26 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, July 31, 2019 Root returns to no 3 spot for Ashes opener Stokes appointed as vice-captain, praises new found ‘maturity’

BIRMINGHAM: England batsman con- Stokes hails new maturity firmed yesterday he will drop to number four for England’s says learning not to try to England’s opening Ashes Test against , with “please everyone” helped him mature and regain the captain replacing him at number three in the Test vice-captaincy ahead of series starting order. Root has previously made clear he prefers bat- this week. The 28-year-old, fresh from playing a pivotal ting at four but the Yorkshireman is understood to role in England’s thrilling World Cup victory earlier this have approached England coach after month, has been appointed as Joe Root’s number two last week’s Test win over Ireland about returning to for the five-Test series against Australia. his old position of first- down when the Ashes The all-rounder was banned and fined by the opener starts at Edgbaston on Thursday. England and Wales Board for bringing the game Although England beat Ireland by skittling out the into disrepute following a street brawl in Bristol in 2017. visitors for 38 in their second innings at Lord’s, they He missed five months of international cricket, including only managed 85 all out themselves in their first the last Ashes tour of Australia, before being cleared of innings. Bayliss has long wanted Root, England’s best affray in a court case in August 2018. “One thing I have batsman, to bat at number three following a succes- stopped trying to do is please everyone, which is prob- sion of top-order collapses that have seen the skip- ably a downfall I would look back on,” he told the BBC. per walking out to bat at four when two cheap wick- “I’m not a different person. I think maturing is the best ets have fallen. Root averages 48 at number four in way of saying it and having a understanding of a lot the order but a shade over 40 when at num- more things.” ber three. Stokes, who has been described as the “real heart- But with England openers and Rory beat” of the England team by Australia great Ricky Burns having played just eight Tests between them, Ponting, said now he focused solely on making those the logic in having 81-Test veteran Root bat at num- closest to him happy. “Trying to please everyone every ber three is clear. Denly, speaking at Edgbaston on minute of every day was something I always tried to Tuesday, said: “Joe Root will bat at three and I’ll be do,” said Stokes. “Just try and keep the people happy batting at four. “He rang me the other day and told me who are important to you and make an impact on the he wanted to bat three and for me to go in at four. I way your career can go.” LONDON: England’s Joe Root leaves the field after losing his wicket on the first day of the first cricket think Rooty just wanted to get involved in the game, Stokes, who was rested for last week’s one-off Test Test match between England and Ireland at Lord’s cricket ground. —AFP get up there and get out in the middle. “I’m very match with Ireland, said being stripped of the vice- excited. I wasn’t too fussed where I’d be batting, it’s captaincy had been hurtful. “To have the role taken just great to be in the eleven. I’ve batted at four away was very disappointing and it did hurt,” he said. together. “He doesn’t have a yes man stood next to him regain the Ashes after a 4-0 thrashing in Australia in before for Kent and throughout my career, so it really “To have it back just before the Ashes, I’m super excit- — I’ll tell him what I think.” The five-Test series begins 2017-18. The Australians are looking to win their first wasn’t a big issue.” ed. Joe (Root, Test captain) and I work really well on Thursday at Edgbaston, with England bidding to series in England since 2001. —AFP

experience more of the same given he Langer was the one who actually applied sand- paper to the ball during a Test away to South Africa in a blatant flouting of Five memorable predicts hostile cricket’s rulebook. “It would be a great story if he comes Ashes series reception for back into the team,” Langer said at Edgbaston yesterday. “His development LONDON: England and Australia begin the latest edition of after what happened in Cape Town has the Ashes at Edgbaston tomorrow, with the home side looking Bancroft been extraordinary.” Langer, a former to wrestle back the urn. AFP Sport looks at five of the most Australia opener, said: “We know what memorable series between cricket’s oldest rivals: : Australia coach Justin the reception is going to be. There’s noth- ing we can do about it. We don’t know 2005: England win Ashes thriller Langer says an Ashes return for Cameron Bancroft would be “a great (how he will cope) actually, but we’ll find The 2005 Ashes was one of the greatest series in cricket his- out. “He’s a good kid and as tough as any- tory and saw England triumph over their fiercest rivals for the story” but knows he will face a hostile one you could meet. To endure the scruti- first time in nearly 19 years. It appeared to be business as usual reception from England fans after his for long-suffering England fans when Australia won the first Test ball-tampering ban. Bancroft, 26, is set ny of the past 14 months, especially the at Lord’s by 239 runs. But when Australia fast bowler Glenn to open the batting in tomorrow’s first first part of it, I think he’s had a pretty McGrath was ruled out of the second Test at Edgbaston after Test at Edgbaston, with Australia’s top good dress rehearsal.” Langer confirmed batsman Usman CAPE TOWN: In this file photo taken on March 25, 2018 Australian batsman treading on a ball during practice on the morning of the match, order also likely to feature Cameron Bancroft gets ready to play a shot during the fourth day of the third England took charge. England’s starred with and . Khawaja, who missed Australia’s World Cup semi-final defeat by England at match between South Africa and Australia at Newlands cricket both bat and ball and when Australia were 175-8, chasing 282 for If that is the case, it would mean all ground. —AFP victory, a home win looked assured. But Australia edged their three players who were banned for their Edgbaston with a hamstring injury, had way closer before last man was caught roles in the ball-tampering scandal in been passed fit and would play in the behind off to give England victory by a mere two South Africa last year would be in opening match of the five-Test series. Fast bowler James Pattinson is also “There’s probably three to be fair — runs. The third Test was drawn and England survived a brilliant Australia’s XI. Smith and Warner have “He’s a seasoned pro for us, he aver- set to feature in what would be his first Starcy, and Josh Hazlewood four-wicket burst from leg-spin great to win the already experienced plenty of boos from ages 40-odd in Test cricket, his hammy Test since February 2016, lining up — for one spot,” added Langer. fourth Test at Trent Bridge. England, now needing a draw at 2-1 English crowds during the recent World is good, he’s running well, he’s passed alongside Pat Cummins and one of Australia hold the Ashes but have not up to regain the Ashes, were in danger of defeat on the last day at Cup. Bancroft, not selected for the one- all the fitness tests, so he’s ready to , Peter Siddle or Josh won a Test series away to England since until ’s breathtaking 158 and a fine fifty day tournament, will almost certainly go,” Langer said. Hazlewood in Australia’s pace attack. 2001. —AFP from Ashes Giles rescued them following a top-order collapse.

1981: Botham’s Ashes Rarely has one man done as much to win an Ashes as Ian probably wait until after the US Open. “I Botham in 1981. He started the series as England captain but, Andy Murray is wouldn’t want my first tournament to be after a defeat in the first Test at Nottingham and the embar- playing best-of-five (sets) either.” But rassment of bagging a pair in a draw at Lord’s, Botham Murray, whose Grand Slam singles titles resigned as skipper. England were still in dire straits after being ‘quite close’ to include the 2012 US Open and 2013 and made to follow-on in the third Test at Headingley, with former 2016 Wimbledon crowns, warned he has England wicketkeeper Godfrey Evans, who had become an singles return hopes of regaining his peak form. odds-setter for British bookmaker Ladbrokes, making them “I’m playing better than I was last year. I 500/1 outsiders to win the match. Botham’s astonishing count- WASHINGTON: Three-time Grand Slam can extend my leg behind me. I can push er-attack innings of 149 , however, meant Australia were champion Andy Murray says he is “quite off for serves. It’s brilliant,” he said. “The set a target of 130 before fast bowler ’s inspired 8-43 close” to being able to play singles matches question I have now is why not? Why can’t saw England to an astounding 18-run win. Botham’s scarcely and a “best-case scenario” could see it I get back where I was? What’s the rea- believable return of five for one in 28 balls at Edgbaston happen at Cincinnati in two weeks. The 32- son? There isn’t one. It just takes time.” ensured England won the fourth Test by 29 runs. There were year-old British star, who feared he could Earlier this month at Wimbledon, Murray more heroics in the fifth Test when Botham’s blistering 118 set be forced into retirement before undergo- said it would be up to 18 months before he up a 103-run victory at Old Trafford that clinched the series. ing right hip surgery in January, returned to returned to singles and the US Open was a the court in June but has played only dou- “pretty unlikely” prospect. 1974/5: Lillee and Thomson run riot bles while rehabilitating and seeing how his “I’m closer than what I maybe thought I Australia’s was returning from a back injury was,” Murray said. “After Wimbledon I and fellow fast bowler ’s previous Test had yield- hip responds. started doing a few singles drills. At one ed unimpressive figures of 0-110. Yet they still ran through “In terms of moving and feeling and England’s batsmen in frightening fashion. In the first four-and- waking up the next day, I’m feeling good,” point brief practices. It felt great.” “This Murray said. “I’m quite close but there’s latest comeback I didn’t have any particu- a-half Tests Thomson took 33 at 17.93 before he dam- Andy Murray aged his shoulder playing tennis on the rest day of the penulti- stuff that would need to get better.” larly high hopes. I’ve had high hopes for mate Test in . Australia won the series 4-1, with Murray, paired with brother Jamie in men’s most of them before.” Murray played a set England captain dropping himself at one stage. doubles at the ATP Washington Open, said Sunday and about eight games Monday in Murray delayed his flight home due to hip was really, really painful.” England’s only win came in the final Test when Thomson was Monday he feels no hip pain and will prac- the US capital heat but is missing match fit- pain. “It was completely gone. I wasn’t even After trading harsh words with tourna- missing through injury and Lillee broke down early. tice singles this week while playing doubles ness instead of fighting hip pain. “The con- certain after the operation if I’d ever be ment officials then, both Murray and and plans to do so against next week in ditions here are tough and that’s the thing healthy again,” Murray said. “A few months organizers have moved past the tough 1948: Australia’s ‘Invincibles’ Canada. “I’ll play singles as soon as I feel I’m needing. My conditioning isn’t great. later I’m feeling better and feel like I can moment. “What happened last year was a An Australia side captained by in his final ready,” Murray said. “I’m going to practice My time in the gym has been on strength- get back on the singles court.” shame,” Murray said. “I was going through Test series swept all before them in an undefeated tour during singles and play doubles to compete and ening the hip,” Murray said. “These last few a tough time when it happened. I like it which they won the Ashes 4-0. Underlying their superiority, each week I’ll see. I’ll keep on that path months have been brilliant. Just not being in Murray left in tears here. I’m happy to be back and have the Australia were set a seemingly impossible target of 404 on the until I’m ready.” pain, it’s amazing what that will do to you.” Last year at Washington, Murray won a opportunity to play with my brother again, last day to win the fourth Test at Headingley. Yet they got there Murray, the former world number one Murray said if he had to play singles rain-delayed third-round match at just after which I haven’t done for three years.” for the loss of just three wickets, with making who is now ranked 222nd, downplayed the next week, “I could do it, but to get where I 3 a.m., weeping at the end of the match he Jamie Murray, 33, won the Washington 182 and Bradman an unbeaten 173. But the series is best idea he might compete in the US Open, would want to be I’d have to get back in the was so overcome with emotion at gutting doubles title last year with former partner remembered for Bradman’s final Test innings at the Oval when, which starts August 26, but didn’t slam the gym and get my cardio better.” Murray’s needing four for an average of exactly a hundred, he was out a win through the pain. He withdrew Bruno Soares. The Murrays have not door on the possibility. “Best case scenario most recent singles match was a five-set later that day. “Here last year I was just in a played together since the 2016 Rio bowled for a by leg-spinner Eric Hollies and had to make first-round loss at the Australian Open in do with a mark of 99.94. probably would be Cincinnati,” Murray lot of pain,” Murray said. “I was struggling Olympics but did help Britain’s 2015 Davis said. “If I wasn’t in Cincinnati, I would January to Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut. a lot. It was really bad. I was upset. My hip Cup victory. —AFP 1932/33: ‘Bodyline’ The most controversial Ashes series of them all was brought about by a desire to curb Bradman’s phenomenal the series. Pressure has mounted since I’m for stability, not a stop-start type of an environ- run-scoring. England captain ’s response was ’s ‘lame duck’ India lost their World Cup semi-final against New ment,” Ganguly told The Print news website. to deploy ‘leg theory’ — short to a packed legside Zealand, with former captains Gavaskar and Sourav “We haven’t won a global tournament since the 2013 field — with supremely accurate fast bowler Harold Larwood Ganguly leading the onslaught. Champions Trophy. “We have to find a way to move the spearhead of the attack. It worked to the extent England selectors under fire India have brought in a host of younger players for beyond the last-four stage. Look at what England did in won the Ashes 4-1, with Bradman’s average for the series their three internationals, three one-day the recent World Cup. Learning from 2015, they trans- reduced to 56.57. But the use of what became known as over Windies series matches and two Tests starting on Saturday. Kohli, formed themselves into world beaters.” Ganguly said “Bodyline”, which saw batsmen having to defend themselves Rohit Sharma, Shikhar Dhawan, KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant there had to be “clear” communications between the rather than their stumps, was condemned as “unsporting” by NEW DELHI: Indian cricketing greats slammed the and Ravindra Jadeja are the only players selected in all selectors, team management and players. “We don’t Australian officials and almost provoked a breakdown in national selectors for making too many changes and three formats for the tour, while rising stars Manish need cameos only, we need match-winning innings or diplomatic relations. —AFP accused them of bowing down to skipper , Pandey and Shreyas Iyer are in the limited-overs team. spells. Learn from Virat, Rohit (Sharma) and (Jasprit) with calling them “lame ducks” ahead of “I’m opposed to too many players being moved around. Bumrah... Mohammed Shami too.” —AFP