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Tuesday, December 29, 2020 FOOTBALL Jumada I 14, 1442 AH Messi says Barca GULF TIMES ‘my life’ but stays tight-lipped on future SPORT Page 2 SPOTLIGHT India’s foreign minister visits 2022 World Cup venue ndia’s Union Minister for External Aff airs, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, alongside Dr Deepak Mittal, the In- dian ambassador in Qatar, yester- Iday visited the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium which is a 2022 FIFA World Cup venue built by an Indian fi rm. Hassan al-Tha- wadi and Nasser al-Khater, Chairman and CEO respectively of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC met the minis- terial delegation at the stadium and conducted a full tour of the facilities including the pitch, competition areas and VVIP seating areas. The senior offi cials explained in de- tail about the sustainability features of the stadium and the working of the Advanced Cooling System, a high-pro- fi le accessory which is a legacy project arising out of 2022 World Cup host- ing plans. Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was inaugurated recently on December 18, 2020, when it hosted the Amir Cup fi nal between Al Sadd and Al Arabi in a high profi le event on Qatar National Day at- tended by several dignitaries including Chairman of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC and Secretary-General of the FIFA President Gianni Infantino and All Supreme Committee for and Legacy Hassan al-Thawadi presents a India Football Federation (AIFF) Presi- memento to India’s Union Minister for External Aff airs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar. dent Praful Patel. The 40,000-capacity stadium will It must also be noted that SC, the or- “Qatar and India have shared a close host seven matches till the Round of ganisation responsible for the delivery relationship for centuries, through 16 stage during the 2022 World Cup India’s Union Minister for External Aff airs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar (third right), Indian ambassador in Qatar Dr Deepak of the World Cup, had entrusted the trade, culture, and people-to-people and will function as the home of Qatar Mittal (second left), Chairman of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC Hassan al-Thawadi (second right), FIFA World Cup Qatar task of building the Ahmad Bin Ali sta- ties, and the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, Stars League (QSL) outfi t Al Rayyan. 2022 LLC CEO Nasser al-Khater (third left) and other off icials at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan yesterday. dium to a Qatari-Indian Joint Venture built by Larsen & Toubro, is a symbol The stadium’s facade is glowing and is between Qatar’s Al Balagh Trading & of this relationship and our shared his- composed of patterns that symbolise 25 per cent of the Middle East nation’s tary-General of the Supreme Commit- deliver our vision for the tournament, Contracting, and India’s biggest con- tory,” al-Thawadi further stated. diff erent aspects of Qatar — the im- population being Indians. “We were tee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), said through sustainability, health and struction fi rm — Larsen & Toubro Lim- “The stadium is also a representa- portance of family, the beauty of the extremely pleased to host the Minister after Jaishankar’s visit. safety, creating new economic oppor- ited (L&T). This was the fi rst time ever tion of modern, cosmopolitan Qatar, desert, native fl ora and fauna, and local for External Aff airs of the Government “As with all FIFA World Cup Qatar tunities for Qatari companies by forg- that an Indian fi rm has been involved in where the Indian community is the and international trade. of India, Subrahmanyam Jaishanker at 2022 stadium projects, the launch of ing global partnerships, and ultimately any capacity whatsoever when it comes single largest resident expatriate group Interestingly, Qatar has a signifi cant Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan,” the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is a shining uniting Asia around the second FIFA to building infrastructure for a FIFA and is an important contributor toward Indian expatriate presence with almost Hassan al-Thawadi, who is also Secre- example of how we are continuing to World Cup hosted on the continent.” World Cup. Qatar’s rapid economic development.”

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sadd held by Qatar Sports Club in a pulsating match Okpotu put Qatar SC ahead in the 31st minute, but Cazorla drew parity for Al Sadd in the 42nd minute with a penalty

By Sports Reporter

atar Sports Club delivered on what they promised, after holding QNB Stars League leaders Al Sadd to a 1-1 draw atQ the Suheim bin Hamad Stadium yes- terday. On the eve of the match, Qatar SC coach Younis Ali had said it was not an impossible feat to beat Al Sadd. While they fell short of their main objective yesterday, the Kings’ showed enough resilience to hold Al Sadd, by no means a small achievement. De- spite dropping two points though, the unbeaten Sadd lead the table with 29 points, seven ahead of Al Gharafa. Qa- tar SC, who came into the match with fi ve consecutive wins, are fourth with 19 points as the league reached the halfway stage. Anthony Okpotu put Qatar SC ahead in the 31st minute, but Al Gharafa were held to a 1-1 draw by Umm Salal but it was enough for the drew parity for Al Sadd in the 42nd Cheetah’s to reclaim the second spot. minute with a penalty. Both teams went into the match in Qatar SC’s Anthony Okpotu (right) celebrates after scoring against Al Sadd in the QNB Stars League at the Suheim bin Salal keeper Malick stepped out and On the resultant free-kick, Homam great form, having won their last few Hamad Stadium yesterday. produced a sliding tackle that brought curled in a long-range shot that got matches in succession. Qatar SC had down Alaaeldin. The referee pointed to a thin defl ection from Kodjia, who completed their fi fth consecutive vic- mistake committed by Tareq Salman. Soon, Bounedjah shot wide of the target Umm Salal stay 10th with 10 points. the spot and Hanni converted the pen- jumped high inside the Umm Salal box. tory, whereas Al Sadd were fresh from Okpotu tested goalkeeper Meshaal Bar- and Cazorla too hit wide, in the 90th Jonathan Kodjia, who dominated alty. Pat came Umm Salal’s reply. Adel The defl ection slipped past the goal- their Qatar Clasico victory over Al sham again in the 37th minute. minute, as the deadlock continued. throughout the match, fi red a bullet Alawi clipped in a neat cross for Rod- post to the left of keeper Malick. Rayyan. Al Sadd equalised when Cazorla Earlier, Al Gharafa drew 1-1 with from close range in the sixth minute, rigues who arrived with perfect timing In another match, Al Wakrah beat Al Sadd attacked from the beginning, converted a penalty awarded after Umm Salal but it was enough for the but his shot was blocked by keeper Baba to defl ect the ball on the volley from Al Kharaitiyat 2-1 to climb to seventh with the likes of , Qatar SC’s brought down Cheetah’s to reclaim the second spot. Malick. Kodjia managed a repeat attack close range as Umm Salal fans celebrat- in the table. Ousmane Coulibaly (43rd Nam Tae-Hee and Abdelkarim Hassan Bounedjah. Al Sadd had much more of They are now on 22 points, one ahead of in the ninth minute and this time his ed the equaliser. minute) and Jassim Ali al-Hashimi raiding the rival citadel time and again, the ball, but the teams took the half- reigning champions Al Duhail. shot went to the left of keeper Malick. In the 80th minute, Umm Salal were (90th minute) scored the goals for Al giving Qatar SC goalkeeper Jassim al- time break with a 1-1 scoreline. Sofi ane Hanni opened the scoring Al Gharafa opened the scoring off a reduced to 10 men when Ismail Eb- Wakrah as The Blue Wave now have 13 Hail a harrowing time. Qatar SC’s substitute Eisa Ahmed for Al Gharafa by converting a penalty penalty. charged to- rahim brought down Homam with a points. Al Kharaitiyat’s only goal was However, it was Qatar SC who took had a chance to give his side the lead a in the 12th minute, while Kayke Rod- wards the Umm Salal box despite being rough tackle. It was Ismail’s second scored by Mahmoud Saad in the 21st the lead against the run of play when second time, but his shot was blocked rigues equalised for Umm Salal in the under pressure from Aymen Abden- yellow of the match – he had received minute. The Thunders are at the bot- Okpotu took advantage of a defensive by the goalkeeper in the 80th minute. next minute of the hard-fought match. nour. Just as he entered the box, Umm his fi rst in the 58th minute. tom with six points. Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, December 29, 2020 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Messi says Barca ‘my life’ but stays tight-lipped on future Messi’s contract expires at the end of the season and from next month he will be free to negotiate with other clubs

AFP attack to win.” Madrid Messi also hinted that he could end up seeing out his playing days in Ma- jor League Soccer. “I don’t know what ionel Messi remained coy on his I’m going to do yet, I’m going to wait future at Barcelona in a long in- until the season ends,” Messi said. “I’d terview broadcast on Sunday in love to experience living in the United which he called the Catalan gi- States, playing in that league and living Lants “my life”. Speaking to Spanish TV that life but I don’t know whether it’ll channel La Sexta, Messi insisted that he happen. Right now the most important was “excited” to play under coach Ro- Lionel Messi has no plans to become a coach when he thing is to focus on the team and fi nish nald Koeman this season despite trying retires from playing, saying he is more interested in being the season well, to focus on trying to to leave the club where he has played his a director of football than working in the unforgiving win trophies and not get distracted by entire senior career last summer. world of football management. (Reuters) other things.” He said that at the time he felt like Messi has no plans to become a coach he “needed a change”, but his attempt- when he retires from playing, saying he ed exit was blocked amid a spat with is more interested in being a director of former Barca president Josep Maria football than working in the unforgiv- Bartomeu. Messi’s contract expires at ing world of football management. “I the end of the season and from next don’t see myself as a coach, perhaps a month he will be free to negotiate a sporting director to hire players I want move away from Catalonia. or that the club that I’m at needs,” Mes- “Barca is my life, I’m in love with the si said. club. And the city, my children were Messi said he would like to return to born here,” Messi said in an interview Barca, regardless of what he does next. conducted earlier this month. “It’s true “I would like to tell the Barca fans that I had a bad time in the summer. It came I’m not sure whether I’ll leave or not from everything that happened before but hypothetically speaking, I would the summer, how the season ended, the like to leave in the best way possible,” he burofax (how Messi communicated his said. “I’d like to return one day, I would desire to leave), all of that. I carried that like to return to the city, to work for the into the start of the season a little bit.” club and contribute. I haven’t thought Bartomeu stepped down in Octo- about it too much but it will be some- ber and a new Barcelona president will thing related with football, because be elected on January 24, after which that’s what I like and what I know.” 33-year-old Messi is expected to begin Messi, who moved to Barca aged 13 talks over whether to extend his career- and has become their all-time top scor- long stay. “I feel good right now, ready er and most decorated player, acknowl- to fi ght for everything. I feel excited,” edged he had hurt the club’s support- he said. ers when he tried to leave last summer. Messi said he is under no illusions cult period and that makes everything return to Catalonia. “To do that you at Manchester City, although there are of praise for his former boss. “Pep has “Fans will cheer for their player as long over the position Barca fi nd themselves surrounding Barcelona diffi cult, but I need money, and there is no money. also reports of him potentially lining something special. He makes you see as he is at their club but they do not for- in, with the fi nancial problems exac- am motivated,” he said. Neymar would cost a lot,” Messi said. up alongside Neymar at Paris Saint- things in one way: how he prepares for give everything,” he said. “My relation- erbated by the coronavirus pandemic He described Barca’s situation as Much of the talk surrounding Messi’s Germain. Messi won three La Liga titles matches, defensively, how to attack,” ship with the club and the city is a story likely to hamper player recruitment. “I “really bad” and poured scorn on the departure centred around the possibil- and two Champions Leagues in his four he said. “He told you exactly how the of love. However it ends, it should not know the club is going through a diffi - idea that Neymar could make a shock ity he might reunite with Pep Guardiola seasons under Guardiola, and was full match was going to be, how you had to stain what I’ve lived in my career.”

FOCUS LA LIGA PSG’s Neymar in new Real resume Atletico chase as Messi absent for Barca

AFP but Ronald Koeman’s side will be with- controversy over New Madrid out Lionel Messi after the Argentine was granted an extended break as he recovers from an ankle knock. Year party rumours eal Madrid will attempt to sign The six-time Ballon d’Or winner ad- off the year with a sixth win on mitted his aborted departure in the sum- AFP statement saying there would be the bounce as Zinedine Zidane’s mer had aff ected him at the start of the Sao Paulo “no party” in Neymar’s villa. A in-form side continue their season, but stressed he felt “excited” to specialist events agency, Agen- pursuitR of La Liga leaders and city rivals play under Koeman. “Barca is my life, cia Fabrica, released a statement Atletico Madrid tomorrow. Defending I’m in love with the club. And the city, my razil’s star footballer confi rming it had been contract- champions Real are level on 32 points children were born here,” Messi said in Neymar is at the cen- ed for a New Year’s event in the with Atletico but have played two games an interview with Spanish TV channel La tre of a new controversy Costa Verde region where Ney- more than Diego Simeone’s men ahead of Sexta broadcast on Sunday. “I feel good storm after several Bra- mar’s villa is located “that will their trip to Elche. right now, ready to fi ght for everything.” zilianB media reported that he’s host around 150 people... while Karim Benzema has been the driving Iago Aspas is the player to watch this organising a huge New Year’s Eve respecting all the health rules force behind Real’s excellent December week. The Celta Vigo forward, the lead- party despite the coronavirus determined by the public bod- run, claiming key goals in wins over Ath- ing Spanish scorer in La Liga three of the pandemic. Acelmo Goes, a col- ies.” letic Bilbao, Eibar and Granada after se- past four years, has inspired a turnaround umnist for the O Globo newspa- Neymar’s villa is in Manga- curing the club a spot in the Champions at Balaidos after the team won just one of per, claimed that the Paris Saint- ratiba, a small town in an area of League knockout phase. their fi rst 10 matches. Germain forward is hosting 500 luxury seaside resorts in Rio de Eden Hazard is also in line to feature The 33-year-old Aspas, who in No- people for a week-long party at Janeiro state. The local town hall after recovering from his latest injury vember became the club’s all-time lead- his luxury beachside mansion has pleaded with its 41,000 in- setback. The Belgian was an unused sub- ing scorer in the top fl ight, has netted near Rio de Janeiro that started habitants not to hold end of year stitute in last week’s victory over Granada eight times in 15 appearances this term on Saturday and will last until parties and has erected barriers and has made just three league starts this and led Celta back into the top half fol- New Year’s Day. to prevent people congregating. campaign. lowing four wins in fi ve games before Brazil has suff ered the second “We don’t have any information Real coach Zinedine Zidane hopes the Christmas. Much like with Real and Ben- largest number of Covid-19 re- about this party,” the town hall short festive break aff orded to his play- zema, who is level at the top of the scor- lated deaths in the world with said in a statement sent said. ers over Christmas will not interrupt the ing charts with Aspas, Celta’s success in more than 191,000, while 7.4mn Neymar, who hasn’t played momentum built over a domestic fi ve- 2021 could heavily rely on the former Liv- people have contracted the vi- since December 13 when he in- game winning streak. “We’re going to erpool attacker. rus. Neymar, who is no stranger jured his ankle against Lyon, keep working hard. We have an awful lot Atletico Madrid have responded well to the 2-0 defeat by Real earlier this month that to controversies over his parties, hasn’t commented on the party of games, we should be pleased with what snapped their 26-match unbeaten (AFP) FIXTURES (ALL TIMES GMT) and in recent days has posted allegedly even installed sound- we’re doing,” said Zidane. “We’re going Today: Sevilla v Villarreal (1600), Barce- proofi ng equipment to try to pictures of his family on social to lose games again, but we’re going to try easily the fewest in the division. sons, having just returned from a blood lona v Eibar (1815), Cadiz v Real Valladol- avoid bothering his neighbours. media without commentaries. to win as many as possible. From time to The England defender, an ever-present clot that sidelined the Brazil-born Spain id, Levante v Real Betis (2030) Leo Dias, a columnist for the His Mangaratiba mansion is time it’s inevitable.” for Atletico in La Liga and Europe this international for a month. Joao Felix is Metropoles website who is re- located on a 10,000sq m plot of Atletico have responded well to the term, was recently hit with a 10-week expected to return after missing the 2-0 Tomorrow: Granada v Valencia (1600), nowned for his scoops on celeb- land that includes a heliport, 2-0 defeat by Real earlier this month that ban for breaching betting rules and will win at Real Sociedad, although the Por- Atletico Madrid v Getafe, Celta Vigo rities, even named the artists due sports pitches, spa, sauna, mas- snapped their 26-match unbeaten league be unavailable until March. The club is tuguese star hasn’t scored in the league v Huesca (1815), Elche v Real Madrid to perform at Neymar’s party, sage parlour, gymnasium and run. However, the loss of Kieran Trippier said to be considering an appeal. since November 7. (2030) such as Ludmilla and Wesley Sa- dining areas. It’s where he previ- is a substantial blow to a defence that has Diego Costa has reportedly asked to Barcelona will bid to end a turbulent Thursday: Athletic Bilbao v Real Socie- fadao. Guests’ mobile phones are ously spent his time recovering conceded just fi ve goals in 13 matches, terminate his contract for family rea- 2020 on a winning note at home to Eibar, dad (1300), Osasuna v Alaves (1515) allegedly due to be confi scated on from injuries and also where he the door to prevent any evidence headed from March to June when fi nding its way onto social media. the coronavirus was raging in Representatives for Neymar France leading to the suspension denied the rumours, releasing a of professional football. SOLSKJAER KEEN TO EXTEND CAVANI’S TIME AT MANCHESTER UNITED London: Manchester United manager in Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Leicester. How- gram using the Spanish word “negrito” Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Edinson ever, Solskjaer dismissed suggestions (small black person). Cavani still has years left as a top striker Cavani’s role will be that of an impact Both United and the player said at the and is keen to extend the Uruguayan’s substitute. time that the word was clearly used in contract at Old Traff ord. The 33-year-old “He’s definitely a starter. You don’t an aff ectionate manner and has diff erent Uruguayan signed a one-year deal in classify a player of that quality as connotations in South America. United September after months without a club anything else,” added Solskjaer. “He’ll have not beaten Wolves in four at- since leaving Paris Saint-Germain. probably start more games that he will tempts since Nuno Espirito Santo’s men United have the option to extend not start. He’s so meticulous and profes- returned to the two and Cavani’s contract for another season and sional with his habits, everything about a half years ago. Solskjaer suggested he expects the club him shows why he’s had the career he’s But Solskjaer is hoping his side’s to do so. “At the moment he looks like he had and, at the age he’s now, he’s still struggles at home early in the season has a few years left in him so I wouldn’t one of the fittest players we’ve got.” have been blown away by a 6-2 thrash- say anything else,” said Solskjaer when Cavani will be available for the visit of ing of Leeds in their last outing at Old asked if Cavani will remain for another Wolves to Old Traff ord todau, but could Traff ord. “We are improving definitely, season. “He’s been a great influence and soon be back on the sidelines after being we’re getting better and better at finding has made a great impact since he’s come charged by the Football Association diff erent solutions in diff erent games,” here.” with misconduct for a social media post. said the Norwegian. “But we know that Cavani has scored four goals in 13 After scoring twice as United came from Wolverhampton have got quality as well appearances for United and came off the 2-0 down to beat Southampton 3-2 last and they will give us problems if we’re bench to set up Bruno Fernandes’s goal month, Cavani thanked a friend on Insta- too open.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 29, 2020 3 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT Man City’s clash at Everton postponed due to multiple Covid-19 cases AFP there had been four positive tests at the with further testing on players and June. Aston Villa’s clash with Newcas- top of the cases reported on Christ- Guardiola’s mother died of coro- London club for players Kyle Walker and Gabri- staff to take place before it can reopen. tle earlier this month was called off due mas Day,” the Premier League said in a navirus earlier this year and speaking el Jesus and two staff members. “After City are due to face Chelsea away in the to an outbreak at Newcastle’s training statement. after Saturday’s 2-0 win over Newcas- the latest round of Covid-19 testing, Premier League on Sunday and Man- ground. “This rise has created uncertainty tle, the City manager said the health of anchester City’s Premier the club returned a number of positive chester United in the League Cup semi- The Premier League said the decision and the Premier League Board received his players must take priority. “What League visit to Everton yes- cases, in addition to the four already re- fi nals on January 6. was taken as a “precaution” and remain medical advice that the match should we want is that Gabriel and Kyle don’t terday was postponed after ported on Christmas Day,” City’s state- Pep Guardiola’s men already face confi dent the protocols put in place to be postponed. The Board agreed to re- get worse and can be asymptomatic multiple new positive tests ment added. a congested schedule as they are still stop the spread of the virus were still arrange the game as a precaution, and and pass this 8-10 days without tough Mfor coronavirus were detected at City, “With the security of the bubble involved in four competitions and working despite the rise in infections further testing will now take place to- symptoms,” said Guardiola. the club confi rmed. “Based on strong compromised, there posed a risk that started their league season a week late across England. morrow. The decision has been taken “Covid is here. It is not just here in medical advice the Premier League, in the virus could spread further amongst after reaching last season’s Champions “Manchester City lodged a request with the health of players and staff the Man City, it is all around the world at- consultation with both clubs, have de- the squad, the staff and potentially be- League quarter-fi nals. It is just the sec- with the Premier League today to rear- priority. The Premier League contin- tacking hard so that’s why we have to cided to postpone the fi xture,” City said yond.” ond time that a Premier League match range the match following an increase ues to have full confi dence in its proto- be careful and what we want is the next in a statement. The club’s training ground will now has been postponed due to Covid-19 in positive Covid-19 test results re- cols and rules, and the way in which all days is for them not to have symptoms City announced on Christmas Day close for an “indeterminate period” since the 2019/20 season resumed in ceived by the club this morning, on clubs are implementing them.” and recover.”

PREMIER LEAGUE FOCUS Mourinho bemoans Spurs’ lack of ambition Chelsea held by in draw with Wolves AFP mare start. “We conceded in the Wolverhampton, United Kingdom fi rst minute and that requires a lot of character,” said Wolves boss Nuno Espirito Santo. “We ose Mourinho said Tot- played a good game after that.” Villa, Leicester tenham’s lack of attacking The normally reliable Rui intent was not inspired by Patricio was at fault for the him after dropping more opener as Ndombele’s shot from pointsJ from a winning position the edge of the box deceived the in a 1-1 draw at Wolves on Sun- Portuguese international goal- day night. Spurs have now failed keeper. Wolves have struggled to win in four consecutive league for goals since losing Raul Jimen- move up to second games to heavily dent their hopes ez to a fractured skull last month. of a fi rst league title in 60 years. The Mexican was at Molineux for Mourinho’s men edge up to the fi rst time since his injury, but Result means Villa and Chelsea sit in fifth and sixth place in the table respectively fi fth, but remain six points adrift his presence was missed on the of leaders Liverpool. Tottenham fi eld as the hosts dominated pos- have dropped eight points by session without a cutting edge. conceding equalisers in the fi nal Fabio Silva fl ashed a shot into 10 minutes this season after also the side-netting and Daniel blowing leads against Newcastle, Podence fi red too close to Hugo West Ham and Crystal Palace. Lloris from the edge of box be- They also conceded a 90th- fore the break. Espirito Santo’s minute goal to lose at Liverpool. men have made a habit of scor- The visitors made a dream ing the bulk of their goals in the start at Molineux as Tanguy second-half and looked like the Ndombele opened the scoring in only side capable of scoring after the fi rst minute. the break. But it was a familiar story for Silva’s claims for a soft penalty Mourinho as, just as against Pal- were waved away as Tottenham ace a fortnight ago, they sat on a largely restricted the hosts to precarious 1-0 lead for most of potshots from range. the match and were punished. Ruben Neves curled narrowly “We didn’t have that am- over before Wolves’ danger man bition, that desire to go for Pedro Neto saw another eff ort more,” said Mourinho. “One from the edge of the area defl ect- point against Wolves normally ed just wide. wouldn’t be a bad result because Neto was the provider when they are a strong opponent, but Wolves did score the goal their scoring a goal in the fi rst minute second-half performance de- and having 89 minutes to score served. Saiss beat his marker more goals, you feel frustrated. to a corner at the near post and Defending deep, that’s not the fl icked the ball into the far cor- intention. They know what I ner. Wolves should even have asked them at half-time, if they gone on to win the game when couldn’t do better it’s because 18-year-old Silva wasted a gold- they couldn’t do better.” en chance for his fi rst Premier Romain Saiss’s late leveller League goal from open play with was no less than Wolves deserved a header straight at Lloris deep Aston Villa’s (second left) scores the equalising goal past Chelsea’s Edouard Mendy during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge in London. (AFP) as they dominated after a night- into stoppage time.

Reuters Nov. 7. The German, signed from RB weren’t as clinical as we have been, but Palace’s winless run in the league has London Leipzig in the summer, appeared only as it’s onto the next game,” Barnes said. “It now extended to fi ve games but Zaha was a substitute yesterday. Villa drew level in has been a very busy schedule with some glad to take a point. “We’ll take a point the 50th minute when El Ghazi sidefooted great results so we’re happy with where today, the last few games have been hard helsea, overhauled by coach a volley at the far post through the legs of we are in the table.” on us,” Zaha said after scoring his eighth Frank Lampard after a weekend Chelsea goalkeeper Edouard Mendy af- Leicester could have taken an early league goal this season. “The way we loss to Arsenal, drew 1-1 at home ter a cross by Matty Cash. Chelsea pro- lead after Luke Thomas was fouled in the worked today I’m defi nitely happy and to Aston Villa yesterday as Oliver tested in vain that their defender Andreas box by James Tomkins but Kelechi Ihea- we’ll take that going into the new year.” Giroud’sC fi rst-half header was cancelled Christensen had been fouled in the build- nacho’s weak eff ort from the spot after out shortly after the break by Anwar El up by . The result means Vil- a stuttering run-up was swatted away PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS Ghazi. Earlier, Leicester City moved up la and Chelsea sit in fi fth and sixth place by goalkeeper Vicente Guaita. “Guaita Crystal Palace 1 (Zaha 58) Leicester 1 to second in the Premier League after a in the table respectively ahead of today’s is a good keeper, he’s been brilliant ever (Barnes 83); Chelsea (Giroud 34) Aston 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace when Harvey matches. since he came here and he saved me to- Villa 1 (El Ghazi 50) Barnes cancelled a goal at Leicester will remain second overnight day. Hopefully I can repay him one day,” Selhurst Park. with Everton, level on points with them, a relieved Tomkins said. Everton v Manchester City — match post- Lampard made six changes to the team not playing late last night after their home Palace made it 1-0 just before the hour poned due to coronvirus infections that began Saturday’s 3-1 defeat to their match against Manchester City was post- mark when Andros Townsend fl oated Today: (all times GMT): Brighton v Arse- London neighbours and his gamble on poned following more positive Covid-19 a cross to the far post for Zaha to vol- nal, Burnley v Sheff ield United, South- Giroud paid off when the France striker cases at City. Leicester dominated the ley home from an acute angle. However, ampton v West Ham, West Brom v Leeds stooped to head in a cross by Ben Chilwell bulk of the game but failed to take their Barnes equalised when he scored his sec- (all 1800), Manchester United v Wolves in the 34th minute. It was Giroud’s third chances and missed a fi rst half penalty ond goal in as many games, driving a low (2000) goal in four league starts this season, a while striker Jamie Vardy only came on eff ort from the edge of the box past the Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Romain Saiss (left) celebrates with contrast to a poor run for Timo Werner as a second half substitute. “We’re dis- outstretched arm of Guaita in the 83rd Tomorrow: Tottenham v Fulham (1800), Pedro Neto after scoring the equaliser against Tottenham Hotspur who has failed to score in the league since appointed not to get three points and we minute. Newcastle v Liverpool (2000) during the Premier League match on Sunday night. (AFP)

BOTTOMLINE Women’s beach basketball 3X3 takes centre stage at QOC Beach Games he women’s beach basketball In the men’s beach football event, Al 3X3 was the major highlights Ennabi, which walloped Al Wukair 7-0 of Day 8 of the ongoing maiden on Thursday, continued their excellent edition of the Qatar Olympic form at the tournament with a 4-1 de- TCommittee (QOC) Beach Games being feat of Madinat Khalifa to top Group A. held at the Aspire Park in Doha until Al Wukair, on the other hand, bounced January 3. Six exciting matches involv- back from their fi rst-day loss as they ing eight teams in Group A and B were post a 5-2 victory over Al Ettihad. held in the event. In the fi rst match In Group B, Al Shahaniya defeated Al of the day, the Doha team, compris- Raheeb 3-2 while Al Doha trounced Al ing some of the national team players, Jasrah 3-0. showed their superior class over the Today, the men’s beach volleyball Fighters, trouncing those 16-0. Up next and handball events will take centre- was Doha A versus Pro Sport which stage. Four matches are on the card in ended 15-0 in favour of the former. the handball – Al Nosour will take on While the fi rst two games were al- Al Fohoud in the fi rst match while Al most no-contest matches, the third Edaid versus Al Soqour will come next. game of the day between Black Mambas The last two games will be between Al and Hustlers, meanwhile, was closely- Ruwais and Al Khafj i, and Al Hazm ver- contested with the Black Mambas nar- sus Al Nomour B. In volleyball, the two rowly winning by two points (14-12). matches will be between Al Adaam and Other event results are Qatar B ver- Nawakhza, and Lusail versus Al No- sus Sport Lab (Qatar B won 8-7) and joum. Over 500 male and female ath- Hustlers against Fighters, which ended letes are participating in the maiden 14-7 in Hustlers favour while the last QOC Beach Games, a legacy event of match involving Qatar B and Pro Sport the 2019 ANOC World Beach Games also ended 12-5 with Qatar B triumph- Doha, which is being held over two ing. weeks until January 2, 2021. Action from Day 8 of the maiden edition of the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) Beach Games at the Aspire Park. Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, December 29, 2020 SPORT

TENNIS Roger Federer out of Australian Open aft er knee surgery AFP “We wish him all the best as he that begin in late February and light,” Tiley said. Melbourne, Australia prepares for his comeback later in then start to build a schedule The opening Slam of the year, the year and look forward to see- for the rest of the year,” Godsick which will be played in front of at ing him in Melbourne in 2022.” added. least 50 percent of normal crowds, wenty-time Grand Slam Federer sat out most of the has been pushed back three weeks champion Roger Fed- Covid-disrupted 2020 season MURRAY WILDCARD to February 8 over diffi culties erer will miss the Aus- after losing to Novak Djokovic in Federer’s absence will be felt at caused by the coronavirus. tralian Open for the fi rst the Melbourne semis in January, the Australian Open, despite a All players must undergo a Ttime in his career as he continues his last competitive match. top-quality fi eld led by world mandatory 14-day quarantine his recovery from two rounds He underwent keyhole surgery number ones Djokovic and Ash- on arrival, during which they will of knee surgery, organisers said on his right knee in February, be- leigh Barty. constantly be tested for Covid-19 yesterday. fore needing a follow-up opera- US superstar Serena Williams, but allowed to train for fi ve hours The 39-year-old Swiss has tion and calling off his season to Federer’s contemporary at 39, a day in a bio-secure bubble. been out of action since Febru- recover. is also on the entry list as she The men’s and women’s quali- ary but recently resumed train- The Swiss could only watch again attempts to equal Margaret fi ers will be held in Doha and ing and was on the entry list as Rafael Nadal matched his all- Court’s record of 24-time Grand Dubai respectively from Janu- for year’s opening Grand Slam, time men’s record of 20 Grand Slam singles titles. ary 10-13, with players arriving which will make a delayed start Slam singles titles with a 13th Federer’s withdrawal comes as in Melbourne from January 15 on on February 8. victory at the French Open. former world number one Andy special charter fl ights. Federer, a huge favourite with Federer will now concentrate Murray, a fi ve-time Australian Melbourne only emerged from the Melbourne crowds, hasn’t on getting himself ready for the Open fi nalist, was given a wild- a months-long lockdown in Oc- missed the Australian Open since rest of the 2021 season, which card entry. tober following a second wave of his debut in 2000, winning the includes the Tokyo Olympics and Tiley welcomed the 33-year- Covid-19, complicating planning trophy six times. the chance of his fi rst singles gold old back to the tournament, two for the Grand Slam and how to al- “In the end Roger ran out of medal. years after his fi rst-round exit low so many players and support time to get himself ready for the “He has made strong progress prompted fears his career was at staff to enter the country safely. rigours of a Grand Slam and he’s in the last couple of months with an end. Australia has largely contained very disappointed he won’t be his knee and his fi tness,” his agent “Seeing him come back, hav- the coronavirus, although a new coming to Melbourne in 2021,” Tony Godsick said in a statement. ing undergone major surgery and outbreak in Sydney has sparked said tournament chief Craig Ti- “I will start discussions this built himself back up to get onto fresh restrictions in parts of the ley. coming week for tournaments the tour again, will be a high- city and even state border closures.

FOCUS GOLF Aussie great Norman returns to hospital for Human capacity Covid-19 treatment

AFP Miami, United States

ustralian golf legend building on the Greg Norman re- turned to hospital for further treatment after Josoor to prioritise training, testingA positive for Covid-19, saying on Instagram he hoped education of key groups in it was his “fi nal update on this Covid saga”. the run-up to Qatar 2022 Norman had spent Friday road to 2022 in hospital after experiencing By Afraa al-Noaimi of professional diploma pro- In parallel, Josoor Institute coronavirus symptoms, but the Executive Director, Josoor Institute grammes, starting in February established a regular online 65-year-old Aussie, a former 2021, are now open. presence by means of an ongo- world number one who won the We also had a year full of be- ing series of online webinars 1986 and 1983 British Opens, n 2020, Josoor Institute spoke activities, designed spe- and panels on a variety of top- said on Instagram on Saturday like nothing I have ever experi- continued to deliver on its cifi cally for our partners. In ics, including sports and events he had returned home and was enced before,” he wrote. strategic role as the educa- February 2020, we organised a management, education and quarantining in his guest house “Muscle and joint pain on tion and training arm of the workshop for executives from research, youth, environmental in Jupiter, Florida. another level. Headaches that ISupreme Committee for Deliv- the Qatar football family, in col- sustainability and sports diplo- Once his positive test was con- feel like a chisel going through ery & Legacy (SC). laboration with Leaders in Sport macy. These were developed in fi rmed, Norman said on Sunday, your head... Then my taste failed It was a year like no other. The and other key organisations collaboration with other teams he returned to the hospital to where beer tastes bad and wine Covid-19 pandemic disrupted across the country, at Al Janoub at the SC, including Sustain- receive antibody infusion treat- the same. And fi nally at times our ability to deliver, while ac- Stadium. It was a workshop that ability and Generation Amazing, ment but hoped to be back home struggling with memory of celerating strategic develop- we continued online, through a and with partner organisations later in the day. names and things. So please take ments that were already in the two-day webinar on new rev- including Unesco and UCFB. Norman urged his social media care.” making. Online off erings and enue streams and Covid-19 Towards the end of the year, followers to take the virus seri- Norman competed in last delivery methods were already contingency plans for the foot- we launched Hiwar, a two-day ously. week’s PNC Championship in in our strategic pipeline as a ball industry, developed for the online event that featured top- “I am fi t and strong and have Orlando with his son Greg Jr., key driver towards revenue and senior management of members ics and speakers in sports and a high tolerance for pain but this testing negative for the virus geographical outreach beyond of the Asean Football Federation events management for alum- virus kicked the crap out of me both before and after the event. Qatar and the Mena region, but in collaboration with the Qatar ni, partners and friends from the pandemic stressed the im- Football Association. the Josoor Institute commu- portance of having those mech- This past year, we also deliv- nity. Hiwar is going to become a BOXING anisms in place much more ered workforce training as part regular quarterly event, off ered quickly than perhaps we origi- of our commitment to deliver an in a blended format as soon as nally planned for. amazing FIFA World Cup Qatar conditions return to normal, As our students switched to 2022. We collaborated with the making physical gatherings New AIBA chief learning from home, we worked National Volunteer Strategy in possible. closely with our academic the design, development and Over the next two years, partner, SDA Bocconi School some of the delivery of func- Josoor Institute will prioritise eyes six-month of Management, to make sure tional and role-specifi c online the delivery of education and that our fl agship professional trainings for volunteers in the training to build the capacity diploma programmes in sports Josoor Institute Executive Director Afraa al-Noaimi. run-up to the tournament. Go- of key groups in the run-up to reform programme management and major events ing forward, we will continue to Qatar 2022. At the same time, management could be deliv- receiving positive feedback from circumstances, the experience play a strategic role in the work- we will develop and deliver a Reuters ered seamlessly online. Between all participants. of SDA Bocconi in online deliv- force training domain, includ- blended educational off ering in Moscow, Russia March and December, Josoor Key to the successful delivery ery, and, most importantly, the ing volunteers and other target sports and events, and hospi- Institute and SDA Bocconi suc- of the programme was the abil- resilience and capacity of our groups, which will include, for tality management for a greater cessfully delivered four of the ity of our team to react swiftly delegates to continue learning. example, a tourism human capi- audience in Qatar, the Mena re- mar Kremlev, the new six blocks of classes fully online, in the face of unprecedented Applications for the next cohort tal development programme. gion and beyond. president of the Inter- national Boxing As- sociation (AIBA), plans toU implement reforms over the next six months that could help restore its status with the Inter- national Olympic Committee (IOC), he told Reuters in an in- terview. Elected to head amateur box- ing’s governing body earlier this month, Kremlev has the task of implementing sweeping reforms in order for it to be recognised by the IOC in time for the Paris Ol- ympics in 2024. The IOC suspended AIBA last year, stripping it of any involve- “I think we will soon announce ment in Olympic qualifi ers and our sponsors and make the sign- the tournament at the Tokyo ing of any deals public,” he said. Games over a string of govern- The IOC has said the status of ance, fi nance and ethical issues. AIBA would be reviewed after the “I have planned that it would 2020 Tokyo Games, which were take around six or seven months postponed to next year because of to implement the reforms,” said the novel coronavirus pandemic. Kremlev, who also serves as Kremlev said he also hoped to secretary general of the Russian bring transparency to the organi- Boxing Federation. sation before the 2024 Olympics. “It’s an ambitious plan. This “The AIBA we see now has will not be easy to do.” debts and practically no inter- Kremlev, named chairman of action with the federations,” he the AIBA Marketing Commission said. last year, has pledged to attract “By the 2024 Olympic Games, $50mn over the next two years you will see an independent to rebuild AIBA. He said he was AIBA able to attract funds... and holding talks with international help national federations hold companies — the names of which tournaments. By 2024 we need to In February 2020, Josoor Institute organised a workshop for executives from the Qatar Josoor Institute also collaborated with the National Volunteer Strategy in the design, he would not disclose — to se- make AIBA the cleanest organi- football family, in collaboration with Leaders in Sport and other key organisations development and some of the delivery of functional and role-specific online trainings cure potential advertisement and sation, make it transparent for it across the country, at Al Janoub Stadium. for volunteers in the run-up to the tournament. sponsorship deals. to shine.” Gulf Times Tuesday, December 29, 2020 5 SPORT

NBA Mavericks thrash Clippers, Hornets hand Nets fi rst loss Mavs take full advantage of Leonard’s absence; halftime score of 77-27 gives Dallas the largest margin at the break ever

AFP Los Angeles, United States RESULTS Dallas 124-73 LA Clippers he Dallas Mavericks Charlotte 106-104 Brooklyn powered to an NBA- Orlando 120-113 Washington record 50-point halft- ime lead on the way to a New Orleans 98-95 San Antonio T124-73 demolition of the short- Cleveland 118-94 Philadelphia handed Los Angeles Clippers on New York 130-110 Milwaukee Sunday. The Mavs, taking full advan- Indiana 108-107 Boston tage of the absence of injured Golden State 129-128 Chicago Clippers star Kawhi Leonard, set Phoenix 116-100 Sacramento the tone early. Point guard Luka Doncic LA Lakers 127-91 Minnesota scored 18 of his 24 points in the fi rst half and the halftime score of 77-27 gave Dallas the larg- ‘WHY CHANCE IT?’ est margin at the break ever in The Cleveland Cavaliers, with the NBA, according to the Elias 24 points, 14 rebounds, three as- Sports Bureau. sists and three steals from Andre Josh Richardson added 21 Drummond, cruised to a 118-94 points and Tim Hardaway Jr. victory over a Philadelphia 76ers chipped in 18 for the Mavs, who team missing big man Joel Em- had opened the season with two biid, who was a late scratch with defeats. a tight back. “Everything was clicking on all “We just thought, why chance cylinders,” Hardaway said, add- it this early in the season,” Sixers ing that the Mavericks did not re- coach Doc Rivers said. “Nothing alize how big their halftime lead to be concerned about.” was until they were in the locker The Golden State Warriors, room. who were again without Dray- Coach Rick Carlisle said the mond Green — and may have lost key for the Mavericks going for- centre Marquese Chriss for the ward would be to maintain the season with a broken right leg intensity they showed in the fi rst and ankle injury suff ered in prac- half. tice — shook off the bad news to “Our guys established a stand- edge the Bulls in Chicago 129- ard for collective toughness and 128. will that we need to fi nd a way to Stephen Curry delivered 36 maintain,” he said. points with fi ve three-pointers. In Charlotte, Gordon Hayward His fi rst long-range shot of scored 28 points as the Hornets the night made him just the third cooled off red-hot Brooklyn, player, along with Ray Allen and handing the Nets their fi rst de- Reggie Miller, to make 2,500 feat of the season 106-104. three-pointers in their career. Terry Rozier — Hayward’s Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic (left) is fouled by Los Angeles Clippers guard Patrick Beverley as he drives to the basket in the second half of the NBA game at Staples Center in But it was Damion Lee who former teammate in Boston — Los Angeles, United States, on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports) drilled the game-winner from added 19 points and P.J. Wash- beyond the arc with 2.3 seconds ington chipped in 14 points and nally got it together it seemed like It looked like the Nets might Rozier made two free throws that quarter with a right knee strain out star Karl-Anthony Towns a remaining, taking over as the 12 rebounds for the Hornets, who on that end.” pull out a close one when they sealed the win. and did not return. day after he dislocated his left Bulls prevented Curry from get- held the Nets to 42.7 % shooting. Kevin Durant led the Nets with erased a 16-point fourth-quarter The Hornets were playing The reigning champion Los wrist in a win over Utah. ting his hands on an inbounds “Unbelievable win for us,” 29 points and Kyrie Irving had 25 defi cit, twice trimming the gap to without centre Cody Zeller, who Angeles Lakers seemed not to Kyle Kuzma led the Lakers pass. said Hayward, who joined the for Brooklyn, which had become two points with less than three broke his left hand in their season feel the absence of Anthony Dav- with 20 points. LeBron James It was a blowout in New York, Hornets from the Celtics in No- the fi rst club since the 2008- minutes to play. opener. is, nursing a calf contusion, in a added 18 with nine rebounds and where the Knicks stunned Gian- vember. “Just proud of our eff ort, 09 Lakers to win their fi rst two Durant missed a fadeaway Brooklyn guard Spencer Din- 127-91 romp past the Minnesota fi ve assists and sat out the fourth nis Antetokounmpo and the Mil- man, proud of our defense. We fi - games by 20 or more points. jumper with 7.4 seconds left and widdie departed in the third Timberwolves — who were with- quarter with the game in hand. waukee Bucks 130-110.

BASEBALL FOCUS Timberwolves centre Towns could miss weeks with dislocated wrist Braves great Niekro Another injury blow for NBA Reuters dead at age 81 Warriors as Chriss breaks leg New York, United States innesota Timberwolves centre Karl-Anthony Towns AFP for his return will be deter- The Warriors lost fi ve-time will be evaluated on a weekly basis after dislocating Los Angeles, United States mined after that,” the Warriors All-Star Klay Thompson for the Mhis left wrist during the fourth quarter of his team’s said in a statement. entire season when he suff ered a win Saturday night. Chriss, the number eight se- torn Achilles tendon in a work- The Timberwolves announced the injury Sunday, while ruling olden State Warri- lection in the 2016 NBA Draft, out in November. Towns out for the team’s contest against the Los Angeles ors centre Marquese played for three teams in his Thompson was a key part of Lakers. The ailment will not require surgery, the team said, and Chriss broke his right fi rst three seasons before sign- the Warriors team that dominat- Towns will be evaluated as he undergoes treatment. leg in practice in Chi- ing with the Warriors in train- ed the league with fi ve straight Towns described his wrist as “pretty sore” in the aftermath of Gcago and will require surgery, ing camp last year. runs to the NBA Finals and titles Minnesota’s 116-111 win over the Utah Jazz on Saturday night. the NBA team said Sunday, yet By the end of the season, he in 2015, 2017 and 2018. He sustained the injury falling to the court with just over five another injury blow to a team was the Warriors starting cen- The Warriors had hoped minutes remaining but returned in the final minute to serve as trying to return to title con- tre, averaging 9.3 points, 6.2 Thompson would play a key role a distraction. tender status. rebounds and 1.9 assists in 59 in a resurgence after he missed “I couldn’t catch anything,” Towns said. “... I just was there in The Warriors said Chriss games. So far this season, he all of the 2019-2020 with a knee case my team needed me.” suff ered a right ankle injury was establishing himself as injury suff ered in the 2019 NBA Towns fractured the same wrist last season, missing the team’s and fi bular fracture in practice backup behind rookie James Finals. With Thompson side- final 12 games. on Saturday as the team pre- Wiseman, the second overall lined and teammate Stephen Through two games this season, Towns is averaging 19.0 pared for their game on Sunday pick in the draft in November. Curry missing four months points, 11.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists. The 25-year-old has aver- In this October 9, 2019, picture, Phil Niekro (left) speaks with Mike against the Bulls. His absence will put more re- with a broken hand, the Warri- aged 22.6 points and 11.8 rebounds per game over his five-plus Soroka of the Atlanta Braves after throwing out the ceremonial first “He will undergo surgery in sponsibility on the shoulders of ors fi nished last in the Western seasons in the NBA, all with the Timberwolves. pitch prior to the game against St. Louis Cardinals in Atlanta. (AFP) the coming days and a timeline the 19-year-old Wiseman. Conference in 2020.

Reuters for the Atlanta Braves, the 300- Los Angeles, United States win club, and ultimately, to the BOTTOMLINE National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, aseball Hall of Fame New York. pitcher Phil Niekro, who “But even more than his sig- Rays agree to send ex-Cy Young winner Snell to Padres was famous for con- nature pitch and trademark du- founding batters with rability, Phil will be remembered Reuters reported. MLB.com cited the fi - sidered among the top pitching hisB mystifying knuckleball, died as one of our game’s most genial nancial impact of the Covid-19 prospects in baseball. New York, United States in his sleep at age 81, the Atlanta people,” said Manfred. pandemic as one reason for the The Padres selected Wil- Braves said on Sunday. “On behalf of Major League deal. cox in the third round of the Known by the nickname Baseball, I extend my condolenc- he Tampa Bay Rays have Snell is entering the third sea- 2020 draft. A right-hander who ‘Knucksie’, Niekro pitched 21 of es to Phil’s family, friends and the agreed to trade 2018 son of a fi ve-year, $50mn exten- pitched at Georgia, the 21-year- his 24 seasons with the Braves, many fans he earned throughout American League Cy sion he signed in March 2019 old received a $3.3mn signing winning 318 games and striking his life in our National Pastime,” Young Award winner with the Rays. He is due to make bonus. out 3,342 batters, which places said Manfred. TBlake Snell to the San Diego a base salary of $10.5mn in 2021 Mejia, 25, is the better known him eighth on the all-time list. Hall of Famer Willie Stargell Padres, according to multiple and would become an unre- of the catchers in the deal. The The Blaine, Ohio, native was summed up the experience of reports Sunday. stricted free agent after the 2023 native of the Dominican Repub- also an outstanding fi elder, trying to hit Niekro’s slow mov- Per the reports, top pitching season. lic made his major-league debut winning fi ve gold gloves in his ing but highly unpredictable prospect Luis Patino, catch- In his Cy Young season, Snell 6, when manager Kevin Cash Snell has made the All-Star with the Cleveland Indians in lengthy career. He threw a no- pitches. ers Francisco Mejia and Blake went 21-5 with 1.89 ERA in 180 pulled him from the matchup team one time, in 2018. The Rays 2017 and was sent to San Diego hitter on August 5, 1973 and was “Phil Niekro’s knuckleball is Hunt and right-handed pitcher 2/3 innings. He slumped to a 6-8 with one out in the sixth inning selected him with the 52nd over- in 2018. In 362 career games over inducted into the Hall of Fame in like a butterfl y with hiccups,” he Cole Wilcox would go to Tam- record and a 4.29 ERA in an in- after Snell had given up a single all pick of the 2011 MLB draft four seasons, he has a.225 bat- 1997. said. pa Bay in the deal for Snell, a jury-marred 2019 but came back to Austin Barnes with the bases out of Shorewood High School ting average with 12 homers and “Phil Niekro was one of the Niekro and his late brother Joe, 28-year-old left-hander who with a 4-2 mark and a 3.24 ERA empty and a 1-0 lead. in the Seattle area. 33 RBIs. most distinctive and memorable another knuckleballer, hold the has a career record of 42-30 in in the 60-game 2020 season. It was just the second hit Snell The 21-year-old Patino ap- The Padres tapped Hunt, pitchers of his generation,” MLB record for the most victories by fi ve seasons, all with the Rays. The Rays won the American had surrendered in the game. peared in 11 games for San Diego now 22, in the second round of Commissioner Rob Manfred said. a brother combination with 539. He has an earned-run average League pennant this past sea- He threw only 73 pitches and in 2020, recording a 5.19 ERA the 2017 draft. At Class A Fort In the last century, no pitcher Phil Niekro’s tenure in the of 3.24 in 108 starts, posting 648 son but lost to the Los Angeles struck out nine, but the bullpen while striking out 21 and walking Wayne in 2019, he appeared in threw more than Phil’s 5,404 in- big leagues also included stints strikeouts and 232 walks in 556 Dodgers in the World Series in couldn’t hold the lead as the 14 over 17 1/3 innings. Despite 89 games and hit.255 with fi ve nings, Manfred said. His knuck- with the Yankees, Indians and innings. six games. What could be Snell’s Dodgers won the game 3-1 and numbers that were less than home runs and 39 RBIs. Behind leball led him to fi ve All-Star Blue Jays. Niekro fi nished with a The trade is pending a review fi nal appearance in a Rays uni- the World Series four games to overwhelming in his fi rst MLB the plate, he threw out 33 of 100 selections, three 20-win seasons record of 318-274 and a 3.35 ERA. of medical records, The Athletic form came Oct. 27 in Game two. stint, the right-hander is con- runners attempting to steal. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, December 29, 2020 SPORT

NFL NHL Swedish star goalie Lundqvist to have Chiefs grab playoff heart surgery

AFP “A routine physical that was Washington, United States an early physical turned into, ‘Well, we need to explore fur- ther what’s going on with you,’” bye as Steelers, wedish goaltender Hen- Capitals general manager Brian rik Lundqvist, an Ol- MacLellan said last week. ympic champion and “Our doctors, the cardiolo- 15-year National Hockey gists, the specialists, it kept get- LeagueS star for the New York ting deeper and deeper. As we Rangers, said yesterday he will went that far, Henrik got a lot undergo open-heart surgery. more knowledge of what his The 38-year-old netminder situation is and where it’s going Seattle win divisions signed a one-year free agent deal and what his risk levels are... and with Washington in October but his risk level is not acceptable for Jackson throws for 183 yards and two touchdowns to spark Ravens over Giants said earlier this month he would him to continue to play.” miss the upcoming NHL season The Rangers, who selected due to a heart condition. Lundqvist in the 2000 NHL “Last three weeks my focus Draft, bought out his contract in has shifted from training camp September after the emergence and the upcoming season to my of goalies Igor Shesterkin and health and what I can and can’t Alexandar Georgiev made “King do,” Lundqvist tweeted. Henrik” expendable. “Scheduled for an open-heart Lundqvist made his only surgery now — aortic valve re- Stanley Cup Final appearance placement, aortic root and as- in 2014, when the Rangers lost cending aortic replacement to be to Los Angeles four games to more exact. one. “We all have our mountains to Lundqvist ranks sixth on the climb. Staying positive here and NHL all-time wins list and sev- set on the road to recovery.” enth in career saves with 23,509. Lundqvist said he was hop- He won the 2012 Vezina Trophy ing to help the Capitals win the as the NHL’s top goalie and was a Stanley Cup as they did in 2018 fi nalist four other times. But last after failing to capture the title season, he won only 10 games in with the Rangers. 26 starts.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (second from right) drops back to pass against the Atlanta Falcons in the first half of a NFL game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, on Sunday. (USA TODAY Sports)

AFP Jets (2-13) beat Cleveland 23-16, yards to Eric Ebron and 25 yards missing a chance to clinch the Washington, United States ensuring league-worst Jack- RESULTS to JuJu Smith-Schuster. NFC East title. Seahawks accept Harrison’s request sonville (1-14) has the 2021 NFL The Colts fell level with Dallas (6-9) ripped Phila- Draft top pick. Pittsburgh 28-24 Indianapolis Cleveland, Baltimore, Tennes- delphia 37-17 to end the Eagles’ for release: report atrick Mahomes ral- Seattle defeated the Rams Kansas City 17-14 Atlanta see and Miami at 10-5 in a fi ght playoff hopes. If Washington lied the Kansas City 20-9 to secure the NFC West NY Jets 23-16 Cleveland for the last three AFC playoff loses at Philadelphia next week, The Seattle Seahawks are expected to release Damon Harrison Chiefs over Atlanta 17- title while host Washington spots, but would need help in the Cowboys-Giants win- next week after the defensive tackle requested to be released by Baltimore 27-13 NY Giants 14 on Sunday to give the lost 20-13 to Carolina, failing to the fi nal week to advance. ner captures the NFC East, the the team, according to the NFL Network. Harrison’s request came Preigning Super Bowl champions claim the NFC East crown. Cincinnati 37-31 Houston At cold and snowy Green Bay, NFL’s weakest division, and will on the heels of the Seahawks informing him that he would be a a fi rst-round bye and home- Half the NFL’s 14 playoff spots Chicago 41-17 Jacksonville Aaron Rodgers threw four touch- host a playoff game. healthy scratch for Sunday’s game against the Los Angeles Rams. fi eld edge in the NFL playoff s. will be settled next Sunday. down passes and the Packers (12- Seattle (11-4) kept the Rams Bryan Mone is expected to serve as Seattle’s reserve defensive Carolina 20-13 Washington Mahomes completed 24-of- Chiefs coach Andy Reid says 3) beat Tennessee 40-14 to stay (9-6) from securing an NFC tackle for the game. Harrison appeared to confirm the report in 44 passes for 278 yards and two his team must improve to repeat LA Chargers 19-16 Denver atop the fi ght for the NFC top seed playoff berth and stayed level an exchange on Twitter. “Didn’t want to but it’s time to,” Harrison touchdowns, his second scoring as champions. Seattle 20-9 LA Rams while keeping the Titans from with New Orleans chasing Green wrote, when a fan asked him not to leave the team. “I came here to “We just weren’t as sharp as clinching the AFC South title and Bay for the NFC bye. toss a 25-yarder to Demarcus Dallas 37-17 Philadelphia help and I’ve done that and now it’s time to move on. I came back Robinson with 1:55 remaining to we need to be,” Reid said. a playoff berth. Russell Wilson ran four yards this year to play and that’s all I want. Team is back healthy and play- lift the Chiefs ahead to stay. Mahomes said he needs to Green Bay 40-14 Tennessee Cleveland, out of the playoff s for a touchdown and fl ipped ing really well..it’s my time to head out. Still all love and respect for “It’s that championship play better. since 2002, had four receivers and a 13-yard touchdown pass to the hawks!” Harrison, 32, has recorded nine tackles and one forced swagger of knowing how to win “The defense played their tail Super Bowl 54 Most Valuable two linebackers out due to Cov- Jacob Hollister to give the host fumble in six games since signing with the Seahawks in October. the game even when you’re not off to keep us in the game and Player Mahomes also threw a id-19 tests and contact tracing Seahawks a division title. Harrison was a first-team All-Pro selection with the New York Gi- playing well,” Mahomes said. give us a chance,” he said. “The 4-yard touchdown pass to Travis and fell behind 20-3. A fi ghtback The Rams (9-6) could miss ants in 2016 and has played in 123 games (111 starts) with the New There was also plenty of off ense found a way to score a Kelce, whose seven catches for died when the Browns lost the ball the playoff s with a loss next York Jets (2012-15), Giants (2016-18), Detroit Lions (2018-19) and heartache in the season’s penul- touchdown when we needed to.” 98 yards gave him an NFL one- on downs in the fi nal seconds. week to Arizona (8-7) and a Chi- Seahawks. He has 494 tackles, 37 tackles for loss and 11 sacks. timate weekend as losses jeop- A 39-yard fi eld goal attempt season tight end record of 1,416 cago victory over Green Bay. The ardised the playoff hopes of In- by South Korean kicker Koo reception yards this year. RAVENS, COWBOYS WIN Bears (8-7) overpowered Jack- dianapolis, Washington, the Los Young-hoe was wide right for Pittsburgh’s Ben Roethlisberg- Lamar Jackson threw for 183 sonville 41-17. Rams quarterback Goff has broken Angeles Rams and a Cleveland Atlanta in the dying seconds to er completed 34-of-49 passes for yards and two touchdowns and Los Angeles Chargers quar- right thumb: report squad missing key players due to seal Chiefs’ bye as AFC top seed. 342 yards and three touchdowns ran 13 times for 80 yards to spark terback Justin Herbert broke Covid-19. “When you look at the his- as the Steelers snapped a three- the Baltimore Ravens over the Baker Mayfi eld’s NFL one- With their playoff chances still up in the air, the Los Angeles Rams Host Pittsburgh rallied late tory of the bye week, usually it’s game losing skid. visiting New York Giants 27-13. season rookie touchdown pass could be without quarterback Jared Goff for the Week 17 season to edge Indianapolis 28-24 and a good thing for a team trying to Indianapolis led 24-7 before The Giants (5-10) stayed in record with his 28th of the cam- finale because of a broken right thumb, NFL Network reported. secure the AFC North division make a championship run,” Ma- “Big Ben” hit scoring throws of playoff contention when Wash- paign in a 19-16 victory over Goff , 26, smashed his thumb into the helmet of Seattle Seahawks crown while the host New York homes said. 39 yards to Diontae Johnson, 5 ington (6-9) lost to Carolina, Denver. defensive end Benson Mayowa on a third-quarter pass attempt. According to the report, Goff also dislocated his thumb on the play. Goff remained in the game but was unable to rally the Rams to a BOTTOMLINE victory as Los Angeles fell 20-9 to the Seahawks. He was 24 of 43 for 234 yards with one interception and did not have a touchdown pass for the fourth time this season. He did not throw a TD pass in two games against the Seahawks this season. It was the second consecutive week the Rams could have clinched a playoff spot Jaguars clinch No. 1 overall pick of 2021 draft with a victory, but they fell to the winless New York Jets in Week 15 before losing to the Seahawks on Sunday. The Rams will conduct Reuters over the Cleveland Browns. Dante Fowler Jr. (No. 3, 2015), more tests on Goff ’s thumb this week before determining if he will New York, United States Jacksonville has started three cornerback Jalen Ramsey (No. 5, play in the regular-season finale at home against the Arizona Cardi- diff erent quarterbacks this sea- 2016) and running back Leonard nals. John Wolford is the Rams’ backup quarterback, but he has not son — Gardner Minshew (1-7), Fournette (No. 4, 2017). taken a snap in the NFL. acksonville’s franchise- Jake Luton (0-3) and lately Mike The Jaguars have picked sec- worst 14th consecutive Glennon (0-4) — while missing ond on three occasions with loss combined with the the playoff s for the 12th time in their best pick being off ensive Washington-Philadelphia game New York Jets’ win on 13 seasons. tackle Tony Boselli, who has moved to Sunday night SundayJ allowed the Jaguars to Lawrence hasn’t yet an- been a Pro Football Hall of Fame clinch the No. 1 overall pick in nounced his future intentions, fi nalist the past four years and The NFL has moved the Week 17 NFC East game between the the 2021 NFL Draft. but he would be the likely fi gures to be one again when the Washington Football Team and Philadelphia Eagles from Sunday That also could be termed as starter from the outset of the 2021 fi nalists are revealed next afternoon to Sunday night. With a win, Washington (6-9) would winning the Trevor Lawrence 2021 season if picked by the month. claim the division title and a playoff berth. A loss would eliminate sweepstakes with the star Clem- Jaguars. Washington, with the winner of Sunday afternoon’s game between son quarterback viewed as the Jacksonville has struggled of Chicago Bears linebacker the New York Giants (5-10) and Dallas Cowboys (6-9) instead bound clear No. 1 pick. late when picking early in the Danny Trevathan (left) for the playoff s because of NFL tiebreakers. FOX will televise the It will mark the fi rst time draft. Between 2012-17, the Jag- sacks Jacksonville Jaguars 1pm. Giants-Cowboys game from MetLife Stadium in East Ruther- Jacksonville has owned the No. uars had six top-fi ve selections quarterback Mike Glennon ford, N.J. NBC will broadcast the night game at 8:20. On Sunday, 1 pick in the draft since entering and none of the players are still during the second half of the Washington could have clinched the NFC East but lost 20-13 to the the NFL in 1995. with the team. NFL game at TIAA Bank Field Carolina Panthers as quarterback Alex Smith remained out with a The Jaguars (1-14) were rout- The list includes receiver Jus- in Jacksonville, Florida, United calf injury. The new starter, Dwayne Haskins Jr., was 14 of 28 for 154 ed 41-17 by the Chicago Bears tin Blackmon (No. 5, 2012), of- States, on Sunday. Jaguars yards with two interceptions before coach Ron Rivera replaced him on Sunday while the Jets (2-13) fensive tackle Luke Joeckel (No. suff ered their 14th consecutive with Taylor Heinicke, recently activated from the practice squad. posted their second straight up- 2, 2013), quarterback Blake Bor- defeat when they lost to Chicago Heinicke finished 12 of 19 for 137 yards and one touchdown. set by recording a 23-16 triumph tles (No. 3, 2014), defensive end Bears 17-41. (USA TODAY Sports) Gulf Times Tuesday, December 29, 2020 7

REPORT SPOTLIGHT Mullagh becomes fi rst Indigenous New Zealand take player inducted into huge lead against Aussie Hall of Fame Pakistan in 1st Test Rizwan and Ashraf provided a face-saving 107-run partnership for Pakistan

A studio portrait of Johnny Mullagh holding a cricket ball. (Photograph: Harrow Discovery Centre)

Agencies lagh Medal this year for the Melbourne player of the match in the tradi- tional Boxing Day Test in Mel- bourne, Cricket Australia said. ohnny Mullagh, who The inaugural Mullagh Medal played on the 1868 Abo- will be awarded at the end of the riginal team that was ongoing second Test against In- Australia’s fi rst to tour dia. England,J became the fi rst In- Mullagh, who lived in the digenous inductee into the Wimmera region of southern country’s cricket Hall of Fame Victoria state, died at the age of yesterday. 50 in 1891. New Zealand’s paceman Neil Wagner celebrates taking the of Pakistan’s Fawad Alam (R) at the Bay Oval in Mount Maunganui yesterday. All-rounder Mullagh took He earned an income doing 245 at an average of farm work and went on playing AFP Two balls into Jamieson’s next over 10.00 and scored 1,698 runs at cricket. He was the star bats- Mount Maunganui, New Zealand MOUNT MAUNGANUI SCORECARD Abid kept his hands out of the way from 23.65 in 45 matches during the man for the Harrow team. When a ball wide of off stump, only to see it jag 47-match tour. Hall of Fame he died in 1891, money was New Zealand 1st innings 431 (K. Wil- Extras (b3, lb4, w2, nb1) ...... 10 back and he was bowled for 25. Chairman Peter King said the raised to put up a monument to ot even a broken toe could liamson 129, B. Watling 73, R. Taylor 70, H. Total (10 wickets: 102.2 overs) ...... 239 In the following over Trent Boult, who selection panel had modifi ed its celebrate his life and the Harrow stop New Zealand’s pace at- Nicholls 56; Afridi 4-109, Yasir Shah 3-113) Fall of wickets: 1-28 (Masood), 2-39 (Abid had troubled Abbas with a succession of criteria to allow Mullagh to be cricket ground was renamed the tack dominating day three Pakistan 1st innings (overnight 30-1) Ali), 3-43 (Abbas), 4-51 (Azhar Ali), 5-52 short balls, found an edge with a full de- inducted given he never repre- Johnny Mullagh Oval. Nof the fi rst Test against Pa- S. Masood c Watling b Jamieson ...... 10 (Sohail), 6-80 (Alam), 7-187 (Rizwan), 8-196 livery and Ross Taylor held the catch at sented Australia in Tests. In England, Mullagh had to kistan, but their eff orts to quickly wrap Abid Ali b Jamieson ...... 25 (Yasir Shah), 9-235 (Afridi), 10-239 (Ashraf) fi rst slip. “I think in this case, Cricket do more than play cricket. After up the innings were slowed by Mohamed M. Abbas c Taylor b Boult ...... 5 Bowling: Southee 26-7-69-2, Boult 26-4- Azhar Ali and Haris Sohail stayed to- Australia, the players associa- every match, he and the team Rizwan and Faheem Ashraf’s late cen- Azhar Ali c Watling b Southee ...... 5 71-2 (1w), Jamieson 23.2-13-35-3, Wagner gether for 50 deliveries but contributed tion and the Hall of Fame itself were exhibited for a curious tury stand yesterday. H. Sohail c Nicholls b Southee ...... 3 21-5-50-2 (1w, 1nb), Santner 6-2-7-0 only nine runs before both went in one wanted to acknowledge the im- English audience who paid to As intermittent showers and an un- F. Alam c Watling b Wagner ...... 9 Toss: Pakistan Tim Southee over. pact Indigenous players have see them dressed in concocted seasonal hail storm disrupted proceed- M. Rizwan run out (Santner) ...... 71 Umpires: Chris Gaff aney (NZL), Wayne Wagner tested his foot with three had on the game,” King told re- native costumes made of pos- ings at Mount Maunganui, the Black F. Ashraf c Watling b Jamieson ...... 91 Knights (NZL) overs before lunch and continued porters at the Melbourne Crick- sum skins and emu feathers. Caps’ pace foursome took fi ve for 50 in Yasir Shah b Boult ...... 4 TV Umpire: Chris Brown (NZL) with a seven-over spell after the et Ground. They staged mock battles and the fi rst two sessions before Pakistan S. Afridi c Latham b Wagner ...... 6 : (NZL) break, during which he took the only “This was probably a bit of put on displays of spear and rallied to be all out for 239 at stumps, Naseem Shah ...... 0 wicket to fall in the middle session an oversight, in retrospect, and boomerang throwing and then still 192 in arrears. with a trademark bouncer that Fa- I think we have chosen Johnny took on all challengers in foot Rizwan and Ashraf provided a face- wad Alam edged to wicketkeeper BJ as a representative of that era as races and other athletic events. saving partnership for Pakistan with 107 ‘dammit I can’t bear the pain’ and I got pressure on the Black Caps going into Watling. opposed to going back trying to He will be one of three induct- for the seventh wicket before Rizwan a jab and that took the pain away a lit- their second innings on Tuesday. The nine-run knock continued a run individualise the individual in- ees announced in February. was run out for 71 by Mitchell Santner’s tle bit... but it started wearing off pretty “If New Zealand want to win this Test of low scores for Alam who has adopted ductees. Australian cricket has belat- smart underarm throw from square leg. quickly,” said Wagner, who broke a toe on match they should do some brave deci- an unusual side-on stance that suggests “I think that is a great deci- edly made eff orts to recognise Ashraf soldiered on to a career-best 91 his right foot when batting on day two. sions so we are expecting there will be he is expecting the ball to come from sion but the ongoing inductee Indigenous players and open before he was the last wicket to fall. “Injuries happen and it’s unlucky but I an early declaration and we are ready for square leg — even more exaggerated criteria hasn’t changed beyond pathways for talent into the Kyle Jamieson returned the best fi g- can still do things and run and it’s not go- that,” Khan said. than that of West Indies great Shivnar- that.” elite levels but only former pace ures for New Zealand with three for 35, ing to stop me. It’s sore and it’s bloody un- When Pakistan resumed the day at 30 ine Chanderpaul. Born ‘Unaarrimin’, Mul- bowler Jason Gillespie has rep- while Neil Wagner ignored the pain from comfortable but its just one of those things for one, Abid Ali and nightwatchman Jamieson had the remarkable fi gures lagh played in the third cricket resented the country in tests in a broken toe to charge in for 21 overs to you’ve got to deal with and I still felt that I Mohamed Abbas put on just nine runs of two for nine off 17 overs at tea but as match ever staged at the MCG the men’s game. take two for 50. didn’t want to let my teammates down.” in 74 balls while Wagner was kept out of the Rizwan-Ashraf partnership took its on Boxing Day in 1866 for the Other Australian sports have He hobbled off at stumps describing New Zealand need to win both Tests the early attack. toll he ended the day with three for 35 off Aboriginal and T. W. Wills XI been more successful in tap- it as one of the toughest days of his ca- against Pakistan to be in with a chance The partnership was broken by Jamie- 23.1 overs. against the Melbourne Cricket ping Indigenous talent, with reer and revealed he needed pain killers to make the World Test Championship son who hurt Abid Ali with the last ball Along with Wagner’s pair, Southee Club. Indigenous players prevalent in to keep going. fi nal in June, and Pakistan batting coach of his fi rst over which smacked into the fi nished with two for 69 and Boult took This history had contributed professional Australian Rules “After the fi rst rain break I just went Younis Khan said that would put added batsman’s fi ngers. two for 71. to the introduction of the Mul- football and rugby league.

BOTTOMLINE Wade happy to remain opener for Australia Reuters With Burns out for a duck and mates, especially , who Melbourne four in Melbourne, it may well be the was bowled around his legs for eight specialist opener making way, rather by Jasprit Bumrah yesterday, follow- than stand-in Wade, if Warner is fi t ing a duck in the fi rst innings. fter soaking up 137 balls for the third test in Sydney. Smith, on his worst run of scores as his batting partners fell “Getting out there and getting into in Tests, nursed a back problem in all around him yesterday, it is something I’ve really enjoyed,” the leadup to Adelaide but Wade said makeshift opener Matthew said Wade, who admitted to strug- the master batsman had not com- WadeA said he would be happy to re- gling as a spectator when batting plained of it. main at the top of Australia’s order lower down the order. Australia’s rescue mission will be for the rest of the Test series against “When (coach) Justin (Langer) in the hands of young all-rounder India. asked if I was happy to do it, I didn’t Cameron Green (17 not out) and Promoted to replace the injured really know what to expect. tailender Pat Cummins (15) on day David Warner, Wade was dismissed “But now I’ve done it, it’s fi ne... four. for 40 on day three of the second Test Who knows? We’ll wait and see with Wade said Australia’s bowlers at the Melbourne Cricket Ground but red-ball.” would take “anything” to defend. it proved to be Australia’s highest Wade was out slogging Ravichan- Australia, after all, won in Adelaide score as the home side crashed to 133 dran Ashwin during a brisk, 39- after India were skittled for 36, their for six at stumps. ball 30 in the fi rst innings and was lowest test innings total. On an otherwise gloomy day for trapped lbw by Ravindra Jadeja on “It would be really nice for these Australia’s Matthew Wade home fans, Wade’s endurance was day three. He scored eight and 33 in two to get a nice partnership,” Wade (C) sweeps the ball as India’s heartening for Tim Paine’s team, es- Australia’s dominant eight-wicket said hopefully of Green and Cum- Rishabh Pant (L) and Ajinkya pecially when weighed against the win in the series-opener in Adelaide. mins. Rahane (R) look on in troubles of his opening partner Joe Wade’s output compares favour- “Anything over 100 would be Melbourne yesterday. Burns. ably with most of his batting team- good.”

Tuesday, December 29, 2020 GULF TIMES CRICKET

FOCUS Kohli, Perry named cricketers of the decade AFP make winning contributions “Amazing to see where it’s Dubai for the team and I just strive come from when I was intro- to do that in every game,” he duced to it.” A combination added. Smith, who averaged 65.79 picture of Austraia’s ndia Virat Kohli India’s all-formats captain with 26 centuries and 28 fi f- Ellyse Perry (L) and was named the ICC’s male was the decade’s highest run- ties, won the Test award despite India’s Virat Kohli. cricketer of the decade scorer with 20,396, hitting the his role in the ball-tampering yesterday as Australia all- most fi fties (66) and having the scandal at the 2018 Cape Town Irounder Ellyse Perry swept the highest average (56.97) of play- Test which saw him banned for top women’s awards. ers with more than 70 innings. a year. Kohli and Perry were the big He was also the only player Meanwhile, Afghanistan winners in the International with more than 10,000 one- spinner Rashid Khan said he Cricket Council’s Awards of the day international runs, includ- was “speechless” after being Decade, while Australian bats- ing 39 centuries and 48 fi fties at picked as the men’s T20 player man Steve Smith was crowned an average of 61.83. of the decade. the best Test player. Perry was named female “For someone from Afghani- Kohli, who was also named cricketer of the decade as well stan to get this award, it’s a spe- ODI player of the decade, lifted as the top ODI and T20 player cial moment for me,” he said. the 2011 World Cup and the as she cleaned up in the wom- Former India captain Ma- 2013 Champions Trophy with en’s awards. hendra Singh Dhoni won the India, before inspiring their Perry, who also played foot- decade’s Spirit of Cricket award fi rst Test series victory on Aus- ball for Australia at the 2011 for sportingly calling back Eng- tralian soil two years ago. World Cup, won four T20 world land batsman Ian Bell after a bi- “It’s just been an honour for titles and the 2013 one-day zarre run-out in the 2011 Not- me to be able to go out there and World Cup, scoring 4,349 runs tingham Test. perform for my team, and it’s a and taking 213 wickets in the And Scotland’s Kyle Coetzer great honour for me to win this decade. and Kathryn Bryce were named award,” Kohli said in a video “It has been tremendous to the decade’s best male and fe- message. develop the women’s T20 game male cricketers from associate, “My only intention was to and take it forward,” Perry said. or non-Test playing, countries.

SPOTLIGHT FIRST TEST Du Plessis, South Africa punish India rip through injury-hit Lanka Australian batting

to eye MCG victory South Africa’s Faf du Plessis (R) is greeted by Sri Lanka’s Lasith Embuldeniya (L) after being dismissed for 199 runs during the India were all out for 326 in their first innings on the stroke of lunch third day of the first Test match at SuperSport Park in Centurion yesterday. AFP Melbourne AFP trying to make a diving save on Centurion the boundary. But he returned to fi nish with four wickets, al- depleted Indian attack beit at the high cost of 171 runs. ripped through Aus- ri Lanka’s injury- Sri Lanka will face an uphill tralia’s top order to leave hit cricketers took a battle to avoid defeat, with the world’s number one pounding from South batsman Dhananjaya de Silva Ateam with a slender two-run lead Africa’s batsmen and not expected to bat after being and in deep trouble Monday after bowlersS on the third day of the ruled out of the series with a day three of the second Test. fi rst Test at SuperSport Park in torn thigh muscle. At stumps in Melbourne, Aus- Centurion yesterday. At one stage, Sri Lanka had tralia were 133 for six with Cam- Former captain Faf du Ples- four substitutes on the fi eld, eron Green on 17 and Pat Cum- sis led the batting assault, hit- while captain Dimuth Karu- mins on 15 in their second innings ting 199 as South Africa took a naratne and Kusal Mendis as the visitors zeroed in on level- commanding 225-run fi rst in- were called into action as ling the series after losing the fi rst nings lead. emergency bowlers. Test by eight wickets. Then fast bowler Lungi Du Plessis and the other India are doing so with a weak- Ngidi struck twice at the start South African batsmen took ened attack after Umesh Yadav of Sri Lanka’s second innings advantage with a free-scoring pulled up in his fourth over with to leave the tourists struggling display. Du Plessis made his a calf problem, limping off the on 65 for two, still 160 runs be- highest Test and fi rst-class fi eld. hind, on a pitch of increasingly score and appeared to be cruis- It was a setback for India, who unpredictable bounce. ing to a double century before were already missing injured reg- Sri Lanka’s injury woes con- he tried to loft Hasaranga over ulars Mohamed Shami and Ishant tinued and at one stage three his head and hit a simple catch Sharma. But the remaining bowl- of their fi ve regular bowlers to Karunaratne at mid-on. ers, led by Ravindra Jadeja (2-25) were off the fi eld as South Af- Du Plessis shared partner- and Jasprit Bumrah (1-34), admi- rica amassed a fi rst innings to- ships of 179 for the fi fth wicket rably picked up the slack. tal of 621. with Temba Bavuma (71) and “I think we played really well. I Kasun Rajitha, who suff ered 133 for the seventh wicket with thought the bowlers came out re- a groin injury at the start of Keshav Maharaj, who made a ally strong and bowled in all the the innings on Sunday, did not Test-best 73. right areas. It was good to see,” take the fi eld again and fellow Bavuma’s innings ended said India captain Ajinkya Ra- fast bowler Lahiru Kumara unusually when he fl ashed at hane. suff ered a similar injury soon a ball from the medium-paced “But this game is not over yet, after lunch after bowling a sin- Dasun Shanaka and immedi- we still have to get four more gle ball in a new spell. He also ately started walking back to wickets.” did not return. the dressing room as the ball India were all out for 326 in Debutant leg-spinner carried to wicketkeeper Niro- their fi rst innings on the stroke Wanindu Hasaranga was off shan Dickwella. Umpire Ma- of lunch, adding just 49 to their India Ravindra Jadeja (L) and Ajinkya Rahane (C) the fi eld for part of the after- rais Erasmus was not called overnight 277 for fi ve in reply to celebrate dismissing Australia’s Matthew Wade (R) noon after falling on the ball upon to make a decision. Australia’s 195. on the third day of the second cricket Test match at It gave them a 131-run lead, the MCG in Melbourne yesterday. courtesy of Rahane’s magnifi - CENTURION SCORECARD cent 112 and Jadeja’s 57. Mitchell batsman but he became a victim MELBOURNE SCORECARD Starc and Nathan Lyon took three of paceman Mohamed Siraj on Sri Lanka, first innings, 396 Rajitha 2.1-0-16-0 (1nb), Shanaka wickets each. debut, slashing a ball to Mayank Australia first innings 195 (M. Total (10 wickets, 115.1 overs) ...... 326 C. Green not out ...... 17 28.5-2-98-2 (3nb), Hasaranga 45-5- Australia needed some of their Agarwal. Labuschagne 48; J. Bumrah 4-56, R. Fall of wickets: 0-1 (Agarwal), 2-61 T. Paine c Pant b Jadeja ...... 1 South Africa, first innings 171-4 (1nb), Kumara 21.1-0-103-1 (2w), big names to stand tall in the run Captain Tim Paine fell to Jadeja Ashwin 3-35) (Gill), 3-64 (Pujara), 4-116 (Vihari), P. Cummins not out ...... 15 (overnight 317-4) Karunaratne 6.5-0-36-0, Mendis chase. Opener Matthew Wade for one, leaving Green and Cum- India first innings (overnight 277 5-173 (Pant), 6-294 (Rahane), 7-306 Extras (nb3) ...... 3 D. Elgar c and b Shanaka ...... 95 7-0-41-0 (2nb) did well with a fi ghting 40 off 137 mins to knuckle down in a 34-run for one) (Jadeja), 8-325 (Yadav), 9-325 (As- Total (six wickets, 66 overs) ...... 133 A. Markram c Shanaka b Fernando .. balls before being trapped lbw by partnership and take the Test into M. Agarwal lbw Starc ...... 0 win), 10-326 (Bumrah) To bat: Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, ...... 68 Sri Lanka, second innings the spin of Jadeja. a fourth day. S. Gill c Paine b Cummins ...... 45 Bowling: Starc 26-5-78-3, Cummins Josh Hazlewood H. van der Dussen c Dickwella b D. Karunaratne b Ngidi ...... 6 But Steve Smith, Marnus La- “Cummo is not an established C. Pujara c Paine c Cummins ...... 17 27-9-80-2, Hazlewood 23-6-47-1, Lyon Fall of wickets: 1-4 (Burns), 2-42 Kumara ...... 15 K. Perera not out ...... 33 buschagne and Joe Burns all batsmen, but he has done well for A. Rahane run out ...... 112 27.1-4-72-3, Green 12-1-31-0 (Labuschagne), 3-71 (Smith), 4-98 F. du Plessis c Karunaratne b K. Mendis c Van der Dussen b Ngidi failed. us at this ground in the past and H. Vihari c Smith b Lyon ...... 21 (Wade), 5-98 (Head), 6-99 (Paine) Hasaranga ...... 199 ...... 0 Burns lasted just 10 balls, we all know what Greenie is capa- R. Pant c Paine b Starc ...... 29 Australia second innings Bowling: Bumrah 17-4-34-1, Yadav Q. de Kock c sub (Thirimanne) b D. Chandimal not out ...... 21 caught by Rishabh Pant off Yadav ble of if he can get in,” said Wade. R. Jadeja c Cummins b Starc ...... 57 J. Burns c Pant b Yadav ...... 4 3.3-0-5-1, Siraj 12.3-1-23-1, Ashwin 23- Hasaranga ...... 18 Extras (b4, nb1) ...... 5 for four to follow his fi rst-innings “So it’d be really good for these R. Ashwin c Lyon b Hazlewood ...... 14 M. Wade b Jadeja ...... 40 4-46-1, Jadeja 10-3-25-2 T. Bavuma c Dickwella b Shanaka ..71 Total (2 wkts, 12 overs) ...... 65 duck. two to get a nice partnership to- U. Yadav c Smith b Lyon ...... 9 M. Labuschagne c Rahane b Ashwin Toss: Australia W. Mulder c Dickwella b Hasaranga Fall of wickets: 1-10 (Karunaratne), Even if David Warner fails to gether, which we haven’t done J. Bumrah c Head b Lyon ...... 0 ...... 28 Umpires: Paul Reiff el (AUS), Bruce ...... 36 2-22 (Mendis) recover from a groin strain for over this Test match.” M. Siraj not out ...... 0 S. Smith b Bumrah ...... 8 Oxenford (AUS K. Maharaj c b Fernando ...... 73 Bowling: Ngidi 6-0-28-2, Nortje 3-0- the next Test in Sydney, it will be He added that setting India a Extras (b12, lb6, w2, nb2) ...... 22 T. Head c Agarwal b Siraj ...... 17 TV umpire: Paul Wilson (AUS) A. Nortje c Dickwella b Fernando ...... 0 23-0, Mulder 3-0-10-0 (1nb) hard for selectors to again justify target of “anything over a 100 will L. Sipamla lbw b Hasaranga ...... 0 picking Burns, with Marcus Har- be good”. L. Ngidi not out ...... 2 Match situation: Sri Lanka trail ris among those waiting in the India started the day at a chilly Extras (b9, lb18, nb7, w10) ...... 44 by 160 runs with eight wickets wings. Labuschagne fell for 28, Melbourne Cricket Ground in rat Kohli who has returned home missing the fi rst Test injured, and one of the 32-year-old’s most Total (142.1 overs) ...... 621 remaining caught by Rahane off a thick edge front of 24,995 socially-distanced for the birth of his fi rst child, rode dabbed Nathan Lyon to point and important innings, having come Fall of wickets: 1-141 (Markram), Toss: Sri Lanka from Ravi Ashwin. fans with an 82-run advantage his luck on day two, when he was set off for a single as he looked to to the crease with India in trouble 2-200 (Van der Dussen), 3-200 At the other end, the usu- after taking charge Sunday with dropped on 73 and 104. bring up his 50. at 64 for three. (Elgar), 4-220 (De Kock), 5-399 Umpires: Marais Erasmus, Adrian ally fl amboyant Wade dug in a gutsy response to their embar- But after adding eight to his Rahane responded but wasn’t Jadeja brought up his 15th Test (Bavuma), 6-476 (Mulder), 7-609 Holdstock (both RSA) but Smith again went cheaply, rassing 36 all out in Adelaide. overnight 104, brilliant aware- quick enough with Paine whip- half-century before misjudging (Du Plessis), 8-610 (Nortje), 9-611 TV umpire: Allahudien Paleker bowled by Bumrah for eight. But Australia quickly made in- ness from Labuschagne saw him ping off the bails after La- a Starc bouncer, then Lyon and (Sipamla) (RSA) After Wade departed, Travis roads. run out. buschagne’s throw. Josh Hazlewood mopped up the Bowling: Fernando 31.1-2-129-3 (3w), Match referee: Andy Pycroft (ZIM) Head was the last recognised Rahane, captain in place of Vi- Jadeja, back in the team after It ended a 121-run partnership tail