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TUESDAY, JANUARY 20, 2015 SPORTS

Italian Ulissi gets Australia’s Clarke on track Bailey suspended for nine-month doping ban to return during over-rate violation PARIS: Italian Diego Ulissi has been handed a backdated nine-month sus- SYDNEY: Australian skipper Michael Clarke is recovering well from ham- BRISBANE: Australia one-day captain George Bailey has been slapped with a one- pension after testing positive for the asthma- string surgery and is on track to play a part in the World Cup, physiothera- match suspension for a second over-rate offence in 12 months, the International inhaler drug salbutamol, his Lampre team yes- pist Alex Kountouris said yesterday. The 33-year-old badly tore his right Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. In his absence, Steve Smith is likely lead the terday. “Ulissi informed the team that he has hamstring during the first Test against India last month, ruling him out of hosts, who will seek a hat-trick of tri-series match victories against at received from the Swiss Olympic Association the following three Tests and threatening his involvement in the one-day Hobart on Friday. Bailey, who is leading the side in place of injured regular skipper notification of a nine-month suspension tournament which begins next month. Clarke had surgery in December Michael Clarke, has also been deducted 20 percent starting from 25 June 2014,” Lampre said in a and Kountouris said a review by the surgeon in on Sunday had of his match fee, while his players were docked 10 statement. The ban was issued by the Swiss been positive. percent of theirs. “(Match referee) Andy Pycroft Olympic Association because Ulissi, who has “Michael is progressing well in his rehab and is currently running on a imposed the suspension on Bailey after Australia won three Giro d’Italia stages, is based in that regular basis and has commenced batting,” Kountouris said in a statement. was ruled to be one over short of its target at the country.—Reuters “He remains on track for a return to play by February 21, the date we spoke end of the match when time allowances were taken of when the squad for the ICC Cricket World Cup was announced.” Australia into consideration,” the ICC said in a statement. Bailey are scheduled to play Bangladesh on February 21 after beginning their led Australia in the first ODI against South Africa in Perth World Cup against England on February 14. in November, in which both teams were fined for slow Australia coach Darren Lehmann earlier yesterday said Clarke was ahead over rates. Under the ICC code of conduct, in the case of schedule with his progress. “He’s had a couple of bats in the nets, which of a second such over-rate offence in the same format is a really good thing for us. Fingers crossed, but he’s ahead of schedule,” within 12 months, the captain receives a one-match Lehmann told reporters in Melbourne.—AFP suspension. — Reuters

Shaun Murphy overpowers Robertson in final

LONDON: thrashed whitewashed 9-0 in 1988 had Australia’s 10-2 in the final there been a more lopsided Masters final. of the Masters at London’s Alexandra Any hope of a stunning recovery by Palace on Sunday to complete a career Robertson-who beat Murphy 10-6 in the . The Englishman’s crushing final-was ended in the ninth win over Robertson saw him join the frame, the first of the evening session, world number one in a select group, now which went the Englishman’s way after the comprising 10 players, who have each Australian made a break of 51. won ’s three most prestigious Murphy, producing some of his best tournaments-the World Championship, form in years, won the opening two the UK Championship and the Masters. frames and then compiled the first of his Murphy raced into a 5-0 lead during 127s to take the third.Robertson made Sunday’s opening session and won four sure he avoided the embarrassment of a frames in a row at the start of the whitewash with 80 in the sixth frame evening’s play to take the title after com- before Murphy responded with 69 to go 6- ing out on top in a hard-fought ninth 1 in front. If he was to have any chance at frame. all of stopping Murphy, Robertson had to His dominant display saw him compile win the ninth frame. two breaks of 127 and four more in excess He got in first and then fluked a snook- of 60. Robertson produced arguably the er. But Murphy replied with a snooker of performance of the tournament in cruis- his own and cleared to the blue. ing past Ronnie O’Sullivan 6-1 in the semi- Robertson, trying to escape from a safety finals. However, he was a spectator for shot, then pushed the pink over the pock- much of the final, with Murphy 6-2 ahead et and Murphy duly potted pink and black. come the end of the first session. Yet such Another 127 made it 9-2 before Murphy KUWAIT: The officials are pictured with the media delegation. had been the recent form of Murphy, sealed victory with a break of 60.”The first world champion in 2005 and winner of the session was very tough, being 6-2 down. It UK title in 2008, he considered taking time was probably a couple of shots that made 58 countries partake in HH the Amir out from snooker last year. the difference between being 4-4 and being 6-2 down,” Robertson said. “Shaun ‘Ups and downs’ played very well today, he played fantasti- International Shooting Grand Prix “When I won the World Championship cally all week. I just couldn’t produce the 10 years ago I thought I was going to blitz snooker that got me to the final but you through these events but I’ve had to wait have to put a lot of that down to the way By Abdellatif Sharaa a long time and go through some ups and Shaun played. “He was brilliant in all downs,” Murphy told BBC Sport. “This time departments and I’d just like to say, wel- KUWAIT: President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting last year I considered going away from come to the Triple Crown club.” Murphy Federations, member of the Asian International snooker a bit but I’ve turned it around. I’ve joined , , Alex Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and Asian got some great support, some great Higgins, , , Shooting Confederation and Chairman of the friends and family around me, and they all Mark Williams, O’Sullivan, Robertson and Higher Organizing Committee Duaij Khalaf Al- know who they are.” in winning all three of snook- Otaibi said all preparations for HH the Amir Not since snooker great Steve Davis er’s major titles.— AFP Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah International Shooting Grand Prix to be held between Jan 24 and Jan 31 are complete. Otaibi was speaking during a press conference held at the Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Olympic Shooting Complex that was also attended by Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations and Director of the Grand Prix Obaid Manahi Al-Osaimi. Otaibi thanked HH the Amir for his unlimited support to shooting and shoot- ers, adding that the shooting community is hon- ored to organize this tournament for the fourth year. He said HH the Amir Grand Prix will witness a large presence through the participation of 58 KUWAIT: (Left) Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab Shooting Federations and Director of the countries, which is four more than the third Grand Prix Obaid Manahi Al-Osaimi is seen with President of Kuwait and Arab Shooting grand prix, including 10 European, besides some Federations, member of the Asian International Shooting Sport Federation (ISSF) and Asian Asian and a large number of Arab countries. Shooting Confederation and Chairman of the Higher Organizing Committee Duaij Khalaf Al- He said the organizing committee is keen to Otaibi at the press conference. close registration for the GP a month earlier in order to carry out the necessary preparations to committee to meet delegations’ requirements Meanwhile, Osaimi said the grand prix will get the visas, make hotel arrangements and oth- from the minute they arrive to Kuwait until they witness the launch of the “Humanitarian Leader” er requirements. Otaibi said the increase in the leave. Otaibi lauded the support of the Cabinet slogan, adding that the organizing committee number of participating countries from various and ministries that are keen to present all types has prepared special medals for the occasion. continents reflects the success of the grand prix of assistance during the organization of the Osaimi said that the gold medalists will receive and the good reputation it has gained around grand prix. He also commended the support of $5,000, besides other prizes for silver and bronze the world, adding that an elite group of world the Public Authority for Youth and Sports (PAYS) medal winners. He said that the committees and Olympic shooters will be present along with and its interest in removing all obstacles, giving began work for this tournament as soon as the Kuwait and Arab shooters who will compete in special thanks to PAYS Chairman Sheikh Ahmad third one concluded to ensure that the tourna- 14 general events and 10 for juniors. Al-Mansour and his deputies. ment’s success. Osaimi gave a brief on the work Otaibi said the number of participating Otaibi lauded the extensive efforts by the of committees and preparations to hold this shooters will exceed 526 of both genders, committees of the tournament to finish their major event. He lauded the support of the mem- besides 185 officials who will be present during tasks on time before the arrival of delegations, bers of the board led by Otaibi and thanked the LONDON: Shaun Murphy (right) is congratulated by his opponent, Australia’s Neil the grand prix, and this record participation adding that the organization of such events efforts of government bodies that contributed Robertson, after winning the at Alexandra Palace, London. — AP brings great responsibilities to the organizing requires tremendous efforts. to the preparations. Quartet target greatness, Wiggins his tour de force

PARIS: A mouth-watering four-way of doping cases last season. Having Peraud and Thibaut Pinot, who fin- tussle for the Tour de France title and abandoned hope of securing a second ished second and third respectively in Bradley Wiggins’s challenges on the Tour title after his 2012 triumph, 2014, is the ‘real deal’ and not just a Paris-Roubaix and the hour record Wiggins, who reverts to track cycling flash in the pan. Their performances promise to make 2015 a vintage year midway through the season with an indicate a revival is gathering pace and for cycling.Defending champion eye on the 2016 Olympics, is taking there could be more to come with Vincenzo Nibali, 2013 winner Chris aim at the Paris-Roubaix in April-tack- Warren Barguil showing at last year’s Froome, double champion Alberto ling the cobblestones prior to the Vuelta that he too would be a force to Contador and the indefatigable Nairo wooden boards of the velodrome. be reckoned with in the French ranks. Quintana are expected to fight it out Victory in the Queen of the Classics, This season will also be the occa- for the yellow jersey on a Tour tailor- added to his road and track Olympic sion for Slovakian prodigy Peter Sagan, made for pure climbers. Spaniard gold medals and his Tour de France who joined Contador’s Tinkoff-Saxo Contador is planning to take the crown, would make the Briton one of team, to show he has what it takes to toughest road to Paris as he will also most versatile riders of all time, espe- win one of the ‘Monument’ classics. compete in the Giro d’Italia, looking to cially if he goes on to break the hour German Marcel Kittel, the best sprinter become the first rider since the late record. in 2014, will have to hold off the fresh Marco Pantani in 1998 to achieve that French renaissance challenge of Norway’s Alexander particular double. The revamped hour record is cur- Kristoff, while Briton Mark Cavendish “He knows how to get ready for rently held by Austrian Mathias will be looking to fight his way back to them and if anyone can back up the Brandle but it is not expected to with- the front having massively underper- Giro/Tour then I would say he’s the guy stand the challenges of Australians formed last season. to do it,” Briton Froome told Cycling Rohan Dennis and Jack Bobridge, Other sprinters to watch in 2015 Weekly. “It’s not only difficult, it’s risky,” before world time trial champion include Germans Andre Greipel and Contador, one of only six men with Wiggins has his tilt. The Team Sky rider John Degenkolb as well as France’s wins in all three grands tours, said. Like will then leave the road for good to Arnaud Demare and Nacer Bouhanni, Froome, Nibali will avoid a heavy race focus on his 2016 Olympic challenge, who are not on the same team anymore schedule ahead of the Tour in order to leaving it to Froome to help the British after the latter left FDJ for Cofidis. With stay as fresh as possible. outfit show more than last year, when one year to go before the 2016 The Italian, who was dominant on Dave Brailsford’s squad disappointed Olympics, the track cycling world cham- all terrains in last year’s race, will face on the Tour. pionships being held in France next CALI: Australia’s Team member Caitlin Ward (center) falls during the UCI Cycling World Cup Women’s Final, at increased scrutiny as his Astana team The world’s greatest cycling race month will be of greater importance to Alcides Nieto Patino velodrome, on January 18, 2015, in Cali, Valle del Cauca department, Colombia. Lin Junhong are on the radar of the International will also reveal whether the French those seeking to hone preparations of China Team won the gold medal, Shanne Braspennincx of Netherland Team won the silver, and Melissa Erickson Cycling Union (UCI) following a string renaissance led by Jean-Christophe ahead of the Rio Games.— Reuters of the USA won bronze in this event. — AFP