SPORTS Sunday, February 5, 2017 21

Madrid do,” said Enrique. limped off at half-time as a precautionary ionel Messi struck another trademark “We were able to give a rest to some measure with a groin strain, whilst the free-kick as moved to because, without that, it is impossible to Brazilian suffered a knock in clashing South Africa withinL a one point of leaders compete at 100 percent with all the games with Ter Stegen. Real Madrid with a 3-0 win over Athletic we have coming up. Messi took a rare break as he was Bilbao yesterday. “Thirdly, we’ve won three marvellous replaced by Sergi Roberto. Madrid have two games in hand, the points.” Yet, even that change worked in Barca’s rout Sri Lanka first of which was supposed to take place Athletic should have been in front favour as Aleix Vidal was pushed into a today at Celta Vigo. before Alcacer’s 18th-minute opener more advanced role from right-back and However, wind damage to Celta’s as Raul Garcia’s low effort was turned rounded off the win by firing into the Balaidos stadium has left the ground onto the post by Marc-Andre ter Stegen far corner 23 minutes from time for the by 7 wickets unsafe to hold the game, according to the before Inaki Williams headed wide when Catalans’ 100th in all competitions Johannesburg mayor of Vigo. Neither the club nor La unmarked from 12 yards out. this season. outh Africa routed Sri Lanka by seven wickets to take the Liga would say whether the match will Alcacer has endured a torrid time since In Vigo confusion reigned as to third one-day international at the Wanderers on Saturday go ahead. joining Barca but settled the hosts when whether Balaidos will be safe enough to Sin a match held up for an hour after bees swarmed onto the Barca took their chance to apply he turned home Neymar’s cut-back inside host the European champions on Sunday. famous arena. pressure at the Camp Nou, but needed Gorka Iraizoz’s near post. “Firemen, the town hall and Celta’s The hosts also took a winning 3-0 lead in the five-match some wasteful finishing by Athletic in However, Barca got another break security staff looked at the conditions and series after bowling out Sri Lanka for 163 before South Africa a much tighter game than the scoreline moments later when Gerard Pique was (the game) can’t go ahead,” mayor Abel captain AB de Villiers starred with an undefeated 60. suggests. lucky to only see a yellow card for hauling Caballero told La SER radio. In what has become a traditional “pink day” at the Wanderers, Luis Enrique again made a raft of down Garcia on the edge of the box. “The game will be played at another with the South African players and most of the capacity crowd changes with the second leg of Barca’s time, in better conditions, because we wearing pink in support of breast cancer awareness, De Villiers Copa del Rey semi-final against Atletico Pique injured can’t guarantee the safety of the people apologised for not providing the feast of run scoring that has Madrid looming Tuesday. Athletic’s day was summed up with that go there.” marked four previous such occasions. Luis Suarez was left on the bench to Barca’s second, five minutes before half- However, Celta said they were still “The crowd was amazing although we didn’t score 300 and allow Paco Alcacer a rare start and he time. After scoring in both legs of the waiting for confirmation that the game hit a lot of sixes,” said De Villiers. netted his first La Liga goal since joining Copa del Rey last 16 clash between the was postponed. Sri Lanka captain Upul Tharanga was left to bemoan another from Valencia for 30 million euros ($32 sides from free-kicks last month, Messi “Celta are awaiting official confirmation sub-standard batting performance, with five batsmen falling to million) in August, whilst Messi came off again outdid Iraizoz from the narrowest of the suspension of the game this short-pitched bowling. 25 minutes from time. of angles. Sunday,” the club posted via their Twitter Despite Dickwella’s 74, Sri Lanka were bowled out in 39.2 “Today a lot This time, though, the goalkeeper was account. overs after being sent in to bat. It was the third time in as many of players who more at fault than brilliance from the Celta’s Galician rivals Deportivo la matches they failed to bat for a full 50 overs. haven’t had a lot Argentine as Messi registered his Coruna saw their clash with Real Betis It was never likely to be enough, although pace bowlers of minutes took 31st goal in 30 games this season. on Friday also postponed due to weather Suranga Lakmal and newcomers Lahiru Kumara and Lahiru part and showed Only injuries to Pique and damage to Deportivo’s Riazor ground. Madushanka made the hosts work hard in the early stages of what they can Rafinha blighted Barca’s day. Pique (AFP) the chase. Kumara and Madushanka both picked up a wicket while Lakmal had Hashim Amla dropped by wicketkeeper Dinesh Chandimal when the opening batsman was on 12. Amla went on to make 34 before being run out by a superb throw from deep extra cover by Madushanka. The left-handed Dickwella was dropped on 25 when JP Duminy, running back from backward point, could not hold on to a high leading edge from Kagiso Rabada’s bowling. He was tested several times by some short-pitched deliveries from South Africa’s fast bowlers. Messi’s With Dickwella on 55 and looking settled, there was a delay of an hour after a swarm of bees drove the players from the field with the total on 117 for four after 26.3 overs. The bees were eventually cleared with the help of a local beekeeper who was watching television and rushed to the ground with his equipment and talked his way in. Sri Lanka got off to Scoreboard their best start of the Sri Lanka Total (39.2 overs) 163 magic series with Dickwella South Africa and Tharanga putting on 60 for the first Q. de Kock b Kumara 8 wicket before Tharanga H. Amla run out (Madushanka) 34 (31) top-edged a pull F. du Plessis c De Silva b Madushanka 24 against Rabada, one A. de Villiers not out 60 ball after Dickwella J. Duminy not out 28 had been dropped, and Extras (lb1, nb1, w8) 10 was caught at fine leg. Total (3 wkts, 32 overs) 164 free-kick (AFP)