SPORT

Wednesday 16 August 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Nadal to become Spieth reflects on Zidane angered by No.1 again as Federerrer ‘great year’ despite Ronaldo’s skips Cincinnati missing USPGA win five-match ban Kenya to bid Farah rebrands for 2023 World as ‘Mohamed’ Championships Nairobi AFP

enya is to launch a bid to host the athletics for road career world championships in 2023 after suc- Kcessfully staging two other international competitions in the last 10 years. No African nation has ever staged the sport’s flagship event, but Kenyan sports minister Has- LondonLondon Somalia-born Farah has won san Wario said Kenya had shown its capability AFPAFP four Olympic titles and six world when it brought together athletes from 130 titles, but he bowed out under countries to compete in the IAAF World Under- ritishriti athletics something of a cloud due to dop- 18 Championships in Nairobi in July. greatgre Mo Farah ing allegations against his “We have shown that we are capable to host wantswa to be American coach Alberto smaller events, and it has now reached a time knownk n as Salazar. when we should host big competitions,” said ‘Mohamed’‘Mo now He hit out at the media dur- Wario at a welcome reception for Kenyan ath- thatthatB hehe is switchingswitchin his focus to ing an emotional press letes who finished second overall at the roadroad racing,racing, he hhasa announced. conference on Sunday, accusing just-concluded world championships in Lon- “My“My road namename is Mohamed,” them of trying to “destroy” his don, beaten only by the United States. hehe said. “I just feelf like Mo is achievements. “Kenya became the first African nation to done.done. I need to forgetfor about what “You can write what you win the world championship in Beijing in 2015, I’ve achievedachieved andand what I’ve done like,” Farah said. “The fact is I’ve it is only fitting that we should be the first coun- (on(on the track).”track).” achieved what I have from hard try to bring the Championships to Africa,” Wario Farah,Far 34, made work and dedication, putting my said. thethe announcementa balls on the line, year after year, “We have a plan to build three big stadiums afteraft bringing the and delivering for my country. in Nairobi, Mombasa and Eldoret and seven addi- curtaincu down on “It’s like a broken record, tional new ones in other parts of the country.” hishi glittering repeating myself. If I’ve crossed Wario echoed the recent call by Confedera- tracktra career by the line, if Alberto’s crossed the tion of African Athletics (CAA) president Hamad winningwin 10,000 line, why bring it up year after Kalkaba Malboum for Africa to be awarded the mmetresetr gold and year, making it into headlines? World Championships by 2025. 5,0005,000 metresm silver at “I’ve achieved what I have Malboum said six African countries, includ- thethe World ChaChampionshipsm in achieved. You’re trying to ing Kenya, are capable of hosting the event. London.London. destroy it.” The Qatari capital of Doha is set to host the 2019 IAAF World Championships before Eugene, Oregon, stages the 2021 edition. Jemal to lead Al Arabi Stage set for IHF in new QSL season Super Globe The Peninsula in Doha l Arabi have con- firmed that The Peninsula Tunisian defender Ammar Jemal (pic- or the eighth straight tured) will be the time, the world’s best newA captain of the side. Fclub teams face each The club announced on other in Doha, to their official social media mate as the new captain of the Russian tennis star compete for the IHF Super accounts on Monday that the side. Jemal has an extensive Maria Sharapova Globe trophy. player, who was signed from footballing resume having This year’s edition of Tunisian Ligue side Étoile Spor- played at a high level in Europe the IHF Super Globe will tive du Sahel in July, will now which includes stints in France, take place from August 25 lead The Dream Team next and Switzerland. Sharapova gets US Open wildcard to 28. Qatar Stars League (QSL) The thirty-year-old The Qatar Handball season. defender is currently with his Association (QHA) officially Al Arabi head coach, Kais side in where they are New York and the 2012 and 2014 French formed the Organising Yaâkoubi originally entrusted involved in a preseason train- AFP Five-time major Opens. committee of the event new signing Khalfan Ibrahim ing camp. The team is expected champion Maria Sharapova has shaken off under the leadership of the with the captain’s armband to return to Doha on August 26, ive-time major champion Sharapova of Russia criticism from rival players QHA President Ahmad Al however the Qatari striker rec- ahead of the start of the new Maria Sharapova of Rus- will play her first Grand about wildcards and the French Sheabi. The committee ommended his Tunisian team season. Fsia will play her first Grand Slam following a Open snub, tweeting after being included Mohammad Al Slam event since serving a 15-month doping denied a spot at Roland Garros, Jaber, Tournament Direc- 15-month doping suspension “If this is what it takes to rise up tor, Khalifa Tayseer Al after receiving a wildcard into suspension again, then I am in it all the way, Jassim, Head of Sports Al Rayyan return to Doha the US Open yesterday. everyday. No words, games or Operations Committee, The move by the US Tennis program was completed and actions will ever stop me from Adel Al Anzi, Head of Association (USTA) comes after therefore was not one of the reaching my own dreams. And Financial Committee, after Dutch training camp Sharapova, ranked 148th this factors weighed in our wildcard I have many.” Hamad Mesfer Al Naimi, week, was rejected for a wild- selection process,” the USTA Sharapova has withdrawn Head of Support and Coor- Doha Danish legend and Al card spot into the French Open said in a statement. from US Open warm-up tour- dination Committee, QNA Rayyan coach Michael Laudrup and missed Wimbledon with a “Consistent with past prac- naments in Toronto and Nasser Shahin Al Kaabi, managed to use the opportu- thigh injury. tice, a wildcard was provided Cincinnati the past two weeks Head of Protocol Commit- l Rayyan SC team nity provided by the trip to get Sharapova tested positive to a past US champion who after suffering a left forearm tee and Abdullah Taleb Al returned to Doha yester- his players in the best shape for meldonium at the 2016 Aus- needed the wildcard for entry injury at Stanford. Marri, Head of Media Aday from Holland, where possible ahead of the new tralian Open and was into the main draw. Previous In her first US match since Committee. they held a pre-season training season. suspended by the International US Open champions who have March 2015, Shrapova defeated The tournament will camp. They played four matches Tennis Federation, a ban that received US Open main draw American Jennifer Brady 6-1, feature the participation of They began training in Hol- and won all of them during the ended in April. wildcards include Martina 4-6, 6-0 at Stanford. eight teams including land on July 20, and concluded said period. The highlight of the Since then, Sharapova has Hingis, Lleyton Hewitt, Kim Cli- But in the triumph, Sharap- Füchse Berlin, Espérance it on Monday. The players will friendlies was defeating Roda needed wildcards to get into jsters and Juan Martin del ova suffered the forearm injury Sportive de Tunis, Naft & get a three-day rest before 1-0. tournaments, drawing criticism Potro.” that has sidelined her since, Gaz Gachsaran, resuming training on Friday as Al Rayyan will kick-start from some fellow Former world number one even after arriving in Cincinnati University, EC Pinheiros, they begin preparations for the their league campaign on Sep- professionals. Sharapova won the 2006 US hopeful of playing as a wildcard RK Vardar, Barcelona and new Qatar Stars League season tember 16 against Al Khor and “Her suspension under the Open as well as Wimbledon in in the final major tune-up before hosts Al Sadd. which starts next month. then Al Kharatiyat a week later. terms of the tennis anti-doping 2014, the 2008 Australian Open the US Open. SPORT WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2017 21

Filipino Stanton breaks fighters at Nadal to become No.1 again Marlins’ homer risk in brain record in win scan scam as Federer skips Cincinnati over Giants Manila Cincinnati Miami AFP AFP AFP/Agencies

total of 150 profes- afael Nadal was iancarlo Stanton sional boxers in the thrilled to learn he knocked in three runs APhilippines have been would return to Gto break the franchise banned for falsifying brain world number one record for home runs leading scan results aimed at detect- for the first time in the Miami Marlins to an 8-3 ing serious head injuries in Rthree years but sorry it came Major League Baseball victory the sport, regulators said because Roger Federer with- over the San Francisco Giants yesterday. drew from this week’s ATP on Monday. The government has been Cincinnati Masters Stanton lined a 2-0 pitch imposing strict medical test- tournament. from Giants pitcher Ty Blach ing procedures following the Third-ranked Federer said over the left-field fence in the deaths of several Filipino he injured his back in Montreal, first inning for his 43rd boxers from injuries sus- where he lost in Sunday’s final homer, breaking Gary Shef- tained in professional fights to Germany’s Alexander Zverev field’s season record that in previous years. in a key hardcourt tuneup for the stood for 21 years. “The welfare and safety US Open. Stanton is on pace for 60 of our boxers is part of our Federer, this year’s Wimble- homers this year after hitting mandate. We do not want any don and Australian Open 10 homers in his past 11 games more boxing deaths,” Games champion, was the only player and 22 in his past 34 games. and Amusements Board who could have denied second- It was the fifth straight chairman Abraham Kahlil ranked French Open champion game in which Stanton Mitra told reporters Nadal the top spot in next on homered, setting another club yesterday. Monday’s rankings. record for the Marlins, who This file photo taken on July 16, 2017 shows Switzerland’s Roger Federer wiping his brow The ban means one in “For me to be in that posi- have won four consecutive seven of the country’s 1,054 tion is something very special,” during a break in play against ’s Marin Cilic during their men’s singles final match on games. Filipino professional boxers Nadal said. the last day of the 2017 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis Club in Rockies 3, Braves 0 are not allowed to step on the “I have the passion and love Wimbledon, southwest London. Chad Bettis made a daz- ring, the country’s sports reg- for the game. That’s why I’m able zling return, pitching seven ulator said. to be back in No.1 position He admitted doubting he could “Roger and I are having great “It’s bad news for Roger he’s scoreless innings in his come- The board found 150 box- again.” ever regain the top spot after so seasons,” Nadal said. not playing,” Nadal said. “I’m back from cancer, helping ers had submitted “fake” CT It’s the first time Nadal has many years. “One of us will have the sorry for all of them. I hope they Colorado beat Atlanta. scan results this year, appar- been number one since July of “If you don’t have doubts, it’s chance to have that position for have good recovery. We need to Bettis was not involved in ently because they could not 2014. because you are very arrogant more weeks. I’m going to try and see them back for the sport.” the decision, but his story- afford an actual test, the The 31-year-old Spaniard, and I’m not very arrogant,” do my best this week and see Nadal has been forced to book start paved the way the board’s medical officer who won his 15th Grand Slam Nadal said. what happens.” alter training and event sched- Rockies. Colorado scored Radentor Viernes said. title this year at Roland Garros, “There’s a young generation Federer, a seven-time cham- ules more as he has gotten older. runs in the eighth inning, the About half of those black- will overtake Britain’s top- up and coming. It’s very tough to pion on the Cincinnati “Of course we’re not 20 first on a single by Gerardo listed have since submitted ranked Andy Murray, who come back and be number one.” hardcourts, apologized but said years old any more. We’re not Parra and the final two on a the required medical exami- withdrew from Montreal and Nadal knows that while he he needed to rest with the US playing all the weeks. That’s part single by Carlos Gonzalez. nations and the ban against Cincinnati with a hip injury. will claim the upper hand no Open so near. of the sport. I skip many more Bettis was diagnosed with them will be reviewed, Mitra Nadal, who has spent 141 matter how he fares this week, “I am very sorry to pull out events than the rest of my testicular cancer and under- said. total weeks in the top spot, has the year’s final Grand Slam event of the Western and Southern competitors.” went surgery in late The board is also investi- struggled with knee injuries starting in New York on August Open as I always enjoy playing,” Nadal, ousted in the third November. In March, Bettis gating the involvement of since first becoming world 28 will have a major role to play Federer said. round last week at Montreal, learned the cancer had spread other parties in the CT scan number one in August 2008 in the fight with Federer for “Cincinnati has some of the praised Zverev, who won his to his lymph nodes, forcing fraud, he added. after a Cincinnati semi-final run. number one. best fans in the world and I am fifth ATP title at Montreal on him to undergo nine weeks In 2012 the undefeated sorry I will miss them. Sunday and swapped spots with of chemotherapy. flyweight Karlo Maquinto, “Unfortunately, I tweaked Austrian Dominic Thiem to He allowed six hits with aged 21, collapsed and later my back in Montreal and I need reach a career-high seventh in no walks and two strikeouts died from a brain injury after to rest this week.” this week’s rankings. and got 13 outs on ground only his ninth pro fight, hav- Federer was replaced in the “You are talking about an balls. ing rallied from two early draw by Italian 85th-ranked unbelievable player. And Indians 7, Red Sox 3 knockdowns to salvage a I have the passion and lucky loser Thomas Fabbiano, Dominic is right there too,” Edwin Encarnacion majority draw against a Fili- love for the game. That’s who will enjoy a first-round bye. Nadal said, declining to offer crushed a pair of two-run pino opponent. why I’m able to be back Nadal said he was sorry to either advice. homers as Cleveland beat Two other Filipino pro- in No.1 position again, see Federer join the list of play- “Better not. I cannot give Boston at Fenway Park. fessional boxers also died says Nadal ers absent this week, which many advices. Everybody has to Rookie Rafael Devers hit from ring injuries in 2005 and includes Murray, ’s Novak learn from their own mistakes. two homers for the Red Sox, 2008, Mitra said. Djokovic, Japan’s Kei Nishikori You need to do your own way giving him five in 16 games Apart from the boxing and Swiss Stan Wawrinka. and experience it for yourself.” since making his major deaths, Viernes said the board league debut on July 25. had also refused to renew the Trevor Bauer (11-8) struck licences of five other boxers out 11 in 6-2/3 innings. He due to brain injuries or fluid Pliskova, Halep lead 5-woman Monfils to miss gave up three runs (all on solo build-up. homers), seven hits and two Four of them had been Cincinnati with walks. Tyler Olson, Bryan diagnosed with “minute Shaw and Joe Smith com- haemorrhage” from blood fight for top ranking at Open illness bined for 2-1/3 scoreless vessels in the brain, believed innings to close out the win. to have been sustained in pre- Cincinnati Yankees 4, Mets 2 vious fights, while the fifth Cincinnati AFP Aaron Hicks led off the had brain oedema, Viernes AFP eighth inning with a go-ahead added. The Philipines is a box- rance’s 21st-ranked homer, lifting the Yankees ing hotbed that has produced ith sidelined Serena Gael Monfils with- past the Mets at Yankee the likes of legendary Manny Williams about to Fdrew from the ATP Stadium. Pacquiao, winner of world Whave a baby, five play- Cincinnati Masters tour- Hicks hit a 1-1 fastball titles in an unprecedented eight ers have a chance to grab the nament on Monday due from Hansel Robles (7-4) into different weight divisions. world number one ranking at to illness. the right field seats. For many in the impov- this week’s US Open tune-up The flamboyant Blue Jays 2, Rays 1 erished Asian nation, event in Cincinnati. 30-year-old from Paris Josh Donaldson hit a two- Pacquiao is an icon and role Williams, a 23-time Grand is coming off a third- run homer, Nick Tepesch model and prizefighting Slam champion who announced round exit at Montreal pitched into the seventh offers one of the shortest tick- her pregnancy and the end of after defeating Japan’s inning for his first win in ets to fame and fortune for her season in April, owned the ninth-ranked Kei nearly three years, and Karolina Pliskova Simona Halep young Filipino males. top spot for 186 consecutive Nishikori in the second Toronto defeated Tampa Bay. weeks through last September, round last week. Tepesch (1-2) last won in matching Steffi Graf for an Open Pliskova said. “I do think it’s a remains haunted by a French A week earlier, Mon- the majors on Sept. 16, 2014, Era record, and traded the spot huge thing but I don’t want to Open finals loss to Jelena Ostap- fils was ousted in the first when he was with Texas. He with Germany’s Angelique Ker- do anything just because of the enko in which she was up a set round defending his allowed four hits, three walks ber earlier this year. rankings. and a break before squander- most recent of six career and one run in six-plus The welfare and Defending Cincinnati cham- “I don’t try to behave differ- ing a chance at her first Grand ATP titles at Washington, innings. safety of our pion Karolina Pliskova took over ently. I try not to see the Slam title and number one. falling to Indian qualifier the top spot five weeks ago but pressure.” “I still have bad dreams Yuki Bhambri. BASEBALL RESULTS boxers is part of will lose points from her title Pliskova has won titles this about that,” Halep said. “I still Replacing Monfils in our mandate. We run, opening the door for rivals year at Brisbane, Doha and East- suffer.” the Cincinnati draw will Baltimore 11 Seattle 3 to overtake her. bourne but anything short of a She’s also trying to forget a be Indian lucky loser San Diego 7 Philadelphia 4 do not want any Romania’s second-ranked repeat gives Halep a chance to 6-1, 6-1 loss to Svitolina in the Ramkumar Ramanathan, Kansas City 6 Oakland 2 more boxing Simona Halep, world number reach number one by winning Toronto semi-finals, one for who meets US qualifier Arizona 2 Houston 0 deaths: Abraham three Kerber, Ukraine’s fourth- the title. which she apologized to spec- Chris Eubanks in the Colorado 3 Atlanta 0 rated Elina Svitolina and “To be number one in the tators on Monday. opening round. Chicago Cubs 15 Cincinnati 5 Kahlil Mitra fifth-ranked Dane Caroline world is a big thing. It shows you “I was really disappointed. Roger Federer will Texas 6 Detroit 2 Wozniacki could claim the top have been consistent. You have It was a horror match for me,” also miss the tournament Miami 8 San Francisco 3 spot. won the place. If I deserve the Halep said.“I couldn’t feel the due to a back injury. The Toronto 2 Tampa Bay 1

“Nothing has changed. I place, for sure I will win it,” ball. I can’t say I wasn’t ready to Swiss’ absence will give NY Yankees 4 NY Mets 2 have a big responsibility. I’ll do Halep said. play. It never happened to me Rafael Nadal top spot. Cleveland 7 Boston 3 everything as I have before,” The Romanian however before, not like that.” 22 SPORT WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2017 captain Chandimal Ranatunga slams Sri Lanka board laments ‘worst’ series loss over whitewash

Kandy series loss to Zimbabwe at home Reuters calling it the lowest point of his AFP career. he 3-0 whitewash to Chandimal was handed the ormer skipper blamed Sri Lan- India at home was the reins of the test team and led the ka’s cricket board yesterday for the squad’s crushing worst series loss Dinesh side to a four-wicket victory in the Fthree-Test series whitewash on home soil against Chandimal has ever test against the African side. India. experienced, Sri Lanka’s The 27-year-old, however, Ranatunga said Sri Lanka’s XI could not be faulted for Tnew test captain has said while missed the opening test against the humiliating 3-0 drubbing described by skipper Dinesh apologising to the fans for the India in Galle with pneumonia but Chandimal as the worst series of his career, but squared team’s performance. returned to captain the side in the the blame entirely with management. Sri Lanka failed to challenge remaining two matches. “ is going through the worst period,” the world’s top-ranked test side While citing injuries to top Ranatunga told reporters in Colombo. during the three-match series and players as one of the reasons for “You can’t blame only the players, they are demor- the gulf in quality between the two Sri Lanka’s lacklustre performance, alised. It is the fault of the management.” sides was clearly visible. Chandimal said the lack of runs The comprehensive series defeat compounded woes “This was the toughest series from senior batsmen was a factor for a side beset by injury woes and leadership changes. in eight years playing international as well. Ranatunga renewed calls for Sri Lanka Cricket chief cricket, no doubt,” Chandimal told “Consistency has been a huge Sri Lanka’s captain Dinesh Chandimal (left) reacts next to his Thilanga Sumathipala to be sacked, and urged the Inter- reporters after his side lost the final issue this series,” Chandimal said. team-mate Malinda Pushpakumara after losing the final Test national Cricket Council to investigate management at test in Pallekele on Monday. “Some players cannot perform well match and the Test series against India on Monday. the board. “We were not able to take the in every series. As seniors, you have Last week, Ranatunga, 53, told AFP there was no games to five days. to do well, and then the youngsters take on Pakistan.” are very disappointed about our “proper discipline” in the national side, which has suf- “The previous two were four- will follow. Sri Lanka will next play a full performance. fered a string of humiliating home defeats in recent day tests, and this was a three-day “Angelo and I couldn’t get series against Pakistan and the “The fans have always sup- months. test. Since I’ve been in this team, amidst the runs, and we take a lot skipper asked the fans to keep sup- ported us. They encourage us “We don’t have selectors with a backbone,” Rana- this is the worst series loss I’ve of blame for that. But we were try- porting the side. always. Although we were losing, tunga said, referring to the panel headed by Sanath experienced.” ing very hard in the middle ... and “I want to convey our disap- people were still applauding us. Jayasuriya, a former teammate of Ranatunga’s 1996 World Angelo Mathews stepped down we’ve been training very hard. pointment to all of our fans,” That is what the team needs now. Cup-winning side. as captain last month after Sri Lan- “I have lot of faith the seniors Chandimal said. “To all Sri Lankan We cannot let the players be men- Ranatunga has accused Sumathipala of involvement ka’s maiden one-day international will come back strongly when we fans here and away from home, we tally down.” in gambling -- a charge which would preclude him from a board position at Sri Lanka Cricket -- and urged the ICC to investigate. Sumathipala has vehemently denied the allegations. Sumathipala told last week that Ranatunga was lead- Broad backs Anderson to fire in Ashes ing a smear campaign against him in a bid to wrest leadership of the board for himself. London weapon to have in Aus- Stuart Broad during England’s victori- “Every time the game is affected at the middle, Sri AFP tralia -- take ous Ashes tour of Lanka cricketers are not performing to the expectation, (Australia’s) Stuart Clark Australia in 1986/87. we hear this kind of noise coming from the same quar- tuart Broad is “very confident” as an example. “He (Botham) has ter,” Sumathipala said. longstanding new-ball part- “We’re certainly been an inspiration to me Sner James Anderson will play fortunate to have him in how to take on Aus- a “big part” in England’s upcoming going strong and I cer- tralia,” said Stuart Broad, Ashes defence in Australia. tainly expect him to play whose childhood years Ashwin joins Anderson recently turned 35 a big part in Australia.” coincided with a pro- and there are concerns a five-Test There was even longed English Ashes series ‘Down Under’, which starts talk Anderson could ‘drought’. in November, could be a tour too double up as England “I grew up in our era Worcestershire far for England’s all-time leading bowling coach if the from 86/87 to 2005 when Test wicket-taker. current incumbent, it was horrible watching The Lancashire paceman has Ottis Gibson, takes the Ashes. London taken 487 wickets at 27.90 apiece over as head coach of “That was an influ- AFP in 126 Tests but his 43 on Austral- South Africa. ence on me because it ian soil have come at a more “That was suggested made me very deter- ndian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin will play for expensive average of 38.44, really sarcastically by mined that if ever I got Worcestershire for the rest of their County Champi- although Anderson was a key Jimmy in the changing the chance to play against Ionship campaign, it was revealed yesterday. member of the England touring side room,” said Broad. “It them (Australia) we’d The 30-year-old -- who took 17 wickets on the recent that won the 2010/11 Ashes. would be a tough one for him “I’ve been lucky to bowl at the have to win.” tour of Sri Lanka as India completed their first three-Test And Broad, speaking ahead of because he’d have to mit to him- other end to him and I know if I While Broad stressed he wasn’t series sweep on foreign soil on Monday -- will replace England’s home three-Test series self in the mornings which wouldn’t hadn’t done, I wouldn’t have as motivated by statistical landmarks, Australian John Hastings as the county’s overseas player against the West Indies, had no be easy! Jimmy is almost a bit of a many wickets as I have got.” West Indies fast-bowling great Joel in a coup for the second-tier side. doubt the swing specialist could be bowling coach anyway with his Broad himself is now just five Garner -- who played alongside The county will hope Ashwin, ranked number three in a central figure once again, what- great experience.” away from surpassing Ian Botham’s Botham at Somerset -- was not the bowler’s Test world rankings and second in the all-rounder ever the conditions. Anderson and Broad are mark of 383 Test wickets and so convinced. lists, propels them to promotion in their final four matches. “I’m very confident,” said Broad already established as one of Eng- becoming England’s second-most “He’s modest when he says he Ashwin will be the first Indian player to play for at an event staged by England-West land’s greatest new-ball pairings, successful Test bowler. isn’t thinking as far as getting past Worcestershire since Zaheer Khan resurrected his inter- Indies series sponsors Investec on having taken a combined 720 “Obviously he (Botham) is the the record but I can tell you he’s national career after a superb season with them in 2006. Monday. “The last couple of years wickets in 94 Tests together. biggest player English cricket has looking at it,” said Garner, now the Ashwin has taken 286 wickets in 51 Tests, including he’s averaging 14 or 15 with the ball Asked about the possibility of ever had probably,” said Broad. West Indies team manager. five wickets in an innings on 26 occasions, 150 ODI wick- in England, so we know how dan- extending that figure to 1,000 “Anyone who’s done what he Garner, whose 259 Test wick- ets and 52 in T20Is. gerous he is when the ball’s moving wickets, Broad said: “It’d be pretty has against Australia I’ve got a lot ets cost just 20.97 apiece, added: Ashwin is also a force with the bat and has scored around like that. special, but we’d have to see how of respect for,” added the 31-year- “To get past the landmark is a good 2,004 Test runs at an average of 32.85 with four centu- “But when we go to Australia, long the old bloke (Anderson) old, whose father Chris, an opening thing and it sets the standard for ries and 11 fifties, and had been an opening batsman before the wobble seam he bowls is a great wants to go on for. batsman, starred alongside Botham the next person coming up.” turning to off-spin. Spieth reflects on ‘great year’ despite missing USPGA win

Charlotte, North Carolina Tiger Woods as the youngest man to have a fantastic year without winning plodded alongng laboriouslylaboriously forfor threethree Reuters complete the career grand slam, while a major. Look at what Tiger (Woods) did days, suddenlynly came to lifelife on Rory McIlroy was the pre-tournament in 2013. He won five events, including the back ninee on Sunday,Sunday, with major season that began with the favourite, at least in the eyes of those a Players Championship (but did not win five tied forr tthehe lleadead at one Masters favourite falling down who like to place money on the a major).” stage beforere 24-year-old Astairs ended with one of the outcome. Masters champion Sergio Garcia Thomas emergeemergedd game’s best young players capturing the But Spieth was never a factor at does not need to be told how difficult it triumphant. PGA Championship, a reminder of the Quail Hollow, while McIlroy ended the is to win a major. The former teenage Golf fans must now wait eight ephemeral nature of the most unpre- week saying he might take an extended phenomenon was 0-for-73 until he beat long months fforor tthehe next major, ddur-ur- dictable of sports. break in an effort to deal with pain in Justin Rose in a playoff at Augusta. ing which timeme the spotlightspotlight will turn Dustin Johnson was the focus of the his back and left arm. “I did think about am I ever going again to Irishmanshman McIMcIlroylroy andand hishis golf world on the eve of the Masters, How do you make sense of it all? to win one?” Garcia said after putting quest to becomeome tthehe sixtsixthh man to com- coming off three successive victories, It’s golf, a sport where almost every on the prized green jacket. “I’ve had so plete the moderndern grand slam. having ascended to the world number major offers a different cast of lead many good chances and either I lost So who willwill bebe thethe next playerplayer to one ranking and for a few months an characters, and nobody takes the star- them or someone has done something join the majoror champions club unstoppable juggernaut. ring role more than occasionally. extraordinary to beat me. So it did cross -- Hideki Matsuyama? Four months later, Johnson is almost “We won one of the majors,” said my mind.” Rickie Fowler?wler? JonJon a peripheral figure and Justin Thomas British Open champion Spieth, the ‘we’ Brooks Koepka blew away the field Rahm? is the talk of the town, though the lat- referring to himself and his caddie. in the final round to win the U.S. Open Maybe itt wiwillll bbee ter barely figured in discussions on the “I understand that’s a great year in at Erin Hills, while Spieth produced an one of that trio,rio, but it eve of the PGA Championship at Quail the majors. If I did this every year, I astonishing finish -- five-under over a just as likelyly to bbee Hollow which finished on Sunday. would go down as the greatest player four-hole stretch -- to edge Matt someone barelyely on tthehe Instead, the media was obsessed ever to have played the game. Kuchar at the British Open. radar right now.ow. That’s with Jordan Spieth’s quest to surpass “Winning them is so difficult you can The PGA Championship, which golf. Jordan Spieth WEDNESDAY 16 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 23

SERIE A FIXTURES (All times in GMT) Buffon joins Messi, Ronaldo on UEFA shortlist Saturday Juventus vs Cagliari (1600) Paris Champions League final, but he unlike other similar individual team-mate Buffon in being AFP missed out on a first winner’s awards, the UEFA accolade has named, while Monaco’s rising Verona vs Napoli (1845) medal as the Italians were not been totally dominated by teenage star Kylian Mbappe, Sunday eteran Italian goalkeeper beaten 4-1 by Ronaldo’s Real Ronaldo and Messi. Bayern Munich striker Robert Atalanta Bergamo vs AS (pic- Gianluigi Buffon Madrid in Cardiff. Spain midfielder Andres Ini- Lewandowski and former Man- Roma (1600) Vtured) has been named The shortlist was decided by esta won the honour in 2012, chester United forward Zlatan as one of the three nominees for the 80 coaches of the clubs that followed by French winger Ibrahimovic rounded out the Bologna vs Torino (1845) the 2016/17 UEFA Men’s Player- played in the Champions Franck Ribery a year later. top 10. Crotone vs AC Milan (1845) of-the-Year Award alongside League and Europa League Real Madrid, who have Luis Suarez, who scored 37 Inter vs Fiorentina (1845) Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ron- group stages, as well as 55 lifted the European Cup in three goals for Barcelona in all com- Sampdoria vs Benevento aldo, European football’s journalists. of the past four seasons, had petitions last season, missed governing body announced Five-time Ballon d’Or win- four players in the top 10, with out, as did his former team- (1845) yesterday. ner Lionel Messi has won the Luka Modric fourth, Toni Kroos mate Neymar, who has since Sassuolo vs Genoa (1845) The 39-year-old Buffon was award twice, as has Portuguese fifth and Sergio Ramos seventh. joined Paris Saint-Germain in Lazio v SPAL (1845)

a key member of the Juventus forward Ronaldo. Argentinian forward Paulo a world-record 222m euros Udinese vs Verona (1845) side that reached last season’s Since its inception in 2011, Dybala (sixth) joined his Juve ($260.9m) move.

Jedinak named for Australia’s crunch qualifiers Zidane angered by Ronaldo ban Sydney Madrid Real Madrid’s will reduce it by a few games.” Reuters AFP Cristiano Ronaldo is Should Ronaldo’s appeal not be upheld, he will miss Madrid’s shown a red card by ustralia captain Mile eal Madrid coach Zin- first four La Liga games of the referee Ricardo de Jedinak has been edine Zidane season against Deportivo la A named in a prelimi- expressed his anger Burgos Bengoetxea Coruna, Valencia, Levante and nary 30-man squad for the yesterday at a five- after receiving a Real Sociedad. crunch World Cup qualifiers game ban handed to second yellow card However, Zidane insisted he against Japan and Thailand RCristiano Ronaldo for pushing a for simulation during is not desperate to add to his for- as he battles to recover from referee after being sent-off Super Cup First Leg ward line before the transfer a groin injury. against Barcelona in the Span- against Barcelona in window closes on August 31, Defender Brad Smith, ish Super Cup. Barcelona on Sunday. despite selling strikers Alvaro who also missed the Confed- Madrid hold a 3-1 first leg Morata and Mariano Diaz this erations Cup, was also lead going into the second leg summer. returned to the Ange Postec- against their fierce rivals today Real have been linked for oglou’s squad for the August (2100 GMT), but will have to do months with a move for Mona- 31 match away to Japan and without Ronaldo. co’s 18-year-old sensation Kylian the final clash at home to The World Player of the Year Mbappe, but look set to be beaten Thailand. was controversially shown a sec- to the Frenchman’s signature by ond yellow card for diving on free-spending PSG. AUSSIE SQUAD Sunday and handed an extra “Anything can happen four-game ban for a light push between now and August 31, but Mustafa Amini, , Tim on referee Ricardo de Burgos what I can say is that I am very Cahill, Milos Degenek, Adam Fe- Bengoetxea after being shown happy with the players I have,” derici, , Ajdin the 10th red card of his career. said Zidane Hrustic, , Mile “We are very annoyed,” said “Cristiano is annoyed into a 2-1 lead 10 minutes from Jedinak, , Tomi Ju- Zidane. because he wants to play and time, but unwisely picked up his ric, , Robbie “When you look at every- when he doesn’t play, he isn’t first yellow card for removing his Kruse, , Math- thing that happened, to think happy.” shirt in celebration. ew Leckie, , Cristiano won’t play five games Ronaldo was on the field for And two minutes later he , , with us... it is infuriating.” just 24 action-packed minutes was dismissed as he fell inside When you look at everything Ryan McGowan, Riley McGree, Madrid’s appeal against the on Sunday as he was only intro- the area under pressure from that happened, to think , Aaron Mooy, Tom red card, which could reduce the duced as a second-half substitute Samuel Umtiti. Cristiano won’t play five games ban from five games to four, will after a curtailed pre-season due “Cristiano’s ban is excessive,” with us... it is infuriating: Zidane Rogic, , Trent be held before the game today. to his participation in the Con- added Madrid defender Dani Sainsbury, Brad Smith, Matthew “The (appeals) committee federations Cup with Portugal. Carvajal.

Spiranovic, James Troisi, Daniel will meet and I hope they look He made a huge impact with “It is a frustrating feeling for Vukovic, Bailey Wright well upon it,” added Zidane. a stunning strike to put Madrid him. Hopefully the committee Neymar becomes Confusion over transfer dealings goodwill ambassador underlies champs Chelsea woes for world’s disabled Manchester Conte was widely reported Reuters to be disappointed that his club Geneva successful partnership and that couldn’t sign Romelu Lukaku, Reuters we will be able to help a large fter a season in which they who moved from Everton to number of people,” he said. dominated the Premier United, and there are sugges- eymar (pictured), fresh “Millions want their rights, they ALeague, winning the title tions that the club is divided over from his first win with want to be treated better. That’s by seven points, Chelsea are what kind of player they should NParis St. Germain and his what we are here for and that looking far from comfortable be targeting. world-record signing for the is what our aim is.” after just one game of the new But there are appears to be club, became a goodwill Neymar, asked what work campaign. something of a “briefing war” ambassador for Handicap or field visits he planned, The 3-2 loss to Burnley on now under way at the club. International yesterday, pledg- replied: “Obviously the practi- Saturday, in a game where Chel- Chelsea manager A day after Costa gave an ing to work for millions who are cal part of this partnership still sea ended with nine men on the Antonio Conte has interview criticised the club, on “less visible” but deserve has to be discussed. I know that field, was a disappointing start. been clear that Tuesday, The Times quoted uni- equality. my image is very powerful and But the problems at the club go he has a “small dentified “senior Chelsea The Brazilian forward, can help.” deeper than just one setback on squad” for the sources” as saying Conte wanted whose 222m-euro ($259.72m) The charity was founded in the field. double challenge only experienced players ready signing from Barcelona this 1982 to assist 6,000 Cambodian Nor is the standoff with Bra- of a title defence to do a short-term job, but the month doubled the world- refugees who had lost limbs and zilian-Spanish striker Diego and a Champions club was more interested in record transit fee, mounted a later co-founded the Interna- Costa (nL5N1KX3ZC) the source League campaign. younger players. huge statue of a chair outside tional Campaign to Ban of the malaise at Stamford Chelsea’s squad may still be the UN. in Geneva that symbol- Landmines (ICBL) in 1992 Bridge. It does, however, point too small, but that raises the ises landmine victims. which won the Nobel Peace towards the possible source of a Champions League Mourinho - a former Chelsea question of why the club con- He kicked a soccer ball to Prize. Chelsea’s problems - tension campaign. manager - said on Sunday, after tinue to off-load so many of their fans standing below and into between the manager, Antonio Asked on the eve of the sea- Matic’s excellent debut in a 4-0 young players. the U.N. grounds. Surrounded Conte, and the club’s hierarchy. son why more new players have win over West Ham, that he had Nathan Ake went to Bourne- by his parents, Neymar Santos Chelsea’s Russian owner, Roman not been bought, he said: “Eve- not sought to unsettle his former mouth and Nathaniel Chalobah Senior and Nadine Santos, he Abramovich, remains, as always, ryone is trying to do their job but, player and that something hap- to Watford. Liverpool signed wore a black baseball cap and silent in the background. But for sure, I think this question is pening at Chelsea opened the Dominic Solanke. In addition, Handicap International black Conte has done little in his pub- good for the club – not for me. door for the move. the Blues have, this off-season, t-shirt with the inscription lic statements to challenge the “What do they tell me? We “It depends on what is hap- loaned out Ruben Loftus-Cheek, “Repair Lives”. view that he is unhappy with the have to wait for the best pening, or what was happening Tammy Abraham, Kurt Zouma, “I would like to begin by club’s transfer dealings. moment, the best solution. We behind doors,” Mourinho said. Izzy Brown and Kasey Palmer. thanking you all for what you The club have invested a have to wait,” he said. “I don’t know. The squad will be stretched do for the least visible in the combined 124m pounds ($159.59 The sale of midfielder “But I didn’t disturb him, I even thinner for Sunday’s game world, so they become more million) on Alvaro Morata from Nemanja Matic to title rivals didn’t disturb Chelsea. I never at Wembley against Tottenham visible. I have to say that I am Real Madrid, Antonio Rudiger Manchester United appeared to thought it was possible unless Hotspur. very pleased to be here and to from AS Roma and Tiemoue many a strange decision. something special was happen- Captain and defender Gary be the new ambassador,” the Bakayoko from Monaco, but Whether the club or the man- ing, and it looked like something Cahill and Spanish midfielder 25-year-old told a news Conte has been clear that he has ager wanted him to leave is a was happening because his Cesc Fabregas were both sent off briefing. a “small squad” for the double matter of dispute. agent told me, ‘You can have against Burnley and will be sus- “I hope this will be a very challenge of a title defence and United manager Jose him; you just have to pay’.” pended for the London derby.