Gulf Times 2 Monday, August 5, 2019 MOTORSPORT

MOTOGP SPOTLIGHT Mick Schumacher takes his fi rst F2 win Marquez takes in Hungary

Reuters ily is actually here; Mom, my Budapest, Hungary sister and her boyfriend and my grandma as well,” added a smil- ing Schumacher. “I’m very hap- ick Schumacher, py that they are here and I’ve got 50th premier class son of seven-times support.” Formula One cham- Japan’s Nobuharu Matsushita pion Michael, took fi nished 1.4 seconds behind the The other riders to achieve at Mhis fi rst Formula Two victory in Prema team driver after a race- Hungary yesterday. long battle at a circuit where least 50 premier class wins are The 20-year-old German overtaking is always a challenge, started from pole position on a with Brazilian Sergio Sette Ca- Rossi, Agostini and Doohan reverse grid after fi nishing eighth mara third. win in Brno in Saturday’s feature race and led Schumacher, last year’s F3 all the way to the chequered fl ag winner and tipped for an even- at the Hungaroring, where his fa- tual future in Formula One, had ther won four times. previously not fi nished higher The Ferrari academy driver than fourth in Formula Two. raised a huge cheer as he took the “Once you get that win in, chequered fl ag in front of a crowd it gives you more confi dence containing plenty of the Italian to go into the next round,” said team’s fans ahead of the Formula Schumacher. “We had a lot of One race later yesterday. pressure... we had some strong “It is very special,” he said performances but not enough of a win at the circuit where his points.” father, who has not been seen in The breakthrough victory public since he suff ered head in- comes after Schumacher drove juries in a 2013 skiing accident, his father’s 2004 title-winning clinched his fourth title in 2001 Formula One Ferrari in a dem- with Ferrari. onstration at the German Grand “My mother, my whole fam- Prix last weekend.

Repsol Honda’s Marc Marquez (also inset) celebrates his victory in the Czech MotoGP race in Brno, Czech Republic, yesterday. (Reuters)

Reuters and Doohan (54). The lead pair of Marquez and pack and extended his lead to Horsepower Hill for the Aus- Brno, Czech Republic “It’s important but I don’t Dovizioso were closely followed 2.5 seconds over Dovizioso with tralian’s second podium fi nish of Tanak wins in Rally Finland like to compare, they are legends by Alex Rins and Miller while four laps to go. the season. of this sport,” Marquez told BT Italian great Valentino Rossi, “It was a strange race, really The next race is the Austrian Ott Tanak powered to his third Northern Irishman to retire onda’s world cham- Sport when he was informed of who fi nished sixth, was involved fast at the beginning... but in the Grand Prix at the Red Bull Ring world rally championship with a broken suspension. pion Marc Marquez his milestone. “I’m just going to in a battle with Aleix Espargaro middle of the race he (Marquez) on Aug 11. (Reporting by Rohith win in the last four outings in Tanak, who notched up his won the rain-aff ected keep pushing... keep the same and Cal Crutchlow in the chas- pushed a bit more on the brak- Nair in Bengaluru; editing by Finland yesterday to tighten 200th career stage win yes- Czech MotoGP in Brno mentality, same ambition from ing pack. ing and I couldn’t brake harder,” Clare Fallon) his grip in the race for the 2019 terday, timed quickest in the Hyesterday, his sixth victory of the beginning until the end.” “I was really concentrated Dovizioso said. WRC drivers title. closing power stage to add an the season, and became only the Spaniard Marquez now leads from the beginning, (there were) “I wanted to stay to the end MOTOGP RESULTS (TOP 3) Toyota’s Estonian driver additional five bonus points to fourth rider to achieve 50 pre- the MotoGP championship with some wet patches on Turn 1, but with Marquez but his way of rid- 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 39:24.43 followed up his success in his championship tally. mier-class victories. 210 points, 63 ahead of second- I decided to start and keep my ing is a bit diff erent.” 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) the Rally of Finland last year He now heads the stand- Marquez, who equalled Aus- placed Dovizioso (147) while rhythm,” Marquez added. Behind them, Rins and Miller +2.452 by finishing 25.6sec clear of ings with 180 points, 22 clear tralian Mick Doohan’s record Danilo Petrucci, who fi nished “I saw that Dovi was behind were locked in a tense battle for 3. Jack Miller (Ducati) +3.497 Esapekka Lappi in a Citroen. of France’s multiple world of 58 top-class pole positions eighth in Brno, is third (129). me, I just keep pushing and, the fi nal podium position and RIDERS’ STANDINGS (TOP 3) Jari-Mati Latvala, who had led champion Sebastien Ogier on Saturday, fi nished ahead of Wet track conditions led to when 10-11 laps remained, (that) the latter pounced on the Suzuki 1. Marc Marquez (Honda) 210 pts the event until puncturing his with Thierry Neuville a further Ducati’s Italian Andrea Dovizio- a delayed start after the entire is when I had the warning, be- rider with two laps to go before 2. Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) 147 Toyota after hitting a rock on three points adrift with five so and Jack Miller of the non- fi eld chose to run on slick tyres cause it’s the time that I started Rins fought back to maintain his 3. Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) 129 Saturday, took third a further rallies remaining. works Pramac Ducati team. and when the race got underway to push more.” position. MANUFACTURERS’ 7.6sec behind. Hyundai remain in control of The other three riders to there were retirements in the The top four riders were sepa- However, a patient Miller, STANDINGS (TOP 3) Another Toyota driver, Kris the manufacturers’ standings achieve at least 50 premier- opening lap after Joan Mir and rated by just one second but, who qualifi ed second on Satur- 1. Honda 216 pts Meeke, hit the same rock on on 262 points with Toyota class wins are Valentino Rossi Franco Morbidelli collided and once the sun came out, Marquez day, moved up to third right at 2. Ducati 177 the 14th special, forcing the reducing the gap to 24 points. (89), Giacomo Agostini (68) ended up in the gravel. slowly pulled away from the the end when he passed him at 3. Yamaha 163

BOTTOMLINE Indy winner Pagenaud wants another tilt at Le Mans

Reuters “Some day I will defi nitely try world champion Lewis Hamilton He added that Alonso, who have a chance,” said Pagenaud. Budapest, Hungary to come back and be in the right and Poland’s Robert Kubica early wants to complete the ‘Triple “Certainly a guy of his talents, situation to win. I won’t do it un- in his single-seater career — and Crown of Motorsport’ that in- in a winning car and if he takes less it’s in a position to win the enjoying a break. volves winning Indianapolis, Le the time to learn how it works, he ndianapolis 500 winner Si- race.” “F1 has been a passion of Mans and the Monaco Grand Prix will do well.” mon Pagenaud wants to Le Mans is changing its rules in mine since I was four years old,” (or F1 title), might have to do a have another go at winning 2021, with the top LMP1 category he said. “So was the Indy 500. full season, however. TROPHY TOUR the Le Mans 24 Hours sport- switching to hypercars with As- Sometimes in life opportunities “It’s very diffi cult to do a one- The Frenchman, who left France Iscar race in his native France after ton Martin and Toyota already go one way and you have to take off in a championship like Indy 14 years ago for the United States, fi nishing runner-up with Peuge- committed and McLaren expect- it and make the best of it. because it’s a very specifi c set of is taking the famed Indy 500 ot in 2011. ed to join them. “This weekend is fun, I get to skills,” he said. “It would be like winner’s Borg-Warner trophy on The 35-year-old Team Penske Pagenaud’s main focus re- see the cars and meet people. I me coming here and doing one a trip to Paris next week so that driver told Reuters at the Hun- mains the IndyCar champion- have a lot of friends in the pad- race, in the middle of the cham- his compatriots can appreciate garian Formula One Grand Prix ship, where he is third overall, dock.” pionship. the true dimensions of his suc- yesterday that he had unfi nished and returning next season to One of those absent is two- “Everybody’s up to speed and cess. business at the Sarthe circuit. challenge for that title and de- times Formula One world cham- all the drivers know the limits The 1.6-metre-high silver “I fi nished second so you’ve fend his Indianapolis crown. pion and double Le Mans winner and the tyres.” trophy, insured for more than got to go back and try to fi nish the He said his future with Penske Fernando Alonso, who led the The amount of testing for $1mn, has every Indy winner’s deal,” he said. was never an issue, despite media 2017 Indy 500 for Andretti Aut- Indianapolis made that a little likeness engraved on it in bas- “It’s one of the best memories speculation. osports but failed to qualify this easier but a team not used to rac- relief and Pagenaud will see his of my career and obviously after “We knew what we were do- year with a McLaren entry. ing on the oval would always have for the first time at an unveiling you’ve won Indy and you fi nished ing with Team Penske. This is my Pagenaud said the Spaniard, issues, he said. on Monday. second at Le Mans, the goal is to sixth season with them so there’s now 38 and departed from Formula “For Fernando to win, he needs “It’s very complicated to get try to get Le Mans as well. a respect and an understanding championship again, we’ve just ALONSO ADVICE One, still had time on his side with to do what he did with Andretti, it overseas or to make it travel. “I’ve got a pole in Le Mans, a that we’ve done really well to- won the biggest race in the world, Yesterday, Pagenaud was catch- former Indy winners Takuma Sato go to a team that’s won many It takes a lot of security but I’m pole in Indy. I missed a win in Le gether,” he said. the future is in good shape no ing up with old friends — he and Tony Kanaan racing on at 42 times and be in a car that’s al- very proud that we are bringing it Mans,” he added. “This year fi ghting for the matter what.” raced fi ve-times Formula One and 44 respectively. ready set up, and he’s going to to France,” he said. Gulf Times Monday, August 5, 2019 3 SPORT

TOP OF THE LINE GOLF / WYNDHAM CHAMPIONSHIP Japan’s Shibuno wins Women’s British Open Bogey-free An

AFP joining Chako Higuchi, who for the coveted trophy, the fi nal Woburn, United Kingdom won the 1977 Women’s PGA Major of the season. leads by one shot Championship. Salas had eight birdies in a 65 No male Japanese player has to post a score of 17 under par, Reuters apan’s Hinako Shibuno won a Major. one ahead of playing partner Ko, Greensboro, United States hit a gutsy 18-foot birdie Speaking in slightly faltering who fi nished with a 66. putt at the fi nal hole to English, she said she was proud Salas had a real chance of win a thrilling Women’s of her achievement. birdie at the last, but her eff ort n Byeong-hun stayed BritishJ Open at Woburn yes- “What I have done is unbe- from eight feet hit the hole and ahead in his quest for a terday, completing a fairytale lievable,” she said. “I imagined stayed out. breakthrough PGA Tour story for a player nicknamed the the British Open was played on a She went to the practice range victory on Saturday, “Smiling Cinderella”. links course. But when I arrived hoping for at least a play-off . remainingA bogey-free for the The 20-year-old, playing I was surprised to fi nd it was But Shibuno had other ideas. tournament with a four-under- in her fi rst Major, shot 68 for trees, just like Japan. Golf’s newest superstar, beam- par 66 in the third round at the 18-under-par to win by a single “That defi nitely helped. To- ing as ever, hit her second shot to Wyndham Championship. stroke from American Lizette day I was nervous on the front 18 feet at the last before stepping The South Korean, joint leader Salas. nine but felt OK on the back nine up to bomb home the putt. in the fi rst round and alone in World number one Ko Jin- and just started making birdies.”. All the way round, she had front overnight, will start the young, who was seeking a third Two ahead at the start of the been amazingly relaxed, high- fi nal round on 17-under, one Major title of the year, had to fi nal round, Shibuno survived fi ving with members of the stroke ahead of Americans Webb settle for third place following the potential blow of a four- crowd and smiling all the way to Simpson (65) and Brice Garnett a 66. putt double-bogey at the third the fi nal green. (66) at Sedgefi eld Country Club. Shibuno, who had never to bounce back and collect the Atthaya Thitikul, at just 16, On a packed leaderboard, played a professional event out- $675,000 fi rst prize. retained the Smyth Salver for American Ryan Armour (65) side Japan before this week, be- It was a packed leaderboard the best amateur. The Thai is two shots off the lead, while came the second Japanese player all day, with Salas and South Ko- teenager closed with a 73 for Englishman Paul Casey (66), to win a Major championship, rea’s Ko battling with Shibuno four under par. American J.T. Poston (66) and Norway’s Viktor Hovland (64) He will play the fi nal round trail by three. with local favourite Simpson, An, who has fi nished runner- who lives in nearby Charlotte up three times on the PGA Tour, and recorded his fi rst tour vic- but is still seeking his fi rst vic- tory here in 2011. tory at the age of 27, has down- Hovland, making only his fi fth played his form all week and Sat- start as a pro, jumped into con- urday was no diff erent. tention by matching the day’s “One shot is basically noth- low score. ing,” An said. The 21-year-old piled up fi ve “Sixty-six is a decent score birdies in an outward half of 30, Kyrgios ousts top here when you have the lead. but could not continue at such Still, I’m only one ahead of eve- a blistering pace as the putter ryone, so I just need to keep my cooled off . “After that start I felt head straight and try to play my there’s something special out best golf tomorrow. there today,” he said. “I hit some good shots today, Three-times major champion not as good as the fi rst round, but Jordan Spieth had the day’s worst still I’m quite happy with where I score — a 77 including three dou- seed Tsitsipas to am and I’m holing a lot of putts.” ble-bogeys — and missed the cut.

Australian will play for the title Qatari Tamim Mohamed wins gold at against Medvedev, who beat Arab swimming in Morocco German lucky loser Gojowczyk Qatari swimmer Tamim Mohamed won a gold medal in the 50m reach fi nal butterfly event at the 14th Arab Swimming Championships (age AFP groups competitions), which began yesterday, in Morocco. The Washington championships will conclude on next Wednesday. Meanwhile, Qatari swimmers Abdulaziz al-Obaidli and Fares al-Saidi, ended their participation in the first round of the 2019 Swimming World ustralia’s Nick Kyr- Cup in Tokyo. Ammar Ashraf and Karim Salama will participate in gios overcame a mid- the second round of the tournament, which will be held in Jinan, match meltdown and China, from August 8-10, while Yacoub al-Khulaifi and Yousef al- his rival’s shoe repair Khulaifi will take part in the third round in Singapore from August delaysA Saturday to defeat Greek 15-17. top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and reach the ATP fi nal. Qatar win three medals in West Asia The 52nd-ranked Aus- squash, gold for al-Tamimi sie hammered 19 aces, saved a match point and often played Qatar’s men’s team secured three medals — a gold, a silver and to the crowd in a dramatic and a bronze — at the West Asian Squash Championship in Iran emotional 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (7) vic- yesterday. Qatar’s Abdullah al-Tamimi succeeded in winning the tory over Tsitsipas, whose bro- gold medal after beating Iranian Sajjad Zarian 3-0 in the final. ken shoes caused two third-set The silver medal was achieved the Qatari team after winning delays. Kuwait and Iraq, before loosing in the final against Iran. Finally, Tsitsipas, who becomes world the bronze medal was won Sayed Amjad, who finished third in number fi ve today, fell behind a the singles category. set and a break, took advantage of Kyrgios losing control with racquet slams and call com- Thiem captures home ground title in plaints to force a third set, only Kitzbuhel to achieve ‘childhood goal’ to fall in the tie-breaker. “It was spiralling out of con- Top seed and world number four Dominic Thiem captured his trol at one point,” Kyrgios said. 14th career title and first on home ground on Saturday with a 7-6 “I’ve been in that spot before (0), 6-1 win over Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas in the final of the and it has gotten worse. Kitzbuhel clay court tournament. It was Thiem’s third title of 2019 “I’m pretty proud at how I was after a maiden Masters win at Indian Wells and in Barcelona on able to drag it back from a dark the eve of Roland Garros where he eventually went on to finish place. I’m pretty proud of how I runner-up to Rafael Nadal for a second successive year. Thiem, battled back and dug deep.” who lost the 2014 Kitzbuhel final to David Goff in, becomes only Kyrgios will play for the the second Austrian player to lift his home title following former $365,390 (328,851 euro) top world number one Thomas Muster in 1993. prize against 10th-ranked Rus- Australia’s in action against Stefanos Tsitsipas (not pictured) of Greece during their semi-final on Saturday. (USA TODAY Sports) sian , who eliminated German lucky loser vanced to the women’s fi nal at match against Kyrgios, who is of his racquet and towels to the Tsitsipas, kneeling as he put the Schwartzman downs Fritz to claim Peter Gojowczyk 6-2, 6-2. the US Open tuneup tourna- Greek and Malaysian heritage. court in frustration. box at his rival’s feet, both of them Los Cabos title The 24-year-old Aussie beat ment. Each man won 91 points, hit 58 smiling as the crowd roared with Medvedev this year in Rome in of 91 fi rst serves, won 48 of 58 ‘SHOE-POCALYPSE’ HITS delight and laughter. Diego Schwartzman saved three set points in opening stanza their only prior meeting. KYRGIOS FIRE AND APATHY fi rst-serve points and 16-of-33 Tsitsipas, who said he had a sore “That was funny,” Tsitsipas before going on to beat American Taylor Fritz 7-6 (6), 6-3 in the Kyrgios, who improved to 4-1 Kyrgios excited the crowd second serve points. hamstring, suff ered a broken left said. Sometimes you can’t take final of the Los Cabos ATP tournament in Mexico on Saturday. It against top-10 rivals this year, throughout with such fl amboy- “I’m an anti-stat guy,” Kyr- shoe for a fourth consecutive anything serious. You have to go was a third career title but a first on hard court for the 26-year- seeks a sixth career ATP title ant moves as underhand serves, gios said. “I don’t look at any of match, switching Adidas pairs with the fl ow. You have to have old Argentine claycourt specialist, who dropped to the ground and his fi rst since Acapulco in between the legs shots and leap- that stuff .” on a changeover with Kyrgios the same channel and same fun in jubilation after completing the win in an hour and 43 minutes March. ing drop shots. Other times he Kyrgios broke in the third up 2-1. as he is.” when Fritz sent a forehand wide. “It’s probably one of the best would just swat away. game and held from there to win A ballboy delivered a shoebox Tsitsipas broke another left tournament weeks of my life,” “He was on fi re in some mo- the fi rst set in 31 minutes, drop- with the faulty footwear to Tsit- shoe and needed another shoe Kyrgios said. ments,” Tsitsipas said. “It felt ping only three points on his sipas’s father/coach, Apostolos switch at the next changeover, Teen star Gauff partners with Medvedev, 23, seeks his fi fth like sometimes he didn’t care at serve. Tsitsipas, in the stands. But it Indian tennis legend Leander McNally for fi rst WTA doubles title ATP title after taking his most all. It’s probably his plan to put “His serve was just unreal fi rst was Kyrgios, waiting through a Paes later bringing his dad a new recent crown at Sofi a in Febru- you out of focus.” set. I couldn’t do anything with delay that would last four min- shoe later. US teen , the 15-year-old who electrified Wimbledon with ary. Kyrgios admitted, “I’ve al- it,” said Tsitsipas. “I haven’t utes, who took the shoebox from Kyrgios led 5-1 in the tie- a fourth-round singles run last month, captured her first WTA title Italy’s 62nd-ranked Camila ways been able to play high level seen anything like it.” the far corner of the court. breaker, lost the next fi ve points, Saturday at the Washington Open in women’s doubles. Gauff and Giorgi, a 2018 Wimbledon quar- tennis. I just need to be more Kyrgios broke again to open “I just thought it would speed then saved match point with a partner Catherine McNally, who combined to win last year’s US ter-fi nalist seeking her third consistent. I have to be mentally the second set but after a review the process up,” Kyrgios said. service winner. He fi nally won Open junior women’s doubles title, defeated Hungary’s Fanny Stollar WTA title, and 79th-ranked tougher.” call went against him double- “By the way, Adidas sucks.” after two hours seven minutes and American 6-2, 6-2 to hoist their inaugural WTA American ad- It was the Greek star’s fi rst faulted away a break, slamming Kyrgios delivered it to a seated on an overhead smash. trophy. The teens jumped into each others arms and later hugged in celebration of the breakthrough milestone triumph. Zheng sets up San Jose fi nal against Eager Nadal leads ATP Montreal fi eld Sabalenka AFP title he earned last year in To- against either Canadian Denis Montreal, Canada ronto, when he beat rising star Shapovalov or Frenchman China’s Zheng Saisai surprised seventh-seeded Maria Sakkari 7-6 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. Pierre-Hugues Herbert. (5), 6-2 on Saturday to line up a title clash with second-seeded The Greek is back, taking the Third seed Zverev, who won the Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA tournament in San Jose, California. efending champion fourth seeding behind a pair of title here two years ago with Unseeded Zheng knocked off her third seeded opponent of the Rafael Nadal heads the fellow young guns in number a win over Federer in the final, week, after downing eighth-seeded American Danielle Collins Dfield for the ATP Mon- two Dominic Thiem of Austria will open against either Briton and fourth-seeded US teen Amanda Anisimova in a three-set treal Masters that starts today and Germany’s Alexander Cameron Norrie or Hungarian quarter-final marathon on Friday night. Zheng will be seeking a with Novak Djokovic and Roger Zverev, seeded third. Martin Fucsovic. first WTA singles title when she takes on Sabalenka, the world Federer opting out of the key Nadal could face a challenge in Tsitsipas will bid to better his number 10 who defeated fifth-seeded Croatian Donna Vekic 6-4, US Open tuneup. the second round after a bye, 2018 finals showing but must 6-3. Sabalenka, of Belarus, reached her first final since she won With Djokovic and Federer with a possible match against first get past either home- the Shenzhen Open in January. She and Vekic traded six service putting a return to action on Australian — grown , the 2013 breaks in the first seven games before Sabalenka pocketed the hold after their dramatic Wim- winner of the Atlanta title last finalist, or American Taylor set. Sabalenka broke twice more in the second set to capture the bledon final, 33-year-old Nadal weekend. Fritz, runner-up to de Minaur in match in just under 80 minutes, after the players combined for 14 will be seeking to retain the Thiem will open his campaign Atlanta. double faults and 10 service breaks. Gulf Times 4 Monday, August 5, 2019 SPORT

BADMINTON SPOTLIGHT Felix says female athletes are united Taiwan’s Chou wins for change Reuters would not be fi nancially penal- Los Angeles ised if she was not at her best in the months around the birth, she wrote in The New York Times, Thailand Open emale athletes from echoing the experience of other across all sports are Nike-sponsored women ath- drawing inspiration from letes. Nike has since said it would Chinese top seed Yufei denies home favourite Intanon her third title one another as they fi ght end fi nancial penalties for preg- Ffor equal treatment, Olympic nant athletes. Agencies sprint champion Allyson Fe- This week Felix announced Bangkok lix said this week. Felix said the that she had signed the fi rst brave steps taken by US gym- sponsorship deal with women’s nasts, who spoke out against a sports apparel company Athleta, aiwan shuttler Chou Tien-chen serial sexual abuser, and the US where she will take part in ini- clinched the men’s singles title women’s football team, who have tiatives to empower women and at the Thailand Open sued their federation for equal girls and have a hand in product tournament yesterday, in a thrill- pay, have helped give athletes like design. Ting fi nal against Hong Kong opponent herself the courage to speak up. Felix, who is aiming to com- Angus . “We’re feeling the power of pete at next summer’s Olympics Both players collapsed after third-seed the collective,” the 32-year- in Tokyo, said she hopes to trans- Chou eked out victory 21-14, 11-21, 23-21 old told Reuters by telephone. form the athlete sponsorship in a 67-minute match at Bangkok’s In- “When women speak out and model with the Gap-owned Ath- door Stadium Huamark. “I love you guys, speak their truth, change hap- leta and pave the way for spon- thank you,” the 29-year-old winner told pens. It also encourages others to sored athletes down the road. the crowd in an on-court interview. come forward. I know I’ve been “What’s happening with this Chou had not dropped a game inspired by the women’s foot- partnership is what I want my throughout the tournament until the fi - ball team and others and that has legacy to be,” she said. “I would nal. “In the second game, Angus pushed given me the courage to come love to have a little bit of infl u- me and moved me around the court and forward, which is something that ence on what sponsorship looks I couldn’t gain control,” said Chou, fresh is totally out of the norm for me. like, doing things diff erently, from his victory at the Indonesian Open It’s working and it’s a really spe- seeing athletes holistically and last week. cial time in women’s sports.” seeing them embraced through Angus said that his nerves had got the The six-times Olympic gold motherhood. better of him in the third game said: “My medallist, who gave birth to a “I would love the next genera- mind was a blank even if I was at match daughter via emergency caesar- tion to not feel pressure to choose point. I just lacked the experience to ean section in November, made between career and family. Those think about what to do next.” headlines in May when she said things are very important to me. Former world champion and home- longtime sponsor Nike wanted to I hope to walk away from the town favourite was pay her 70% less after having her sport after making some diff er- denied a third Thailand Open title later Chou Tien Chen poses with the trophy after winning the men’s s singles title at the Thailand Open in Bangkok. (AFP) fi rst child. ence in those areas,” she said. when Chinese top seed de- The sportswear company also That would make me extremely feated her 22-20, 21-18. Intanon, the Despite a slow start to the year for the refused to guarantee that she proud.” winner here in 2017 and currently ranked Indian pair, with Rankireddy taking the No 7 in the world, said: “I’m not unhap- fi rst few months to heal from a chest bone py. Chen performed really well and she injury, the Indian pair were on top of their was not easy to defeat. She was so calm. game. There seemed to be no evidence I think I did my best but I had some un- of a weak arm as Rankireddy kept up a forced errors. I tried to speed up and push relentless array of smashes that had the myself but I could not take control.” Chinese scrambling. Intanon fi rst made headlines as the Rankireddy said: “I was not playing youngest player to win the world jun- like usual but I kept telling myself that it’s ior championships at the age of 14. In just one more match, one more match. I 2013, she stole the spotlight again as the was so calm and whenever I got a chance, youngest winner of the World Champi- I wanted to fi nish the shot. I could see onships at 18 years of age. that they didn’t want to lift the shuttle All England 2019 champion Chen who for me.” has defeated Intanon nine times out of Recovering from his initial surprise and their 11 bouts, has been playing consist- speechlessness after the win, Shetty said: ently high-level badminton these past “I can’t believe that we’ve just beaten the few weeks and has not dropped a game in current world champs. They are really this tournament. “After three back-to- good attacking players so our plan was to back tournaments, I’m not at my fi ttest. keep the shuttle low. I’m tired and need to recover, then train “We varied our shots. We played a few and raise my performance again before fl at shots but then they rushed to the net the World Championships,” said Chen. so we decided that Satwik would play a few hard smashes and I would play some INDIAN PAIR RANKIREDDY-SHETTY soft shots down to the net. Their defence India’s (right) and Chirag Shetty stunned world champions WIN DOUBLES TITLE is usually very good too but I think at their Li Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen of China to win the men’s doubles title yesterday. (AFP) Meanwhile, India’s Satwiksairaj Ran- height, it looked like they were struggling kireddy and Chirag Shetty pulled off one to come forward low at the net.” a change in their training since coming Tanaka and Koharu Yonemoto defeated of the biggest upsets of the tournament Liu had only praise for his opponents: under the tutelage of coach Flandy Lim- eighth seeds and Li Yin Hui 21-19, when they stunned World No 2 China’s Li “They were more than we expected. They pele of Indonesia. “Before Coach Flandy, 14-21, 21-13. It was another long match Jun Hui and Liu Yu Chen to win the men’s were calm and in control. In stressed sit- we were doing a lot of on-court training that had both pairs duelling for 84 min- doubles title. uations, they managed to pull through. but he put us through a lot of physical utes and a rally that went for 87 shots be- In their fi rst Super 500 fi nal, Shetty They are a big potential threat for a long training and running. That’s why even fore the Chinese pair succumbed. and Rankireddy – ranked No 16 in the time.” though we’ve had a long week, we’re not China’s Wang Yi Lyu and Huang Dong world – needed a little over an hour to This mantra of remaining calm and tired today,” said Shetty. Ping made up for their teammates’ losses outclass the 2018 world champions from confi dent has taken Rankiredd and Shetty Another Chinese pair had to settle for when they took out Japan’s Yuta Watan- China 21-19 18-21 21-18. They became the through the last few days but their suc- second, this time in the women’s dou- abe and 24-22, 23-21 in fi rst Indian pair to win a Super 500 event. cess may not have been possible without bles when Japanese seventh seeds Shiho the mixed doubles fi nal. Olympic sprint champion Allyson Felix. (AFP)

CYCLING PAN AM GAMES Mezgec takes second Paul bags more gold for Trinidad and Tobago stage, Ackermann Reuters up to what happens in the world and not Lima be so involved with what just happens (at home).” Sisniega pointed out that consider- retains overall lead to Boldon has long been unri- ing 6,600 athletes from 41 countries are AFP valled as Trinidad and Tobago’s competing in Lima, the region is more Katowice, Poland most famous sprinter but there than just the US and Canada. But even a might just be a challenger on quick glance at the medal table on Satur- theA horizon after Nicholas Paul blitzed to day reveals how signifi cant the US(108) uka Mezgec won the second stage of the Tour of Poland a second Pan Am Games gold in track cy- and Canadian (64) participation is as the yesterday, the Mitchelton-Scott rider nicking the 152.7 cling on Saturday. two nations have won a combined total kilometre race between Tarnowskie Gory and Katowice in Paul led the tiny Caribbean island nation of 172 medals. Despite being one-two on the fi nal sprint. to victory in the team sprint on Thursday the medals table — when total number of LBora-hansgrohe’s Pascal Ackermann, who won the points jer- and two days later was back in the saddle medals won by each country are taken into sey at this year’s Giro d’Italia, holds onto the overall lead powering his way to the top of podium in account — the event is largely ignored by despite fi nishing third behind Slovene Mezgec and Fernando what was a high speed cat and mouse bat- mainstream media in both countries. Ca- Gaviria. tle with team mate Njisane Phillips. nadian Press has sent one reporter and a Classification 2nd stage: 1. Luka Mezgec (SLO/MTS) 3h 32:42, Trinidad and Tobago have claimed four photographer to provide on site coverage 2. Fernando Gaviria (COL/UAD) same time, 3. Pascal Ackermann medals in Lima with three of them coming while the country’s national broadcaster (GER/BOH) s.t, 4. Danny van Poppel (NED/TJV) s.t, 5. Marc Sarreau at the Velodromo Villa Deportivo Nacion- CBC is live streaming the Games but has (FRA/GFC) s.t al, including the two golds. While Paul has no on air programming planned. been making headlines back home, he does Coverage by US outlets is equally thin OLYMPIC CHAMPION BARKER BREAKS not expect to supplant former 200 metres with no major newspapers accredited and COLLARBONE IN LONDON CRASH world champion Boldon any time soon. broadcast rights holder ESPN focusing on Olympic champion Elinor Barker has confi rmed she suff ered a “Ato Boldon is a sprinter and I am track Spanish language content. It is not just broken collarbone in a high-speed pile-up at the end of the wom- cycling sprinter so it is two diff erent the media but athletes themselves, who in en’s Ride London Classique in London on Saturday. Barker, part of things,” Paul said as he waited to receive many cases, have made the Pan Ams a low the British women’s team pursuit squad that won gold on the track what would be just the 13th gold medal priority. Competitions have off ered up a in Rio in 2016, was brought down during the sprint to the line near ever won by Trinidad and Tobago at a Pan mixed bag in terms of quality. Buckingham Palace. Am Games. “I don’t know why we have Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul celebrates after winning the men’s sprint gold at Cuba sent a elite line-up of world and “They say you’re not a real cyclist until you’ve broken a collar- great sprinters I’m just happy we keep the track cycling competition during the Pan-American Games in Lima. (AFP) Olympic champions into the boxing ring bone — avoided joining the club for 15 years but not much I could producing them.” and took eight golds, a silver and bronze do yesterday,” she posted on Twitter. Barker, 24, was riding for For a country that has a strong sprint- Although Trinidad now has a velodrome, side their own borders if the Pan Ameri- from 10 weight classes in the men’s com- British road team Drops. ing and cricketing pedigree but little in the part of Paul’s training involves getting out can Games is to get the kind of attention petition. The only gold won by the US was Dutchwoman Kirsten Wild, winner of the race in 2018, crossed way of a cycling culture, it has been a re- on the roads on an island that is only 59km it deserves, the secretary general of Panam in the women’s competition thanks to Os- the line fi rst but was disqualifi ed after inadvertently causing the markable few days for Trinidad and Toba- (37 miles) wide. “I live a 24/7 athlete life- Sports said on Saturday. hae Jones. The US will send out mostly B mayhem. Lorena Wiebes (Parkhotel Valkenburg) was promoted to go at the velodrome. Halfway through the style,” smiled Paul, setting his next target Labelling the Lima Games as the great- teams when the athletics and swimming fi rst place. programme, the Caribbean nation fi nds of qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olym- est ever, Panam secretary general Ivar races get underway next week but are still Barker jumped to the defence of Wild, who received online crit- itself second in the medal standings and pics. “As a track cyclist I don’t do long, Sisniega said the lack of interest for the expected to dominate both competitions. icism for her part in the smash. “A bit upsetting to see comments battling the US for top spot. long rides but we do enough road riding.” two-week multi-sport event in North Over the two weeks athletes are com- aimed at Kirsten though,” she said. Paul was at a loss to explain how his lit- America was because of narrow think- peting in 39 sports, many of which off er “It’s easy to criticise from a slow-mo aerial shot. The real-time tle country had become a regional track US, CANADA NEED TO OPEN ing. “If you think the American continent qualifying for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, reality is that everybody is just hoping that their split-second de- cycling power. “I got an injury and just EYES TO PAN AM GAMES is just USA and Canada then you’re right something Sisniega says the Panam Sports cision benefi ts themselves without harming anybody else. Race started cycling for recovery and fell in The United States and Canada need to there is (a lack of interest),” Sisniega said. Organisation needs to do a better job in accidents happen.” love with it,” the 20-year-old shrugged. open their eyes to what is happening out- “Some countries... maybe need to open selling. Gulf Times Monday, August 5, 2019 5 SPORT

NFL Hall of Fame welcomes Class of 2019 in emotional ceremony Reuters “... Mr. B was a great man, and come a master of my game, like front yard with her sons? True New York a great leader. He will surely be Bruce Lee,” Reed said. “I mas- story. She hit hard.” missed, but he will forever be my tered my art of football, because Johnny Robinson, who played teammate. I love you.” that’s what it truly is when you defensive back for the Dallas he Pro Football Hall of Bowlen, who bought the understand it.” Cowboys and Chiefs, waited Fame welcomed eight Broncos in 1984 and led them to Ty Law, who was part of the nearly fi ve decades for his Hall new members on Sat- seven Super Bowl appearances early wave of New England’s Su- of Fame moment. The 80-year- urday night in Canton, and three Lombardi Trophies, per Bowl greatness, remembered old, who was this year’s senior TOhio, with the inductees shar- died in June from complications how when he was a fi rst-round nominee, expressed his appre- ing emotional stories of the hard related to Alzheimer’s disease at draft pick, the Patriots hadn’t ciation in a pre-recorded speech. work, family support and un- age 75. quite become “the Patriots” yet. “It’s been 47 years since I last breakable bonds with teammates Earlier in the evening, six of He praised his former teammates played football, and for this all who helped them reach football his children and longtime team in the crowd, telling him this time, I thought I had been for- immortality. trainer Steve “Greek” Antonop- moment belonged to them, too. gotten,” Robinson said. “I can’t Much of the emotion centred ulos - who presented Bowlen “ know where it started fel- tell you how pleased I was to be around the Denver Broncos, with for enshrinement - pulled the las,” Law said. “Together, we are notifi ed that I had been selected cornerback Champ Bailey enter- drape off his bust, which sat ad- in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.” as the senior fi nalist after all ing the Hall as a fi rst-ballot in- jacent to his framed gold jacket. CentrE Kevin Mawae, who these years. But then, to receive ductee and longtime owner Pat Bowlen’s family will receive the played 16 seasons with the Seat- that knock on the door from [Pro Bowlen being enshrined post- jacket, after jackets had previ- tle Seahawks, New York Jets and Football Hall of Fame president] humously, less than two months ously been given only to induct- Tennessee Titans, thanked doz- David Baker seems surreal to me. after his death. ees who were living at the time of ens of people. They included “I think back to when I was Bailey, who shares the NFL enshrinement. his wife, former teammates, the young boy, and all I wanted to do record among defensive backs After Bailey’s speech, tight coaches who taught him the game was play ball.” with 12 Pro Bowls, credited end Tony Gonzalez capped the as is father served in the military The architect of the early Dal- Bowlen’s presence upon his ar- night - more than four hours Inductees of the 2019 Pro Football Hall of Fame class pose in gold jackets during the Enshrinees Gold in Germany, and his brother, who las Cowboys, Gil Brandt drafted rival in Denver - via trade from after the ceremony started - by Jacket dinner at Memorial Civic Center and Cultural Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports was killed in a car accident. But 501 players and signed countless the Washington Redskins for refl ecting on the aftermath of his biggest thanks in an emotion- more over the course of 29 years running back Clinton Portis - for his own trade, which sent him “So I was worried about it all top of their lungs.... So you Kan- Ogden and Ray Lewis. “The NFL al speech were for his mother. as director of player personnel. taking him to new heights. to the Atlanta Falcons follow- week long. And then during pre- sas City Chiefs fans know how changed my life and put me in “Raising four boys, you The 86-year-old packed more “The best thing for my ca- ing 12 years with the Kansas City game, they introduced... me. much I appreciated you.” a place I never thought I’d be,” learned to take the bumps and than 50 names into his nearly reer happened in 2004,” Bailey Chiefs. Which I thought was very spe- Safety Ed Reed became the Reed said. “There’s no place like bruises along the way,” Mawae 20-minute speech, including said. “I was traded to the Denver “I wasn’t sure how the fans cial. And then something hap- third homegrown member of Baltimore. No place like Balti- said. “You were our other team- Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin and Broncos. Once I began to learn were going to treat me,” Gonzal- pened that was one of the great- the Baltimore Ravens to be en- more.” He was one of four defen- mate in our odd numbers of Mel Renfro. Aikman, a Hall of about Mr. Bowlen and the Den- ez recalled of his fi rst game back est moments of my career. The shrined in the Hall of Fame, join- sive backs to be inducted. front-yard football. What other Fame member, was Brandt’s fi nal ver Broncos, I was sold. in Kansas City with the Falcons. Chief fans started yelling at the ing former teammates Jonathan “I always said I wanted to be- mom plays tackle football in the fi rst-round choice.

MLB NBA Warriors agree with Green on four-year Four Astros pitchers extension: report

AFP of 9.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, San Francisco 4.6 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 blocked shots a game in the regular season. In his 123 ca- hree-time NBA reer playoff appearances, combine to no-hit champion Draymond those fi gures all rise to 12.5 Green has agreed to a points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.1 as- four-year maximum sists, 1.6 steals and 1.5 blocks ‘It’s hard to come to a team and feel like Tcontract extension with the a game. Golden State Warriors, link- you can contribute in a way when they’re ing him to the club until mid- KNICKS FORWARD RANDLE 2024, ESPN reported on Sat- LEAVES USA WC SQUAD already so good... I’m so happy’ urday. New York Knicks forward Julius Mariners The 29-year-old power for- Randle became on Saturday the ward, an emotional leader as latest NBA playmaker to leave well as a versatile playmaker, the USA national team prepar- was set to become a free agent ing for the Basketball World next July but will stay with the Cup, citing a family matter. Warriors, his agent, Rich Paul, The move follows exits by told ESPN. many of the NBA’s top stars, Green’s remaining con- including Kawhi Leonard, tract now goes for fi ve years Stephen Curry, Anthony Dav- and pays $118 million. Green is and James Harden as the provides inside power and re- Americans try to assemble a bounding that helps provide squad that can seek a third room for 3-point sharpshoot- consecutive world title at the ers Stephen Curry and Klay global hoops showdown in Thompson to maximise their China, which starts on August outside shooting skills. 31. After helping the Warri- The 15 players remaining in ors win the 2015 NBA crown, the US provisional lineup will he combined with All-Star gather Monday in Las Vegas centre Kevin Durant on a for- for a fi ve-day training camp. A midable Warriors’ dynasty fi nal 12-man roster is expected lineup that brought titles in to be announced in two weeks. 2017 and 2018 before Durant The US team looks likely to was hurt in the 2019 playoff s have a Boston Celtics fl avor and Golden State lost the NBA with guard Kemba Walker, the Finals in June to the Toronto only US NBA All-Star in the Raptors. mix, joined by Jaylen Brown, Green, the league’s Defen- Marcus Smart and Jayson sive Player of the Year in 2017, Tatum. has been on the NBA’s All- Other NBA players compet- Defensive fi rst or second team ing for a US World Cup spot for fi ve consecutive seasons. include Sacramento King’s Since his NBA debut in 2012, Harrison Barnes, Utah Jazz’s Green has a team-high 22 Donovan Mitchell, Toronto triple-doubles and the fi fth- Raptor’s Kyle Lowry, Kyle most in the NBA in that span. Kuzma of the Los Angeles Along with guard D’Angelo Lakers, Milwaukee Bucks’ Russell plus Curry and Brook Lopez and Khris Mid- Thompson, Green gives the dleton, Denver Nugget’s Ma- Warriors four NBA All-Stars son Plumlee, Houston’s P.J. under contract as they move Tucker, Indiana Pacer’s Myles Houston Astros players celebrate a combine four pitcher no hitter against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports into a new $1 billion arena in Turner and Chicago Bull’s San Francisco next season. Thaddeus Young. Reuters during that miserable stretch, relying homer, his 18th, leading off the fifth to Thompson, who suff ered a Lowry helped the Raptors RESULTS Houston more on his four-seam fastball and less on extend the lead to 4-0. Brantley added a major left knee injury in the with the NBA title in June. He his sinker to handcuff the Mariners. two-run double off the scoreboard in left NBA Finals, signed a fi ve-year and Barnes were also members Sanchez entered his fi rst start for Hou- Astros 9-0 Mariners in the sixth, scoring Martin Maldonado maximum deal worth $190 of the Rio Olympic gold medal our Houston Astros pitchers com- ston with a 36.9 percent usage rate for Yankees 9-2 Red Sox and Altuve. Altuve, Brantley, Alvarez, million in July. squad. Randle, 24, averaged a bined to no-hit the Seattle Mari- his sinker and 21.3 percent rate with the Yankees 6-4 Red Sox Bregman and Carlos Correa posted multi- Russell was obtained in a career-high 21.4 points with ners on Saturday night in a 9-0 four-seamer. Against Seattle, 33.7 percent hit games. trade deal that helped Du- 8.7 rebounds and 3.1 assists D’backs 18-7 Nationals win in front of the home crowd, of his 92 pitches were four-seamers, and rant wind up in Brooklyn and last season for New Orleans in theF second time the Mariners have been Sanchez essentially halved his sinker us- Cubs 4-1 Brewers signed to a four-year contract his fi fth NBA campaign, hav- TORRES BELTS 2 HRS, YANKS victims of a combined no-hitter this age, his 18.5 percent rate matching that of Twins 11-3 Royals COMPLETE DH SWEEP OF BOSOX worth $117 million. ing previously spent four years season. his changeup. A’s 8-3 Cardinals Gleyber Torres homered in consecutive Green has career averages with the Los Angeles Lakers. Aaron Sanchez made his debut with the After plunking Omar Narvaez with a at-bats and Mike Tauchman delivered Astros a memorable aff air, twirling six in- 2-1 curveball with two outs in the fi rst, Braves 5-4 Reds the go-ahead two-run single as the New nings. Right-handers Will Harris, Joe Bi- Sanchez retired nine consecutive batters Dodgers 4-1 Padres York Yankees recorded a 6-4 victory over agini and Chris Devenski each worked an before walking Daniel Vogelbach with two Giants 6-5 Rockies the Boston Red Sox to complete a double- inning to complete the no-hitter, the 12th outs in the fourth. Sanchez retired the en- header sweep on Saturday night at Yankee in franchise history. Houston improved to suing fi ve batters, issued a one-out walk Mets 7-5 Pirates Stadium. In front of the largest paid crowd 11-1 against Seattle this season. to Mallex Smith in the sixth, and capped Phillies 3-2 White Sox (48,101) of the season, the Yankees won “It’s hard to come to a team and feel like his start by inducing two groundouts to Rays 8-6 Marlins their fourth straight and beat Boston for you can contribute in a way when they’re strand Smith, the lone runner to reach the 10th time in 14 meetings this season already so good,” Sanchez said afterward. scoring position, at third. Indians 7-2 Angels to move 13 1/5 games ahead of the third- “It’s been an unbelievable 48 hours, and “We played clean defense, we threw Rangers 5-4 Tigers place Red Sox in the AL East. for today to end like it did, I’m so happy.” the ball exceptionally well,” manager AJ Orioles 6-4 Blue Jays The Red Sox are on their longest losing The Mariners, losers of three straight Hinch told reporters. “We had a comfort- streak - seven consecutive games - since games, were also no-hit on a combined able lead, but yet there was still a little bit Brantley recorded consecutive doubles off July 2015, and their 54th loss matches eff ort by the Los Angeles Angels on July 12 of edge to the dugout because we knew Seattle left-hander Marco Gonzales (12- their total from last season. in a 13-0 loss. what was going on.” 9) following a George Springer walk, with Torres electrifi ed the crowd by produc- Sanchez (4-14) was winless over his Sanchez walked two and recorded six Brantley plating Springer with the ini- ing his fi fth multi-homer game of the sea- past 17 starts with the Toronto Blue Jays, strikeouts for his fi rst win since April 27 tial tally. Altuve scored on a run-scoring son. He started the scoring in a three-run who shipped him to Houston along with against Oakland. The Astros were hasty groundout by Alex Bregman before rookie third off Brian Johnson with a one-out Biagini on Wednesday at the trade dead- in providing Sanchez with run support, designated hitter Yordan Alvarez notched drive into the left fi eld seats, then hit a line. Sanchez did not resemble the pitcher scoring three runs on three hits in the bot- his 40th RBI in his 40th game with a sin- game-tying drive in the fi fth off Josh Tay- who posted a 7.49 ERA and 1.82 WHIP tom of the fi rst. Jose Altuve and Michael gle. Altuve smoked an opposite-fi eld lor that reached the second deck in left. Draymond Green Gulf Times 6 Monday, August 5, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Dortmund deny Bayern fourth straight Super Cup Sancho fed Alcacer for Dortmund’s opener just after the break, before clinching the victory with a clinical finish

AFP Dortmund, Germany

ngland forward Jadon Sancho scored a goal and set-up anoth- er as Borussia Dortmund beat Bayern Munich 2-0 on Satur- dayE night to deny the German league and cup champions a fourth straight Super Cup title. Sancho, 19, fed Spain forward Paco Alcacer for Dortmund’s opener just after the break before clinching the victory and his side’s fi rst trophy since 2017 with a clinical fi nish within the fi - nal half an hour of play. “We absolutely wanted to win this match, it was very diffi cult,” said Dortmund coach Lucien Favre. “Bayern were very strong and had a lot of possession but we defended well and stayed very compact. We knew that we had to go on the counter-attack and we did that very well.” Bayern, who pipped Favre’s side to the Bundesliga title last season and lifted the German Cup, were without World Cup winning left-back and new signing Lucas Hernandez due to a knee problem. Dortmund’s big name sum- mer arrivals of winger Thorgen Hazard and Julian Brandt, as well as defender Mats Hummels, returning the club af- ter three seasons in Bavaria, were also Borussia Dortmund players celebrate with the trophy after winning the German Super Cup at the Signal Iduna Park in Dortmund, western Germany, on Saturday night. (AFP) ruled out due to injuries. Bayern captain Manuel Neuer said early chance. Portugal winger Raphael from goal. Alcacer beat Neuer to the back to bite them almost immediately ter-attack. Sancho was free once again midfi elder Renato Sanches and France errors proved costly. “We gave Dort- Guerreiro broke down the left fl ank and ball but his shot dribbled past the goal. after the break. Sancho attacked down on the right wing, he burst into the box World Cup winner Benjamin Pavard mund the match by making too many cut-back to fi nd captain Marco Reus Bayern’s best opportunity of the fi rst the left drawing four Bayern defenders beyond Bayern’s back-four and nut- late-on but they were unable to fi nd the mistakes,” Neuer said. “We made the inside the penalty box. half fell to Kingsley Coman 10 minutes with quick step-overs. The teenager megged the experienced Neuer to make goals to retain the title and the early- mistakes all on our own, we gave them Reus’s eff ort was then well saved by later. He found himself unmarked in the fed striker Alcacer at the edge of the it 2-0. Infl uential Sancho left the fi eld season bragging rights. possession and that’s why we conceded Neuer after less than a minute of play. box but his toe-poke shot was saved by box who beat Neuer with a low shot for with 10 minutes to play after seeming Bayern start the defence of their the goals.” Neuer was in the action once again after Marwin Hitz low to the right. a 1-0 lead on 48 minutes. to be hurt following an off -the-fi eld league title by hosting Hertha Berlin on The home side, who fi nished second a quarter of an hour as he rushed out of Bayern’s inability to make the most Dortmund’s lead was doubled with challenge by Joshua Kimmich. Bayern Friday August 16 and Dortmund play in the league last season, had a good his box to close down Alcacer 30 metres of the ball in fi rst 45 minutes came 22 minutes to go from a clinical coun- coach Niko Kovac brought on Portugal Augsburg a day later.

SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP TRANSFER Rangers launch campaign with Everton sign striker Kean from Juventus

Reuters last-gasp Kilmarnock victory London

AFP tough nut to crack.” onto the pitch in celebration. Glasgow Rangers took the lead in the Later yesterday Aberdeen remier League side Everton have 16th minute when centre-back came from behind to snatch a 3-2 signed 19-year-old striker Moise Stuart Findlay allowed Nikola home win against Hearts, who Kean from Italian champions Ju- onnor Goldson ensured Katic to wander free and meet fi nished the game with 10 men. ventus on a fi ve-year deal, the clubs Rangers kicked off their ’s corner with a Sam Cosgrove, who had saidP yesterday. Juventus said the transfer fee fi rm header. Goalkeeper Lauren- opened the scoring, pulled his agreed for the Italy international was 27.5mn campaign with win as tiu Branescu’s parry did not clear side level with a penalty 10 euros ($30.54mn), payable in three fi nancial hisC late header ensured a 2-1 vic- the danger and Arfi eld rammed minutes from time before Ryan years, with a further 2.5mn euros to be add- tory at Kilmarnock yesterday. home from close range. Hedges found a winner in the ed if certain conditions were met. ’s team lost on With 12 minutes remaining, 85th minute. “I am very proud and honoured to wear both of their league visits to Ayr- Gerrard brought on former Kil- Champions Celtic kicked off the Everton shirt. I will give my best to shire last season and looked set marnock favourite Jordan Jones, their bid for a ninth consecutive this team,” Kean said in a statement. “I was for more frustration as Stephen who was greeted with howls Scottish Premiership title with a convinced to sign because Everton is a club O’Donnell cancelled out Scott from the home supporters. But 7-0 win at home to St Johnstone looking to the future and so am I. I know Arfi eld’s early opener in the 83rd they were out of their seats when on Saturday. about the size of the club, it has big ambi- minute. But Goldson crashed O’Donnell grabbed an equaliser. tion and I will work very hard to help us fulfi l home a header in stoppage time Chris Burke’s free-kick was SCOTTISH PREMIERSHIP what we want to achieve.” to infl ict more agony on new Kil- allowed to drift all the way to the RESULTS Kean, who was Juve’s fi rst player to be lie boss Angelo Alessio, whose back post where the Scotland born in the 2000s, made his debut for the Kilmarnock 1 (O’Donnell 83) side were humbled in the Europa right-back stood unmarked be- club at the age of 16 and scored six goals in Rangers 2 (Arfield 16, Goldson League by part-timers Connah’s fore smashing the ball past Wes Serie A last season as the Turin club won years old. He has talent and he is ready to their campaign at Crystal Palace on Satur- Quay Nomads last month. Foderingham. Rangers desper- 90+1); Kilmarnock 1 (O’Donnell their eighth consecutive league title. The work, ready to improve our squad and gives day. Juventus remain in talks with Manches- “We’re obviously delighted ately poured forward hoping to 83) Rangers 2 (Arfield 16, Gold- 19-year-old has also scored twice for Italy us diff erent solutions.” ter City over selling the full-back Joao Can- with how it’s fi nished, it’s a big fi nd a winner. son 90+1) in three appearances since making his debut Kean became the Merseyside club’s fi fth celo in a transfer which could take Danilo in three points for us,” Gerrard Branescu pulled off a big stop Played today: Celtic 7 (Johnston last year. “A striker was one of our priority recruit of the close season after midfi elders the opposite direction. said. “We were comfortable for to deny ’s swirling ef- 9, Christie 26, 30, 67, Ntcham signings this summer,” Everton boss Marco Andre Gomes, Fabian Delph, Jean-Philippe They are also discussing a possible swap large spells of the game, then we fort but there was no stopping 72, Edouard 80, Griff iths 86) St Silva said. “Moise is strong, fast, with many Gbamin and goalkeeper Jonas Lossl. Ever- with Manchester United involving Paulo give away a free-kick. Credit to Goldson as the defender bulleted Johnstone 0; Hibernian 1 (Allan good qualities as a striker and he is just 19 ton, who fi nished eighth last season, begin Dybala and Romelu Lukaku. them for the free-kick but we fall home from another Tavernier 85) St Mirren 0; Livingston 0 asleep at the back post. Kilmar- corner, leaving the delirious Motherwell 0; Ross County 3 nock were themselves and when travelling support unable to con- (Chalmers 30, Mckay 36, Stewart ROUND-UP they are organised, they are a tain their joy as a number spilled 57) Hamilton 0 AC Milan snap up Algeria star Bennacer PRESSURE ON SCHALKE CHAIRMAN C Milan yesterday announced the assists as Betis fi nished 10th. Barcelona TOENNIES TO RESIGN FOR RACIST SLUR signing of French-born Algerian begin their league title defence on Aug 16 midfi elder Ismael Bennacer, when they travel to Athletic Bilbao. Berlin: Schalke chairman Clemens Toennies is tion as successful and quick to work as in sport named player of the tournament atA the recently concluded Africa Cup of Na- US WOMEN CRUISE TO 3-0 WIN OVER facing calls to resign a fortnight before the start — that must not be put at risk.” of the Bundesliga season following widespread Toennies’ comments are a distraction for Schal- tions won by the North African side. IRELAND IN STATESIDE RETURN condemnation of racist comments he made last ke, under new head coach David Wagner, who Bennacer, who played for the French The US women’s football team cruised to a week. start their league season at Borussia Moencheng- under-18 and -19 teams before switching 3-0 win over Ireland in Pasadena on Satur- The 63-year-old has been criticised for saying ladbach on August 17. President of the German allegiance to Algeria in 2016, joins the Milan day in their fi rst match on home soil since more power stations should be built in Africa, Football League (DFL) Reinhard Rauball told news club from fellow Serie A side Empoli on a claiming back-to-back World Cup titles “then Africans would stop felling trees and pro- agency DPA Toennies’ comments are “completely fi ve-year contract. in France last month. The team’s “Vic- ducing children when it gets dark”. The billionaire incompatible with the values of football” held by He has won 16 caps for Algeria, including tory Tour” got off to a winning start when businessman made the remark at a forum in Pad- both the DFB and DFL. seven at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt, Christen Press sent a high-arcing pass to erborn on Thursday while criticising tax increases Dagmar Freitag, chairman of the sports com- where his team beat Senegal in the fi nal. For Tobin Heath, whose header found the back to fight climate change. mittee in the German parliament, says an apology Algeria, the all-action 21-year-old, who of the net in the 16th minute. On social media, numerous Schalke fans is not enough. “The fact that something like this also spent time with the Arsenal under-23 Lindsey Horan doubled the advantage demanded his resignation as chairman of the is articulated by someone who holds a prominent side without nailing down a starting spot 15 minutes later and Carli Lloyd scored club’s supervisory board, while senior figures in position in sport makes things all the worse,” in the fi rst team, combined defensive du- through a header from distance before the German football and politics have condemned Freitag told German newspaper Welt. ties with vital contributions in attack and break to put the game out of Ireland’s reach. his comment. Toennies apologised for his “inap- The politician says an apology alone “certainly provided three assists, which included set- forward Antoine Griezmann, midfi elder The US are still riding high after defeat- propriate” words yesterday, insisting he backs cannot make up for the socio-political damage”. ting up Baghdad Bounedjah’s winner for his Frenkie De Jong and goalkeeper Neto. ing the Netherlands 2-0 last month to claim Schalke’s values against “racism, discrimination Likewise Toennies must send a “clear signal” to country’s fi rst title in 29 years. “FC Barcelona and Real Betis have their fourth World Cup title and said their and exclusion”. atone, Sylvia Schenck, a lawyer for Transparency reached an agreement for the transfer of match at the Rose Bowl, where the team However, a statement on the club website International also told Welt. BARCELONA SIGN FIRPO FROM REAL Junior Firpo for an amount of 18mn euros won their second world title 20 years ago, may not be enough to save him with Germany’s “Such a thing doesn’t just slip out during an BETIS ON FIVE-YEAR CONTRACT plus 12mn euros in variables,” Barcelona was special. Justice Minister Christine Lambrecht calling on off icial speech, there is a highly problematic at- Barcelona have signed Spanish left back said in a statement. “The player will sign a “This is such a historic place and it the German Football Association (DFB) to “deal” titude behind it”, said the former middle-distance Junior Firpo from Real Betis on a fi ve-year contract with the club for the next fi ve sea- has such memories for the US Women’s with Toennies. “Racism must be loudly and clearly runner. “Active repentance with clear signals to deal for an initial transfer fee of 18mn euros sons, until June 30, 2024, with a termina- National Team,” said defender Becky Sau- contradicted” at every opportunity,” the politician Africans is necessary in order to really prove ($19.99mn), the Spanish champions said tion clause of 200mn euros.” erbrunn. “We’re just so thankful to get to told the Funke media group. “Nowhere is integra- Toennies has changed his opinion,” she added. . Firpo, 22, is Barcelona’s fourth recruit of Firpo played 24 times in La Liga last sea- celebrate with everyone who supported us the close season after the Catalans signed son, scoring three goals and grabbing four in France. This is a great night.” Gulf Times Monday, August 5, 2019 7 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT Rebuilding Man United face uncertain future under Solskjaer AFP tively inexperienced Solskjaer to compared with Manchester City London the full-time manager’s post. and Liverpool last season? Right- United will not have Cham- back Aaron Wan-Bissaka has pions League football to paper joined from Crystal Palace, with anchester United over the cracks during the com- Solskjaer describing the 21-year- have missed out on ing season, with Thursday nights old as “one of the best upcoming the top four in four of in the Europa League ringed in defenders in the ”. the six seasons since the calendar instead. The club Winger Daniel James was MAlex Ferguson stepped down have had a positive pre-season bought from Championship and fans are coming to terms but there are still lingering issues club Swansea to add thrust on with their current status as Pre- that need to be addressed — Paul the fl anks. United have also been mier League also-rans. Here is Pogba’s future is still in doubt linked with a swoop for Juventus a look at whether Ole Gunnar and Solskjaer has to wrestle with forward Paulo Dybala, but the Solskjaer can make United con- the conundrum of an under-per- Argentine is said to be unsure tenders again for the fi rst time forming Alexis Sanchez. about joining a team outside the since their last Premier League United had problems at both Champions League. Romelu Lu- title in 2012-13 or whether they ends of the pitch last season — kaku could be on the way out of are facing another season of tur- scoring 30 goals fewer than City Old Traff ord, with Juventus and moil and pain. in the Premier League and con- Inter Milan both keen on the Bel- ceding 54 goals, the most they gium striker according to reports. WHAT TO EXPECT: It is diffi - had conceded in a league sea- cult to know what to expect from son since 1978-79. The 20-time KEY MAN: This is the season Solskjaer’s United, who enjoyed champions desperately need a when Marcus Rashford will have a purple patch after the Norwe- positive start to rebuild confi - to step up and show emphati- gian replaced Jose Mourinho but dence that they can challenge cally that he deserves to wear the slumped alarmingly towards the at the sharp end of the Premier number 10 shirt at Manchester end of last season. At one stage League. Anything less and the United. Still only 21, Rashford they looked likely to fi nish in the knives could be out for Solskjaer. scored 17 goals in 54 appearances top four but there was the suspi- last season for club and country cion they were getting the rub of NEW FACES: After a leaky de- but will have to boost those num- the green and so it proved. fence played a key role in United’s bers if he is to be the undisputed Their campaign ended with struggles last season, Solskjaer leader of United’s attack. a whimper as they drew 1-1 at made it clear he wanted Leices- Rashford signed a new four- relegated Huddersfi eld and then ter’s Harry Maguire to plug the year deal to remain at Old Traf- were beaten 2-0 at home on the holes. The England centre-back ford, saying it was “a privilege” fi nal day by Cardiff , who were is reportedly on the verge of be- every time he wore the shirt. He also heading out of the Premier coming the world’s most expen- has scored some sublime goals League. A gap of 32 points to sive defender, with United said for the club but with a shortage of champions Manchester City was to have agreed an £80mn fee goal threat from elsewhere, Sol- embarrassing and many ques- to land Maguire. But have they skjaer will want to see him take his tioned whether the club had been signed enough faces to boost a tally to 20-plus goals this season too hasty in appointing the rela- squad that looked short of class and become more of a poacher.

COMMUNITY SHIELD Manchester City, Liverpool not yet physically ready: De Bruyne

London: Kevin De Bruyne Man City draw fi rst said Manchester City and Liverpool were not yet “physi- cally ready” for the start of the season after the Premier League champions won the Community Shield on penal- ties yesterday. blood against Liverpool Raheem Sterling gave City a first-half lead before Joel Matip grabbed a late equaliser City keeper Bravo saved from Liverpool’s Wijnaldum, with Gabriel Jesus driving in the winning kick for Liverpool in the annual curtain-raiser to the English AFP top-flight season. London In the shootout, City keeper Claudio Bravo saved from Georginio Wijnaldum, with anchester City drew the Gabriel Jesus driving in the fi rst shot in their battle for winning kick after successful supremacy with rivals Liv- eff orts from Ilkay Gundogan, erpool yesterday as they Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden and Msnatched the Community Shield with Oleksandr Zinchenko. a 5-4 penalty shoot-out win after a 1-1 “It was a really tough draw at Wembley. Raheem Sterling gave game,” City midfielder De Bru- City a fi rst half lead before Joel Matip yne said. “You can still see it’s grabbed a late equaliser for Liverpool in early pre-season. Both teams the annual curtain-raiser to the English are not physically ready yet. top-fl ight season. It’s nice to see the competition In the shoot-out, City keeper Claudio and we will fight each other Bravo saved from Georginio Wijnaldum, again this season. Some guys with Gabriel Jesus driving in the winning just came back two days ago, kick after successful eff orts from Ilkay others have trained two or Gundogan, Bernardo Silva, Phil Foden three weeks. Pre-season is and Oleksandr Zinchenko. more commercial these days The jubilant celebrations from City’s so August is important.” players and fans showed infl icting an Manchester City defender early psychological blow on Liverpool Kyle Walker said: “It’s the first was a moment to savour, regardless of Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero (fourth left) and David Silva lift the trophy as they celebrate with teammates after winning the Community Shield in London. (Reuters) trophy you can win, for me the supposed warm-up status of the growing up this was a big one. glamour friendly. With City installed as On the evidence of this hard-fought Sane was playing on the day reports caught Liverpool appealing in vain for side of the post. Guardiola had his head It starts off the season and favourites to win the title for a third suc- contest, which featured both fl ashes of claimed his agents had agreed a con- off side as Kevin De Bruyne headed on to in his hands in frustration when Sterling hopefully we can replicate cessive season and Liverpool expected quality and signs of rustiness, there will tract with Bayern Munich, who are keen David Silva. again ran clear on goal without scoring what we did last season.” to present the strongest challenge to be little to separate the two teams as they to sign the Germany winger. Guardiola Silva fl icked towards Sterling and as his hesitant stumble allowed Alisson Pep Guardiola’s City, who Pep Guardiola’s side, their meeting on go head-to-head for the major prizes gave a debut to Spain midfi elder Rodri, his close-range eff ort was just strong to save at his feet. won an unprecedented do- the eve of the season was a window into once again over the next 10 months. Re- who joined from Atletico Madrid for a enough to escape the grasp of Reds keep- City paid for that miss when Liver- mestic treble last season, are what to expect this term. taining the Community Shield they won club record £63mn (69mn euros) in the er Alisson Becker and trickle over the pool deservedly equalised in the 77th favourites to win the Premier After pipping Liverpool to last sea- 12 months ago would improve City’s be- close-season. And the 23-year-old’s line. Much improved after the interval, minute, Van Dijk helping on Jordan League for a third successive son’s Premier League title with 98 points lief that they can repeat last season’s re- composed passing and physical presence Liverpool were inches away from equal- Henderson’s free-kick before substi- season while European cham- to their rivals’ 97, City went on to com- markable silverware haul, but Liverpool showed why City’s fi nancial muscles ising when Virgil van Dijk’s half-volley tute Matip headed in from close-range. pions Liverpool are expected plete an unprecedented domestic tre- could take encouragement as well after have been fl exed again. crashed down off the crossbar onto the Walker’s incredible overhead-kick to present the strongest ble by adding the FA Cup to the League they fi nished strongly enough to have Sterling hadn’t scored in his last 10 goalline before City scrambled clear. clearance then repelled what looked to challenge. Cup they won earlier in the campaign. won. The only dark cloud for City was an appearances against Liverpool in all Salah was by far Liverpool’s most be a late Salah winner, setting up City’s The new Premier League But Jurgen Klopp’s men didn’t dwell on injury to Leroy Sane, who limped off in competitions, but the England winger menacing player and he twisted away shoot-out triumph that stood as the season kicks off on Friday with that painful near-miss as they won the the 10th minute holding his right leg after ended that drought in the 12th minute. from the City defence before fi ring a opening salvo in what looks set to be a Liverpool hosting Norwich. Champions League just weeks later. collapsing while chasing a long pass. Kyle Walker’s high pass to the far post fi erce strike that cannoned off the out- season-long feud.

FOCUS Diminishing returns lead to reduced expectations at Arsenal AFP Emirates Stadium, with a fatal late dip the cost of the deal over fi ve years. prolifi c form if Arsenal are to erase the London seeing them limp into fi fth place, one Ivory Coast star Pepe has the pace and bitter taste of last season’s swoon. Au- point behind arch-rivals Tottenham. A predatory instincts to form a formida- bameyang’s fl amboyant personality and humiliating 4-1 thrashing against Chel- ble attacking trio with Pierre-Emerick potent combination of pace and preda- rsenal’s failure to qualify for sea in the Europa League fi nal erased Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette. tory fi nishing make him one of Arsenal’s the Champions League for a their last hope of reaching the Cham- Emery’s most intriguing signing before few genuine stars. third successive season, com- pions League and triggered a summer of that coup was Dani Ceballos, the Span- But, despite 31 goals in all compe- pounded by an underwhelm- recriminations. ish midfi elder who arrived on a season- titions, even the 30-year-old wasn’t ingA transfer window, has left the Gun- It is now 15 years since Arsenal last long loan from Real Madrid. completely blameless, with some anon- ners facing a turbulent campaign. Here won the Premier League and angry fans Ceballos, 22, struggled to make an ymous displays leaving strike partner is closer look at the issues that will de- have taken to protesting against owner impact at Real after initially being ear- Alexandre Lacazette isolated and per- termine whether Unai Emery’s side can Stan Kroenke amid calls for “better marked as a future star. The Gunners suading Emery to move him to the fl anks turn the tide: leadership”, threatening to make for a also brought in 18-year-old Brazilian at times. toxic atmosphere at the Emirates unless forward Gabriel Martinelli for £6mn, a Aubameyang was even linked with WHAT TO EXPECT: Arsenal’s status the Gunners get off to a fast start. move that bore the stamp of Arsenal’s a summer move to Manchester United as huge outsiders to win the Premier Kroenke’s son Josh — a leading fi gure new technical director Edu, who played amid reports Emery was willing to sac- League title refl ects how far they have in Arsenal’s boardroom — insists they It is now 15 years since Arsenal last won the Premier League. (AFP) for the club during their title-winning rifi ce the former Borussia Dortmund fallen in recent years, but the more per- will eventually challenge for major hon- ‘Invincibles’ era. player if Arsenal were able to recoup the tinent question is whether they have ours again and the club record £72mn Emery still has his work cut out to lift big names to north London, Emery had £56mn they spent to sign him in Janu- lost more ground in the fi ght to end their signing of Lille winger Nicolas Pepe the gloom. endured a diffi cult time in the transfer KEY MAN: Pierre-Emerick Aubam- ary 2018. For now, Aubameyang remains Champions League exile. was a welcome statement of intent. But, market until the Gunners persuaded eyang fi nished as the Premier League’s a fi xture in Emery’s team and getting the Finishing in the top four proved be- with Aaron Ramsey moving onto Juven- NEW FACES: Without the lure of Lille to accept their pay-in-instalments joint top-scorer with 22 goals and the best out of him must be top of the man- yond Emery in his fi rst season at the tus and a leaky defence still not fi xed, Champions League action to attract off er for Pepe that reportedly spreads Gabon striker will have to maintain that ager’s to-do list.

Monday, August 5, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

T20 Sharma stars as India beat Windies in rain-hit tie AFP played at the Providence Stadium in an additional spinning option for the Lauderhill, United States Guyana on Tuesday. Caribbean side in left-armer Khary Sharma dominated an opening Pierre. stand of 67 with Shikhar Dhawan and Powell and Nicholas Pooran tried to ohit Sharma led from the looked on course for a hundred when get their team back on course with a front as India defeated the a miscued swing at Oshane Thomas 76-run third-wicket partnership. West Indies in a rain-af- resulted in a comfortable catch for But they failed to score quickly fected second fi xture of the Shimron Hetmyer at extra-cover. enough to put their opponents un- three-matchR T20 International series Thomas also removed Rishabh der any real pressure. Pooran was the at the Central Broward Stadium in Pant cheaply and the West Indies did main stumbling block as his 19 runs Florida yesterday. a better containing job in the second came off 34 deliveries while Powell Opening batsman Sharma blazed half of the innings except for the fi nal raced to 54 off the same number of 67 off 51 balls, with three sixes and six over when three sixes were hoisted off balls. fours embellishing his entertaining Keemo Paul. Paul dismissed Dhawan He lost Pooran to a well-judged innings, in pacing India to 167 for fi ve for 23 and left-arm fast bowler Shel- catch by Manish Pandey on the long- after captain Virat Kohli chose to bat don Cottrell claimed the prized wick- on boundary before falling as well fi rst. Despite a bludgeoning 54 from et of Kohli (28) and doubled his wicket leg-before to the same bowler, Krunal Rovman Powell, West Indies were tally in removing Manish Pandey to a Pandya. His entertaining innings in- kept in check at 98 for four off 15.3 wicketkeeper’s catch. cluded three sixes and six fours. overs when the inclement weather After going almost four overs There was no time for Kieron Pol- intervened. without fi nding the boundary ropes lard and Shimron Hetmyer to get into Torrential showers prevented any Krunal Pandya heaved two sixes and stride as the forecasted thunder- further play and India were declared Ravindra Jadeja added another in showers closed in to wash away any winners by 22 runs on the Duck- Paul’s expensive fi nale to the innings. prospect of the remaining overs being worth-Lewis-Stern method as West Faced with a daunting target, and bowled. Indies needed to be at 121 to be ahead mindful of the potential threat of on run-rate when play was halted. rain, West Indies suff ered two early BRIEF SCORES Having won the low-scoring fi rst setbacks with Evin Lewis and Sunil India 167-5 (R. Sharma 67, V. Kohli match of the series by four wickets Narine both falling cheaply. 28; S. Cottrell 2-25, O. Thomas 2-27) at the same venue a day earlier, India Narine was promoted to open the v West Indies 98-4 off 15.3 overs (R. will now be pursuing a clean sweep batting for this match with John Powell 54, N. Pooran 19; K. Pandya Rohit Sharma of India hits a shot as Nicholas Pooran (left) of West Indies looks on during their 2nd T20 match at Central Broward of the series when the fi nal match is Campbell dropped to accommodate 2-23, B. Kumar 1-7). Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida, yesterday. (AFP)

ASHES FOCUS Gibson sacked as South African coach Smith’s 2nd ton helps in major shake-up

AFP none of the current team man- Johannesburg agement, including coaches, would be retained. “This change will herald ttis Gibson and his an exciting new era for the Australia dominate entire South African SA cricket and will bring us coaching team and into line with best practice management staff in professional sport,” said haveO lost their jobs, Cricket Moroe. South Africa (CSA) announced Former West Indian player yesterday. and coach Gibson was ap- The decision, taken dur- pointed South African team ing a board meeting last week, coach in 2017. His contract was England in opener follows a disastrous South due to expire next month. African World Cup campaign Gibson said during the re- ‘I’d never scored hundreds in both innings before at any level so I was keen to do that’ in which the Proteas fi nished cent Cricket World Cup that seventh of the 10 teams. he was keen to continue in the AFP The clean-out comes short- job but his prospects plum- Birmingham, United Kingdom ly before a tour of India next meted when South Africa were month during which South among the fi rst teams to be Africa will play their fi rst three eliminated from contention teve Smith hit his second Test matches in the new world for a World Cup semi-fi nal century of his comeback Test championship. place. Test yesterday as Austral- In a statement, CSA said Van Zyl, 57, played in one ia set England a daunting a football-style team man- unoffi cial Test during South 398S to win the Ashes opener at ager would be appointed, who Africa’s years of isolation and Edgbaston. would take charge of all as- in two one-day internationals Ashes-holders Australia, bid- pects of the national team, in 1992 following the country’s ding to win their fi rst Test se- including the appointment of return to offi cial international ries away to England in 18 years, a coaching staff , the captain or cricket. He had a brief spell as made 487-7 declared in their sec- captains and medical and ad- South African coach between ond innings as they capitalised ministrative personnel. 2009 and 2011. on the absence from the home The team manager will re- Gibson, who had two spells side’s attack of the injured James port directly to a Director of as England bowling coach, Anderson. Cricket, a new position. took charge of South Africa in That left England needing 398 Former South African play- October 2017. for victory, with the most they er Corrie van Zyl, currently in The former West Indian fast have made in the fourth innings charge of cricket pathways at bowler worked under Bayliss to win a Test their 332-7 against CSA, will be acting Director of in his second spell with Eng- Australia at Melbourne back in Cricket until a full-time ap- land, and was part of the staff 1928/29. pointment is made. that oversaw England’s rise to Australia captain Tim Paine’s The statement said Van the top of the one-day rank- declaration late on Sunday’s Zyl and CSA chief executive ings. fourth day left England with an Thabang Moroe would ap- Pakistan coach Mickey awkward seven overs to bat be- point an interim management Arthur is also among the fore stumps. team for the tour of India as names being considered to re- Rory Burns, fresh from his well as an interim selection place Australian Bayliss. maiden Test century in the fi rst panel and captain. England director of men’s innings, and Surrey teammate Faf du Plessis, the current cricket Ashley Giles said last Jason Roy saw England to 13-0 at captain, was on Saturday night week that he was in no rush to the close. named South African Cricket- fi nd Bayliss’ replacement and Smith made 142 following his er of the Year and it would be a that an interim coach could 144 in the fi rst innings of the surprise if he was replaced. take charge of this winter’s match - the former Australia Yesterday’s statement said tour of New Zealand. captain’s fi rst Test since the end Australia’s Steve Smith celebrates his century during their second innings of the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston, Birmingham, yesterday. (Reuters) of a 12-month ban for his role in last year’s ball-tampering scan- dal in South Africa. Scorecard Meanwhile Matthew Wade AUSTRALIA 1st innings 284 2-27 (Bancroft), 3-75 (Khawaja), marked his fi rst Test for nearly ENGLAND 1st Innings 374 4-205 (Head), 5-331 (Smith), two years with a fi ne 110. AUSTRALIA 2nd innings (o/n 124-3) 6-407 (Wade), 7-409 (Paine) Smith has now scored 1,116 C. Warner c Bairstow b Broad 8 Bowlers: Broad 22-2-91-1 (1w); runs in his past 10 Ashes innings, Woakes 13-1-46-1 (1w); Ali 29- a fi gure second only to the 1,236 U. Khawaja c Bairstow b Stokes 40 1-130-2 (2nb); Root 12-1-50-0; made over the same span by Don S. Smith c Bairstow b Woakes 142 Stokes 22-5-85-3 (4nb, 1w); Denly Bradman - widely regarded as 14-1-72-0 Test cricket’s greatest batsman. T. Head c Bairstow b Stokes 51 And he is only the fi fth Aus- M. Wade c Denly b Stokes 110 ENGLAND 2nd Innings tralian to have scored centuries T. Paine b Ali 34 R. Burns not out 7 in both innings of an Ashes Test. “I’d never scored hundreds in J. Pattinson not out 47 J. Roy not out 6 both innings before at any level P. Cummins not out 26 Extras 0 so I was keen to do that and it’s Extras (b11, lb2, nb6, w3) 22 Total (0 wkts, 7 overs) 13 great to get us in a good position,” Total (7 wkts dec, 112 overs) 487 an elated Smith told Sky Sports. Bowling: Siddle 2-0-4-0; Lyon “I was very emotional with Fall of wickets: 1-13 (Warner), 3-0-7-0; Pattinson 2-1-2-0; the fi rst hundred, I was lost for words and had to take a few deep Moeen Ali struggled to exert any Bairstow. As Smith walked back breaths. The spine was tingling a control. after a 207-ball innings includ- bit.” Smith, 98 not out at lunch, Matthew Wade in action during his century on the fourth day of the Wicketkeeper Wade, play- ing 14 fours, the cheers at last went to three fi gures in style first Ashes Test at Edgbaston in Birmingham yesterday. (AFP) ing as a specialist batsman, with drowned out the jeers. when he cover-drove fast bowler Paine behind the stumps, re- Wade, who overturned an lbw Stuart Broad for his 10th four in chants of “Crying on the telly, we a computer, he spits out the an- verse-swept Root to complete a decision on 69, reverse-swept 147 balls faced. saw you crying on the telly” in a swer,” former Australia captain 70-ball fi fty. Root for the 15th four of his in- reference to the emotional press Steve Waugh, now a mentor to The new ball, however, did nings to complete a 131-ball hun- SMITH CELEBRATES conference Smith gave in Syd- the current squad, told Channel eventually give England the dred. He celebrated by removing his ney after he was sent home from Nine. wicket they craved. He holed out off Ben Stokes batting helmet and waving his South Africa. England captain Joe Root Chris Woakes, who strangely soon afterwards but it scarcely bat joyously towards the Aus- “He knows exactly what he’s brought himself on to bowl his bowled just seven overs on Sun- made any diff erence, with James tralia changing room. And while trying to do, exactly what the part-time off -breaks and de- day, got one to deviate in the air Pattinson belting 47 not out as there was applause from a packed opposition are trying to do... he ployed Joe Denly’s occasional with Smith edging an intended England became increasingly crowd, there were also renewed analyses every ball and it’s like leg-spin as frontline spinner drive to wicketkeeper Jonny ragged in the fi eld. Ottis Gibson has been linked with the role of England head coach.