SPORT Monday 25 February 2019 PAGE | 06 PAGE | 07 Australia’s Bancroft Tsitsipas overcomes defends ball-tampering Kukushkin interview, says no to win second Warner rift career title Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally: Home hero grabs third consecutive stage win

Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah driving his Toyota Hilux during the third selective section of the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally, Action during the third selective section yesterday. of the Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Rally yesterday. Al Attiyah tightens grip on overall lead

THE PENINSULA MINIs. Czech driver MANATEQ QATAR CROSS-COUNTRY RALLY 2019– POSITIONS ON SS3 (TOP 3) LUSAIL Miroslav Zapletal 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA)Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs 27min 33sec stayed out of serious 2. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 3hrs 28min 44sec A third successive stage victory trouble in his Ford 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 3hrs 30min 16sec for Qatar’s Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah F-150 Evo to hold and French co-driver Matthieu sixth place, despite POSITIONS AFTER SS3 (TOP 3) Baumel enabled the Toyota Hilux one puncture and 1. Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah (QAT)/Matthieu Baumel (FRA) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 7hrs 12min 42sec crew to extend their overall lead four small naviga- 2. Yazeed Al Rajhi (SAU)/Dirk von Zitzewitz (DEU) Toyota Hilux Overdrive 7hrs 22min 34sec in the Manateq Qatar Cross- tional errors. 3. Jakub Przygonski (POL)/Timo Gottschalk (DEU) MINI John Cooper Works Rally 7hrs 23min 28sec Country Rally to 9min 52sec Bernhard Ten yesterday. Brinke struggled to QATAR MANATEQ BAJA 2019 – ROUND 2 (TOP 4) The five-time event winner make headway on 1. Ahmed Al Kuwari (QAT)/Manuel Lucchese (ITA) Can-Am Maverick X3 1hr 54min 21sec opened the road on the longest the third stage in the Qatar’s Ahmed Al Kuwari driving his 2. Khalid Al Mohannadi (QAT)/Loic Minaudier (FRA) Polaris RZR 1000 T3 2hrs 04min 49sec stage of the entire event last of the Overdrive Can-Am Maverick X3 yesterday on their way to win 3. Saleh Al Saif (SAU)/Ziad Al Arbi (SAU) Can Am Maverick X3 2hrs 05min 02sec (351.98km) and overcame the Toyotas. He lost time the second round of Qatar Manateq Bajas. tricky navigation and a series of with navigational 4. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Marc Serra (ESP) Can-Am Maverick T3 2hrs 19min 16sec unforgiving sand dunes to card woes before the the target time of 3hrs 27min second passage control, although T3 after turbo-related issues. 33sec. he was able to climb from 11th to Al Zubair’s Qatari co-driver Team-mates Yazeed Al Rajhi seventh in the overall rankings. Nasser Al Kuwari explained: “It and Dirk von Zitzewitz pushed the Monster Energy Can-Am was around 70km in the stage and Qatari hard from the outset and driver Reinaldo Varela was the we were leading the T3. We felt the second fastest time enabled main beneficiary of numerous there was no power in the car. We the Toyota driver to edge in front stoppages and issues for rival T3 try to move again. Varela caught of Polish rival Jakub Przygonski competitors. The Brazilian set the us, but there was white smoke. and his German navigator Timo second fastest time in the cat- We knew it was the turbo. We Gottschalk in the overall egory behind Ahmed Al Kuwari, called the team and we took the standings. The two are now sep- holds eighth overall and now has decision to come back to Lusail.” arated by just 54 seconds in the a T3 advantage of 1hrs 49min Russian driver Fedor fight for second place. 15sec over ninth-placed Fedor Vorobeyev lost considerable time Al Attiyah said: “Another good Yorobeyev. Qatari Khalid Al digging his way out of a sandy day, but it was not easy at all. We Mohannadi and Italian female hole in the dunes and Qatar’s Adel started from the sand dunes and rider Camelia Liparoti rounded Abdulla suffered his own time- the navigation was a little bit dif- off a decimated top 11. consuming delays and was ficult. We didn’t make any mis- Mohammed Al Attiyah running well behind the leading takes. We try to push in some ground to a halt north of the group. places where I felt good, but I also Inland Sea and fell out of con- Mohammed Al Harqan’s goal tried to save our car because that tention for overall T3 honours of winning the T2 category for is important. We had a problem with huge delays, while Omani series production cross-country with one tyre (delaminating), but driver Abdullah Al Zubair also vehicles was dealt a bitter blow we managed.” ruined his chance of winning when he suffered technical issues The Russian crew of Vladimir on the eastern coast, north of the Vasilyev and Konstantin Zhiltsov Inland Sea. But rival Qatari stopped short of the second Today's action Mohammed Al Meer was also passage control for a short time, delayed in the sand, as both T2 There will be two selective but finished the stage with the cars struggled to cross the fourth fastest time to hold a sections today, split by demanding terrain. Al Meer even- similar place in the overall a road liaison section of tually snatched the T2 advantage standings. 56.39km where service and 12th overall. Italian Eugenio Amos felt is not permitted. The first The day’s stage of 351.98km unwell and was forced to stop his timed section of 227.99km included passage control points Ford 2WD Buggy before the starts 37.71km from the after 15.42km, 140.72km, dunes, north of the Inland Sea, 198.15km and 249.95km and also and his demise lifted Yasir Lusail Sport Centre and the acted as the second of the Qatar Seaidan and French navigator second of 121.41km finishes Manateq Baja, with national com- Laurent Lichtleuchter to fifth 95.75km from the bivouac. petitors finishing their action at overall in the second of the X–raid PC2. Qatar’s Ahmed Al Kuwari and Yazeed Al Rajhi in action during yesterday’s stage. his Italian navigator Manuel Luc- chese claimed victory in the second round of the Qatar Manateq Bajas with a time of 1hr 54min 21sec at PC2. The Can-Am driver had lost his chance of pushing for T3 honours in the FIA event on the opening day, but the Baja win was some consolation for the former motorcycle rider. Khalid Al Mohannadi and his French co-driver Loic Minaudier were second in a Polaris and Saleh Al Saif and Ziad Al Arbi rounded off the top three. Abdulaziz Al Dhafeeri, Hussain Al Mahdi, Abdulaziz Al Basheer, Jahman Jaralla and Nicholas Pacheco all suffered mechanical issues early in the stage. 06 SPORT MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2019 Shock Sri Lanka loss major jolt Sri Lanka savours rare win for ‘home giants’ South Africa after ‘unthinkable’ AFP PORT ELIZABETH Test results in SA South Africa’s shock Test series defeat against Sri Lanka came as a major jolt to a team which AFP had become accustomed to dominating Test COLOMBO matches at home. The unheralded Sri Lankans exposed Sri Lankan politicians, cricket legends and newspaper were flaws in both South Africa’s top-order batting gushing praise yesterday after the national team’s “unthinkable” and their much-vaunted attack series triumph against South Africa. in winning both Tests in a two-match series. The depleted Sri Lankan side led by interim Dimuth Coach was asked after the Karunaratne won the two-Test series at St George’s Park in second Test in Port Elizabeth whether South Port Elizabeth on Saturday in a stunning performance. Africa’s policy of playing on pace-friendly “First Asian nation to win a series in South Africa,” said the pitches had affected the form and confidence Sunday Island in banner headlines. “Sri Lanka pull off the of the home team’s batsmen, who struggled unthinkable in South Africa.” to totals of 235, 259, 222 and 128 against Sri The Sunday Times of Colombo called the national team “con- Lanka. querors” for snatching an unexpected series win. “No,” he said. “We’ve got runs on these “Rookie Lankans silence critics,” said the Sunday Morning pitches before. We just haven’t batted well weekly in its edition yesterday. Sri Lanka’s Oshada Fernando (left) and Kusal Mendis walk back to the pavilion after enough in this series.” Both President Maithripala Sirisena and Prime Minister victory in the second match against South Africa at St George’s Park The reality, though, is that batting Ranil Wickremesinghe were quick to hail the team’s rare success. Stadium in Port Elizabeth on Saturday. struggles have become a trend, with none of Former skipper Kumar Sangakkara noted they had been the current top six batsmen averaging above under pressure both on and off field. 40 since the start of 2018. Du Plessis, though, said changes were and Kasun Rajitha had hampered South “Congratulations... for achieving what no other Sri Lankan Successive series wins against India, Aus- not inevitable. Africa’s preparation. team has ever come close to. Huge character shown by all con- tralia and Pakistan were achieved when mod- “You’re talking about a top-order that is That claim was deried by veteran West cerned with The team, coaching staff and management having erate totals proved enough because of South experienced. Talking about them to be Indian commentator Michael Holding, who been under tremendous pressure,” Sangakkara said on Twitter. Africa’s bowling firepower. replaced is a big call. They’ve done well for noted that players in the past had been able “A team effort for the ages. Keep believing and keep fighting.” Some changes seem inevitable. a very long time. One series doesn’t make to work out opponents before the days of Fellow former captain Mahela Jayawardena called it a “great Gibson’s contract expires after the Cricket you a bad player.” video analysis. team effort”. World Cup in July and he has refused to Of the younger batsmen, Temba Bavuma, Benkenstein admitted there may have Sri Lanka went in for the series without a single win since comment on the likelihood of staying in the 28, has yet to justify his promotion to the key been some complacency among the South October. job. number four batting position while opener Africans because of Sri Lanka’s lowly repu- They arrived in South Africa after two heavy Test defeats The Sri Lanka series has also put the spot- has been unable to sustain tation ahead of the series. in Australia, which led to Dinesh Chandimal being fired as light on some of South Africa’s ageing players. the outstanding form that marked his debut But this was contradicted by Gibson. captain, coach Chandika Hathurusingha having his powers , a kingpin at number three season in 2017/18. “I don’t agree,” he said. “We prepared as curtailed and major changes in personnel, some caused by for more than a decade during much of which Age is also catching up on the fast we always do.” injuries. he had a career average above 50, has not hit bowlers. Gibson said the series loss came down to Sri Lanka’s series win was one of the biggest upsets in recent a century since 2017 and his average in 15 Like Amla, will be 36 when South Africa’s failure to “bat them out of the cricket history. Tests since his last hundred is a modest 26.07. South Africa play their next Test. Although game” after leading on the first innings in both South Africa had won their previous seven series at home He will be 36 when South Africa play their he made a successful return to the side after matches. and had won 16 out of 19 home Tests, with only two defeats, next Test series in India in September and a lengthy struggle against injuries, he was “They had very little to lose and we were before losing in Durban. there has been speculation that retirement is ineffectual in Port Elizabeth, where he failed just not good enough,” he said. Sri Lanka, by contrast, had lost six and drawn one of their imminent. to take a . Du Plessis has been candid since previous seven Tests before arriving in South Africa. Captain , who together with Vernon Philander is 33 and under becoming full-time captain in 2017 about South Africa had won 19 of 21 previous home series against was the only consistent increasing scrutiny for missing matches asking for pace-friendly pitches but he said Asian opponents, with the only exceptions being when India batsman against Sri Lanka, is 34 and opening because of injury. in Port Elizabeth that he had not made spe- and Pakistan shared one series each. batsman Dean Elgar is 31. While giving credit to Sri Lanka’s bowlers, cific requests to groundsmen this season. Sri Lanka won the World Cup in 1996 and since then the Elgar scored only 169 runs in 10 innings Gibson, Du Plessis and batting coach Dale “There has been a lot of talk about spicy sport has been plagued by management scandals, allegations during the summer against Pakistan and Sri Benkenstein noted that a lack of footage of ,” said Gibson, “but we only ask for of corruption and player squabbling. Lanka. relative newcomers such as Vishwa Fernando pace and bounce.” Attention! Cottrell revels SA recall in Windies’ wicket salute fit-again

AFP Ngidi for BRIDGETOWN Sri Lanka West Indies fast bowler Sheldon Cottrell said his unique military- style salute to celebrate his five-wicket haul against England was ODI series a mark of respect for the army regiment in which he serves. The 29-year-old claimed 5-46 as West Indies won the second REUTERS by 26 runs on Friday, with the left-arm seamer CAPE TOWN marking each breakthrough by marching down the pitch, standing to attention before snapping out a sharp salute to the side of his South Africa have recalled fast head with his right hand. bowler to their “It’s a military-style salute. I’m a soldier by profession. Me saluting one-day international squad for is just to show my respect to the Jamaica Defence Force,” he told the five-match home series the BBC. “I do it every time I get a wicket. I practised it for six months against Sri Lanka, restoring when I was training in the army.” their first-choice fast bowling Cottrell’s contribution was hailed by West Indies captain Jason line-up ahead the World Cup Sheldon Cottrell (centre) of West Indies celebrates the dismissal of Moeen Ali of England during Holder whose team are now 1-1 in the five-game series. in England. the second ODI against England at Kensington Oval, Bridgetown, Barbados, on Friday. “Cottrell gave us that extra bit of variation with the ball. I love Ngidi made a successful his energy. His is one for the future,” said Holder. return to provincial cricket this month after injuring his knee in November and along with Quotable Quotes and Dale Steyn, Bancroft defends ball-tampering is an important element of the side as South Africa seek to win “Beating South Africa two-nil isn’t easy. When we came here, we interview, says no Warner rift a first World Cup trophy. were underdogs. But we learnt a lot of things on previous tours, and “His recent form for the the players executed really well in these conditions. That’s why we Titans in the (domestic) REUTERS really challenged through this period of time,” Ban- One-Day Cup has been most are here. It’s a great achievement for us. I think we never expected to MELBOURNE croft told state radio station ABC. impressive and he is clearly do it. But when we started winning, we had the faith. We wanted to “I know that all three of us have really stuck match fit for international compete. Winning is the ultimate goal, but if we do the right things, the Former Australia batsman Cameron Bancroft has by each other and looked after each other well. cricket again,” Cricket South result will definitely be good for us. Most of the guys said that but we played down any talk of a rift with David Warner “You can’t understand the trauma I felt, it was Africa selection convener Linda didn’t take that seriously, because when we have additional pressure, after being accused of throwing his fellow opener probably very different trauma to how he (Warner) Zondi said in a statement it’s not easy.” “under a bus” in a controversial interview about felt, and I can’t possibly understand that. yesterday. DIMUTH KARUNARATNE, SRI LANKA CAPTAIN the Cape Town ball-tampering scandal. “I guess moving forward there will be great There is also a first call-up Bancroft, who was suspended for nine months lessons for all of us, including Dave. for fast bowler , “It’s probably up there with the most disappointed I have been, certainly for his part in the Newlands incident, made a suc- “That’s something we’ve all shared with each who is also back from injury. from a personal perspective but also for the team. You don’t want to be cessful return to first class cricket, carrying his bat other and something I’ve certainly shared with The first ODI against Sri losing series at home, and obviously we didn’t play our best cricket. It’s in an unbeaten 138 for Western Australia on day Dave when we’ve communicated throughout this Lanka will be played in Johan- a massive dent, I thought up until this Test series we were looking good. two of their Sheffield Shield match against New entire journey.” nesburg on March 3, with the But credit to the team that played the best cricket. We were playing well, South Wales yesterday. Bancroft’s ban expired in December, while series to conclude in Cape Town we were playing positive, aggressive Test cricket. But these last two Tests The 26-year-old was roundly criticised for those of Warner and former captain Steve Smith on March 16. South Africa open we were not on it as a team. I wish I can give you an explanation casting Warner as the instigator in an interview will end March 29. their World Cup campaign as to why.” during the Boxing Day test against India, while Bancroft had no regrets about his interview against hosts England at the FAF DU PLESSIS, SOUTH AFRICA CAPTAIN describing himself as an impressionable rookie with former Australia wicketkeeper Adam Gil- Oval on May 30. just wanting to “fit in” to the team. christ, saying he felt he had “important learnings Squad: Faf du Plessis “Yeah, that (a few more ODIs) would have been ideal. More, I Former Australia captain and TV pundit Ricky to share”. (captain), Quinton de Kock, would say logical. But you know that’s the way series are compiled Ponting, recently appointed as a temporary “I guess if other people were triggered by that, Reeza Hendricks, David Miller, nowadays and we have to more or less play that. Also because we assistant coach for the one-day international team, I guess that’s their battle to face,” he said. Wiaan Mulder, Lungi Ngidi, are playing so much T20 cricket in the IPL so probably a couple of said Bancroft had further “damaged (his) brand”, “But if I was able to touch people through some Anrich Nortje, Andile Pheh- more ODIs would have been more beneficial. For both the teams, not while Michael Slater said he had “buried” Warner. parts of my journey, and to help them I guess break lukwayo, Dwaine Pretorius, just us. But look, we have to utilise what’s in front of us as best as Two months on from the interview, Bancroft through their lives, that was my sole intention for Kagiso Rabada, , possible. We’re going to look to get into the right kind of frame said he had been in touch with Warner, and that that.” Dale Steyn, , Rassie of mind as a team.” all three banned players had supported each other Bancroft has signed to play with English county van der Dussen. (Reporting By VIRAT KOHLI, INDIA CAPTAIN through their “journey”. side Durham as he looks to regain a place in the Nick Said Editing by Christian “I think all of us, including Dave, have been Test side for the Ashes starting in August. Radnedge) MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 07

MotoGP: Rins sets pace ahead of Vinales on second day of Qatar Test Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Spanish rider Alex Rins (left) and Yamaha’s Maverick Vinales in action on the second day of the final pre-season testing at Losail International Circuit last night. Rins clocked the fastest lap time of 1:54.593 and Vinales (+0.057) behind him in the time sheet. Vinales’ team-mate Fabio Quartararo was the third fastest, followed by Danilo Petrucci (Ducati) and Honda’s Marc Marquez. The three-day pre-season testing will conclude today. Action will commence today at 4:00pm and ends at 10:00pm. The new MotoGP season opens at the same venue on March 7.

Australia hold City win shootout to lift League Cup nerve to claim AFP LONDON T20 thriller

Manchester City beat Chelsea 4-3 on AFP penalties to win a dramatic League Cup VISAKHAPATNAM, INDIA final at Wembley yesterday which saw an incredible bust-up between Blues Glenn Maxwell hit a crucial half- boss Maurizio Sarri and goalkeeper century as Australia edged out India Kepa Arrizabalaga. by three wickets in a thrilling last-ball Pep Guardiola’s side retained the finish at the first Twenty20 interna- trophy they also won 12 months ago as tional yesterday. Raheem Sterling scored the decisive Pat Cummins hit a four and took spot-kick after Ederson saved from two runs to complete a nervous Jorginho and David Luiz hit the post. 127-run chase after his fellow The match had finished 0-0 after paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile extra-time, with a tense affair restricted India to 126-7 in exploding into life in the final moments Visakhapatnam. when Arrizabalaga refused to be sub- Maxwell, who made 56, put stituted by Sarri. together 84 runs with D’Arcy Short Kepa had been struggling with for the third wicket to put Australia cramp and Sarri was ready to take off on course before Jasprit Bumrah hit the Spaniard, only to be left fuming back with three wickets. when his keeper insisted he could carry Bumrah got debutant Peter on. Manchester City’s German midfielder Leroy Sane (second left) leads Handscomb caught behind for 13 and City’s success leaves them still on the charge to celebrate with team-mate Raheem Sterling (left) after then bowled Coulter-Nile on the final course for the quadruple as they chase Sterling scored the winning penalty to claim victory in the English ball of the 19th over to keep the game further success in the Premier League, League Cup final against Chelsea at Wembley stadium, yesterday. in balance. Champions League and FA Cup. Jhye Richardson and Cummins -- both not out on seven each -- then kept their cool in the final six balls against Umesh Yadav to steer the Liverpool back on top after draw at Old Trafford Aussies home. But the day belonged to Coulter- Nile who returned figures of 3-26 in REUTERS Manchester United’s Lingard had the best chance of the his four overs, receiving the man of MANCHESTER English defender half when he was found in the box by the match award. Luke Shaw (left) fouls Romelu Lukaku with a perfectly Indian batsman K.L. Rahul, who Liverpool took over at the top of the Liverpool’s English threaded pass but Liverpool keeper returned to the side after a suspension Premier League table despite being held midfielder James Milner Alisson Becker was quickly out to foil for sexist comments during a contro- to a 0-0 draw against Manchester United during their English the England attacker’s attempt to round versial TV chat show appearance with in a scrappy derby match yesterday. Premier League match him. Hardik Pandya, hit 50 off 36 balls. Juergen Klopp’s side have now played at Old Trafford Amid those three United injuries, His 55-run second wicket stand drawn three of their last four Premier in Manchester, England, Liverpool also lost their Brazilian with skipper Virat Kohli, who made League games and have 66 points from yesterday. forward Roberto Firmino to a muscle 24, gave India a brisk start but the 27 games while second placed Man- strain with Daniel Sturridge pressed into hosts lost momentum after losing chester City, who play Chelsea in the action. three quick wickets. League Cup final later on Sunday, have After such a messy first half, neither Adam Zampa got Kohli’s prized 65 points from the same number of side were able to truly get into their scalp with his leg spin and Coulter- games. stride in a disappointing game. Nile claimed the wicket of Rahul to Klopp looked frustrated and irritated Liverpool defender Joel Matip turned check India on a tricky pitch. throughout the game as his team the ball into his own net but the assistant Veteran wicketkeeper-batsman struggled to find the attacking verve, referee had already signalled that Chris Mahendra Singh Dhoni made an which has been the basis of their success Smalling was off-side before his low unbeaten 29. this season, against a United side that cross fell into Matip’s path. was forced to make all three changes in Without Firmino and with Mohamed SCOREBOARD the first-half. The point means that Liverpool, who off in the 20th minute and a limping Juan Salah having a quiet game, Liverpool’s INDIA Liverpool’s supporters struck a dif- have 11 games remaining, will be disap- Mata was replaced by Jesse Lingard five only real opportunity came from a R. Sharma c Zampa b Behrendorff ...... 5 ferent tone, however, as they left the pointed not to have taken advantage of minutes later. corner but Georginio Wijnaldum headed K.L. Rahul c Finch b Coulter-Nile ...... 50 home of their old rivals chanting a an injury-ravaged United. But Lingard did not even last until the wide. V. Kohli c Coulter-Nile b Zampa ...... 24 reminder of their league position as they Having lost holding midfielder break as he suffered what appeared to be “A clean sheet is pleasing because R. Pant run out (Behrendorff/Handscomb) ...... 3 focus on the chance to win their first top Nemanja Matic to injury before the game, a recurrence of his hamstring strain and it’s not an easy place to come,” said Liv- M.S. Dhoni not out ...... 29 flight title since 1990. Spanish midfielder Ander Herrera went limped off to be replaced by Alexis Sanchez. erpool’s James Milner. D. Karthik b Coulter-Nile ...... 1 K. Pandya c Maxwell b Coulter-Nile ...... 1 U. Yadav lbw b Cummins ...... 2 Y. Chahal not out ...... 0 Extras (lb2, w9) ...... 11 Tsitsipas overcomes Kukushkin to win second career title Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 126 Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Sharma), 2-69 (Kohli), 3-80 (Pant), 4-92 (Rahul), 5-94 (Karthik), 6-100 (Pandya), REUTERS Stefanos TENNIS RESULTS 7-109 (Yadav) MARSEILLE Tsitsipas poses Did not bat: M. Markande, J. Bumrah ATP DELRAY BEACH OPEN with the trophy Bowling: Behrendorff 3-0-16-1, Richardson 4-0-31-0 SEMI-FINALS (w5), Coulter-Nile 4-0-26-3 (w1), Zampa 3-0-22-1 Top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas clinched his second ATP Tour after winning (w2), Cummins 4-0-19-1 (w1), Short 2-0-10-0 singles title with a 7-5, 7-6(5) victory over Kazakhstan’s the ATP Open 13 Radu Albot (MDA) bt Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 3-6, 6-0, 6-0 Mikhail Kukushkin at the Marseille Open yesterday. Provence Tennis AUSTRALIA Tsitsipas, who reached the Australian Open semi- Tournament Daniel Evans (GBR) bt John Isner (USA D. Short run out (Pandya/Dhoni) ...... 37 finals last month, battled hard to clinch victory over the in Marseille, x2) 3-6, 6-2, 6-3 M. Stoinis run out (Yadav/Chahal) ...... 1 31-year-old Kukushkin in a little under two hours. southeastern A. Finch lbw b Bumrah ...... 0 ATP RIO DE JANEIRO The 20-year-old, who did not drop a set in the entire France, G. Maxwell c Rahul b Chahal ...... 56 tournament, fired 14 aces and won 86 percent of his first- SEMI-FINALS P. Handscomb c Dhoni b Bumrah ...... 13 yesterday. A. Turner b Pandya ...... 0 serve points. Laslo Djere (SRB) bt Aljaz Bedene (SLO) walkover N. Coulter-Nile b Bumrah ...... 4 “Winning titles is the thing that I am working for. It’s P. Cummins not out ...... 7 Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) bt Pablo the biggest satisfaction and the biggest joy in tennis,” Tsit- J. Richardson not out ...... 7 sipas said, as quoted by the ATP Tour website. Cuevas (URU) 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 Extras (w2) ...... 2 “There was a lot of stress this week because I knew Total (7 wickets, 20 overs) ...... 127 I had to face some good opponents. I’m happy that I got BUDAPEST WTA TOURNAMENT Fall of wickets: 1-5 (Stoinis), 2-5 (Finch), 3-89 (Max- through that stress and played the game that I was sup- SEMI-FINALS well), 4-101 (Short), 5-102 (Turner), 6-113 (Hands- posed to play. I lost the spark (after the Australian Open) Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL x1) bt comb), 7-113 (Coulter-Nile) Did not bat: J. Behrendorff, A. Zampa and I was frustrated because it felt like I couldn’t find it Ekaterina Alexandrova (RUS x5) 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (9/7) Bowling: Bumrah 4-0-16-3, Chahal 4-0-28-1, Yadav again. This week, I can say I am really happy because I 4-0-35-0 (w2), Pandya 4-0-17-1, Markande 4-0-31-0 felt this hunger back again.” MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2019 SPORT 05

Another good day, but it was not Nasser Saleh Al Attiyah easy at all. We started from the after winning the third SQUASH CRICKET sand dunes and the navigation selective section of the PSA Qatar Closed West Indies vs England was a little bit difficult. We didn’t Manateq Qatar Cross-Country Satellite Squash Tournament 3rd ODI make any mistakes. Rally yesterday. ACTION at Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex at St George’s, Grenada TODAY’S Ironman 70.3 Triathlon Rockets stun Warriors without Harden

AFP LOS ANGELES

Eric Gordon scored a team high 25 points and Chris Paul had 23 as the Houston Rockets, playing without leading scorer James Harden, used a balanced attack to beat the Golden State Warriors 118-112 on Saturday. Godart, Choo emerge The Rockets won without the reigning NBA: RESULTS NBA most valuable player Harden, who Utah 125, Dallas 109 has been bothered by Milwaukee 140, Minnesota 128 victorious in Colombo a sore neck of late and Miami 96, Detroit 119 then woke up Saturday Chicago 126, Boston 116 ARMSTRONG VAS morning with flu Oklahoma City 116, Sacramento 119 THE PENINSULA symptoms, the team Atlanta 120, Phoenix 112 IN COLOMBO said. Charlotte 115, Brooklyn 117 Harden, who was Cleveland 112, Memphis 107 Luxembourg’s Olivier Godart and fined $25,000 earlier Washington 112, Indiana 119 Ling Er Choo of Singapore stole the on Saturday for criti- New Orleans 128, LA Lakers 115 limelight in the Ironman 70.3 cizing the referees after Colombo event which concluded at a loss to the Los Golden State 112, Houston 118 the Galle Face Green here yesterday. Angeles Lakers, has Philadelphia 115, Portland 130 The flat and fast course through missed just four games the bustling Colombo city, was this season. enjoyed by both the participants and Saturday’s win showed the team’s depth spectators, with the races which without Harden, who has scored 30 or more points began at 6.15am in the morning. in 32 straight games for the second longest streak In the men’s section, Godart (40-44 in league history. age group category) defended his title The two-time defending NBA champion War- that he won last year in Colombo by riors beat the Rockets in a seven-game series last winning the men’s event yesterday, May in the Western Conference finals, but this followed by Australia’s Tim Ballintine regular season the tables have turned. and Pierre Lafayeedney of United Paul converted two clutch free throws with 68 Kingdom who finished second and seconds left in the fourth and Gordon nailed four third respectively. three pointers for the Rockets, who had to use dif- In the women’s division, Choo Luxembourg’s Olivier Godart celebrates after winning the Ironman 70.3 IRONMAN 70.3 ferent means to beat the Warriors. (30-34) finished on the top for the Colombo triathlon in the Sri Lankan capital yesterday. RIGHT: Singapore’s COLOMBO: RESULTS When the Rockets blew a big lead and lost to second successive year with Kimberly Ling Er Choo crossing the finish line to win the women’s division. the Lakers 111-106 on Thursday night, it left ana- Mckinney of Australia and Inge Pra- MALE SOLO RESULTS lysts wondering if the team was relying too much setyo of Indonesia clinching the second of the world’s toughest athletes, who countries were India with 94 tri- 1: Olivier Godart (04:05:05) Luxembourg on Harden and whether or not his streak had and third places respectively. competed in Ironman 70.3 Colombo. athletes, Great Britain with 55, Aus- 2: Tim Ballintine (04:10:13) Australia become a distraction. The event in the Sri Lankan The triathletes who took up the tralia with 40, France with 34 and 3: Pierre Lafayeedney (04:20:22) United Kenneth Faried started in Harden’s place and capital brought together 775 partici- gauntlet of the waves and terrain Japan with 24. Some of the other Kingdom delivered 20 points and 10 rebounds as five Rocket pants from 58 countries. comprised professionals from triath- nations that will be represented at players scored in double figures. FEMALE SOLO RESULTS The race began with a 1.9km sea lon’s top layer, aspiring amateurs and the triathlon are USA, Japan, PJ Tucker tallied 18 points and 10 rebounds swim at the Galle Face, followed by a those who looking for stiffer chal- Malaysia, Singapore, Germany, 1: Ling Er Choo (04:41:39) Singapore and Gerald Green scored 10 points as the Rockets 90km three-loop ride through the lenges and a chance in the interna- Russia, Maldives and Sri Lanka. 2: Kimberly Mckinney (04:43:22) Australia ran off to a 20-point lead in the first half. Clint Colombo Port, Colombo Fort Area and tional spotlight. SriLankan Airlines’ participation 3: Inge Prasetyo (04:52:32) Indonesia Capela grabbed 15 rebounds. the Marine Drive and finishing with As an added bonus, 40 of the top as the Official Airline Partner of the MALE RELAY RESULTS Paul dished out 11 of his season-high 17 assists a two-loop half marathon which ran finishers this year will get a shot at event is designed to promote Sri 1: Team Sri Lanka Navy (04:01:14) Sri Lanka in the first half to reach 9,000 for his career as the through the Colombo Port and ended the ironman 70.3 world champion- Lankan as a preferred host venue for 2: Team Foundation Of Goodness Rockets avoided a third straight road loss. at the Galle Face Green. ships, which will be held in Nice, international sporting events and by (04:26:25) Sri Lanka Kevin Durant scored 29 points and Curry added SriLankan Airlines, the national France later this year. positioning Colombo as the destination 3: Team Lekka Tri (04:33:43) UAE 25 with nine rebounds and seven assists for Golden airline of Sri Lanka, flew the cream The top five participating of choice for iconic sporting events. State, who had their five-game home winning streak snapped. Yang wins DGC gears up for March 6-10 golf spectacle LPGA THE PENINSULA Since 1998 the prestigious DOHA Qatar Masters golf Thailand tournament has been Preparations are well under way hosted by Doha Golf Club. trophy to host the Commercial Bank The annual tournament Qatar Masters (CBQM) from is sponsored by The AFP BANGKOK March 6-10, President of Qatar Commercial Bank (QSC) and Golf Association (QGA), Hassan is held at the beginning of bin Nasser Al Naimi said. South Korea’s Amy Yang won each year as part of The The 22nd edition of the the Honda LPGA Thailand for popular European Tour golf event European Tour. the third time in Pattaya which will be held at Doha Golf yesterday, finishing at Club, is organised by The QGA, Many of the world's top 22-under-par 266 after a tense the Qatar Olympic Committee Qatar Golf Association President, Hassan bin The Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial golfers compete on Doha three-way tie. (QOC), Doha Golf Club (DGC) and Nasser Al Naimi Bank Group, Joseph Abraham Golf Club's unique and Scoring a string of birdies long-term title sponsor, Com- challenging desert-type early in the day, the 29-year- mercial Bank. Championship Course, old was faced with a tie on 15 The QGA President said: “The March 2019,” added Al Naimi. The CBQM is one of the most ticipated in golf activities to gen- which has proven to be for 20-under-par with Aus- Commercial Bank Qatar Masters The tournament is considered important international sporting erate a buzz around the interna- tralia’s Minjee Lee and Spain’s is a leading fixture on Qatar’s Qatar’s annual ‘must-attend’ events in Qatar and 2019 is the tionally-renowned tournament. one of the longest par 72 Carlota Ciganda. sporting calendar. Since its sporting and social event, first 14th consecutive year of spon- The other mini-golf events courses on the tour. She quickly resumed her inception, the event has comple- held in 1998 and widely known sorship of the Commercial Bank took place at Village Mall in Qatar, lead on 16, and took the trophy mented the growth of golf in the for bringing together the world’s of Qatar. This reflects the Bank’s with members of the public being and $240,000 prize home after country. The tournament also best golf talent; the likes of commitment to the development encouraged to put their golfing lifestyles, and bringing members a birdie on 18. continues to contribute to Branden Grace, Sergio Garcia, of sports in the country and the skills to the test. Volunteers were of the Qatari community together. Yang, who previously won encouraging young Qataris to Rory Mcllroy, Justin Rose, Rafael enhancement of Qatar’s sporting also present at the booth to I thoroughly enjoyed taking part the tournament in 2015 and take up the sport and learn from Cabrera-Bello and Henrik reputation at the international provide key tips and information in the first of our mini-golf 2013, said playing at the Pattaya The European Tour Stars,” Stenson have all competed in past level. about the sport. In addition to the pop-up events, and encourage course was “special” to her. “Preparations for the next years. In the run up to the tour- mini-golf event, Commercial our staff and members of the South Korea’s Jenny Shin, tournament are well underway, The CBQM was attended by nament, Commercial Bank has Bank has organised a series of public to join us at the tour- who was Friday’s frontrunner, together with our partners who over 20,000 spectators in 2018 organised a range of activities to educational tours across schools nament in March. It is set to be a trailed closely behind at have played a vital role in and broadcast to a global TV promote the tournament and and universities in Qatar to help wonderful day out for sports fans 17-under-par, while LPGA Aus- enhancing the event experience audience of over 400 million encourage local participation in students learn more about golf. and families alike.” tralian Open winner Nelly for both players and spectators viewers. During this year’s golf. Abraham said: “Commercial Admission will be free for Korda was three strokes behind each year. We look forward to edition, all eyes will be on Doha Together with the Bank’s Bank is delighted to once again spectators during the 2019 CBQM her. welcoming the players, golf fans as the biggest names in the sport employees, Commercial Bank sponsor this tournament in and free tickets can be collected The $1.6m LPGA Thailand and our valued sponsors to vie for the Mother of Pearl Trophy Group CEO, Joseph Abraham, support of Qatar’s national vision through the official website of the is being held at the par-72 Siam Doha Golf Club for another on one of the most challenging attended the first pop-up golf of being a world-class venue for event, www.qatar-masters.com Country Club Pattaya Old edition of world-class golf in courses on The Tour. event. During the event, he par- sport, promoting healthy upon registration. Course in Chonburi province.