THURSDAY, JANUARY 19, 2017 SPORTS

Neck injury forces Australia’s Lynn out of ODI series

ADELAIDE: Australia batsman Chris debut in the first game of the series . “He’ll have a couple of weeks of Hadlee one-day series. Lehmann added batters at the top so he’ll get his Lynn has been told to rest for several against Pakistan before being released no ... he’s got to calm down the that Peter Handscomb, who has chance there. “It’s bad luck for Chris weeks due to a persistent neck injury to visit a specialist in Brisbane on neck because it’s quite aggravated. impressed as a test batsman since mak- Lynn ... the number four spot is there and was ruled out of the squad for the Tuesday, where he was advised to rest “He’ll start his rehab now and he ing his debut in November, would make and Peter has done a really good job in rest of their one-day series against for several weeks, Australia coach Darren won’t be doing too much strenuous his ODI debut against Pakistan today. the test matches so he gets a crack at Pakistan and the Chappell-Hadlee series Lehmann said. stuff before he hopefully gets back for “He’s done really well so this is a good it.” Rookie pace bowler Billy Stanlake against New Zealand. “He’s been playing through a lot of the Sri Lankan series.” reward for a good summer,” Lehmann will also replace Mitchell Starc for the The 26-year-old has been troubled by pain even during the (Big Bash) and he’s Australia host Sri Lanka for three said of Handscomb, who has scored two game at the WACA, with the series a bulging disc in his neck for some time got to the stage where he can’t function Twenty20 internationals in late February centuries and two half centuries in his locked at 1-1 after Pakistan won the and was using medication to control the anymore,” Lehmann told reporters in after travelling to New Zealand for the seven test innings. second game in Melbourne on Sunday pain. He made his one-day international Perth ahead of their third ODI against three return matches in the Chappell- “Obviously we want four quality by six . —Reuters

Mushfiqur Bangladesh blow, N Zealand eye rankings rise

CHRISTCHURCH: Bangladesh “It is not just because the batsman was Mushfiqur Rahim is unlikely to play in the carted off to hospital. It has been concern- second Test against New Zealand in ing me for some time,” Lees told the New Christchurch tomorroa, denting the Zealand Herald. tourists’ hopes of avoiding defeat in the “The umpires are a wee bit lenient. The two-Test series. New Zealand will overtake guy at square leg has to be more switched Pakistan and move to fifth in the world Test on. It is sort of getting out of control.” team rankings should they complete a 2-0 Cairns, who suffered a fractured skull Test sweep following their dramatic victory when felled by Pakistan quick bowler earlier this week in Wellington’s first Test. Wasim Akram in 1985, said short-pitched Mushfiqur was concussed after being hit deliveries were part of a bowler’s armoury. on the head by a short-pitched “When you think about... the number of and rushed to hospital yesterday, but deaths caused by this delivery, Hughes’ Bangladesh officials said Wednesday it was tragic ending is the only one I’ve ever heard a hairline thumb fracture that would keep of,” he told Fairfax Media. him sidelined. “Do you hear people wanting to ban the “His finger injury is worse,” team physio- use of cars, motorbikes, bikes because of therapist Dean Conway told reporters. “The fatalities? No you don’t. But lessons must hairline crack that has been found is new. be learnt from these tragedies, and this is He will need to give more time for this why they’ve got tougher on the design of injury.” There was no confirmation that the helmet.” Mushfiqur would sit out, but he has been While Bangladesh posted several bat- advised by doctors not to rush back after ting records in the first Test, including the being hit on the back of the helmet by a unwelcome title of scoring the highest first Tim Southee bouncer. innings total of 595 in a losing effort, they Conway said that the Bangladesh skip- have had little success in their first overseas per “may need three to four weeks to tour in more than two years. return.” His injury, which came with memo- Captain Kane Williamson guided the ries still fresh of Australian Phil Hughes side home in Wellington with an undefeat- being killed in Sydney just over two years ed 104. His 15th century put him one ago, has again put the spotlight on the use behind Ross Taylor who in turn is one of the short-pitched delivery as a fast-bowl- behind the New Zealand record of 17 held ing tactic. by the late . Coach Mike Hesson said the race BOUNCER FEARS between Williamson and Taylor to overtake Opinion is divided with two former New Crowe can only be good for New Zealand. Zealand internationals, Warren Lees and “I hope they not only go past (Crowe’s) , joining the debate yesterday record but they keep going toe-for-toe for on opposite sides. a while.” he said. ROUEN: Saudi Arabia’s pivot Mahdi Alsalem (C) passes the ball during the 25th IHF Men’s World Championship 2017 Group C handball match Former wicketkeeper Lees said the use New Zealand swept Bangladesh 3-0 in Saudi Arabia vs Hungary yesterday at the Kindarena in Rouen. — AFP of the bouncer had gone too far and both the preceding one-day and Twenty20 umpires needed to get tough. series. —AFP Germany, Qatar surge Packers-Falcons NFC matchup expected to produce big offense into last 16 at Worlds FLOWERY BRANCH: The high-scoring at the film and go over it and make sure we offenses of the Atlanta Falcons and Green prevent as much as we can of those guys PARIS: Germany and Qatar battled into the higher quality against Belarus tomorrow.” already through to the last 16 so the battle in Bay Packers appear poised to provide a giving up explosive plays.” knock-out round of the World Handball Qatar stunned Group D rivals Argentina in the western city of Nantes was for top spot in memorable send-off for the Georgia Dome The Falcons advanced with a 36-20 divi- Championships with pool-phase wins over Paris in a low-scoring affair and the Qataris Group A. Adrien Dipanda and Kentin Mahe in Sunday’s NFC championship game. sional playoff win over Seattle last week. Saudi Arabia 38-24 and Argentina 21-17 can thank their goalkeeper Danijel Saric for starred for the the French, who have won The Falcons led the NFL in scoring. Even Green Bay’s offense also rolled in a 34-31 so, they know it won’t be easy to keep up win over Dallas. respectively on Tuesday as holders France his 14 saves. three of the last four world titles, scoring 15 with the scoring pace set by quarterback Despite the unimpressive season totals, beat Russia 35-24 to take pole position in It means neither regional rivals Bahrain goals between them, ensuring the top spot Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Atlanta allowed fewer than 20 points in their group. nor the Argentines can catch them in the which gives the titleholders a more “It’s obvious they’ve got a stud at quar- four of its last six regular-season games. But For European champions Germany it was standings. Tunisia could have secured a last- favourable path to the semi-finals. terback,” Falcons left tackle Jake Matthews none of those games were against Rodgers. a third win from three games in Group C and 16 spot too in Group B but for a late collapse “We’ve shown that we were very strong said Tuesday. “We’ve played a lot of great The Falcons have faced Russell Wilson, they even partially rested their star winger after they let slip a 28-23 lead in the last five on both sides of the court tonight, against a teams with great players at quarterback... Cam Newton and Drew Brees in their past Uwe Gensheimer, who nevertheless racked minutes as Slovenia fought back to force a Russian team that was to be taken very seri- Whatever it takes, we just have to put up as three games. Asked who compares with up four goals in 30 minutes in Rouen and thrilling 28-28 draw. That means Macedonia ously,” said France’s Nedim Remili. many points as we need to.” Rodgers, Falcons linebacker De’Vondre oversaw a first half where the result was are also through to the next round without “Now that the first spot’s secured, we’re Matthews said the weekly message from Campbell had a quick answer. “Nobody. It’s wrapped up with the score 21-13 at the throwing a further ball, while Tunisia have going to stay as focused as possible in order offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan is “I just that simple,” Campbell said. “The things break. “It was difficult to keep the concentra- been overtaken by Iceland, who beat Angola not to lose the confidence we’ve gathered.” don’t know if we’re going to have to win 6- that he can do, it’s just amazing to see. tion high in this game, but this was quite 33-19, with one more group game to play. Also in Group A, Norway beat Brazil 39-26 3 or 40-37.” There’s no one I can compare him to.” normal after we had a similar match against In Group B top spot will be played thanks to seven goals from Sander Sagosen, Of those alternatives, 40-37 appears to The Falcons are led by MVP candidate Chile,” said Germany coach Dagur between Spain and Slovenia today. The four with both teams already through to the be the more likely target, in part because Matt Ryan, the All-Pro who ranked second Sigurdsson. top teams out of six in each group advance knock-out round. Poland edged Japan 26-25 the Atlanta and Green Bay defenses don’t in the NFL in yards passing and TD passes. “Now we have to step up and show a to the next round. France and Russia are with both teams already eliminated. — AFP dominate the statistics like their offensive Atlanta’s offense featured depth, as Ryan counterparts. The game will be the Falcons’ threw scoring passes to a record 13 players farewell to the Georgia Dome, which will during the season, and balance with run- be demolished in the offseason. The ning back Devonta Freeman and Tevin Falcons will move into the $1.5 billion Coleman. Handscomb to make ODI Mercedes-Benz Stadium next season. Atlanta’s offense provides nice support The Falcons and Packers finished the for its defense, but cornerback Jalen Collins regular season ranked 28th and 31st, insisted Tuesday he doesn’t want to have to respectively, in pass defense. The Falcons rely on that strength. debut against Pakistan allowed 25.4 points per game to rank 27th, “You don’t go in the game thinking only a few spots below the Packers (24.2) at you’re going to give up hundreds of yards 21st. Atlanta led the NFL with 33.8 points and a bunch of points,” Collins said. “We’re per game. looking forward to trying to limit the points SYDNEY: Middle-order batsman Green Bay linebacker Nick Perry said the as best we can and give our offense an Peter Handscomb will make his goal will be to prevent big plays. opportunity to put points on the board.” limited overs debut for Australia “They are very explosive,” Perry said. Falcons cornerback Robert Alford said against Pakistan in the third one- “When we look at the film, we have to expectations for a high-scoring game gives day international in Perth today. make sure we don’t give up those explosive the defense reason “to have a chip on our Handscomb replaces the plays. Everything lives off that. They are shoulders.” Added Alford: “We’re all going injured Mitchell Marsh after a good at what they do. We are going to look to have something to prove. I love it.” — AP highly successful introduction to in which the 25-year- old scored two centuries and two fifties in his first four appearances in the recent series against South Africa and Pakistan. “He’s done really well, he’s been outstanding. So good reward for a good summer,” Australian coach Darren Lehmann told reporters yyester- day. “Obviously we want four quality batters going at the top so he’ll get his chance there. “He played a one-day style innings for us in the Sydney Test, so he’s got all the shots and he’s quite innovative,” Lehmann said. Fast bowler Billy Stanlake comes in for Mitchell Starc, who is being rested. Chris Lynn, who missed Sunday’s loss because of a neck injury, will be out for the remain- der of the five-match series which is tied at 1-1, Lehman said. Australia: Steve Smith (capt), David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, GREEN BAY: In this Dec. 8, 2014, file photo, Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan (2) talks to Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers after an NFL football game in Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Green Bay, Wis. The Packers and Falcons play in the NFC Championship on Sunday, James Faulkner, Pat Cummins, Josh Jan. 22, 2017, in Atlanta. — AP Hazlewood, Billy Stanlake. —AFP Peter Handscomb