SPORTS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013

Australia unlikely to change bowlers for Sydney

MELBOURNE: Australia are expected to keep the suc- fastest mover at the best of times. “He got through, he where we finished in the first innings -wise, just one-day internationals, but has managed only 136 runs cessful attack that has carried them to a 4-0 Ashes lead bowled in the second innings as well. “I don’t think proves we have a really good side - a great side in the for the series at an average of 27.20. His figures are the for the final test against England in Sydney, bowling there will be any drama with Watto.” making.” Australia’s selectors named uncapped bats- lowest for any specialist batsman on either team, bar- coach Craig McDermott said yesterday. Paceman Ryan Having skittled England’s second innings for 179 in man Alex Doolan, a disciple of fellow Tasmanian and ring England’s Jonathan Trott, who left the tour after Harris and all-rounder bowled sparingly two sessions and wrapped up the match before tea on former Australia , in a 14-man the first test in Brisbane. in the second innings of the fourth test win in day four, Australia’s pacemen, led by man-of-the-match squad for Sydney today. The 28-year-old Doolan An experienced number three in first class cricket, as they managed respective knee and groin Mitchell Johnson, have an extra day to recover. All have replaces fast bowler Doug Bollinger in the squad, with Doolan would be expected to slot into Watson’s spot if complaints, raising doubts about their fitness. performed well in the series, with spinner Nathan Lyon uncapped paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile and all- the all-rounder proves unfit, but Bailey could also make “As I keep saying, you don’t play without enjoying a five- innings haul at the MCG and rounder James Faulkner also in reserve. way to allow wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to move up to getting sore,” McDermott told reporters in Melbourne. “I Peter Siddle also making timely contributions. “All five of Australia’s batting lineup has been less dependable number six and bowling all-rounder James Faulkner to fully expect we’ll have the same team - or the same them have bowled very well,” former test bowler than the team’s bowling unit and was routed for 204 in come in at seven. “Obviously it’s pretty special times, 4- bowling group - in Sydney ... I’m very confident that will McDermott said. “We’ve been in a couple of little ... holes the first innings in Melbourne. The scrutiny is especially 0 with one to go,” McDermott said. “I’m looking forward happen.” “Watto (Watson) proved (his fitness) yesterday here and there, but good sides (work) through that. fierce on number six George Bailey, who was handed to a 5-0, from my side of it ... It’s a great achievement - he ran between pretty well. “He’s not the “Certainly the last test match turnaround from his test debut this series on the strength of his form in from the side and all the staff.”— Reuters Warriors record their fifth straight victory Thunder rout tired Rockets 117-86

CLEVELAND: Stephen Curry scored 29 points and made a clutch jumper with 13.5 seconds left as the Golden State Warriors opened a long road trip with their fifth straight victory, 108-104 in overtime against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Curry overcame a poor shooting performance after halftime, and nearly recorded a triple- double by adding 11 assists and nine rebounds. Curry was just 2 of 12 from the floor in the second half and OT. David Lee GRENOBLE: A helicopter lands by the Grenoble hospital where former seven-time scored 19 before fouling out for the Warriors, Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is being treated after sustaining a head who are on the road for seven games over injury during a ski accident, in Grenoble, France yesterday. — AP the next 13 days. Kyrie Irving scored 27 for Cleveland, which dropped its fifth straight F1: Love of speed and risk and lost its third tight game in a row. The Cavs lost by three in Boston on Saturday and two in double-overtime against Atlanta on haunts great Schumacher Thursday. PARIS: Formula One legend Michael Rubens Barrichello in 2010, which the Brazilian Schumacher may have retired in 2012 after a later described as “the most dangerous thing” THUNDER 117, ROCKETS 86 glittering career but his love for speed and he had been through. But even such mishaps Kevin Durant had 33 points, 13 rebounds danger has now led to a serious head injury didn’t slow Schumacher down or quench his and five assists, and the Oklahoma City while skiing in France. The German, who turns thirst for success as he went on to win five suc- Thunder won their second straight game 45 on Friday, had been skiing off-piste with his cessive titles with Ferrari from 2000-2004. He without Russell Westbrook, beating the Houston Rockets 117-86 on Sunday night. 14-year-old son at the upmarket Alps resort of retired at the end of the 2006 season before LOS ANGELES: Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes, left, and Los Angeles Lakers center Jeremy Lamb added a career-high 22 points Meribel when he fell and hit a rock. making a damp squib of a comeback in 2010 Jordan Hill battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Schumacher was left in a coma and under- with Mercedes. But during his retirement he and five assists for Oklahoma City, which has Dec 29, 2013. — AP went neurosurgical surgery at a hospital in survived a horror accident that knocked him the NBA’s best record at 25-5. The Thunder Grenoble after his evacuation from Meribel. He out when racing a motorbike in Spain. have won 12 of their last 13 and 20 of their 17 of 31 attempts (54.8 percent). Sefolosha NBA results/standings remains in a critical condition. After years of That time he was released from hospital last 22 games. Reggie Jackson, starting in scored 13 points, one off his season high, for racing in the high risk world of Formula One after just five hours. Even so he is the sport’s Oklahoma City. Omri Casspi added 15 points Westbrook’s place, had 16 points and eight Golden State 108, Cleveland 104 (OT); Orlando 109, and winning a record seven world titles, his most decorated champion with a record 91 GP assists. for the Rockets. accident suggests that perhaps retirement had wins, while he is one of only two men to reach Aaron Brooks had 17 points and Chandler Atlanta 102; Oklahoma City 117, Houston 86; San Antonio not dulled his relish of dangerous pursuits. As 300 races. In 2000 he also sealed Ferrari’s first Parsons scored 15 for Houston, which was SPURS 112, KINGS 104 112, Sacramento 104; Philadelphia 111, LA Lakers 104. an F1 racer, Schumacher was known for his championship in 21 years with victory in the playing its fourth game in five days. The Manu Ginobili scored 28 points, Tony daring overtaking manoeuvres, his at-times penultimate race of the season in Japan. Rockets, who had a three-game winning Parker added 22, and Tim Duncan had 17 almost reckless abandon in the pursuit of vic- Schumacher’s duels in his hey-day with Hill, Eastern Conference streak snapped, missed their first 12 shots points and 13 rebounds to lead San Antonio tory and his mastery of the tricky conditions Villeneuve and Mika Hakkinen, fired by an Atlantic Division and shot 36.5 percent from the field (31 of over Sacramento. Boris Diaw had 14 points presented by rain. unquenchable competitive spirit, have gone and Tiago Splitter added 11 for San Antonio W L PCT GB When he won his first world title in 1994 down in Formula One folklore. 85). Oklahoma City shot 57 percent (47 of 82) (24-7). DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points and Toronto 13 15 .464 - with Benetton, he did so in controversial fash- Schumacher was born in January 1969 in dealing the Rockets their worst loss of the ion, crashing into his title rival Damon Hill at near Cologne, Germany, the son of a bricklay- season. Oklahoma City moved to 3-2 on the 14 rebounds, Isaiah Thomas added 27 points Boston 13 17 .433 1 the final race after he had already scuppered er who also ran the local go-kart track, where season without Westbrook. The All-Star point and Rudy Gay had 24 for Sacramento (9-20). Brooklyn 10 20 .333 4 his own hopes by going off the track when his mother worked in the canteen. His guard underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Struggling mightily on defense for much of Philadelphia 9 21 .300 5 on Friday, his third surgery since last April, the second half, the Spurs turned to their Big pushing hard despite leading comfortably. It younger brother, Ralf also became a success- NY Knicks 9 21 .300 5 was indicative of Schumacher’s win-at-all-costs ful Formula One driver. By 1987, Schumacher when he tore his meniscus after Houston Three to close out the upstart Kings. Ginobili, attitude and his willingness to take huge risks was the German and European go-kart cham- guard Patrick Beverley banged knees with Duncan and Parker scored San Antonio’s Central Division in order to do so. He almost provoked a similar pion and had left school to work as an appren- him as Westbrook tried to call a timeout in final 21 points in a 23-8 run to close the Indiana 24 5 .828 - crash in the final race of the 1997 season when tice mechanic, although he was soon racing Game 2 of a first-round playoff series. game. Detroit 14 18 .438 11.5 battling Jacques Villeneuve for the title, an inci- professionally. In 1990 he won the German F3 The Thunder have said Westbrook’s latest Chicago 11 17 .393 12.5 dent for which he was retrospectively disquali- championship and was hired by Mercedes to MAGIC 109, HAWKS 102 surgery will sideline him until after the All- Cleveland 10 20 .333 14.5 fied from the whole season. drive sports cars. Just a year later he burst Star break. Oklahoma City won 89-85 at Arron Afflalo scored 21 points and His career was also punctuated by accusa- onto the Formula One scene, qualifying sev- Charlotte on Friday night in their first game Orlando beat Atlanta to give the Magic back- Milwaukee 6 24 .200 18.5 tions of dangerous driving following incidents enth for Jordan in his debut race at since that surgery, as Durant had 34 points to-back victories for just the third time this Southeast Division such as a near collision with former teammate Belgium.—AFP and 12 rebounds. Oklahoma City jumped to season. Jeff Teague scored 22 points for the Miami 23 7 .767 - a 13-0 lead as the Rockets - making their first Hawks in their second game without two- Atlanta 17 14 .548 6.5 time All-Star Al Horford, who is out indefi- trip to Oklahoma City since falling to the Washington 13 14 .481 8.5 Pakistan trust in bowlers to Thunder in six games in their playoff series - nitely with a torn right pectoral muscle. The failed to score until Dwight Howard hit a 3- Hawks were also coming off three straight, Charlotte 14 17 .452 9.5 overcome Cricket foot jump hook with 5:27 left in the first grinding overtime games, the latest of which Orlando 10 20 .333 13 quarter. was Saturday night at home against Charlotte. The Hawks made the game’s first ABU DHABI: Pakistan will rely on their strong runs including a double century in Abu Dhabi. The Thunder extended their lead to 22-5 Western Conference bucket, a 3-pointer, but then trailed until a bowling line-up led by off-spinner Saeed He and Jayawardene are the stalwarts of the on a driving layup by Thabo Sefolosha and Northwest Division were up 26-14 at the end of the quarter. The spurt in the fourth quarter gave them a Ajmal to tame Sri Lanka in the three-match team’s batting. Sangakkara, a stylish left-han- Oklahoma City 25 5 .833 - Test series starting in the United Arab Emirates der, was also the star when Sri Lanka beat Thunder’s lead stayed in double digits most three-point lead. But a 9-0 run midway Portland 24 6 .800 1 (UAE) today. Pakistan won the preceding one- Pakistan 1-0 at home last year, scoring 490 in of the second quarter and Oklahoma City led through the final quarter put Orlando in con- day series 3-2 on the back of penetrative bowl- three Tests. By contrast, Pakistan’s batting has 56-44 at halftime. Parsons opened the sec- trol for good. Minnesota 15 15 .500 10 ing and strong batting, but captain Misbah-ul been vulnerable and they were dismissed for ond half with a corner 3-pointer to pull the Denver 14 15 .483 10.5 Haq warned that they need to be at their best 49 and 99 this year. But ’s Rockets within nine points, but Durant hit 76ers 111, Lakers 104 Utah 9 24 .273 17.5 to beat Sri Lanka in the Tests. “Ajmal has been return to form, with three centuries in the one- two 3-pointers and Jackson had another dur- Thaddeus Young scored seven of his 25 Pacific Division performing a key role for us and we hope for dayers against Sri Lanka, and the experience of ing a 15-0 run to give Oklahoma City its points in the fourth quarter, Evan Turner the best in this Test,” said Misbah, who led Younis Khan and Misbah will boost them. biggest lead to that point at 71-47. added 22 points, and Philadelphia snapped LA Clippers 21 11 .656 - Pakistan to a 1-1 series draw against world Misbah said the Test series was expected to Houston came no closer than 17 points its 13-game road losing streak by beating Phoenix 18 11 .621 1.5 number one South Africa in their last Test be close but Pakistan had a slight edge in the the rest of the way and Oklahoma City’s lead the Lakers. Spencer Hawes had 19 points Golden State 19 13 .594 2 series, in the UAE in October. bowling. “We do have a better bowling attack eventually reached as many as 32 points, and eight rebounds for the Sixers, who LA Lakers 13 18 .419 7.5 “We know each other well so it will be a but Sri Lanka also have (Rangana) Herath who with Lamb putting on a shooting show, fin- hadn’t won away from Philadelphia since good contest,” said Misbah. “We know that the is a key bowler for them, so it will be a good Sacramento 9 20 .310 10.5 ishing 8 of 10 from the field, including 3 of 4 their road opener on Nov 1. Young and Sri Lankans are good in these conditions, and contest,” said Misbah of the left-arm spinner from 3-point range. Houston had all five Michael Carter-Williams contributed big Southwest Division with players like (Kumar) Sangakkara and who took 25 wickets in the last two series points down the stretch as the last-place San Antonio 24 7 .774 - (Mahela) Jayawardene, they are a dangerous between the two teams. Herath and senior starters reach double figures in scoring in side. “So we need to play good cricket to win.” batsman Jayawardene both missed the one- two of its previous three games, but only Sixers held on for just their second win in 11 Houston 21 12 .636 4 Pakistan beat Sri Lanka 1-0 in the UAE in 2011, day series for family reasons. Pakistan and Sri Parsons did so against Oklahoma City. games overall. Nick Young scored 26 points Dallas 17 13 .567 6.5 on 6-for-21 shooting in the Lakers’ fifth con- with Ajmal taking 18 wickets in three Tests Lanka will also aim to give their coaches a win- Howard struggled against the defense of New Orleans 13 15 .464 9.5 while Umar Gul (14 wickets) and Junaid Khan ning send-off. Pakistan’s Dav Whatmore and Oklahoma City’s Kendrick Perkins and had secutive loss. Los Angeles also has lost five of Memphis 13 16 .448 10 (12) shouldered the burden of the pace attack. his Sri Lankan counterpart will nine points and nine rebounds. Houston also six at Staples Center, winning just once at Despite the loss, Sangakkara scored 516 leave their jobs after the Test series.—AFP struggled at the free throw line, hitting just home since Nov 24. — Agencies

KUWAIT: The Kuwait Banks Club concluded the 11th KBC Squash Championship that was organized recently at the Arabi Sports Club. Abdullah Muqaiseed from the National Bank of Kuwait (NBK) was crowned champion of the sin- gles competition while Wael Saleh from the Kuwait Finance House was awarded with the second place trophy.