NNHLHL | Page 5 Blues edge Stars in overtime to advance in playoff s

Thursday, May 9 ,2019 CRICKET Ramadan 4, 1440 AH Drop anyone but GULF TIMES get Archer in team, says Flintoff SPORT Page 4

FOOTBALL Liverpool bask in glory of sensational Anfi eld victory The nature of their win was compared to the 2005 final in Istanbul when they came back from 3-0 down to beat Milan UEFA considering Champions League with promotion/relegation

Nyon, Switzerland: UEFA has qualified for the next edition, ef- drafted a controversial plan fectively making the Champions to introduce promotion and League far harder for clubs relegation to the Champions from smaller countries to play League at a meeting at its Swiss in. There would be 14 match- headquarters in Nyon, sources days in the group stage instead told AFP yesterday. of six, with teams continuing to There would be four groups of play opponents home and away. eight teams from 2024 if the That would necessitate drastic proposal is put into action it changes to domestic schedules, would significantly increase the with league and cup matches number of European matches currently also being played in and favour bigger clubs. midweek. Change to European But UEFA president Aleksander club tournaments has become Ceferin played down the plan, a controversial issue after saying: “What is important to Andrea Agnelli, the president of remember, is that, despite a lot the European Club Association of talk in the media, no deci- (ECA), outlined proposals for a sions have been made. At the “pan-European league system” moment we have only ideas and that would greatly reduce the opinions.” The revamped tour- number of teams qualifying nament would not see games from domestic competitions. played at weekends, which The UEFA drafts suggest a would have sparked uproar move in that direction, although among the domestic leagues. the number of clubs in the The top five teams in each Champions League would group would be automatically remain at 32.

but we still managed to do this.” from Luis Suarez before Wijnal- Origi would almost certainly dum sent Anfi eld into raptures not have started the match had twice in a matter of minutes. Salah — the Premier League’s top Firstly, the Dutch midfi elder scorer this season with 22 goals — was found by Trent Alexander- and Firmino been fi t. Arnold’s low cross and drilled But the 24-year-old Belgian under Ter Stegen. has made a habit of scoring im- And from Liverpool’s next at- portant goals in Liverpool’s chal- tack, Xherdan Shaqiri picked out lenge for a fi rst Premier League Wijnaldum to head home at the title in 29 years and he notched Kop end. his fi rst ever in the Champi- Valverde desperately tried ons League on seven minutes, to salvage the match, replacing Liverpool’s Egyptian midfielder Mohamed Salah (2L), German manager Jurgen Klopp (C) and Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk celebrate after winning the UEFA Champions league pouncing on the rebound after former Liverpool player Philippe semi-final second leg football match against Barcelona at Anfield in Liverpool on Tuesday. Marc-Andre ter Stegen had de- Coutinho with Nelson Semedo. nied Jordan Henderson’s initial The change briefl y had an im- AFP Messi’s side threw away a 3-0 Ajax or Tottenham in Madrid on stepped up magnifi cently, leav- “It shows what’s possible in eff ort. pact, but a sluggish Barca were Liverpool fi rst leg lead and crashed out at a June 1 when they could become ing Klopp to marvel at his players football. It’s so nice.” Messi, who had dominated made to look foolish when they frenzied Anfi eld. kings of Europe for a sixth time. in a joyous outburst. Wijnaldum admitted he had the first leg with two goals, had were caught napping by a quick- The nature of Liverpool’s vic- For Barcelona, the crushing “It’s 10 past 10, most of your been smarting at being forced to quickly and uncharacteristi- ly-taken Alexander-Arnold cor- iverpool manager Jurgen tory was quickly compared to the defeat was the second consecu- children are probably in bed but start on the bench and felt he had cally been rattled by Liverpool ner that picked out Origi com- Klopp said his team had 2005 Champions League fi nal in tive year they had surrendered these boys are talented giants. It’s a point to prove. defender Andy Robertson, wag- pletely unmarked to fi re high into the “mentality of giants” Istanbul when they came back a commanding fi rst-leg lead in unbelievable,” he told BT Sport. “Once again we showed that ging his finger in the Scots- the net, sparking extraordinary after they pulled off one from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan this competition — and the scale “The whole game was too everything is possible in foot- man’s face. celebrations. ofL the most remarkable turna- on penalties. of the capitulation leaves coach much. Winning is diffi cult but ball,” the Dutchman said. “I was Liverpool were seemingly dealt “There have been glorious, en- rounds in Champions League A season that threatened to end Ernesto Valverde facing the sack. with a clean sheet, I don’t know really angry at the manager that another injury blow as Robertson tirely improbable games in Liver- history, thrashing Lionel Messi’s with Liverpool being pipped to Liverpool went into the match how they did it. he put me on the bench but I had could not continue after half- pool’s European history, includ- Barcelona 4-0 to reach the fi nal the Premier League title by Man- deprived of two of their most po- “It means so much to all of us. to do something to help the team time. But his replacement, Wi- ing the mind-bending highs of for the second year running. chester City this weekend and tent attacking weapons in Mo- There are more important things when I came on. jnaldum, was to have a dramatic Istanbul,” the Guardian newspa- Stand-in striker Divock Origi exiting the Champions League hamed Salah and Roberto Firmi- in the world. But creating this “We believe it from the start. impact. per said. “But this was something and substitute Georginio Wijnal- at the semi-fi nal stage will now no due to injury. emotional atmosphere together is People from outside (the club), Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson else, an eff ort of will that, frankly, dum both scored twice as Lionel culminate in a fi nal against either However, Origi and Wijnaldum so special. It’s all about the players. they thought it was not possible, Becker made an important save took the breath away.”

BOTTOMLINE Tarek delighted with Al Sadd’s Asian progress

AFC Champions League winners can now take a dium, missing several chances to a combination Al Sadd coach Doha breather following a busy season in which they of profligacy and some impressive goalkeeping Jesualdo lifted the Qatar Stars League title for the first by Al Ahli’s Mohamed al-Owais. Ferreira time in six years and reached the Amir Cup “The first half was straightforward. We had congratulates l Sadd defender Tarek Salman com- semi-final just four days ahead of their win over more than five chances, but we missed more Xavi after mended his side for earning a hard- Al Ahli. “We had a busy calendar this season,” than we should. Fortunately, we scored two of the match. fought 2-1 victory over Al Ahli which said Salman. “We were a bit tired, especially as those chances and that was crucial.” sent the Qatari side to the 2019 AFC this is the first day of Ramadan and many of the “In the second half, we made some defensive AChampions League Round of 16 on Monday. players were fasting. mistakes and conceded a penalty. But we were Ali Asad and Akram Afif scored inside the “Fatigue impacted us, especially in the sec- in control of the rhythm of the match and suc- opening 15 minutes and Omar al-Somah pulled ond half, but the players fought hard and we ceeded in holding until the end to win.” one back for Al Ahli in the second half in Doha got the all-important three points, so we are Al Sadd travel to Tehran in two weeks’ time to as the hosts sealed the three points to book their extremely delighted with that.” Top scorer with face already-eliminated Persepolis in a repeat place in the knock-out stage with a game to 13 goals in the 2018 AFC Champions League, of last year’s semi-final. Jesualdo Ferreira’s men spare. Al Sadd striker Baghdad Bounedjah endured a will look to get a result to end the group stage as With qualification confirmed, the 2011 AFC frustrating evening at Jassim bin Hamad Sta- group winners. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, May 9, 2019 FOOTBALL

‘Biggest embarrassment of all time’: Spanish press dig knife into Barca

Barcelona: The Spanish and Catalan press were in unfor- for switching off for the fourth goal, scored by Divock giving mood after Barcelona’s 4-0 surrender to Liverpool Origi but set up by the quick thinking of Trent Alexander- in the Champions League semi-finals denied them a place Arnold. in the final by wiping out a 3-0 advantage from the first “A ridiculous goal conceded from a corner will be the epi- leg. taph of this team, which repeated the mistakes of Rome,” “The biggest embarrassment of all time,” said the front said the newspaper’s cover. cover of Barcelona-based newspaper Sport on top of Barca’s Luis Suarez and Sergio Busquets apologised to a black canvas after the 4-3 aggregate defeat, adding fans after the game, as did Valverde, and there is a feeling “Barca write the darkest page in their history”. that the coach is unlikely to survive this latest European “A historic failure”, said Marca, listing all the factors in failure despite overseeing the team’s domestic domi- Barca’s favour before the game which deepened the scale nance. of their defeat and denied Lionel Messi the chance to “The Champions League is too big for Valverde,” said an lift the trophy he had clearly targetted at the start of the editorial in Sport. season. “Without doubt Valverde holds a lot of responsibility for “They were 3-0 up, Liverpool’s stars were injured, the this disaster, because when the moment of truth arrived league was won, the final is in Madrid, Real Madrid were he made the same mistakes as last year.” already out and they had the best player in the world.” The players did not escape blame either. Parallels were drawn with Barca’s eerily similar capitu- Marca’s ratings, which judge individual performances lation in last season’s competition to AS Roma in the by awarding players between one and three stars, gave quarter-finals, when they crashed out on away goals fol- seven of Barca’s starting 11 no stars at all. lowing a 3-0 defeat in Italy after leading the tie 4-1. Sport’s player ratings meanwhile gave no player more Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo also talked of an than three marks out of 10, while midfielders Ivan Rakitic embarrassment and slammed Ernesto Valverde’s side and Philippe Coutinho were each given a rating of zero.

Barcelona’s Lionel Messi reacts after his team’s loss on Tuesday.

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS Quick corner was ‘instinct’, British media says Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold

Reuters hail Liverpool’s Liverpool rent Alexander-Ar- nold said the quickly- taken corner that led to Liverpool’s decisive fourthT goal in their incredible 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the ‘Miracle of Anfi eld’ Champions League semi-fi nal on Tuesday was pure instinct. The 20-year-old right back British newspapers celebrate team spirit and Klopp’s ‘Germanic charm’ had already helped set up Liv- erpool’s second goal with a pass Reuters ing from a corner that caught the Bar- for Georginio Wijnaldum when, London celona defence napping and set up the with the aggregate score tied at decisive fourth goal for stand-in striker 3-3, the ball went out behind Divock Origi. the Barcelona goal in the 79th iverpool’s stunning 4-0 Cham- “With 79 minutes gone, the most cel- minute. pions League demolition of Bar- ebrated team of the modern age had been Alexander-Arnold, seeing the we fought and we knew it was celona naturally dominated the reduced to bunch of mooching, stum- Spanish club’s defenders still going to be a special night. We front and back pages of British bling yellow-shirted spectators,” Barney getting organised, feigned to wanted to also fi ght for the in- Lnewspapers yesterday with most going on Ronay wrote in The Guardian. walk away from the corner be- jured players. a similar theme to the Daily Mail’s splash: “A Champions League season that fore racing back to whip the ball “It’s just special. It’s hard to “Miracle of Anfi eld”. had seemed to be zeroing in on another to the unmarked Divock Origi, describe with words. You can “An Anfi eld miracle transcribed from coronation for Lionel Messi had been who clipped it past Marc-Andre feel it, you can hear it. Unbeliev- the pages of pure fantasy,” read the head- wrenched, gleefully, the other way. It will ter Stegen. able.” line of the match report in The Independ- instead be Liverpool in Madrid on the “I think it was just instinc- Wijnaldum, who admitted to ent, while The Guardian led with “Out of fi rst day of June for another shot at the tive,” Alexander-Arnold told BT being furious at manager Juer- this world”. ultimate.” Sport. “It was just one of those gen Klopp for being omitted The Merseyside club’s sensational vic- The website of Spanish sports daily AS moments where you see the op- from the starting line-up, came tory over what some pundits described as led with a quote from Argentine forward portunity and obviously Div was on at halftime for injured left one of the best sides of the modern era al- Messi in their headline “It was a horror switched on to fi nish it off . back Andy Robertson. lowed them to overturn a 3-0 defi cit from movie”, while rival publication Marca’s “It probably came at him a bit “We fought so hard,” Origi the fi rst leg of their semi-fi nal. edition splashed “Barcelona fail epically fast but he’s a top player, scored added. “Robbo’s a fi ghter and we There were some suggestions that Liv- at Anfi eld”. two goals for us tonight and I knew it could have an impact on erpool had topped the ‘Miracle of Istan- After Klopp and his players had stood, think it’s one of them where the players. Even me at the end, I bul’, when the club similarly overturned a some in tears, in front of The Kop to cel- everyone will remember this had some cramps. We did it. three-goal defi cit to beat AC Milan in the ebrate the win with a rendition of the club moment.” “It shows we have a good mix 2005 Champions League fi nal to win their anthem ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, it was Belgian striker Origi, starting of talent and hard work. It’s spe- fi fth European title. left to The Daily Mail’s Martin Samuel to the match as part of a makeshift cial for us because we go to the European fi xtures at Anfi eld have had a point out that the job was not yet done. attack in the absence of the in- fi nal this time.” special atmosphere going back a lot fur- “One had the feeling this was the mo- jured Mohamed Salah and Rob- Robertson sustained his injury ther than that and some suggested the Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp applauds the fans after the match. ment he had been working towards since erto Firmino, had triggered the in a collision with Barcelona for- noise generated by a packed house com- the day he set foot on Merseyside,” he Liverpool fi ghtback with his fi rst ward Luis Suarez and will have bined with Juergen Klopp’s aggressive There was plenty of praise for the spirit f-bomb live on television. wrote of Klopp. goal in the seventh minute. scans on his calf on Wednesday. side had unsettled the Spanish champi- and self belief that Klopp has fostered in “After this, he could have stripped off “This spirit. This togetherness. This With substitute Wijnaldum Liverpool’s 4-3 aggregate vic- ons. his team, the German even forgiven for and run around Anfi eld with his pants performance. This passion, this emotion: adding the other two goals in- tory earned them a spot in the “This is Liverpool’s gift: to rip up what using an expletive when praising his play- down and it would all have seemed part it was all here, every last drop of what he side two second half minutes, June 1 Champions League fi nal you thought you knew about football and ers after the match. of his manic Germanic charm. With that wanted to achieve. Origi said the performance had against Ajax or Tottenham Hot- footballers, to take you — mentally and “Juergen Klopp makes Liverpool be- grin and this football, he can get away “And yet, there is still such a long way been about the collective rather spur, who play their semi-fi nal, physically — to a place you don’t know lieve they can do the impossible,” wrote with anything.” to go.” Liverpool face either Tottenham than the individual. second leg in Amsterdam on and never wanted to go,” Jonathan Liew Matt Dickinson in The Times. “No one There was plenty of praise as well for Hotspur or Ajax Amsterdam in the fi nal “I think it was more about the Wednesday with the Dutch side wrote in The Independent. minded when Juergen Klopp dropped the Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick-think- on June 1. team,” he said. “We did so well, leading 1-0 on aggregate.

BOTTOMLINE Reds’ legends salute fi ghtback for the ages AFP credible,” Liverpool-born Fowler told BT Sport. Former Manchester United defender Rio Fer- Liverpool “Before the game, we were talking about all dinand joined in the praise for Liverpool’s per- the superlatives we can about Messi. We can run formance. out of superlatives for Liverpool. “You cannot fail to have respect for this sta- iverpool legends Robbie Fowler and “It was deserved as well and that’s the best dium when you come here,” he said. Michael Owen hailed their former club’s thing about it. “The emotions that this place evokes on stunning Champions League semi-fi nal “I’m so proud and so delighted to be part of nights like these, there hasn’t been a better fi ghtback against Barcelona as Anfi eld’s Liverpool. Everything about Liverpool tonight night than this. Lgreatest ever European night. was brilliant.” “They took it out of Barcelona’s hands — the Jurgen Klopp’s side recovered from a 3-0 fi rst Fowler’s fellow former Reds striker Owen spirit, the heart shown by this squad, and that leg defi cit to reach the fi nal with a pulsating 4-0 praised Klopp’s men for their incredible sea- all starts from the top. That starts from Klopp. victory over the Spanish champions on Tuesday. son, which could yet culminate in Champions “What they’ve produced here is breathtaking The historic escape act was one of the fi nest in League glory for the fi rst time since 2005. and you can do nothing but respect the team, Champions League history and Fowler believes Liverpool also have an outside chance of win- the management, and the way this club have it should be ranked as the best of Liverpool’s ning the Premier League as they trail leaders conducted themselves, especially on a night like European triumphs at their famous old stadium. Manchester City by one point heading into the tonight.” The striker placed Liverpool’s dismantling of fi nal round of fi xtures on Sunday. Former Liverpool winger Luis Garcia joined Lionel Messi and company above their dramatic “It’s only football that can do this. What an the chorus of approval for his old team’s heroics. Liverpool fans celebrate 1977 European Cup quarter-fi nal win over St incredible season we’ve had and it’s not over “I have seen this move too!” Garcia tweeted, alongside a flare outside Etienne, widely regarded as the previous pinna- yet,” Owen said. referring to his part in Liverpool’s ‘Miracle of the stadium on Tuesday. cle in the competition at Anfi eld. “This place has seen some of the most amaz- Istanbul’ comeback against AC Milan in 2005, “You know when you talk about the great ing nights, European nights, of football and it’s when they recovered from three goals down to nights, this is the best ever. It’s absolutely in- right up there with them. Possibly the best.” win the Champions League fi nal on penalties. Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 3 CRICKET

IPL SPOTLIGHT Archer stars again before rain washes Delhi eliminate out Oval ODI

AFP England all-rounder Andrew London Flintoff say “anyone” should be dropped to make sure Archer had a place in the World Cup squad. ofra Archer continued his And Archer seized his latest Hyderabad aft er bid to earn a place in Eng- chance in Wednesday’s opening land’s World Cup squad contest of a fi ve-match ODI se- with a hostile opening ries with Pakistan after England spellJ against Pakistan before captain Eoin Morgan won the rain meant there was no result in toss. yesterday’s fi rst one-day inter- Archer started with a superb national at The Oval. maiden over to Imam, generat- Archer conceded just six runs ing movement off the pitch at Shaw, Pant heroics in four overs in a wicket-taking sharp pace. spell after England captain Eoin And it was not long before he The Capitals will meet Chennai tomorrow to decide who face Mumbai in the final Morgan won the toss. had Fakhar Zaman — the cen- The Sussex fast bowler’s dis- tury-making star of Pakistan’s IANS play was a rare highlight for a 2017 Champions Trophy fi nal Visakhapatnam patient crowd who endured sev- win over arch-rivals India at The eral rain interruptions in a mere Oval — edging on three to Test 19 overs’ cricket in south London skipper Joe Root in the slips. n yet another Indian Pre- before the umpires fi nally called New batsman Babar Azam (16) mier League contest which this day/night fi xture off at 7:11 struck three stylish boundaries went down the wire, opener pm (1811 GMT) local time. before he edged Liam Plunkett to Prithvi Shaw’s valiant half- Pakistan were 80 for two, with wicket-keeper Jos Buttler, with Icentury (56 off 38) followed by Imam-ul-Haq 42 not out and Pakistan now 45 for two. Rishabh Pant’s heroics (49 off Haris Sohail unbeaten on 14. What turned out to be the 21) helped Delhi Capitals reg- Barbados-born Archer was last ball of the day saw Buttler ister a thrilling two-wicket win not included in tournament miss a chance to stump Haris off over Sunrisers Hyderabad in the hosts’ England’s preliminary leg-spinner Adil Rashid, with Eliminator of the tournament squad for the World Cup but has the batsman stranded down the here yesterday. a chance to force his way into pitch. Despite the duo’s valuable their fi nal 15. Imam recovered his compo- contribution, Delhi hobbled to- He showed glimpses of his sure after Archer’s fi ne start, the wards the death over. However, ability while making ODI and opener facing 68 balls, including it was Keemo Paul’s stunning Twenty20 international debuts fi ve fours. boundary off Khaleel Ahmed’s against Ireland and Pakistan The series continues at South- delivery on the second last deliv- last week. On Tuesday, former ampton on Saturday. ery of their innings which helped Delhi pull a nail-biting victory and advance to the second Qual- ifi er of the league, where they will now face-off three-time champions Chennai Super Kings tomorrow. For Hyderabad, Khaleel, Bhu- vneshwar Kumar and Rashid Khan bagged couple of wickets each. Chasing the 163-run target, Shaw and Shikhar Dhawan took Delhi to a desired start as they added 25 runs in just three overs. The Delhi openers then notched up their 50-run stand in 5.4 overs as the Hyderabad bowlers struggled to get the early break- through. Deepak Hooda gave Hydera- bad a much needed respite as he fi nally broke the opening 66- Fans take shelter under their umbrellas as the players leave the pitch run partnership after dismissing due to rain at The Oval yesterday. Dhawan (17 off 16) in the eighth over. Khaleel then stepped up to Delhi Capitals batsman Rishabh Pant plays a shot against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Dr. Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy ACA-VDCA Cricket Stadium send Delhi skipper Shreyas Iyer in Visakhapatnam yesterday. At bottom, the Capitals celebrate after the match. OPINION (8 off 10) back to the dug-out before he struck again to bring to help his team reach home in over. Hyderabad skipper Kane back Hyderabad in the contest as time. Earlier, a collective batting Williamson and Pandey then he soon accounted for the wicket eff ort had helped Hyderabad tried to anchor the innings but India among of a well-settled Shaw in the 11th post a fi ghting 162/8. their slow stand saw their side over, leaving Delhi at 87/3. Delhi bowlers did a good job placed at 71/2 after 10 overs. The Shaw’s knock was decorated to restrict their opponents at duo added 34 runs before Paul favourites to win with six boundaries and couple a modest total, thanks to Paul came up with a breakthrough, of hits into the stands. and Ishant Sharma, who bagged accounting for Pandey. Newcomer Pant and Colin three and two wickets, respec- Ishant then castled William- World Cup: Kapil Munro (14 off 13) then tried to put tively. son, leaving Hyderabad strug- things back in control but could Put into bat, last year’s run- gling at 111/4 in 15.5 overs. Vijay only manage to put 24 runs to- ners-up Hyderabad were off to Shankar and Mohammad Nabi gether before Rashid came with a decent start as their scorecard then chipped in with valuable a breakthrough to claim Munro’s read 31 for no loss in the fi rst knocks of 25 and 20, respective- wicket in the 15th over. The Af- three overs with opener Martin ly, to take Hyderabad to 147 runs ghan spinner then put Delhi in Guptill (36 off 19) hammering before the former fell in the 19th deep trouble as just in the very Trent Boult for 15 runs in the over. Nabi and Shankar hit some next delivery, he also sent back third over. lusty blows towards the end to incoming batsman Axar Ptael, runs away from victory with the middle of the wicket and the However, Ishant drew the fi rst help Hyderabad post a fi ghting who failed to open his account. three wickets in hand. throw by Khaleel hit him after blood in the next over, dismiss- total. Despite the jolts, Pant kept Pant’s blistering innings was which Hyderabad went up for ing opener Wriddhiman Saha (8) on clobbering the Hyderabad laced with two boundaries and a caught-behind call and then who holed out to Iyer at mid-off . Brief scores: Delhi Capitals bowlers to help his side cross the fi ve massive sixes. for obstructing the fi eld after Manish Pandey (30 off 36) 165/8 in 19.5 overs (Prithvi Shaw 150-run mark in 17.5 overs. Bhu- With the game going down which he was given out. When it then added 25 runs with Guptil 56, Rishabh Pant 49; Rashid vneshwar then brought some the wire, Delhi’s Amit Mishra (1 seemed Hyderabad would some- to take their side past the 50-run Khan 2/15) beat Sunrisers twist in the story as he dismissed off 2) also departed with three how restrict the Delhi side from mark. However, the partnership Hyderabad 162/8 in 20 overs Sherfane Rutherford (9 off 12) balls left and two runs still need- a victory, their tailender Paul didn’t last long as leggie Mishra (Martin Guptill 36, Manish and a dangerous Pant in the sec- ed. While trying to take a quick hammered Khaleel for a bound- struck to send back a dangerous Pandey 30; Keemo Paul 3/32) AFP “They are fantastic, very ond last over, leaving Delhi fi ve single, Mishra ran completely in ary on the penultimate delivery looking Guptill in the seventh by 2 wickets New Delhi good. English conditions will help them. They can swing the ball,” said Dev, known as “Hary- PRACTICE MATCH ormer captain Kapil ana Hurricane” during his play- Dev yesterday pegged ing days for his pace. India as one of the top “They have Bumrah and Sha- three favourites to win mi who can bowl 145 (kmph) Fthe World Cup, which starts plus. So we have swing, we have later this month, saying their pace. That’s a very good combi- pace bowling would come good nation to have.” Young shines with 130 as in seaming English conditions. Dev, who led India to their India open their campaign maiden World Cup in 1983 when against South Africa on June 5 his side beat two-time cham- in Southampton with an eye on pions West Indies to take the clinching their third title in the trophy at Lord’s, said it was the New Zealand beat Australia 50-over showpiece event. “belief” which separated win- AFP Martin Guptill and Trent Boult, and was in fi ne touch in a ma- “Winning team looks like In- ners from the rest. Brisbane made 283 for three in reply to jor boost for Australia ahead dia, England and Australia and Dev slammed comparisons Australia’s 277 for six. of their World Cup defence in surprise package can be New between him and star all-round- Australian pace spearhead England. Zealand,” the Indian World Cup- er Pandya who has impressed ill Young stroked Mitchell Starc made his long- Usman Khawaja and Glenn winning skipper told reporters with his power hitting in the a masterful 130 to awaited return from injury and Maxwell were also in form, at a promotional event in New team’s middle order and skills as steer an under- was the pick of a lacklustre scoring 56 and 52 respectively. Delhi. a medium-pace bowler. strength New Zea- bowling attack, taking 2-14 off But David Warner, who “India has the combination The 25-year-old Pandya, who Wland to a seven-wicket win over fi ve overs with trademark york- made 39 on his return from the of youth and experience. They is set to play his fi rst 50-over Australia in a World Cup prac- ers before being withdrawn “Sandpapergate” scandal in have the right balance in four World Cup, has earned his place tice match yesterday, outshin- from the action. the fi rst of the three unoffi cial fast bowlers, three spinners and in the Indian XI with 731 runs ing a classy unbeaten 89 from It was his fi rst match back matches in Brisbane on Mon- two big names in Virat Kohli and and 44 wickets in 45 ODIs since Steve Smith. since tearing a muscle three day, did not fare so well. (M S) Dhoni,” he said. making his debut in 2016. The visitors chased down months ago. He opened the innings with India’s pace battery is led by “He is an upcoming player... their 278 target with 10 balls to Earlier, former skipper Smith Aaron Finch, rather than Kha- Jasprit Bumrah, the world’s top Please do not pressure him. He spare, infl icting the fi rst one- was the star attraction with his waja, but was soon back on the bowler in the one-day format, is a young talent, let him play his day defeat on Australia in 10 New Zealand’s Will Young plays a shot during the second of three 89, including four big sixes, in sidelines after spooning a catch and includes Mohammed Sha- cricket with his own free mind,” games, although this was not warm-up cricket matches between New Zealand and Australia in only his second game in Aus- to cover without scoring, last- mi, Bhuvneshwar Kumar and said Dev. counted as a full international. Brisbane yesterday. tralian colours since his one- ing just six balls. Hardik Pandya. When quizzed about the on- Young, who is uncapped year ban for ball-tampering Australia won the fi rst match Bumrah has been hailed for fi eld chemistry between former and not part of New Zealand’s fours and two sixes in his 132- Latham (69 not out) were also expired. by one wicket, with the fi nal his ability to bowl yorkers at the captain Dhoni and Kohli, Dev World Cup squad, was eventu- ball knock. among the runs as New Zea- He came to the crease when game at Allan Border Field to- death, while Shami and Kumar said both the players were cru- ally run out after smacking 11 George Worker (56) and Tom land, missing Kane Williamson, Shaun Marsh was out for 28 morrow. have also impressed. cial to India’s World Cup hopes. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, May 9, 2019 CRICKET

ADVICE DECISION Recalled Afghan quick Hassan to Drop anyone but quit ODIs aft er WC

Reuters comes a burden for the team. New Delhi “Therefore, I decided to step aside from ODI cricket and continue playing T20 cricket ecalled Afghanistan for a few more years.” get Archer, says quick Hamid Has- Hassan, who underwent san will quit one two knee surgeries in 2012, Rday cricket after a expressed his gratitude to the last hurrah at the World Cup board and the team manage- in England and Wales, the ment for recalling him for the 31-year-old has said. World Cup. The Afghan selectors sprang “I’d also like to tell fans that a surprise last month when I have proven my fi tness (to) England’s Flintoff they recalled the right-arm earn my place, having worked paceman, who played the last hard for the last six months ‘I found it so frustrating that a bloke can bowl so fast with what looks like so little eff ort’ of his 32 ODIs against Ireland in various fi tness and training in July 2016, to share new ball camps. AFP Freddie backs duty with Dawlat Zadran. “It’s been a long gap... I hope London “When a player goes I’ll be able to perform well in Stokes to ‘steal through so many injury and the World Cup and repay the recovery processes, there are faith that fans and the board ndrew Flintoff has urged the show’ for more chances of getting in- have shown in my ability.” England to drop “any- jured again,” Hassan said in Afghanistan will play ODIs one” in order to make England an interview on the Afghan against Scotland and Ire- Asure Jofra Archer has a London: Andrew Flintoff believes board’s Facebook page. land before beginning their place in their World Cup squad. Ben Stokes can “steal the show” for “Every player has to retire World Cup campaign on June The past week has seen Barba- England in a home season featuring one day... I think it is better 1 against holders Australia in dos-born paceman Archer show both the World Cup and the Ashes. to retire when a player is per- Bristol. glimpses of his talent while mak- For the first time since the inaugural forming well and before he be- ing one-day international and men’s World Cup in 1975, England Twenty20 debuts for England af- are staging arguably the two big- ter completing a three-year resi- gest events in their calendar — the SETBACK dency period. one-day showpiece and a Test series His ability to bowl 90-mile- against arch-rivals Australia — in the per-hour (145kmh) yorkers, as same season. well as deceptive slower balls, Stokes, however, has yet to hit the Aussie paceman has caught the eye. Archer is set heights he showed before being to have further chances to make a acquitted of aff ray by an English case for a World Cup spot during court last year following an incident Richardson ruled England’s one-day international outside a Bristol nightclub in the series against Pakistan which early hours of the morning. started yesterday. But Flintoff said that was partly a out of World Cup Former England fast bowling consequence of Stokes’ willingness all-rounder Flintoff is a fan of the to take responsibility at key stages. “unbelievable” Archer. “With Ben he’s just diff erent,” “I was watching him bowl the Flintoff told reporters in London on other day and I found it so frus- Tuesday. trating that a bloke can bowl so “As a batter he can bat three, he can fast with what looks like so little bat four — his bowling’s getting bet- eff ort,” Flintoff told reporters in ter all the time.” London on Tuesday. “The World T20 probably knocked Following a miserable fi rst- his confidence a little bit. That can round exit at the 2015 edition in happen, bowling at the death,” Australia and New Zealand, World added Flintoff . “He’s always in the Cup hosts England have risen to big moments of a game. He seems number one in the ODI rankings, to be that lad who lifts the team.” without Archer. Former England captain Flintoff ’s But Flintoff said loyalty to ex- career also featured its fair share isting players was no reason to ig- of off -field controversy, with the nore the 24-year-old’s claims for 41-year-old saying this could take a a place in England’s fi nal 15 for the toll on a player’s form. World Cup. “I think since what happened the “You ask who I would get rid year before last, it’s always hard Reuters fore, in consultation with se- of? Anyone,” he added at an event sometimes,” he said. Sydney lectors, we made the decision to publicise the offi cial World Cup “You’ve just got to find your feet to withdraw him from the song, Stand By by Loryn and Ru- again. You’re playing for the team squad. dimental. but you’re also playing a little bit for ustralian pace bowl- “Jhye will continue with “I think he’s brilliant. I know acceptance as well — for the crowd, er Jhye Richardson his rehabilitation and we will there’s a thing about him quali- for the people coming to watch you. has been ruled of look to resume bowling in the fying but we’ve done that for a “I think he has come through the Ahis maiden Cricket coming weeks,” Beakley said. number of years. other side and I think we’re about World Cup by a shoulder in- Kane Richardson, who has “When I was a kid we were to see the best of Ben Stokes. Or I jury and was withdrawn from taken 29 wickets in 20 ODIs, watching Robin Smith (born in hope so, because I genuinely love the squad for the tournament was already at the pre-World South Africa) and were waiting watching him.” in England and Wales yester- Cup training camp in Bris- on Graeme Hick (born in Rhode- England’s Jofra Archer celebrates the wicket of Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman (not in picture) during the day. bane and got the nod over test sia, now Zimbabwe) to play (for rain-hit first One Day International (ODI) at The Oval in London yesterday. Bottom: Andrew Flintoff The 22-year-old, who made paceman Josh Hazlewood, England). We’ve had KP (Kevin we’re up there with the favourites his one-day international who is on the comeback trail Pietersen, born in South Africa) land to be in that you can drop or aren’t we?” debut in January last year, after a back injury. so it’s not a new thing,” said the leave out someone (else) so good.” Asked what had changed in will be replaced by namesake Hazlewood was a key mem- 41-year-old Flintoff . England have never won the England’s approach to ODI crick- Kane Richardson after fail- ber of the team that won the “But watching the lad bowl,” men’s World Cup, Making the last et since he retired in 2009, Flintoff ing to recover from a shoulder World Cup in 2015 but will he said of Archer “For someone of their three losing appearances cited the white-ball captain Eoin dislocation he suff ered play- also be vital to Australia’s to bowl that quick so easily, with in the fi nal back in 1992. Morgan’s “impressive” infl uence, ing against Pakistan in March. hopes of winning the Ashes so much control, all the tricks — All three of Flintoff ’s World before adding: “I think they’ve “This is obviously very dis- series in England that follows slower balls, bouncers, yorkers — Cup campaigns saw England found their identity. appointing news for the team the World Cup. he’s got to be in hasn’t he?” make early exits. “For years when I played it was and for Jhye, who has been Flintoff had little sympathy “I played in three World Cups ‘Sri Lanka have won the World exceptional throughout his Revised squad: Aaron Finch for those members of England’s and didn’t get through the group Cup with a pinch hitter let’s get a rehabilitation process,” team (captain), Usman Khawaja, current pace attack who had ex- stages, even though they didn’t (Sanath) Jayasuriya at the top of physiotherapist David Beak- David Warner, Steve Smith, pressed concerns about possi- pass without incident!” joked the order.’ Australia were doing ley said in a Cricket Australia Shaun Marsh, Glenn Maxwell, ble damage to team morale were Flintoff , who at the 2007 World well with Adam Gilchrist, ‘let’s news release. Marcus Stoinis, Alex Carey, Archer to play at the World Cup. Cup in the Caribbean comman- try and do what they do’. We were “After his most recent as- Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, “I would make sure I would deered a pedalo in St Lucia. always chasing the game. sessment and attempting to Kane Richardson, Nathan raise my game,” Flintoff said. “It’s “It would be nice to see an Eng- “I think now we’ve found the bowl in the nets, it was clear Coulter-Nile, Jason Behren- international sport, competitive land side do something now. Go- best England one-day team we’ve that Jhye was not progressing dorff , Nathan Lyon, Adam and it’s a good position for Eng- ing into it you look at the sides and seen.” as fast as required and there- Zampa.

BOTTOMLINE England insist Ashes ball choice no stitch up

AFP Giles said the aim was to ensure a clearly Jimmy Anderson is one of our land than in the warmer climate of London “fair contest” between bat and ball best weapons, one of the best bowlers Australia tend to off er more movement rather than have bowler-friendly who has ever played the game, and we to quicker bowlers — it remains to be “two-day Tests”. want to bring him into the game. seen how much this will help the tour- ngland will continue to use Responding to suggestions that “We just want to be up front and ists when the Ashes start at Birming- balls thought to favour their England were simply trying to maxim- honest.” ham’s Edgbaston ground on August 1. pace bowlers when they face ise home advantage, Giles told report- The balls used in this season’s One consolation for the tourists is Australia in a home Ashes se- ers at The Oval yesterday. “People will Championship are wound tighter at that there is no Ashes Test at Trent riesE later this year. say that, but that’s why we want to be the seam and scores in English cricket’s Bridge this year. Broad took eight for Australia have not won an Ashes se- on the front foot. domestic fi rst-class competition are 15 as Australia were skittled out for ries in England since 2001, with their “We didn’t want to appear as though considerably higher than at a compa- just 60 on his Nottinghamshire home batsmen repeatedly struggling against we were doing this underhandedly.” rable stage in 2018. ground on the way to a defeat inside the likes of James Anderson and Stuart The former England spinner added: Cricket balls vary greatly between three days that saw England clinch the Broad armed with the Dukes balls. “I’ve spoken to Cricket Australia, they manufacturers, with the Kookaburra 2015 Ashes. A new Dukes ball with a less pro- were fi ne, and I’ve spoken to Cricket Jimmy Anderson relishes that has long been standard in Aus- Offi cials at this year’s fi ve Ashes nounced seam that deviates less off the Ireland (who play at Lord’s in July). tormenting the Aussies tralia having a less pronounced seam. venues may well have concerns about pitch and so, in theory, ought to make “It’s not as though we’re talking with the Dukes ball. Australia, in a bid to try to get used maximising their income if a Test ends life easier for batsmen, has been in use about playing against a bowling attack to English conditions, used the 2017/18 well inside fi ve days. in English county cricket this season. that isn’t very good. specifi cation Dukes ball in second half “Test cricket has defi nitely sped up But England and Wales Cricket “The Aussies are quite handy them- of their recently concluded 2018/19 in the last few years but it’s not about Board managing director Ashley Giles selves,” he said of a fast-bowling line- fi rst-class Sheffi eld Shield tourna- having a two-day game,” said Giles. said they had asked Dukes to make a up that could include Mitchell Starc, ment. “It’s about having a fair contest. My batch of some 500-600 balls to the Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and But with weather and pitch condi- concern was that this 2019 ball would same specifi cation as those used for James Pattinson. tions also aff ecting the movement of make conditions too batter friendly Test cricket in England during the past “There are elements of risk in the ball — grey skies and green-tinged on good Test wickets in the middle of two seasons. choosing to go with this other ball. But pitches that are more common in Eng- summer.” Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA MLB Athletics’ Fiers no-hits Cincinnati Reds Raptors crush Sixers, home starts this inning. Reuters Oaklandn The 33-year-old retired the fi rst 11 Reds in order before an error on A’s third baseman Matt akland Athletics Chapman allowed Cincinnati’s right-hander Mike fi rst baserunner. Fiers threw the ma- Unfazed, Fiers then set down jor leagues’ fi rst no- the next seven before walking Nuggets rout Blazers hitterO of the year Tuesday night, Eugenio Suarez to lead off the blanking the visiting Cincin- seventh inning. Fiers also walked nati Reds 2-0 in the opener of a Yasiel Puig two batters later, but three-game interleague series. in between got Jesse Winker to In recording the second no- ground into a double play. hitter of his career, the A’s ace threw 131 pitches and faced just two batters over RESULTS to gain series edge the minimum, allowing Athletics 2-0 Reds two walks. A third Cincin- ‘In this series he’s been phenomenal. He’s impacted the game in so many ways: scoring, nati batter also reached Royals 12-2 Astros base on an error, but one of Dodgers 9-0 Braves the Reds’ baserunners was playmaking and rebounding, and I think he’s playing some pretty good defense as well’ Mets 7-6 Padres erased on a double play. Cubs 5-2 Marlins AFP “Amazing, that’s really Los Angeles all I can say,” Fiers said. “I Yankees 5-4 Mariners could be working a 9-to- Phillies 11-1 Cardinals 5 (job) and doing so many he Toronto Raptors other things. Playing this Rays 6-3 D’backs dismantled the Phila- game, I’m blessed.” Brewers 6-0 Nationals delphia 76ers and the The no-hitter was the Red Sox 8-5 Orioles Denver Nuggets domi- majors’ fi rst since James Tnated Portland Tuesday to take Paxton did the trick on Angels 5-2 Tigers commanding leads in their NBA the Toronto Blue Jays for Pirates 5-4 Rangers playoff series. the Seattle Mariners al- White Sox 2-0 Indians The Raptors overpowered the most one year ago to the Twins 3-0 Blue Jays 76ers 125-89 to take a 3-2 lead day, May 8, 2018. He be- in their best-of-seven Eastern came the 35th pitcher to Giants 14-4 Rockies Conference second-round se- record multiple no-hitters, ries. With 76ers star center Joel counting the regular sea- Embiid ailing, Toronto took full son and postseason. Puig was stranded when Fiers advantage on their home fl oor It was the 300th no-hitter in got Derek Dietrich to foul out. and can book a place in the major league history, counting A’s manager Bob Melvin said Eastern Conference fi nals with the postseason. that he told Fiers after the sev- a victory in game six in Phila- Fiers’ previous no-hitter was enth inning that he would make delphia on Thursday. recorded on Aug. 21, 2015, for the a pitching change if another bat- The Nuggets, led by Nikola Houston Astros in a 3-0 inter- ter reached base. Fiers made sure Jokic’s 25 points and 19 re- league victory over the Los An- Melvin didn’t have to take that bounds, defeated the Trail Blaz- geles Dodgers. He struck out 10 step. ers 124-98 for a 3-2 series lead and walked three that day. The A’s provided Fiers the only and will also try to wrap up their There had been just seven no- run he would need in the second Western Conference clash on hitters since then, including two inning Jurickson Profar’s two- the road on Thursday. by Jake Arrieta, one against the out double scored Stephen Pis- Six Nuggets players scored in Reds on April 21, 2016. cotty from fi rst base. double fi gures and four scored Another in that span was re- Reds starter Tyler Mahle (0-5) at least 16 points. corded by Oakland left-hander was pulled from a 1-0 game after Paul Millsap scored 12 of his Sean Manaea against the Boston six innings, having allowed just 24 in the fi rst quarter as Denver Red Sox on April 21, 2018. three hits. He walked one and bolted to a 31-25 lead. The start of the historic game struck out eight. Jamal Murray scored 11 of his was delayed 1 hour, 38 minutes Profar added an insurance 18 in the second quarter, help- because of a malfunctioning run in the seventh with his third ing Denver break open the game light standard in left fi eld. home run of the season, off Reds with a burst of three straight “I’m just glad they got those reliever Robert Stephenson. baskets that pushed the Nug- lights working,” Fiers said. “That Fiers retired the side in order gets’ lead to 61-43 and Denver, could have been a bummer.” in the eighth and ninth innings, who never trailed, were away. The late start was nothing new striking out Suarez on a 2-2 cur- “In this series he’s been phe- to the Reds, who were coming veball in the dirt to fi nish it off . nomenal,” Denver coach Mike off a four-game home series in He began the night with a 6.81 Malone said of Murray. “He’s which they hit 15 home runs and ERA and lowered it to 5.48. impacted the game in so many scored 37 runs against the San The A’s made some dazzling ways: scoring, playmaking and Francisco Giants. The Sunday defensive plays behind Fiers to rebounding, and I think he’s game in Cincinnati was delayed keep his no-no intact. playing some pretty good de- several minutes while a swarm In the top of the sixth, with the fense as well.” of bees was removed from the A’s nursing a 1-0 lead, Votto hit a Damian Lillard scored 22 home-plate area. long fl y ball to left-center fi eld in points for the Trail Blazers, who The inconvenience didn’t spacious Oakland Coliseum that face an elimination game for the seem to bother Fiers (3-3), who center fi elder Ramon Laureano fi rst time in this post-season. had started two combined shut- nabbed at the top of the fence, Rodney Hood and Zach Col- outs among his four previous possibly saving a home run. lins scored 14 points each off the Jamal Murray of the Denver Nuggets puts up a shot over CJ McCollum of the Portland Trail Blazers in the second quarter during game five bench, but CJ McCollum was of the Western Conference NBA Playoff s at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. (Getty Images/AFP) the only other Portland starter in double fi gures with 12 points. In Toronto’s big win, forward vers. With their star struggling, 2:24 to play. ter. Jimmy Butler scored 22 Portland missed 12 straight Pascal Siakam scored 25 points none of his teammates could “I was certainly not expect- points and handed out seven shots in the third, connect- to lead six Raptors players in fi ll the void. Toronto led 64-43 ing that kind of game tonight,” assists for the 76ers. ing on just seven of 28 from the double fi gures. by halftime – thanks to a 37-17 said Raptors coach Nick Nurse. Sixers guard Ben Simmons fl oor in the period to head into Star forward Kawhi Leonard second quarter. “Obviously we’re certainly connected on three-of-fi ve the fourth quarter trailing 93- scored 21 points and grabbed 13 The 76ers showed signs of happy with the result. We did a shots from the fi eld to fi nish 65. rebounds and was able to rest life when they opened the sec- lot of good things.” with seven points and fi ve turn- They couldn’t get the defi - the majority of the fourth quar- ond half on a 10-2 scoring run, Kyle Lowry scored 19 points, overs. cit below 20 points in the fi nal ter as the Raptors dominated but the challenge proved short- Danny Green had 17 and Span- frame. In a hard-fought se- every phase of the contest. lived. Leonard, who punctuated ish big man Marc Gasol contrib- RESULTS ries between closely matched The outcome was enough the second quarter with a mas- uted 11 for the Raptors, who can Second round of the playoff s teams, Malone said, it was a no- to make Philadelphia’s center sive dunk, delivered another big clinch the series on Thursday in (best-of-seven): table achievement. Embiid feel even worse than the jam to close out the third and Philadelphia. Eastern Conference “For us to come out here to- upper respiratory infection that send the Raptors into the fi nal Serge Ibaka scored 10 points Toronto 125 Philadelphia 89 night and build a 30-point lead appeared to hinder him. frame up 92-70. for Toronto, despite needing (Toronto lead series 3-2) and play the defense that we did Embiid scored 13 points with Toronto would stretch the stitches after taking an inad- Western Conference Oakland Athletics starting pitcher Mike Fiers is doused with ice water for three and a half quarters was six rebounds and also coughed lead to 40 points – 123-83 – on vertent elbow to the forehead Denver 124 Portland 98 after pitching a no hitter against the Cincinnati Reds at Oakland remarkable,” he said. up a game-high eight turno- Norman Powell’s dunk with from Leonard in the fi rst quar- (Denver lead series 3-2) Coliseum. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

NHL Blues edge Stars in overtime to advance in playoff s AFP wraparound for Dallas at 4:19 of puck but his attempt caromed contention that he had no ma- Washington the second overtime. off the referee and ricocheted off licious intent in the check on Vince Dunn also scored, and the side of the net to the slot and Anderson, who left the ice after goalie Jordan Binnington made Zuccarello fi red home a shot. the second-period collision but at Maroon scored 5:50 29 saves for the Blues, who ad- returned later in the game. into the second over- vanced to the conference fi nal BRUINS’ MCAVOY The hit occurred after An- time Tuesday to give for the fi rst time since 2016. SUSPENDED FOR EASTERN derson won control of the puck the St. Louis Blues a 2-1 Bishop made an NHL career- FINALS OPENER and was trying to move deeper victoryP over the Dallas Stars and high 52 saves for Dallas, who also Boston Bruins defenseman into the attacking zone. His head a place in the NHL Western Con- lost a game seven to the Blues in Charlie McAvoy maintained that appeared to take the brunt of ference fi nal. the second round in 2016. his hit on Columbus Blue Jackets McAvoy’s hit. “I put my shoul- The home victory sealed a 4-3 Bishop became the fi fth goalie right winger Josh Anderson on der into him. It was a hockey win in the best-of-seven sec- to stop 50 or more shots in a Monday was intended as nothing play. I tried to fi nish my check in ond round playoff series. They’ll Game Seven since 1955-56. He more than a hard hockey check. a legal manner,” McAvoy said. “I face either the San Jose Sharks or kept the Stars alive through the While the on-ice offi cials for was penalised two minutes and I Colorado Avalanche for a place second and third as St. Louis the Bruins’ clinching Game 6 served it.” in the Stanley Cup fi nal. out-shot Dallas 31-4 in those win in Columbus appeared to However, the league said it Tyler Bozak won an off ensive- two periods. Dunn scored his agree, issuing him only a two- issued the disciplinary meas- zone face-off for the Blues, Rob- fi rst goal of the playoff s to give minute minor for contact to ure because McAvoy could have ert Thomas skated from the cir- St. Louis a 1-0 lead at 13:30 of the head, the NHL on Tuesday made the check on Anderson cle to the left of Stars goalie Ben the fi rst period on a wrist shot nonetheless suspended McAvoy without hitting him in the head. Bishop, shot off the post, and from the left point that went off for Game 1 of the Eastern Con- In a video released by the de- Maroon tapped in the puck for the right shoulder of Bishop. ference fi nals. The Bruins open partment that talked about the the game-winner. Mats Zuccarello tied it 1-1 at the series against the Caro- suspension, the league said: “It’s “I scored the goal, it still hasn’t 15:55 after a wild sequence that lina Hurricanes on Thursday in important to note that while An- hit me, but what an exciting time started when Binning lost his Boston. After holding a hearing derson’s body and front shoulder in St. Louis,” said Maroon, a na- stick in a tangle with the Stars’ involving McAvoy, the league’s do absorb some contact on this St. Louis Blues left wing Pat Maroon is congratulated by teammates after scoring the game winning goal tive of the Missouri city. Tyler Seguin. Department of Player Safety on check, the main point of contact in double overtime in game seven of the second round of the 2019 Stanley Cup playoff s against the Dallas Jamie Benn almost scored on a David Perron tried to clear the Tuesday backed up the player’s was the head.” Stars at Enterprise Center. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports Gulf Times 6 Thursday, May 9, 2019 SPORT

GOLF RYDER CUP European captain Harrington to Koepka uses visit reduce wild cards

AFP Harrington explained in a tour London statement issued Wednesday. “It is a theme that will be prevalent across my captaincy uropean captain Pa- and I think you can see that to Big D to prepare draig Harrington has in the overall qualifi cation decided to cut his wild process for the 2020 team,” card selections from the Irishman added. “Having fourE to three for next year’s Ry- said that, I am pleased that ‘I usually play the week der Cup in the United States. the (European Tour) tourna- Nine of Harrington’s play- ment committee agreed to the before a major. It’s ers will qualify automatically change of wild card numbers. for the 2020 Ryder Cup at “I have spoken to a number for Big Apple worked for me’ Whistling Straits as a result of of people regarding the ninth points earned on the European player automatically quali- Reuters Tour – a process that will start fying for the team and in my New York with the 2019 PGA Champion- experience, a player is more ship at Wentworth, southwest comfortable when he has of London and fi nish at the qualifi ed, hence my reasoning rooks Koepka does not 2020 edition of the fl agship behind this change,” the three- sound too concerned tournament. time major winner explained. about whether he wins Harrington will then select “I am also delighted to be the PGA Tour’s Byron three wild cards to complete starting and ending the proc- NelsonB tournament this week as his team for Europe’s defence ess at the BMW PGA Champi- long as leaves the Big D for the of the team golf trophy they onship at Wentworth. Big Apple with his game in good won in commanding style in “It is one of our most pres- shape. Paris last year. tigious events, played at an Koepka is the best player in a “I have said on many occa- iconic venue and the home of relatively thin fi eld at the PGA sions that one of the reasons the European Tour itself, and Tour event at Trinity Forest Golf for recent European success in will help give a real narrative to Course in Dallas starting today. the Ryder Cup is continuity,” the qualifi cation race,” he said. Most of the big boys are taking the week off to tune-up at home before heading to New York next week for the PGA Champion- ship. But world number three Koepka, who will defend his title at Bethpage Black on Long Is- land, prefers to play his way into major championships. “I usually play the week before a major. It’s worked for me,” the 29-year-old American told re- porters on Tuesday. “You don’t need to play that great. I like building a little bit of rhythm, fi nding my game, fi g- uring out how to score, how to manage my game.” Koepka has had the Wana- maker Trophy in his possession for only nine months since hold- ing off Tiger Woods and Adam Padraig Harrington of Ireland hits a shot on the driving range Scott to win the PGA Champi- prior to the start of the AT&T Byron Nelson in Irving, Texas. (AFP) onship at Bellerive in St. Louis last August. It was the fi nal time the event would be played in the heat of Bucs’ Pierre-Paul fractured neck, summer before moving to the surgery possible May date that makes it the sec- ond major championship of Tampa Bay Buccaneers de- medical team had an oppor- the year instead of the last. The fensive end Jason Pierre-Paul tunity to perform a thorough Masters was held in April, while sustained a fractured neck in a evaluation here in Tampa, the US Open will be played in single-car crash last week and and that process is currently June and the British Open in July. could require surgery, mul- ongoing.” Koepka came close to making Brooks Koepka of USA plays a shot during practice prior to the start of the AT&T Byron Nelson in Irving, Texas. (Getty Images/AFP) tiple media outlets reported The accident occurred around it three major wins in four starts Tuesday. 5am Thursday in Broward when he fi nished only a stroke Kirk takes indefi nite leave to deal with depression and alcohol abuse The 30-year-old will visit County, Fla., and Pierre-Paul behind Woods at the Masters, neck specialists for opinions, was taken to the hospital and despite a double-bogey at the Four-times PGA Tour winner Chris and ESPN reported he will released later that day. NFL par-three 12th at Augusta Na- Kirk is taking an indefinite leave likely need an operation. NFL Network reported Tuesday tional in the fi nal round. from professional golf to deal with Network reported Pierre-Paul that Pierre-Paul’s car went off Even with that near-miss, he depression and alcohol abuse. could indeed be headed for the road after it hydroplaned still has three major titles to his Kirk, whose last win came in 2015 surgery – which would carry during a rain storm. name – the 2017 and 2018 U.S. at the Colonial tournament in Fort a recovery time of five to six Pierre-Paul was not ticketed. Opens as well as last year’s PGA. Worth, Texas, has struggled on months – but added there is He missed time due to an Another prominent player at the course for most of this year, hope the injury could heal on off -field injury in 2015, when the Byron Nelson this week is with only one top-20 finish. its own, and he could be ready he lost a finger and part of a three-times major champion “I have dealt with alcohol abuse for the start of the season. second finger in a fireworks Jordan Spieth, a local hero who and depression for some time The Buccaneers issued a state- accident in Miami on July 4 of lately has fallen on lean times. now,” he wrote on Twitter on ment that did not acknowl- that year. A tie for 21st at the Masters Tuesday. edge the specific injury but Pierre-Paul was traded from was his best result of the year “I thought I could control it, but confirmed the evaluation the New York Giants to the and Spieth has slipped to 39th after multiple relapses I have process is ongoing. Buccaneers in March 2018, a in the world, his lowest ranking come to realise that I can’t fix this “As we stated last week fol- year after signing a four-year, since he burst onto the tour in on my own. lowing the news of Jason’s $62 million extension. He had 2013. “I will be taking an indefinite leave auto accident, our immediate 12.5 sacks, 20 quarterback As popular as Spieth is in his from the PGA Tour to deal with concern was for both Jason hits and 16 tackles for loss in home city, perhaps the biggest these issues. I don’t know when I and his passenger,” general 16 games in 2018, his highest gallery this week will fl ock to will be back.” manager Jason Licht said in marks since 2014. watch Tony Romo, the retired Kirk, who turns 34 on Wednesday, the statement. Meanwhile free agent running former Dallas Cowboys quarter- was ranked as high as 16th in the “While Jason was treated and back Bilal Powell has been back who remains a beloved fi g- world in 2015. released in south Florida the cleared to play after a career- ure in north Texas. He is currently ranked 188th in the same day of the accident, we threatening neck injury and is Never mind that he is a world. wanted to ensure that our looking for an employer. 10,000-1 shot to take the title.

RUGBY Sponsor dumps Folau as Jones slams verdict AFP him after he posted a banner on right to free speech against the Jones has previously railed Sydney Instagram last month that read: off ence he has caused others and against free speech being “com- “Drunks, homosexuals, adulter- damage to rugby’s reputation. pletely corrupted” in Australia ers, liars, fornicators, thieves, It has split opinion with sev- and he let rip again Tuesday. portswear company atheists and idolators – Hell eral Pacifi c Island-origin players “Nothing wrong with Israel, ASICS dumped Israel awaits you.” It followed a similar supporting him, while others, it’s the society and those who Folau as a brand ambas- tirade last year. including within the Wallabies prosecute him who are sick,” he sador yesterday over ASICS, which is also a lead- camp, have been critical. said. Jones added that he was homophobicS comments, as ing Wallabies sponsor, severed “ashamed” of the sport he loves former Wallabies coach Alan ties with Folau, saying “we be- ‘HOLD YOUR HEAD UP’ and that “the battle has just be- Jones slammed those punishing lieve sport is for everyone and we Jones, who coached the Wal- gun”. him as “sick”. champion inclusively and diver- labies during a golden era in the “Israel Folau, with my sup- The devoutly Christian player sity”. late 1980s, has been a frequent port and the support of millions on Tuesday was found guilty “While Israel Folau is entitled critic of Rugby Australia and one of Australians, will take this fi ght of a “high-level” breach of the to his personal views, some of of the staunchest defenders of every inch of the way,” he said. sport’s code of conduct after those expressed in recent social Folau’s right to free speech. “Rugby union preaches diver- posting an anti-gay statement media posts are not aligned with Now an infl uential and out- sity – they really mean uniform- on social media, leaving his ca- those of ASICS,” it added in a spoken radio broadcaster, known ity. They preach inclusion but reer hanging in the balance. Facebook statement. “As such, for his conservative views, he re- they exclude Israel.” He faces his lucrative four- our partnership with Israel has layed a message Tuesday he said The code of conduct panel year Rugby Australia contract become untenable and he will he received from the player. could decide to fi re Folau, or is- being terminated, with the no longer represent ASICS as a “I’ve just had a note from Is- sue fi nes or suspensions. three-person code of conduct brand ambassador.” rael, he won’t mind if I’m shar- No timescale was given for panel taking written submis- Last year ASICS renewed its ing it with you because I said to its decision, with legal experts sions from his legal team and the contract with Rugby Australia him, ‘Hold your head up’,” Jones warning that whatever happens governing body before deciding for a further six years. said on his morning programme. an appeal is likely, potentially on his punishment. Folau’s case has proved com- “He said, ‘Alan, I’m at peace, followed by a drawn-out court Rugby Australia moved to sack plex and divisive, pitting his mate. My head is held high’.” battle. Australia’s full-back Israel Folau leaves after a code of conduct hearing in Sydney yesterday. (AFP) Gulf Times Thursday, May 9, 2019 7 SPORT

FOCUS DOPING Middle distance runner Savina gets D-Day for DSD 12-year drugs ban

Reuters and she is therefore deemed... Moscow to have admitted the fi rst and second anti-doping rule viola- tions and to have acceded to the ussian middle distance consequences specifi ed in the athletes hoping to runner Kseniya Savina notice of charge,” the AIU said in has been suspended for a statement. 12 years after she was Savina’s suspension period is foundR to have taken a banned 12 years and all her results since substance and then provided May 2018 are void, the AIU said. false medical documents to Such lengthy bans are uncom- avoid sanctions, the Athletics mon but the athlete’s attempts to Integrity Unit said on Wednes- shift blame and avoid sanctions compete at Worlds day. by providing false documenta- The 29-year-old Savina, tion added another anti-doping ‘We have seen in a decade and more of research that approximately 7.1 in every 1,000 elite female whose ban essentially ends her rule violation in her case. career, tested positive in an Savin, her coach, received a athletes in our sport are DSD athletes with very high testosterone levels in the male range’ out-of-competition test for the four-year ban for violating anti- banned blood-boosting hor- doping regulations, the AIU said mone EPO last year and was pro- in a separate statement. visionally suspended. Russia has been rocked by She claimed at the time it was several sporting bans in recent her coach and husband Alexei years after international investi- Savin who had needed the medi- gations found evidence of wide- cation to treat what she said was spread, state-sponsored doping chronic renal failure, and that it in athletics and a string of other must has been mixed up with her sports. own back pain medication, the Russian anti-doping agency AIU said. RUSADA and Russia’s athletics After Savina provided medical federation were suspended after documents to support the claim a 2015 report commissioned by that her husband had chronic the World Anti-Doping Agen- renal failure, further investiga- cy (WADA) found evidence of tion by the Russian anti-doping state-sponsored doping in Rus- agency (RUSADA) for the AIU sian athletics. showed the documents had been RUSADA was reinstated last forged. year, while Russia’s athletics “The Athlete failed to re- federation remains suspended spond as required by the speci- by the global athletics governing fi ed deadline of 17 April 2019 body IAAF.

South Africa’s Caster Semenya competes in the women’s 800m during the IAAF Diamond League competition on May 3, 2019 in Doha. (AFP)

Reuters picture of a clenched fi st with servations from the fi eld during to the regulations will be as- Africa, she has 30 days from the Cape Town the word ‘resist’ on Twitter yes- the last 15 years’. sured of privacy. CAS verdict on May 1 to launch terday morning, a signal she will The IAAF clarifi ed that the “We have seen in a decade an appeal to the Swiss Federal not comply. regulations only apply to DSD and more of research that ap- Tribunal, and repeated enquir- thletes with diff erenc- The International Associa- athletes who are legally female proximately 7.1 in every 1,000 ies from Reuters over whether Russia’s Kseniya Savina. es in sexual develop- tion of Athletics Federations (or intersex), have male chro- elite female athletes in our sport she would do so have not been ment (DSD) hoping to (IAAF) has been heavily criti- mosomes (XY) not female chro- are DSD athletes with very high answered. compete at the World cised for the rules, with allega- mosomes (XX), testes not ova- testosterone levels in the male “I will be here defending the ChampionshipsA must submit to tions that the science is fl awed, ries, testosterone in the male range,” the IAAF said on its world. I’m never going any- Cofi dis and three Spanish teams new rules curbing their levels of regulations ethically dubious range and the ability to make website (www.iaaf.org). where,” a defi ant Semenya told invited to Vuelta a Espana testosterone from yesterday but and potential medical side-ef- use of that testosterone circu- “The majority of those ath- reporters after winning the 800 Caster Semenya appears ready fects unknown. lating within their bodies. letes compete in the restricted metres at the Doha Diamond French team Cofidis and wore the leader’s red jersey for to resist the regulations. One of the most vocal have “In 46XY DSD individuals, events covered by the regula- League meeting last Friday. Spanish teams Caja Rural-RGA, two days last year, will front the Athletics chiefs had set a been the World Medical Asso- reducing serum testosterone to tions.” “I believe in my legal team, Burgos-BH and Euskadi-Murias challenge of Cofidis while they Wednesday deadline for DSD ciation (WMA), who urged their female levels by using a contra- Semenya, who last month they will do their best to get me have been named on the list also have French sprinter Nacer athletes to submit blood sam- member physicians in 114 coun- ceptive pill (or other means) is lost an appeal to the Court of back on the track.” for this year’s Vuelta a Espana, Bouhanni, who won a stage in ples to their medical team with tries not to assist in the imple- the recognised standard of care Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to But she also suggested that the organisation announced on 2018. a testosterone level below fi ve mentation of the regulations. for 46XY DSD athletes with a halt the implementation of the her return to Doha could see Tuesday. The 74th edition of the The Vuelta a Espana will start nanomoles per litre, which they But the global body has female gender identity. These regulations, which cover races her compete over distances not Vuelta will include 22 teams, on August 24 in Torrevieja and must maintain over the next responded in a letter to the medications are gender-affi rm- from 400 metres to a mile, ap- covered by the regulations. with 18 of those earning their finishes in Madrid on Septem- four-and-a-half months. WMA, saying the rules have ing,” the IAAF letter said. pears fi rm in her decision not to “I’m a power athlete, I can place through direct qualifica- ber 15, with 3,272 kilometres But double 800ms Olympic been developed after ‘many The world governing body comply. run from 100 metres to 5 km, so tion. Spain’s Jesus Herrada, who and 21 stages in between. champion Semenya posted a scientifi c publications and ob- added that athletes who submit Along with Athletics South I can run any race I want.”

SPOTLIGHT New mixed relay ‘just what athletics needs’ AFP the order man-woman-woman-man ap- Kawasaki, Japan peared to do the best. However, China’s Yang Lei described the event at the time as “chaos” after a gridlock emerged at the fi nal he new mixed 4x400m relay is just baton handover. British 400m runner Rabah what athletics needs to inject more Yousif, a double Bronze-medal winner at fun and excitement into compe- World Championships in 2015 and 2017, told tition, according to British star AFP the onus would still be down to the in- TPerri Shakes-Drayton, although it has also dividual to run a strong leg. thrown up some unforeseen diffi culties. “You have to perform on your leg because The new race, with teams of two men and you can’t be doing all four legs. When you two women, is poised to make its Olympic do your best as an individual, it will help the debut at Tokyo 2020 as part of a drive by or- team... It’s still a 400m. It’s just with other ganisers to make the sport more inclusive. guys running or two girls and two guys,” he And Shakes-Drayton, who won silver for said. Britain in the 4x400m World Champion- “I like the idea of a mixed relay because ships on home soil in London in 2017, said it’s more fun and more excitement. You the idea initially took some getting used to. won’t know the race is fi nished until the last “When I saw it was listed on the pro- leg and even on the last leg you won’t know gramme, I thought ‘mixed? A mixed relay?’ what’s going to happen,” as men could be It took me by surprise,” the 30-year-old told chasing down women on the anchor leg. AFP in an interview yesterday. Britain has a strong track record in the “But it will be interesting and fun. I think relay – with the men’s 4x100m team win- that’s what the sport needs. Something ning gold at the World Championships in diff erent and exciting,” she enthused, as 2017 as Jamaican legend Usain Bolt pulled the British team trained for this weekend’s up with an injury. And Shakes-Drayton said World Relays in Yokohama near Tokyo. the whole squad was looking strong as they She said one of the challenges had come ramp up preparations for the World Cham- in passing the baton between tall male ath- pionships in Doha in September and then letes and their shorter female counterparts the Olympics in 2020. and hinted that a man would be more likely The World Relays in Yokohama will see to run the anchor leg for this reason. 790 athletes from 47 teams competing, in- When the fi rst trials took place at the cluding current world 100m sprint cham- Asian Games in Jakarta, teams which ran in pion Justin Gatlin from the United States. British athletes Anyika Onuora (left) and Perri Shakes-Drayton train with the new mixed 400m relay team at the Todoroki Stadium in Kawasaki yesterday. (AFP)

Thursday, May 9, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

TENNIS/MADRID OPEN SPOTLIGHT Leukaemia treatment proceeding smoothly, Nadal makes light says Japan’s Ikee

Reuters Tokyo

apanese swimmer Rikako work of teenager Ikee, considered a medal contender for the Tokyo Olympics before being di- agnosedJ with leukaemia in Feb- ruary, said yesterday her treat- ment is proceeding smoothly but sometimes she feels her “heart might break”. Auger-Aliassime Ikee won six titles at last year’s Asian Games and also picked up Japan’s Rikako Ikee ‘I feel like I’m having fun playing tennis again which is always a good thing for me’ two relay silvers to became the fi rst female athlete to be named “I look outside every day and AFP the Most Valuable Player at an think that the wind in this sea- Madrid Asian Game. son must feel good, and that I’d Her rich haul in the Jakarta like to feel the rain, but this has pool propelled her onto the become something to look for- afael Nadal made the world stage and Ikee was ex- ward to once I’m released,” she perfect start to his bid pected to lead a new generation said in a hand-written statement for a sixth Madrid Open of Japanese swimmers at their posted on the site. title yesterday by beat- home Games next year. “It’s going to be a long hospi- ingR Canadian teenager Felix Au- While announcing her diag- talisation and long treatment, ger-Aliassime in straight sets. nosis, the 18-year-old Ikee said but I think of what I want to do Nadal has endured a turbu- she ‘couldn’t believe it’ and she when I get out and am staying lent few weeks after slipping to has since been concentrating on positive,” she said, adding she surprise defeats in both Monte treatment, although no details was spending her time doing Carlo and Barcelona last month about her illness have been re- puzzles, watching movies and before then being hit by a stom- leased. other things she usually does not ach bug on Sunday. In March, she said on Twit- have time for. But there was never much sign ter: “This is dozens of times, “To be honest, sometimes it of an upset in the Spanish capital, hundreds of times, thousands of feels as if my heart might break, where the world number two be- times harder than I thought. I’ve but all the things people have gan with a 6-3, 6-3 victory. The had many times where I haven’t said help cheer me on, and builds 18-year-old Auger-Aliassime is been able to eat for three days or up the feeling that I want to keep enjoying something of a break- more. But I won’t give up.” on fi ghting and won’t give up.” through year after beating Borna Yesterday, using a newly- Ikee’s coach has held out Coric, Fabio Fognini and Stefanos launched website, Ikee thanked hopes that she could still com- Tsitsipas, as well as Denis Shapo- fans for their numerous messag- pete in the Tokyo 2020 Olym- valov here in the fi rst round. es of support and said her treat- pics, which start in late July Aside from some late resist- ment was proceeding smoothly 2020, but she will miss the ance, however, that saw a nerv- but things were occasionally swimming world championships ous Nadal broken when serving tough. to be held in Gwangju in July. for the match, Auger-Aliassime struggled to cope with his oppo- nent’s power and spin on one of FOCUS his favourite courts. Nadal has not arrived in Ma- drid without winning in either Monte Carlo or Barcelona since Qatari triathletes 2015 and, after also pulling out of Indian Wells due to a knee injury in March, concern was gain exposure at ITU growing ahead of the French Open later this month. The 32-year-old, who will be Multisport World chasing his 18th Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, will now face another young talent in Ameri- Championships ca’s Frances Tiafoe, with either Stan Wawrinka or Kei Nishikori waiting in the quarter-fi nals. Nishikori and Wawrinka will meet in the third round today, an early showdown for two players that have reached 12 Grand Slam semi-fi nals between them. It took Nishikori just over two hours to win 7-5, 7-5 against Bolivian qualifi er Hugo Dellien, who saved seven set points dur- ing a fi ghtback from 5-1 down in the opening set. Wawrinka, meanwhile, beat Argentina’s Guido Pella 6-3, Qatari athletes Eid al-Bordani and Abdulaziz al-Ali (left) with their coach 6-4, with a break in each set Mat O’Halloran (right) during the ITU Multisport World Championships, proving enough for the three- in Pontevedra, Spain. time Grand Slam champion. The Swiss has won his last atari triathletes Eid al- ing the bike leg. The 18-year-old two matches against Nishikori, Spain’s Rafael Nadal returns the ball to Canada’s Felix Auger Aliassime during their Madrid Open match at the Caja Magica in Madrid yesterday. (AFP) Bordani and Abdulaziz once again lined up against the including a three-set victory in al-Ali competed at the top junior elite athletes in the Rotterdam in February, when injury. Nishikori’s compatriot that’s great,” Osaka said. “I’m RESULTS Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-4, 3-6, recently concluded world, this time in the sprint he went on to reach his fi rst fi - and world number one Naomi at a really good place right now. Men’s 2nd round ITUQ Multisport World Champi- distance aquathlon (750m swim 6-3 nal since undergoing knee sur- Osaka is through to the quarter- I feel like I’m having fun playing Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Diego Rafael Nadal (ESP x2) bt Felix onships in Pontevedra (Spain), + 5km run). gery in 2017. On Tuesday Roger fi nals of the women’s tourna- tennis again which is always a Schwartzman (ARG) 6-1, 6-2 Auger-Aliassime (CAN) 6-3, 6-3 against some of the worlds best. Where he managed to fi nish a Federer shook off a brief bout ment for the fi rst time after she good thing for me. I always play Laslo Djere (SRB) bt Juan Women’s 3rd round Eid fi nished 17th in the 25-29 strong 14th position, outrunning of pre-match jitters as he re- eased past Belarusian Aliaksan- well if I have that mentality.” Martin del Potro (ARG x7) 6-3, Naomi Osaka (JPN x1) bt Aliak- age group with a time of 2h34 in some European athletes, in the turned to clay after a three-year dra Sasnovich 6-2, 6-3. In the last eight, the two-time 2-6, 7-5 sandra Sasnovich (BLR) 6-2, 6-3 the standard distance duathlon closing 5km run. absence, posting a 6-2, 6-3 win Osaka pulled out of the semi- major champion will face Swit- Gael Monfils (FRA x15) bt Mar- Belinda Bencic (SUI) bt Kateryna (10km run + 40km bike + 5 KM “The Qataris showed a lot of over Richard Gasquet. fi nals in Stuttgart last month zerland’s Belinda Bencic who ton Fucsovics (HUN) 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 Kozlova (UKR) 6-0, 6-2 run). Abdulaziz lined up against courage in lining up at a World with an abdominal injury but beat Ukrainian qualifi er Katery- Fabio Fognini (ITA x10) bt John Simona Halep (ROU x3) bt Vikto- the top junior elite duathletes Championships, the hilly course, OSAKA IN CONTROL has said she is no longer feeling na Kozlova 6-0, 6-2. Millman (AUS) 6-2, 6-2 ria Kuzmova (SVK) 6-0, 6-0 over a sprint distance duathlon cold water, and rainy weather Juan Martin del Potro lost 6-3, discomfort during matches. A potential semi-fi nal foe for Kei Nishikori (JPN x6) bt Hugo Ashleigh Barty (AUS x9) bt Yulia (5km run + 20km bike + 2.5km was an added challenge for 2-6, 7-5 to Serbia’s Laslo Djere “The ab injury was always Osaka is world number three Dellien (BOL) 7-5, 7-5 Putintseva (KAZ) 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 run) in the world. He opened the them. In the end, we reached our in his fi rst match since February sort of in the back of my mind, Simona Halep, who annihilated Stan Wawrinka (SUI) bt Guido Kiki Bertens (NED x7) bt 5km run leg with a new personal objective of gaining experience, as the Argentine continues to but that was more in the fi rst Slovakian Viktoria Kuzmova Pella (ARG) 6-3, 6-4 Anastasija Sevastova (LAT x12) best of 18:35, but was unfortu- and exposure,” said Qatar coach work his way back from a knee round and now I feel fi ne, so 6-0, 6-0 in 44 minutes. Frances Tiafoe (USA) bt Philipp 6-1, 6-2. nately forced to withdraw dur- Mat O’Halloran.

ATHLETICS Kipchoge to skip Doha worlds because of record tilt AFP Kiplagat returns for her which the Olympic champion Nairobi fifth-consecutive world cham- will try and break the two-hour pionships. She has form at the marathon barrier. Kipchoge went world championships, having close to smashing the barrier n-form marathon great lead an historic Kenyan clean- when he came in 25 seconds off Eliud Kipchoge will skip sweep in the 2011 words in the mark in a staged race around the world championships in South Korea. Italy’s Monza race circuit in 2017. Doha as he prepares for an- She returned two years later to He will make a second attempt in Iother tilt at breaking the event’s defend her world title in Moscow, a special race to be held between mythical two-hour barrier. becoming the fi rst woman ever to late September and early Octo- Geoff rey Kirui instead heads do so. But Kosgei is a surprise ex- ber, likely in London. up the Kenyan men’s quintet an- clusion from the squad. nounced on Tuesday while two- The in-form 25-year-old last Kenyan marathon squads time title holder Edna Kiplagat month become the youngest for World Championships leads the women’s quartet for London marathon winner in his- Men: Geoff rey Kirui, Paul Lon- the Doha worlds, scheduled for tory. Vivian Cheruiyot, a dou- yangata, Amos Kipruto, Laban September 27-October 6. ble 5000m and 10000m world Korir, Ernest Ngeno However, newly-crowned champion, was also a surprise Women: Edna Kiplagat, Visline London marathon women’s win- omission from the women’s line- Jepkesho, Sally Kipyego, Ruth ner Brigid Kosgei, the youngest- up. Chepngetich. ever to win the coveted title, was Men’s Olympic champion among the top names not in- Kipchoge had asked to be ex- cluded in the nine-runner squad cluded because the Doha meet Kenya’s marathon runner Eliud announced by Athletics Kenya. clashes with a special race in Kipchoge. (Reuters)