mohammed Moosa and Ismail Mohammed Premier League by scoring a late early league leader. out of position to stop the move. goal for Everton in its 1-0 win Elsewhere, Liverpool Three minutes later, Al Duhail found In injury time of El Zhar added his over last-place Sheffield United dropped points at Anfield for the their equaliser through Rodrigues. Khaled first half, Al Duhail’s second of the match on yesterday. first time this season after con- Mohammed found Rodrigues with a short Ali brought down a loopy cross from half The Iceland midfielder beat ceding an 82nd-minute pass on the far right of the pitch. Rodrigues Hazem Shehata of the pitch by goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale equalizer to draw 1-1 against ran for some 10 yards with the ball and inside the box. Mohammed Diame. with a low shot from inside the lowly West Bromwich Albion close to the edge of the box, he curled in Referee Saoud Ali Al Despite being chased area in the 80th minute fol- yesterday. a fast-paced flick that took keeper Yazan Athba sought VAR by a defender, El Zhar lowing some good buildup play The champions looked set Naim by surprise. assistance and ROUND 11 calmly slotted the ball involving Abdoulaye Doucoure to move five points clear - for The 1-0 lead didn't last long as three pointed to the spot YESTERDAY'S RESULTS past the keeper. and Bernard. the biggest lead of their Premier minutes later, Rodrigues assisted with a and El Zhar easily Al Ahli 3-5 Al Duhail Muntari, who Everton jumped into second League title defense so far - perfectly-taken long-distance free-kick converted the Al Sailiya 0-1 Al Arabi replaced Almoez in the place above Leicester and Man- thanks to Sadio Mane’s 12th- that sailed above the wall on the edge of penalty kick. Al Khor 0-1 Al Rayyan 75th minute, added one chester United, after their 2-2 minute goal. the Al Ahli box before dipping a little away Al Duhail TODAY'S FIXTURES more from close range draw earlier Saturday. Everton However, what had been a from the goalmouth. Yasser followed the jumped to a 4-2 Al Gharafa vs Umm Salal for Al Duhail to com- is two points behind rival one-sided match changed when dipping ball and deflected the ball on the cushion in the 56th 16:00 at Al Duhail Stadium plete a 5-3 win. Liverpool. Liverpool center back Joel Matip volley with Yazan Naim out of position. minute when Al Wakrah vs Al Kharaitiyat Later, at Al Khor Everton has won its last four was forced off injured in the The ball went into the net as Al Duhail cel- Almoez scored after 18:30 at Al Duhail Stadium Stadium, Ivorian Yohan games, despite having key 60th minute. ebrated their second goal inside three a series of slick Qatar SC vs Al Sadd Boli struck a winner players injured such as Lucas And from one of West minutes to take the game away from Al passion. Al Duhai’s 18:30 at Qatar SC Stadium (47) as Al Rayyan Digne and James Rodriguez. Brom’s half-chances, Semi Ajayi Ahli. Karim Boudiaf, sta- defeated hosts 1-0. Brazil forward Richarlison was rose above Fabinho to head the It was 3-1 for Al Duhail as Edmilson, tioned close to the Al Ahli box, slipped in Meanwhile, Al Arabi achieved an also missing against Sheffield ball in off the far post, allowing on a long loopy cross from the flank, a cross to Mohammed who was on the right important 1-0 victory over Al Sailiya at Al United while he followed con- West Brom to snatch a point managed to deflect the ball into the net a of the pitch. From the flank, Mohammed Ahli Stadium. Mehrdad Mohammadi cussion protocols. despite only enjoying 22% few yards away from the Al Ahli keeper curled in a cross for Almoez who clipped scored in the winning goal in the 43rd It is Everton’s second possession. who was rooted on the goalline. the ball into the net on the volley. minute. MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 11
Osaka is Al Shaqab to host spectacular AP Female Athlete of LGCT, GCL 2021 season opener the Year THE PENINSULA – DOHA showdown at the Global Cham- to be a thrilling championship, pions Prague Playoffs in as they compete forone of the Al Shaqab, a member of Qatar November. most coveted titles in the world AP – NEW YORK Foundation,will once again host The kick-off event in Doha of showjumping.” the opening competition of the will see the maiden LGCT Grand Jan Tops, President of LGCT With tennis, like so much of Longines Global Champions Prix of the year, where riders and GCL, said: “We are pleased the world, shut down because Tour (LGCT) and Global Cham- will look to be the first to book to announce our dates for 2021 of the coronavirus pandemic, pions League (GCL) team series. their Golden Ticket to the and look forward to a new season Naomi Osaka found herself The latest edition of the Prague Play-offs. The GCL with confidence and excitement, with time to read and think. world’s premier five-star show- teams will go into battle over but also with humility. I know all And while she won the US jumping competition will bring two rounds, armed with new our stakeholders and especially Open for her third Grand Slam together the best riders and strategies to take them to our loyal fans are looking title, she also stood out for horses in their quest for indi- victory in 2021. forward to a fresh start with a speaking out about racial vidual and team glory from Khalifa Al Attiya, Executive new season after such a difficult injustice and police March 4-6, 2021, under the Director, Al Shaqab, said: year for everyone due to the brutality. stunning andiconic architecture “Since 2013, Al Shaqab has global pandemic. As noteworthy in 2020 for of the Longines Arena at Al been a proud host of the “We are working closely her activism away from the Shaqab, setting the scene for an Longines Global Champions with our host cities and organ- tennis court as her success on electrifying weekend of eques- Tour. The Arab world has a izing partners to deliver a it, Osaka was selected by The trian sport. very rich equestrian heritage welcome return to top-level Associated Press as the There will be 16 events and, through events such as showjumping with robust Female Athlete of the Year in worldwide on the LGCT and this, Al Shaqab preserves and health and safety protocols. I results revealed yesterday GCL calendar next year, starting perpetuates an important would like to thank everyone after a vote by AP member with the championship season aspect of Qatari tradition and for their continued support sports editors and AP beat opener inDoha, and finishing including our sponsors and writers. with the Finals in New York, in team owners.” “It was difficult to be iso- September, before the ultimate In view of the current lated from my family for large culture. Al Shaqab’s hosting of as a global sporting COVID-19 pandemic, the Min- parts of the year, but that’s such an internationally destination. istry of Public Health’s precau- nothing compared to others. renowned championship bears “The Longines Arena at Al tionary measures will be strictly It was sad to watch and read testament to Qatar’s position Shaqabwill provide the perfect enforced to ensure the safety the news of people suffering backdrop for the world’s and well-being of participants, from COVID-19, and the eco- leading equestrian athletes and equestrian fans, and all who are nomic and social effect on so horses to kick off what promises involved with the event. many - losing jobs, mental health. It was such a tough year for so many people,” Osaka wrote in an email interview. “And then watching the police injustices like George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Jacob Blake (to name just a few) in the summer broke my heart. I am proud of my US Open victory, but more so that I got people talking about the real issues.” Osaka col- lected 18 of 35 first-place votes and a total of 71 points. WNBA Finals MVP Breanna Stewart was next with nine first-place votes and 60 points, followed by Sarah Fuller, the Vanderbilt soccer player who kicked for the school’s football team, with one first-place vote and 24 points. Handball: Qatar beat Argentina in friendly LeBron James was announced as the AP Male THE PENINSULA – DOHA time break. Athlete of the Year. Upon return, Argentina took “To be honest, I really Asian champions Qatar a more aggressive approach didn’t stop to think about yesterday overpowered South and looked determined to fight what others would think of American champions Argentina back. At one stage, Qatar led my actions. Other people’s to clinch their second win in the 17-11 before the visitors added opinions weren’t going to stop international friendly tour- six goals in succession to level me from doing what I know nament in Doha. the scores for the first time in in my heart was the right The hosts, who are gearing the match. thing to do,” Osaka said. up for the IHF World Champi- However, Qatar looked “The strong voices of Colin onship that will take place from more defensive after that and (Kaepernick) and LeBron January 13 to 31 in Egypt, yes- kept on blocking Argentina’s were certainlyyp positive influ- terday won with a 24-22 margin attempts. With few minutes encesences forfor me against the South American remaining for the final whistle, and gavegave me giants. Qatar led 14-8 at the Argentina once again strengthstrength in mymy break threatened to take the game owno w n It looked like Argentina away from Qatar, with three convic-convic- were struggling at the early goals being scored to make it tions.”tions.” stage of the match yesterday, 22-23 in their favour. However, with Qatar scoring at regular Al Annabi didn’t disappoint intervals. After starting the their coach Valero Rivera Lopez scoreboard ticking, Qatar were as they sealed a 24-22 win at Al leading 4-1 at one stage before Duhail Indoor Hall. Players in action during yesterday's friendly the visitors struck back to make Yesterday's win was Qatar's between Qatar and Argentina. it 4-5 in their favour. Qatar then second in the friendly tour- revved up the pace of scoring nament after a 33-30 win over with six goals in a row before 10-time African champions In yesterday's opening Qatar, in preparations for open their campaign Argentina added one as the Tunisia in the opening match match, European champions the IHF World, underwent against Angola in what scoreline read 11-4 in favour of on Friday. Spain and African heavyweights several training camps in the will be a rematch of one the hosts. The two wins will surely Tunisia played 30-30 tie. last few months besides fea- of the most memorable Thereafter, Argentina made boost the morale of the former Today, Argentina will take turing in a number of friendly matches from 2019 Worldrld tried to make inroads into the World Championship silver on Spain before squaring off matches including games Championships. Euro 2020020 game with four more goals medallists Qatar who are with Tunisia on the final day, against top clubs of Qatar. runners-up Croatia and Japanpan while Qatar added three into looking to make their presence with Qatar wrapping up the At next month’s IHF event, are the other teams in theirheir their account before the half felt in Egypt next month. event in a match against Spain. Al Annabi, drawn in Group C, group. Naomi Osaka QBF League: Al Gharafa, Al Sadd win QOC's Beach Games in full swing
Action during Women's 3x3 basketball and Men's beach football competitions of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Beach Games at Aspire Zone yesterday. Al Gharafa's Tyler James Lee Harris in action during the Qatar Basketball The event is one of the community Association Senior League match against Al Ahli at Al Gharafa Stadium yesterday. events and activities organised by Harris scored 21 points while Franklin Ii and Abdulrahman Saad added 25 and QOC annually to take all individuals 23 points respectively as Al Gharafa beat Al Ahli 105-62. RIGHT: Action during of the society to greater standards the match between Al Sadd and Khor which Al Sadd won 112-86. of health and physical fitness. 10 SPORTSPORT MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2020
AUSTRALIA VS INDIA Most Test 100s by India players INDIA, first innings (overnight 36 for one) M. Wade c Jadeja b Ashwin ...... 30 M. Agarwal lbw Starc ...... 0 M. Labuschagne c Gill b Siraj ...... 48 Ajinkya Rahane yesterday remained 104 not out, his 12th S. Gill c Paine b Cummins ...... 45 S. Smith c Pujara b Ashwin ...... 0 Test century in 67th Test for India. Here's a list of top cen- C. Pujara c Paine c Cummins ...... 17 T. Head c Rahane b Bumrah ...... 38 tury-makers for India in Test cricket. A. Rahane not out ...... 104 C. Green lbw b Siraj ...... 12 H. Vihari c Smith b Lyon ...... 21 T. Paine c Vihari b Ashwin ...... 13 R. Pant c Paine b Starc ...... 29 M. Starc c Siraj b Bumrah ...... 7 Player Mat 100s 50s 0s R. Jadeja not out ...... 40 P. Cummins c Siraj b Jadeja ...... 9 Extras (b12, lb6, w1, nb2) ...... 21 N. Lyon lbw b Bumrah ...... 20 S Tendulkar 200 51 68 14 Total (five wickets, 91.3 overs) ...... 277 J. Hazlewood not out ...... 4 To bat: Ashwin, U Yadav, M Siraj, J Bumrah Extras (b10, nb3, w1) ...... 14 R Dravid 163 36 63 7 Fall of wickets: 0-1, 2-61, 3-64, 4-116, 5-173 Total (10 wickets, 72.3 overs) ...... 195 S Gavaskar 125 34 45 12 Bowling: Starc 18.3-3-61-2, Cummins 22-7- Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-35, 3-38, 4-124, V Kohli 87 27 23 10 71-2, Hazlewood 21-6-44-0, Lyon 18-2-52-1, 5-134, 6-155. 7-155, 8-164, 9-191, 10-195 Green 12-1-31-0 Bowling: Bumrah 16-4-56-4, Yadav 12-2-39- V Sehwag 103 23 31 16 AUSTRALIA, first innings 0, Ashwin 24-7-35-3, Jadeja 5.3-1-15-1, Siraj M Azharuddin 99 22 21 5 J. Burns c Pant b Bumrah ...... 0 15-4-40-2 C Pujara 79* 18 25 8 D Vengsarkar 116 17 35 15 V Laxman 134 17 56 14 S Ganguly 113 16 35 13 G Viswanath 91 14 35 10 India’s Ajinkya Rahane P Umrigar 59 12 14 5 celebrates after reaching M Vijay 61 12 15 8 his century as his A Rahane 67* 12 22 7 teammate Ravindra Jadeja looks on during day two of the second Test match between Australia and India at the MCG, Elgar falls short Melbourne, Australia, yesterday. of ton as South Rahane sparkles as India Africa fight back against Sri Lanka grab lead in Melbourne REUTERS - PRETORIA
REUTERS - MELBOURNE attack when the second new ball arrived, Cummins removed Gill and Cheteshwar Opener Dean Elgar fell five runs short of a century as South Africa Rahane cut paceman Pat Cummins to Pujara (17) in a searing five-ball salvo in the climbed to 317 for four at the close of play on day two of the first Stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane stepped backward point for four to bring up his 12th morning but Hanuma Vihari (21) and Pant Test against injury-hit Sri Lanka at Centurion Park yesterday. out of Virat Kohli’s shadow with an inspiring Test century. warded off a collapse in tandem with Elgar looked set for his 13th Test ton until he offered Sri Lanka century yesterday as India’s batsmen He raised his bat in an understated cel- Rahane. seamer Dasun Shanaka a sharp caught-and-bowled chance that banished their horror 36 in Adelaide to take ebration as Indian fans in the socially-dis- Pace spearhead Mitchell Starc took his was superbly taken. SCOREBOARD control of the second Test against a prof- tanced crowd of 23,841 roared. 250th Test wicket when he had Pant caught Faf du Plessis (55 not out) and ligate Australia on day two. It capped a stunning turnaround from behind before tea but the rangy left-armer Temba Bavuma (41 not out) will Sri lanka, first innings (overnight 340-6) Rahane, left to rally India after Kohli’s the farce at Adelaide Oval, where he ran finished the day tearing his hair out. resume on the third morning after D. Karunaratne b Ngidi ...... 22 departure in the wake of the Adelaide out his captain Kohli in the first innings and Taking the second new ball after tea, adding 97 runs, hoping to push K. Perera c De Kock b Mulder ...... 16 humiliation, stamped his authority with an was then out for a duck as India slumped Starc soon coaxed a nick from Rahane that South Africa past the visitors’ first K. Mendis c Ngidi b Nortje ...... 12 D. Chandimal c Du Plessis b Mulder ...... 85 unbeaten 104 at the Melbourne Cricket to their lowest ever test innings total. a slow-reacting Smith dropped above head- innings score of 396 after two D. de Silva retired hurt ...... 79 Ground, driving the tourists to 277 for five None of his team mates made double height in the slips. free-scoring days that have pro- N. Dickwella lbw b Mulder ...... 49 before rain brought stumps early. figures in that second innings horror show, Starc also sent down the last delivery duced 713 runs at a rollicking rate D. Shanaka not out ...... 66 They have a lead of 82 runs in reply to but at the MCG Rahane found willing that pinged off Rahane’s glove and which of 4.24 runs per over. W. Hasaranga b Sipamla ...... 18 Australia’s first innings 195, and all the support in a rejigged lineup with Jadeja, Head looked to have caught before it That would suggest a batting K. Rajitha c Elgar b Sipamla ...... 12 momentum on a flattening pitch as they debutant opener Shubman Gill (45) and popped out of his hands as he lay on the paradise, but the wicket has given V. Fernando b Sipamla ...... 0 look to level the four-test series after defeat recalled wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant (29) turf. assistance to the bowlers, with L. Kumara c Van der Dussen b Sipamla ...... 0 in the opener. making telling contributions. “I think the last ball pretty much both sides perhaps guilty of erring Extras (b16, lb9, nb6, w6) ...... 37 Total (96 overs) ...... 396 Rahane was reprieved on 73 when “The chat in the team was that if we summed up our day. It was not our best in line and length and not taking Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Karunaratne), 2-54 dropped by Steve Smith in the slips, and have to win this match, we need partner- day, not our worst,” a deflated Starc told advantage of the pace and uneven (Mendis), 3-54 (Perera), 4-284 (Chandimal), again on 104 when Travis Head coughed ships,” said Gill, who was dropped twice reporters. bounce. 5-296 (Dickwella), 6-320 (Hasaranga), 7-387 up a diving chance on the final ball of the during his 65-ball knock. “We created a fair few chances but “It is one of those wickets (Rajitha), 8-387 (Fernando), 9-396 (Kumara) day, but it was a captain’s knock of the “We now have a century-plus part- unfortunately couldn’t hang on to those where if you apply yourself and Bowling: Ngidi 19-3-64-1, Sipamla 16-1-76-4 highest quality by the soft-spoken nership (Rahane and Jadeja). We hope they half-ones. ‘Jinksy’ (Rahane) has batted simplify your game-plan, you can (3nb), Nortje 22-3-88-1 (2w), Mulder 20-4-69- 32-year-old. can stretch it past 150 and make it as long pretty well throughout the day there.” score runs,” Elgar told SuperSport 3 (3nb), Maharaj 19-3-74-0 He had pulled India from early peril on as possible.” Rahane strode off with Jadeja a survivor at the close. “We have changed the South Africa, first innings a muggy, overcast day and with Ravindra Tim Paine’s Australia were left to rue a as a cold front swept over the ground. Aus- momentum through the day and D. Elgar c and b Shanaka ...... 95 Jadeja (40 not out) built a 104-run part- poor day in the field, having let Rahane and tralia trudged off fuming, with work to do potentially have it back in our A. Markram c Shanaka b Fernando ...... 68 nership that spanned the final session. India off the hook after reducing the tourists on day three to prevent India batting them changeroom after a tough day yes- H. van der Dussen c Dickwella b Kumara ....15 Standing firm against a belligerent pace to 64 for three early on. out of the Test. terday. “We want to only bat once F. du Plessis not out ...... 55 on this wicket and then it is up to Q. de Kock c sub (Thirimanne) b Hasaranga 18 the bowlers. We probably need T. Bavuma not out ...... 41 another 200-plus runs tomorrow.” Extras (b8, lb6, nb5, w6) ...... 25 Total (4 wkts, 72 overs) ...... 317 Sri Lanka had already lost all- Fall of wickets: 1-141 (Markram), 2-200 (Van Jamieson strikes as Pakistan rounder Dhananjaya de Silva for der Dussen), 3-200 (Elgar), 4-220 (De Kock) the remainder of the Test series Bowling: Fernando 15-2-59-1 (1w), Rajitha after he injured a thigh and retired 2.1-0-16-0 (1nb), Shanaka 16.5-2-56-1 (3nb), hurt on 79 on the first day, and Hasaranga 23-3-99-1 (1nb), Kumara 15-0-73-1 stumble in reply to NZ’s 431 they were further hampered when (1w) seamer Kasun Rajitha limped off To bat: W. Mulder, K. Maharaj, A. Nortje, L. Si- after bowling 2.1 overs in South pamla, L. Ngidi AFP - MOUNT MAUNGANUI, NEW ZEALAND “Spin will come more into play. There difficult with swing and seam on the first Africa’s innings. are bits of rough as well so I’ve no doubt day. He is scheduled to have a scan and his participation in the rest New Zealand were banking on a deterio- spin will definitely have a role.” Although there was not the same of the test is yet to be determined, leaving the tourists without a rating pitch to defend their Kane The immediate concern for New movement on day two, the drying pitch top-six batsman and two of their bowlers. Williamson-anchored 431 after reducing Zealand was the availability of Wagner who started to show signs of turn which brought South Africa profited as they raced to 141 in the 29th over, Pakistan to 30 for one on day two of the was to have a scan at the end of the day spin into play with Yasir Shah taking three with Aiden Markram (68) and Elgar taking the attack to the first Test at Mount Maunganui yesterday. after being hit on the foot by a Shaheen wickets, including the prized scalp of bowlers. But when Markram picked out Shanaka in the gully trying Abid Ali was not out 19 with night- Afridi yorker when he batted. Williamson. to play a booming drive off watchman Mohammad Abbas yet to score Wagner managed three overs when Nicholls, who had partnered Williamson seamer Vishwa Fernando after Kyle Jamieson removed opener Shan Pakistan batted but was clearly in pain. in a 133-run stand for the fourth wicket, (1-59), the momentum was Masood for 10. New Zealand, having started the day at was the first to fall, bizarrely departing the halted. A mini-collapse with The Bay Oval pitch, Williamson’s home 222 for three, added a further 209 runs field when he would have been allowed to the score on 200 saw them wicket, is renowned for supporting the before Wagner was the last man out. stay had he argued his case. lose three more wickets for bowlers on the first and last day. The innings was headlined by William- He was given out caught off the gloves, the addition of only another But Williamson said it was already son’s 129, his 23rd Test century, with and after consulting with Williamson they 20 runs, with Rassie van der showing signs it would favour spin through sizeable contributions from BJ Watling (73) felt the ball may have also touched the bat Dussen (15) and dangerman the middle stages, while New Zealand and Henry Nicholls (56) to go with Ross Tay- so they decided not to seek a review when Quinton de Kock (18) falling sweated on the availability of short-ball lor’s 70 on the first day. replays later showed the ball hit his forearm cheaply. But Du Plessis and specialist Neil Wagner. Williamson described his knock as and did not brush either glove or bat. Bavuma steadied the ship and “Hopefully the cracks start to open and “really satisfying” after New Zealand were Williamson, a model of patience and handed the initiative back to hopefully it starts to deteriorate,” Wil- sent into bat on a green wicket and with concentration, needed 261 balls to bring up the home side. liamson said. Afridi and Mohammad Abbas making life his century, his slowest Test hundred, but Sri Lanka had earlier once that milestone passed resumed their first innings on SCOREBOARD he picked up the pace and effectively 340 for seven fol- New Zealand, 1st innings (overnight 222-3) needed only 36 more lowing De Silva’s injury, with T. Latham c Azhar Ali b Afridi ...... 4 deliveries to get to 129. Shanaka’s superb career-best T. Blundell c Yasir Shah b Afridi ...... 5 The introduction of Yasir South Africa’s Dean Elgar avoids unbeaten 66 seeing them add K. Williamson c Sohail b Yasir Shah ...... 129 Shah brought the end of 56 runs in 11 overs before he R. Taylor c Rizwan b Afridi ...... 70 a bouncer during the second day H. Nicholls c Masood b Shah ...... 56 the New Zealand captain. of the first Test cricket match ran out of partners. Debutant B. Watling c Yasir Shah b Afridi ...... 73 With his third ball, the between South Africa and Sri Lanka South Africa seamer Lutho M. Santner c Rizwan b Ashraf ...... 19 leg-spinner found enough in Centurion yesterday. Sipamla (4-76) claimed the K. Jamieson c Rizwan b Abbas ...... 32 turn to catch the edge of remaining three wickets. T. Southee b Yasir Shah ...... 0 N. Wagner c Masood b Yasir Shah ...... 19 the bat and Haris Sohail T. Boult not out ...... 8 took a smart one-handed Most Test 100s by NZ players Extras: (lb5, w5, nb6) ...... 16 catch. Total:(10 wickets; 155 overs) ...... 431 Watling, who scored a Kane Williamson scored 129 against Pakistan yesterday, Fall of wickets: 1-4, 2-13, 3-133, 4-266, 5-281, double century against his 23rd Test century in 82 matches. Here's a list of top 6-317, 7-383, 8-388, 9-421, 10-431 Bowling: Afridi 36-7-109-4 (1nb), Abbas 31- England on the same Bay century-makers from New Zealand in Test cricket. 14-49-1 (1w), Ashraf 19-8-40-1 (1w), Naseem Oval wicket a year ago, Shah 25-3-96-1 (3w, 5nb), Yasir Shah 37-4-113- took over as the batting Player Mat 100s 50s 0s 3, Shan Masood 2-1-2-0, Sohail 5-0-17-0 mainstay. Pakistan, 1st innings K Williamson 82* 23 32 9 S. Masood c Watling b Jamieson ...... 10 New Zealand’s captain He featured in a Abid Ali not out ...... 19 Kane Williamson celebrates 36-run stand with Mitchell L Taylor 104* 19 34 14 M. Abbas not out ...... 0 reaching his century (100 Santner (19) and 66 with M Crowe 77 17 18 9 Extras (nb1) ...... 1 runs) during the second Jamieson (32). After Tim J Wright 82 12 23 7 Total (one wicket: 20 overs) ...... 30 Southee’s nine-ball duck, B McCullum 101 12 31 14 Fall of wickets: 1-28 day of the first cricket To bat: Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Haris Sohail, Test match between New Watling and Wagner put T M Latham 55* 11 19 8 Mohammad Rizwan (capt), Faheem Ashraf, Ya- Zealand and Pakistan at on 33 before Watling N Astle 81 11 24 11 sir Shah, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah the Bay Oval in Mount nicked a wide Afridi S Fleming 111 9 46 16 Bowling: Southee 7-2-13-0, Boult 4-2-8-0, Maunganui yesterday. delivery to Yasir Shah at B Watling 72* 8 19 10 Jamieson 6-4-5-1, Wagner 3-1-4-0 (1nb) gully. MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2020 SPORT 09 Sport’s tempestuous 2020 in 15 moments
AFP - LONDON of Kobe Bryant, his daughter Gianna and seven others sent AFP picks out 15 moments in shockwaves through basketball sport during an extraordinary, and the US. coronavirus-disrupted 2020: A five-time NBA champion, Bryant played for the Los Bayern sweep to Champions Angeles Lakers throughout his League title 20-year career before retiring When the pandemic forced in April 2016. His death UEFA to transform the final prompted a tempest of tributes. stages of the Champions “When Kobe Bryant died, a League into a mini-tournament piece of me died,” said Michael in Lisbon, Bayern looked the Jordan. best team from the start. Hansi Flick’s accomplished Athletics finds a new star side won their sixth European When pole vaulter Armand crown thanks to Kingsley Duplantis set a new world Coman’s header against Paris record of 6.18m in an indoor Saint-Germain. meet in Glasgow in February a week after clearing 6.17m, the Hamilton joins the F1 sport of track and field had a legends new star. The US-based Swede When Michael Schumacher with the teen movie looks then bowed out of Formula One, few produced the highest outdoor thought his record of 91 Grand vault of all time (6.15m) and fin- Prix wins and seven world ished the year undefeated in 16 championships would ever be competitions. matched. In 2020, Lewis Ham- ilton did just that, winning 11 of Not quite so Iron Mike the 17 races to take his tally Mike Tyson, once the undis- beyond Schumacher’s record In this file photo taken on July 22, 2020, Liverpool’s English midfielder Jordan Henderson (centre) lifts the Premier League (PL) puted heavyweight champion to 95, and equalling the Ger- trophy during the presentation following the PL football match between Liverpool and Chelsea at Anfield in Liverpool, north west of the world and one of the man’s seven titles. England. Liverpool lifted the PL trophy at the famous Kop stand at Anfield after their final home game of the season. With no fans most feared fighters ever to The 35-year-old Briton cer- able to attend due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, Liverpool said the idea for the trophy lift was to honour the club’s fans, step into a ring, retired from tainly benefitted from the out- but Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp urged fans to respect social distancing measures, after thousands gathered around the club’s boxing in 2005. But 15 years standing Mercedes car at his stadium and in the city centre following their coronation as champions. later, and aged 54, he clam- disposal but there is little doubt he has etched his name firmly singles title. It was a breath- their supporters defied coro- Cricket in the time of corona In this file photo taken on among the greatest of his sport. taking fortnight for Swiatek navirus warnings to gather in When coronavirus first November 15, 2020, Mercedes’ who capitalised on the absence a haze of red flares outside. struck it looked as though all DQ for Djoko of world number one Ashleigh summer sport would be written British F1 driver Lewis Hamilton World number one Novak Barty and the early exit through Pogacar’s power pedalling off but on July 8 at the Rose reacts as he gets out of his car Djokovic went into the US injury of Serena Williams to A virus-delayed Tour de Bowl in Southampton, England after winning the Turkish Grand Open looking for an 18th become the youngest female France took place in Sep- and the West Indies, who had Prix at the Intercity Istanbul Park major triumph in the singles winner since Monica tember, which was in itself a been in a bio-secure bubble for circuit in Istanbul. Hamilton won knowledge that Roger Federer Seles in 1992. massive achievement. a month, emerged to play a the race to seal his 7th World and Rafael Nadal were absent. That it produced an thrilling Test behind closed Championship. Going into his fourth round Liverpool end 30-year wait incredible race, and saw Slov- doors. match against 20th seed Pablo Under Jurgen Klopp, the enian Tadej Pogacar come from West Indies edged the Carreno Busta, the Serb had Reds had threatened for two nowhere to become just the opener thanks to fine perform- ances by Shannon Gabriel and Jermaine Blackwood but England came back to take the three-Test series. The real winner, though, was the England and Wales Cricket Board who managed this and further series against Pakistan, as well as ODI series against Ireland and Australia, impeccably.
36 all out Any cricket team can have a bad day at the office but few have suffered a batting meltdown to compare with India, captained by the great Virat Kohli, when they were bowled out for just 36 by Aus- tralia in the first Test in Adelaide in December. This file photo taken on November 29, 2020, bered back through the ropes India had shows Mike Tyson (right) throwing a punch in to take on Roy Jones Jnr, 51, been in a decent the fourth round against Roy Jones Jr at Staples in an exhibition fight. The two position after the Centre in Los Angeles, California. gave glimpses of their former first innings but glories as they battled to a Josh Hazlewood draw, although sceptics were In this file photo taken on September 6, 2020, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic tends to a line judge who (5-8) and Pat quick to remind them of the was hit with the ball during his fourth-round match against Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain on Day Cummins (4-21) ravages of time. “This is like Seven of the 2020 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre in the Queens ripped through two of my uncles fighting at borough of New York City. them. It was the the barbecue!” pronounced fifth lowest score hip hop star Snoop Dogg in not lost a singles match in years to finally land their first seventh man to win it at his first in Test history his TV commentary. 2020. domestic title since 1990. attempt, raised it to a higher and India’s It all went wrong though Strengthened by the addition plane. lowest ever. Mahomes leads the Chiefs when the 33-year-old vented of goalkeeper Alisson and The then 21-year-old had to Super Bowl glory his frustration after dropping centre-back Virgil van Dijk, in won two stages but was 57 Mourning Kobe Patrick Mahomes led the his service by hitting a ball 2019-20 they galloped to an seconds behind countryman Bryant Kansas City Chiefs to 21 behind him, striking a female almost unassailable lead, only Primoz Roglic going into the The heli- straight points in the final line judge in the throat. for the pandemic to halt penultimate stage time trial. As copter crash 6min 13sec to beat the San Djokovic immediately apolo- football. When the season Roglic choked, Pogacar burned outside Los Francisco 49ers 31-20 in the gised but after a lengthy dis- resumed, they didn’t miss a up the road to win his third Angeles on Super Bowl. The charismatic cussion, he was disqualified, Mersey beat and lifted the stage and take the yellow jersey January 26 that quarterback was named leaving the field open for trophy on an empty Kop as for the first time. claimed the life Super Bowl MVP for landing Dominic Thiem. the Chiefs’ first NFL title for half a century. Lucky 13 for Nadal Rafael Nadal skipped the The match that never US Open but there was no way should have been the Spaniard was going to miss played his signature event, the French Liverpool’s defeat to Open which took place at a Atletico Madrid in the blustery Roland Garros in a Champions League last rearranged late September/ 16 on March 11 was early October slot. notable less for the result Inevitably, and without than for the fact that dropping a set on the way, 50,000 people gathered Nadal bulldozed his way to the at Anfield at a time when final where he met Djokovic coronavirus was already who was keen to atone for his rampant. Scientists have mishap at Flushing Meadows. pinpointed the match as It was barely a contest with one of the key super- Nadal winning 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 to spreader events in claim a 13th French Open title England. and match Federer’s record of 20 major wins. A message of hope In this file photo taken on January 26, 2020, Luis Villanueva Francesco Caputo, a Swiatek takes Pole position lights a candle in front of a Kobe Bryant mural in downtown forward for Italian at Roland Garros Los Angeles. Nine people were killed in the helicopter crash football club Sassuolo, Iga Swiatek was ranked which claimed the life of NBA star Bryant and his 13-year- spoke for the whole 54th in the world when she old daughter. Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva world when he lifted his travelled to Roland Garros. Two said eight passengers and the pilot of the aircraft died in shirt to reveal the weeks later, after seeing off the accident. The helicopter crashed in foggy weather in the message: “It will all be Sofia Kenin in the final, the Los Angeles suburb of Calabasas. Authorities said firefighters fine, stay at home” as 19-year-old had risen to received a call shortly at 9:47 am about the crash, which Covid-19 ravaged Italy number 17 and had become the caused a brush fire on a hillside. on its way to taking hold first Pole to win a Grand Slam in Europe. Sport MONDAY 28 DECEMBER 2020 08 Champs Lakers hope to follow last year’s script Australian golf AGENCIES – LOS ANGELES last month, reports have surfaced that legend Norman a contract extension is in the works. Looking more like the champions they As Schroder is figuring out -- quarantining are, the Los Angeles Lakers are back although he probably knew already -- on track after a Christmas Day victory life in Los Angeles on a team with a and are set to play host to the Minnesota championship pedigree is pretty sweet. at home Timberwolves. “They’re making it easy for me AFP – MIAMI The Lakers took care of the Dallas (with) the transition,” Schroder said. “I Mavericks with ease Friday, three days think everybody came together. (Davis) Australian golf great Greg Norman after they opened the season with a loss and LeBron, they led the way and did said yesterday he was quarantining to the Los Angeles Clippers. a great job in that situation, and I think at home after spending Christmas The champs hope a familiar pattern everyone is feeling comfortable. Day in the hospital with COVID-19 from last season emerges when they “I think this group here, it’s fun. We symptoms. also fell to the Clippers in the opener, want to get stops on the defensive end, The 65-year-old Aussie, a former but then went on to win seven consec- and then we just want to run on the world number one who won the utive games and 17 of 18. offensive end, I think as fast as pos- 1986 and 1983 British Opens, said in The Timberwolves will be playing sible. I think, yeah, you want to go out an Instagram post that he still had their first back-to-back of the young there and play with energy and get fever, joint and muscle aches and season after earning a 116-111 victory stops and run. That’s what we did headaches “but on a lesser level.” on the road to the Utah Jazz on Sat- (against the Mavericks), and we’ve just Although he had yet to get results of urday night. got to keep getting better.” his latest Covid-19 test, Norman said The Lakers used the marquee time The Timberwolves improved to 2-0 he had a chest X-Ray and blood test slot on Christmas to pancake the Mav- with the victory at Utah to start a three- Wesley in the hospital “where 2 markers ericks in a game where they scored at game trip. They will stay in Los Angeles Matthews of the showed up leading the Doc to say, least 30 points in every quarter. to face the Clippers on Tuesday. Los Angeles Lakers assume you are positive with these Anthony Davis had 28 points and eight An emotional Karl-Anthony Towns drives against Trey Burke symptoms and markers. rebounds, while LeBron James scored scored 22 points with 11 rebounds in of the Dallas Mavericks at 22 with 10 assists. the opener and added 16 points and Staples Centre. A pair of newcomers also were pro- 12 boards against the Jazz as he ded- ductive. Montrezl Harrell gave an icates his play to his late mother, who Handball example of why he was last season’s died in April of complications from Edwards has averaged 16.5 points over Rubio said, adding that it’s “one of the Sixth Man of the Year, adding 22 points COVID-19. the first two games of his NBA career. things” he was brought to do, “to bring tourney sets and seven rebounds off the bench, Towns left Saturday’s game with “We can be a really good team. But it all together and try to win games.” while Dennis Schroder offered 18 points five minutes to play because of what at the same time, we can really be a Timberwolves forward Naz Reid new name, and six assists. appeared to be a serious left arm bad team,” said veteran point guard also had an injury scare when he fell The Lakers have been so pleased injury, but he returned in the closing Ricky Rubio, who is in his second stint on his left shoulder in the first half on flag for Russia with Schroder after acquiring him in a minute. in Minnesota. “It’s a fine line where we Saturday, but he returned toward the trade with the Oklahoma City Thunder No. 1 overall draft pick Anthony want to be and how we want to be,” end of the third quarter. AP – BASEL, SWITZERLAND
Replacements for Russia’s name and flag are in place for a handball Durant, world championship in Egypt, but Cavs down Pistons in double the national anthem still needs a Irving lead backup. The International Handball Fed- hot Nets into eration announced that it has set OT thriller, Sixers rout Knicks conditions under which a Russian team can participate in next month’s Charlotte AFP – LOS ANGELES tournament, conforming to the Court of Arbitration for Sport’s AGENCIES – NEW YORK Cleveland guard Collin Sexton ruling in a landmark doping case. scored 32 points, including a The court ruled that Russia will Through two games, the pairing layup to force a second not be able to use its name, flag and of Kevin Durant and Kyrie overtime on Saturday as the anthem at the next two Olympics Irving is off to a dazzling start Cavaliers be at the Detroit or at any world championships for for the Brooklyn Nets. Pistons 128-119 in an NBA the next two years. Coming off two blowout thriller. At the IHF men’s world cham- victories, the Nets attempt to Andre Drummond added pionship scheduled to start Jan. 13, remain unbeaten when they 23 points, Cedi Osman scored Russia can compete under the name visit the Charlotte Hornets. 22 off the bench and Darius Russian Handball Federation Team. The Nets are seeking their Garland chipped in 21 as the The acronym RHF will replace the third 3-0 start in team history Cavaliers rallied from a nine- normal International Olympic Com- and first since 2002-03, when point deficit with 2:15 left in mittee country code. they last made the NBA Finals. the first overtime. An unresolved issue is what to The Nets are also trying to score The Pistons had seized use as a replacement for the at least 120 points in the first control in the third quarter, anthem. The IHF is awaiting an three games of a season for the when Jerami Grant scored 14 update from the IOC. first time in franchise history. of his 28 points. Blake Griffin “National anthem: The IOC is Durant has scored 51 points scored 26 points and Derrick liaising with the Russian Olympic on 50 percent shooting (16 of Rose had 13, but the Pistons -- Committee to find a consistent 32), while Irving has 63 points with 24 turnovers leading to approach,” the IHF said Friday. “In on 62.2 percent shooting (23 of 31 Cavaliers points -- couldn’t JaVale McGee of the Cleveland Cavaliers case no consistent approach is 37), including 11 3-pointers. hang on for the win. drives to the basket for a dunk. found until the beginning of the In Tuesday’s 125-99 rout of It was close in Charlotte, 2021 men’s world championship, Golden State, the duo com- where Oklahoma City’s Shai the IHF anthem will be played.” The bined for 48 points. The Gilgeous-Alexander drained Cleveland, led Charlotte with NBA RESULTS his 22nd season as a head flag will be the logo of the Russian pairing was even more pro- a game-winning jump shot 19 points but couldn’t get his San Antonio 119, Toronto 114 coach moving him ahead of Handball Federation “without text,” ductive in Boston on Friday, with 1.4 seconds left in the long-range effort at the buzzer New York 89, Philadelphia 109 Bill Fitch. the IHF said. when the Nets dominated the Thunder’s 109-107 season- to fall. Portland 128, Houston 126 (OT) Atlanta’s Trae Young For clothing and uniforms, it second half of a 123-95 win. opening win over the Hornets. A triple-double from Sacramento 106, Phoenix 103 scored 24 of his 36 points in said: “Any national symbol, flag or Irving scored 37 points and Oklahoma City -- whose Russell Westbrook and 39 Utah 111, Minnesota 116 the second half to lift the abbreviation must be replaced by Durant added 29 when scheduled season opener points for Bradley Beal Chicago 106, Indiana 125 Hawks to a 122-112 victory the logo of the Handball Federation Charlotte 107, Oklahoma City 109 Brooklyn outscored the Celtics against Houston was post- weren’t enough for the Wash- over the Grizzlies in Memphis. of Russia without text. Alternatively, Detroit 119, Cleveland 128 (double 72-41 in the second half. poned when Covid-19 con- ington Wizards, who fell The game was a match- they may be removed or covered OT) Durant was particularly cerns meant the Rockets didn’t 130-120 to the Orlando Magic. Washington 120, Orlando 130 up of rising stars in Young and neutrally. The use of the term effective when the Nets took have enough players available Westbrook joined another Memphis 112, Atlanta 122 the Grizzlies’ reigning NBA ‘Russia’ should be avoided, as oth- control in the third quarter. He -- led by 13 with less than two elite club with 15 points, 15 Rookie of the Year Ja Morant, erwise the term ‘Neutral Athlete’ scored 16 in the third, including minutes to play and held off a rebounds and 12 assists, who led Memphis with 28 must be affixed to each piece of nine straight when Brooklyn Hornets rally to gain the win. becoming just the fourth Philadelphia big man Joel points. clothing/uniform in the same size seized the lead for good. Miles Bridges scored three player in NBA history -- after Embiid scored 27 points and But the Hawks’ reserves and manner as the term ‘Russia.’” Besides the impressive 3-pointers in the final 25 Magic Johnson, Jerry Lucas grabbed 10 rebounds in the were the real difference The IHF said it has worked with the numbers from Irving and seconds as the Hornets battled and Oscar Robertson -- to post 76ers’ 109-89 victory over the makers, combining for 46 IOC and the Russian Olympic Com- Durant, the Nets have produced back, knotting the score at a triple-double in his team’s New York Knicks. points. That included 30 in mittee “to ensure that all require- their blowouts by displaying 107-107 with 10.3 seconds first two games of a season. Ben Simmons added 15 the first half as the Hawks ments regarding the CAS decision stout defense and are the first remaining. But his home opener for points, nine rebounds, six starters struggled to find their will be met.” The conditions were team since the 2008-09 Los But Gilgeous-Alexander the Wizards, where he landed assists and a dominant feet. shared with the Russian Handball Angeles Lakers to win their first took an inbounds pass and in a trade from Houston, was defensive performance as the Kevin Huerter scored 21 Federation on Friday. two games by at least 20 points drained a jump shot over another defeat. Terrence Ross Sixers improved to 2-0 under points with four assists off the The Russian team is scheduled to each. They held Boston to 37.8 Caleb Martin to seal it for the led the Magic with 25 points new head coach Doc Rivers. bench for the Hawks and play in Group H with Belarus, Slovenia percent shooting, including Thunder. off the bench. Nikola Vucevic The victory moved Rivers Nathan Knight scored 14 in and South Korea. Russia won gold at 29.6 from 3-point range, after Terry Rozier, who scored scored 22 points and grabbed into sole possession of 10th less than nine minutes on the 1993 and 1997 world champion- limiting Golden State to 37.4 42 points in the Hornets’ 17 rebounds and Markelle place on the NBA’s all-time court as Atlanta improved to ships, and finished 14th at the most percent from the floor. season-opening win over Fultz added 21 for Orlando. wins list, his 945th victory in 2-0 in the young season. recent championship in 2019.
Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick NFL: Dolphins stun Raiders with late FG throws against the Las Vegas Raiders during the second half at Allegiant Stadium. AGENCIES – LAS VEGAS the game-winning field goal. Fitz- earned a wild-card playoff berth by patrick, who entered the game with winning their last two games. Now, Jason Sanders kicked four field goals, 9:47 remaining and Miami (10-5) the Chicago Bears (7-7) can eliminate including a 44-yarder with one trailing 16-13, completed 9 of 13 Arizona by winning their last two, second remaining, as the visiting passes for 182 yards and a including Sunday at Jacksonville. Miami Dolphins inched closer to a touchdown while starter Tua Tago- Beathard’s touchdown throws playoff spot with a wild 26-25 vailoa finished 17 of 22 for just 94 went to Kyle Juszczyk, covering 9 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders. yards and a touchdown. yards in the third quarter and 1 yard Sanders’ game-winner came just Las Vegas was eliminated from in the fourth, allowing the 49ers 18 seconds after Las Vegas (7-8) had the AFC playoff race with its fifth loss (6-9) to extend a 7-6 halftime edge. seemingly rallied to win the game in six games. San Francisco snapped a three-game on a 22-yard field goal by Daniel 49ers 20, Cardinals 12 losing streak. Carlson. C.J. Beathard threw two Buccaneers 47, Lions 7 But on first-and-10 on his own touchdown passes, Jeff Wilson Jr. Tom Brady threw four first-half 25, Ryan Fitzpatrick hit a wide-open rushed for a career-best 183 yards touchdown passes and Tampa Bay Mack Hollins up the left sideline for and Ahkello Witherspoon thwarted clinched its first playoff berth since a 34-yard reception with Raiders a late Arizona threat with an end- 2007 by pounding host Detroit. defensive end Arden Key also being zone interception, lifting visiting San Brady completed 22 of 27 passes flagged 15 yards for grabbing Fitz- Francisco to victory in Glendale, Ariz. for 348 yards despite sitting out the patrick’s facemask to move the ball The loss was a costly one for the entire second half. Backup Blaine to the Las Vegas 26. Cardinals (8-7), who with a third Gabbert threw two touchdown One play later, Sanders booted consecutive victory could have passes for the Bucs (10-5).