Sport

FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2020

Olympics could take place without vaccine: Bach We have to work diligently and we have to work comprehen- sively, and then at the appropriate time take the right deci- sions. I’m sure that we will make... these Olympic Games, which will be historic in different respects, we will make it a success, and we will make it a success together. Thomas Bach Sport | 14 IOC President

NBA: (EAST. CONF. FINALS) Game 4: Miami Heat 112, Boston Celtics 109 (Herro 37, Butler 24, Dragic 22) * Miami Heat lead series 3-1

‘Like a Championship’: Doha primed to stage blockbuster season finale

FAWAD HUSSAIN THE PENINSULA I'm really grateful to have At a time when the world is battling had the opportunity to race the Covid-19 menace, bringing in Rome and Doha. I'd raced together 10 Olympic medallists from a few times in Jamaica but Rio 2016 Olympics and 17 medal winners from last year’s worlds the level and intensity of easily reaffirms Doha’s status as the competition wasn't the game's leading track and field host same. I was a little bit venue. surprised with my run in Today’s final Diamond League Rome because I hadn't raced meet of the year at the Qatar Sports for a few weeks, but I knew Club Stadium, featuring a field that I was capable of running is even rare in the World Champi- fast because I'd put in the onships, guarantees a memorable It’s going to be like a Championship race. I've trained well, and when I train is happy to take part in the Diamond finish to the troubled season that League this year. workwork::El: ElElaineaine well I have no doubts in a race. I've always enjoyed racing in Doha. In 2014, faced incredible challenges due to “I’m really grateful to have had ThomThompson-Herahpson-Herah the pandemic. I set my PB over 3000m (8:20.68), and last year I won the World the opportunity to race in Rome Doha, which is also hosting the Championships here. I like racing here because it's favourable to me: and Doha,” she said. “I had raced AFC Champions League football Kenya’s World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri a few times in Jamaica but the matches currently, lived up to expec- level and intensity of compe- tations to make the star-studded tition wasn’t the same. I was 12-event programme, a reality. The Thrilling action on the cards Another reigning World a little bit surprised with meet includes sprint hurdles and At a pre-event press conference Champion from Kenya, Timothy my run in Rome because 800m for both men and women; yesterday, the track and field stars Cheruiyot, who clinched the 1500m I hadn’t raced for a few 100m, 3000m and long jump for promised thrilling action for TV title at Doha 2019, will test his skills weeks, but I knew I was women; and 200m, 400m, 1500m audiences around the world. in the 800m race for the first time capable of running fast and pole vault for men. However, there will be no fans outside his country. because I’d put in the Strict health protocols have been allowed inside the Qatar SC “All of my other races at 800m work,” she said. implemented for the competition, Stadium, which has attracted huge have been in Kenya, so I’m excited On the field, Mondo which is the top priority for Doha, number of spectators in the past to do an 800m in the Diamond Duplantis - the Swedish also the host venue for the 2019 IAAF editions. League,” Cheruiyot said world record holder in the World Championships hailed as ‘the Kenya’s World 5000m champion yesterday. pole vault will be the centre best in history’ by World Athletics Hellen Obiri, who will compete in “This year has been different for of attraction with his duel President Sebastian Coe. 3000m race, sees the contest as the everyone. In all of my races in 2020, with reigning world “We were facing difficult circum- World Championships race. I’ve only been focused on running. champion Sam Kendricks being stances - just as the rest of the world “It’s going to be like a Champi- I feel blessed because I’ve been able dubbed a must-watch battle. was - with the coronavirus pandemic onship race. I've trained well, and to race. This will be my fourth race Also, world steeplechase but with the efforts of the Ministry when I train well I have no doubts of the year and then from here I’ll champion Beatrice Chepkoech, of Public Health (MOPH), the Qatar in a race,” she said before expressing be going to Nairobi for the Conti- world 5000m silver medallist Olympic Committee and the her love for the Qatari capital. nental Tour meeting,” he added. Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, Diamond League Organising Com- “I've always enjoyed racing in world 10,000m bronze medallist mittee, we have put in place safety Doha,” she added. “In 2014, I set my Thompson-Herah ‘grateful’ Agnes Tirop and world 1500m measures to stop the spread of the PB over 3000m (8:20.68), and last for top-notch contest bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay virus,” said Qatar Athletics Feder- year I won the World Champion- Jamaica’s double Olympic are among some of the other top Jamaica’s double ation (QAF) President Dr Thani Al ships here. I like racing here because champion Elaine Thompson-Herah, names set to compete in Doha Olympic champion Elaine Kuwari in build up to the event. it's favourable to me.” who won in Rome last week, said she today. Thompson-Herah Kendricks aims high in last round of ‘adventure’ year RIZWAN REHMAT melts away. Not that I don’t A: When I first started trav- THE PENINSULA care about the problems of the elling six weeks ago, I started world, but they don’t matter This has certainly been a with an event in Monaco. I was Two-time world pole when you’re standing there on strange year. We, as not even able to get my vault champion Sam the track. athletes, are just grateful equipment there. I could not Kendricks hasn’t let the “At that moment, it’s all because especially the even get a couple of poles from shortened track and field about how fast you can run or organisers, the event America. But because of Turkish season dampen his compet- how high you can jump,” Ken- managers have come Airlines and everybody in itive spirit. In fact, the dricks said. together and put together between stepped up, I got new 28-year-old is glad he is in Here’s what Kendricks had these fantastic events, equipment with me. I have got Doha for the season’s final to say at the press conference: especially the ones like this my best set. You can see my Diamond League meet to be (in Doha). The organisers hands and feet shaking (ges- held at Qatar Sports Club Q: How do you maintain have gone over and beyond tures with hand) and I believe Stadium today. your focus or compartmen- in what was expected of you as organisers have done “I’m just so grateful talize your thoughts during a them: Sam Kendricks your job to get the athletes because meeting organisers competition? excited. have gone above and beyond A: I am fortunate that I Sam Kendricks at a pre-event press conference in PIC: HUSSEIN SAYED to make sure competitions can don’t have to buy a ticket and Doha, yesterday. Q: Do you enjoy com- happen,” Kendricks said during watch the action. I count my peting in front of big crowds? a pre-event press conference blessings because I am right lining is I moved into my house of them. Some would say ‘don’t Will you be missing the fans in Doha yesterday. there in the middle, ready to that I have been trying to finish even try’. I have had directors this time around? “It’s (the shortened season) jump. One of my good friends for two years (smiles) and and agents calling and saying A: For me, this is the most been an adventure. We’ve all in high school, he was the goal- Rebecca is there laughing at me ‘is this even possible?’. It would exciting thing. Back in my just kind of rolled with it this keeper of the soccer team and as I have been telling her about not have been possible without hometown, I would invite my year and that’s been cool,” he he was a damn fine one. He this house for two years since I them. Now we come to the end friends and family to come and added with a smile on his face. watched most of the games in won in London. So I finally got of the year, it has been an watch me practice. And that is But the affable American his corner back in the field as to move in so family life is great adventure. It really has. It selfish because I get so much won’t be taken lightly in the he didn’t have to be every bit as back home but I got to get on makes my heart beat faster and reward when there’s so many pole vault competition that ready until the ball came his the road and do what I do. when I get up in the morning people watching. I am not a will also feature arch-rival way. It is the same with pole and they say ‘they need you diva, it’s a chemical thing that Mondo Duplantis of vault at times. It’s a show a lot Q: How do you look back down at the press conference’. makes you jump well. It really Sweden. of the times. So I just have to at this year? It is all about no good plan sur- works with 20, 30 or 50 people Sam Kendricks “You get to put wait and be beady for my A: Well, this has certainly vives first contact with the real watching and it really works of the US in the whole world moment when they put the been a strange year. We, as ath- problem. It has been a unifying with 50,000 (people watching). action during aside when camera on me. letes, are just grateful because aspect of the whole year. I didn’t In London, I never felt more the Pole Vault you step on especially the organisers, the see myself sitting at the table reinvigorated when I had the event at the to the Q: Do you see any silver event managers have come coming up to October but I am whole stadium to myself (when Lausanne track,” lining in this shortened track together and put together these glad we are here. I was) jumping for the last bar Diamond Kendricks and field season? fantastic events, especially the at 5.95 for the win. It sparks a League in said. “And A: I think, as athletes, it is ones like this (in Doha). The Q: How excited are you to different fire in your mind Switzerland on when you’re on it, time our responsibility to get out organisers have gone over and be competing despite the when it’s that many eyes on September 2. goes fast and the whole world there to compete. My silver beyond in what was expected Covid-19 scenario? you. Sport FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2020 14 CAS overturns Tokyo Olympics could take life bans handed Lewis Hamilton to three Russian place without vaccine: Bach biathletes REUTERS — LONDON AFP — TOKYO million. Several leading vaccine can- didates are currently in late-stage The Court of Arbitration for Sport Olympic boss Thomas Bach We can see that sport is trials. (CAS) yesterday overturned life (pictures) said yesterday that the coming back slowly but Bach said it was impossible to bans handed to Russian biath- Tokyo Games could take place next make a contingency plan for every letes Olga Vilukhina, Yana year even without a coronavirus surely, and that a number of scenario, and said organisers would Romanova and Olga Zaytseva, vaccine, pointing to the success of big sport events have been not be pressured into making pre- who were stripped of their the Tour de France. successfully organised mature announcements on how the medals for doping violations at Striking an optimistic note at a recently, including matches in Games would take place. the 2014 Sochi Olympics. meeting with Tokyo 2020 organ- different Japanese leagues. “We have to work diligently and The trio won silver in the 4x6 isers, he vowed to make the post- Thomas Bach we have to work comprehensively, kilometre relay biathlon before Hamilton plays poned event a triumph despite the and then at the appropriate time they were disqualified and their uncertainties of the pandemic. taketake thethe rightright decisions,”decisions,” hehe result annulled in 2017 following “We can see that sport is coming said.said. an investigation into widespread down significance back slowly but surely, and that a postponed earlierarlier this yyearear as “I’m sure that we doping and tampering with number of big sport events have the deadly newew illnessillness spreadspread willwill make...make... tthesehese samples of Russian athletes been successfully organised recently, around the globe.globe. OlympicOlympic Games, during the Sochi Games. of records, makes including matches in different Jap- They are now set to open whichwhich wiwillll bbee hhistoricistoric CAS said the case against anese leagues,” he said via on July 23, 2021,021, andand organ-organ- in different respects, Vilukhina and Romanova videolink. isers are insistingsting thetheyy will ggoo we willwill mamakeke it a amounted to nothing more than F1 equality pledge “Also very complex events like ahead in someme foformrm -- aandnd be success, andand we willwill the “suspicion of a potential anti- AFP — SOCHI the Tour de France and others, safe for all involved.nvolved. make it a success doping rule violation (ADRV)”. which showed to us and showed to Drugs companiesmpanies are racingracing together,”together,” hhee saisaid.d. In Zaytseva’s case, CAS Lewis Hamilton played down the prospect of the world that we can organise safe to produce anan effective jab to ruled that she had committed drawing level with Michael Schumacher’s record sport events even without a vaccine.” counter a virusirus that has a doping violation but her ban 91 Grand Prix wins this weekend, saying yesterday But a vaccine and progress in now killed more should only be applied for the there were other more important matters in the rapid testing “would of course than 970,00000 next edition of the Olympics -- world. greatly facilitate” holding the event, people aroundnd the 2018 Pyeongchang Games Speaking during a video news conference ahead said Bach, head of the International the world andd -- instead of a life ban from all of Sunday’s Russian Grand Prix, where he is Olympic Committee (IOC). infectedd future Olympic Games, instead favourite to secure his seventh win of the season The 2020 Games were almost 322 of a life ban. and equal Schumacher’s career total, the six-time champion also warned that winning was not likely to be a straightforward task. “Honestly, I don’t know what it means to me,” the Mercedes champion said. “I don’t know what to say. Firstly, I have to get my work done and Valtteri (Bottas, his Mercedes Djokovic out to make team-mate) has said already himself that he is very fast on this track. “We also have to look at Red Bull.... I have to amends at French Open win first.” He added that it would be meaningful for him, but it should not be taken for granted. “At some point, it will probably happen, but I REUTERS — BELGRADE overcome the disappointment Open quarter-finals but don’t know what it means to me... Of course, there’s of being defaulted in New York Djokovic stressed the Spaniard so much else going on in the world, but, of course, If recent form is in an incident that put him in was still the obvious favourite it’s an honour.” anything to go by, the spotlight for all the wrong to triumph in Paris, adding that Hamilton had earlier expressed his disap- world number one Novak reasons. he’d have to raise his game in pointment at the outcome of the grand jury Djokovic is perfectly poised to “I did experience mentally order to be a contender. indictment in Louisville, Kentucky, where Breonna launch a challenge for his some ups and downs in the first “He’s the player who has Taylor was shot dead by police in her own home second French Open title and four-five days after that hap- the highest chance of being in last March. No one was charged with her murder. an 18th major honour after one pened,” he said. the final... if it’s Roland Garros Hamilton wore a t-shirt with the message ‘Arrest of the lowest ebbs of his “Obviously having a tour- it’s Rafa you bet on,” said the cops who killed Breonna Taylor’ at the Tuscan trophy-laden career. nament a week after helped a Djokovic. Grand Prix two weeks ago. Djokovic was disqual- lot because I really wanted to “I don’t think I played my He pledged to increase the number of black ified from the US Open get on the court and get best tennis (in Rome) to be people in motor racing as he announced the earlier this month whatever trace of that out of honest, I don’t want to sound members of his Hamilton Commission aimed at after hitting a the way. arrogant here. I am very sat- tackling diversity in the sport. line judge in “It was a great week, a very isfied and pleased to win a title. “What is more concerning is that there are still the neck challenging week,” Djokovic I know I still have a couple of very few people of colour across the sport as a said after grinding down gears. whole,” Hamilton said in a statement. with a Schwartzman at the Foro “Hopefully I’ll be able to “In F1, our teams are much bigger than the ath- petulant Italico, having fought back raise that level for the French letes that front them, but representation is insuffi- swipe of the from dropping the opening Open because that’s going to cient across every skill set -- from the garage to the ball but he bounced three games in front of a smat- be necessary if I want to go engineers in the factories and design back in style by winning his tering of fans. deep in the tournament.” departments.” fifth Italian Open title on “I found my best tennis In addition to the Italian Hamilton has been a leading advocate of the Monday. when I needed it most. Now we Open, Djokovic also won the Black Lives Matter movement and a leading figure The Serb’s 7-5, 6-3 defeat turn to Paris and I couldn’t ask Australian Open, the Dubai in Formula One’s anti-racism initiative this year. of Argentine Diego for a better tournament here Championship and the Western “I don’t regret a single moment,” said Hamilton, Schwartzman brought him a in Rome.” & Southern Open this season, referring to the t-shirt he wore and a subsequent record 36th ATP Masters There is little doubt that having also lifted the inaugural furore in which some critics called for an investi- crown, helping put behind an Djokovic will face a strong ATP Cup with Serbia. gation. I usually pull on my heart and do what I feel acrimonious exit at Flushing challenge at the French Open He will now need to hit top is right. I felt that was me following my heart. Meadows during a fourth- from the tournament’s record gear at Roland Garros if he is “I also did something that’s never really hap- round clash with Spaniard 12-times winner Rafa Nadal to erase the US Open debacle, pened in Formula One and obviously they’ll stop Serbia's Novak Djokovic plays a Pablo Carrenno Busta. and Austrian Dominic Thiem, where he was the hot favourite it from happening moving forward. forehand to Argentina's Diego Djokovic, who stretched his who won his maiden grand after Nadal had pulled out due “People do talk about sport not being a place Schwartzman during the Italian hot streak to 31 wins in 2020, slam title in New York. to COVID-19 concerns while for politics. Ultimately it’s human rights issues and, Open final in Rome on Monday. acknowledged the success in Nadal was stunned by Roger Federer is out for the in my opinion, that is something we should be Rome had helped him Schwartman in the Italian season after knee surgery. pushing towards."

Tyler Herro NHL: Stamkos scores of the Miami Herro stars as Heat hold Heat reacts to his shot during on return as Lightning Game Four against Boston off Celtics for 3-1 lead Celtics. crush Dallas Stars 5-2 AFP — ORLANDO postseason in game three. Jayson Tatum scored a team high 28 points, REUTERS — EDMONTON ahead 2-0 seven minutes into Rising star Tyler Herro scored a career all coming in the second half, and the game. high 37 points and Jimmy Butler Jaylen Brown had 21 for Boston, who The Tampa Bay Lightning, On his third shift, Stamkos chipped in 24 as the Miami Heat seized were looking to win consecutive play- bolstered by the long-awaited took a pass in the neutral zone, command of their Eastern Conference off games for the first time since the return of captain Steven eluded a Dallas defender and final series with a 112-109 win on start of their second-round series Stamkos, routed the Dallas then stormed toward the net Wednesday. against the Toronto Raptors. Stars 5-2 on Wednesday to grab where he sniped it home from The 20-year-old rookie Herro Kemba Walker scored 20, Gordon a 2-1 lead in the National a sharp angle 85 seconds after made five of 10 threes as Miami took Hayward 14 and Marcus Smart had 10 Hockey League’s best-of-seven Nikita Kucherov opened the a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series points and 11 assists. Stanley Cup Final. scoring. in the NBA’s quarantine bubble in Miami went on a 10-4 run at the Stamkos, who had surgery Stamkos did not play during Orlando, Florida. end of the first half after Hayward in March for a core muscle the final six minutes of the first "It is a good win for us. I feel good hit a pair of free throws to tie the injury, was limited to less than period and was not on the we are up 3-1 but we still have a lot of score 40-40 with 3:38 left in the three first-period minutes on bench when the second period work to do," Herro said. "We put a lot second. the night but made his presence began. Game Four is scheduled of effort into preparing for game four In the second half, Herro nailed a felt with a goal that put his team today. and we got it done." three pointer with just over four The win moved them to within one minutes left in the fourth quarter to Tampa Bay victory of an NBA finals berth which give Miami a 98-90 lead. Lightning players they will try to secure in game five Brown made a three pointer and celebrate a goal. today. Smart dropped in a layup to get the "Not too many people get an oppor- Celtics within three, but Dragic and tunity to make it this far in the playoffs Butler each made baskets to pad and be in a game like this, but for him Miami’s lead. it's another day in the office," said Butler Dragic responded from beyond the of Herro. arc and Herro added a layup to put "He's just going to keep playing bas- Miami up by nine with 56 seconds left ketball the right way." in regulation. Goran Dragic had 22 points, and Boston got within three again on Bam Adebayo added 20 points and 12 a Brown three-pointer with 16 seconds rebounds for Miami, who rebounded to go, but free throws by Herro and from just their second loss of the Butler sealed the victory. FRIDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2020 SPORT 15

AFC defends ACL: Al Sadd finish second as ACL safety after virus-hit Sepahan FC win Group D thriller Al Hilal axed AFP – KUALA LUMPUR THE PENINSULA – DOHA Asia’s football body yesterday Iranian side Sepahan yesterday beat defended safety measures for an under-strength Al Sadd 2-1 in the AFC Champions League their final group game of the 2020 after coronavirus-hit title- AFC Champions League at the Jassim holders Al Hilal were kicked Bin Hamad Stadium. out of the tournament for Reza Mirzaei’s 14th minute goal failing to field enough players. gave Sepahan a 1-0 lead at halftime, The Saudi giants had and they went on to double their accused the Asian Football advantage in the 53rd minute Al Sadd and Confederation of showing through Sajad Shabazzadeh. Hashim Sepahan FC insufficient “flexibility” after Ali pulled a goal back for Al Sadd in players in the club was axed for being the 82nd minute. action during unable to name a 13-man The result means that Al Sadd their last squad after several players finish with a tally of 9 points as Group D match tested positive for the virus. runners-up of Group D, two points of the AFC Only 11 players were fit for behind leaders Al-Nassr. Having Champions Wednesday’s group-stage already qualified for the Round of League, fixture in Doha against UAE’s 16 prior to this game, Xavi made 10 played at Shabab Al Ahli after 30 players changes to the line-up that started the Jassim and staff were confirmed to against Al Nassr on Matchday 5. Bin Hamad have been infected. The match got off to a calm start, Stadium, Al Hilal had managed to with no real chances for either side. yesterday. send a squad for last week’s In the 14th minute, Sepahan went PIC: TWITTER/ restart of Asia’s showpiece ahead through Mirzaei, who took @ALSADDSC club tournament following a advantage of Al Sadd’s failure to six-month hiatus. clear the ball. He controlled the ball Asked whether they were and got past Tarek Salman, before concerned about the growing finishing with a low striker past Action during yesterday's AFC number of cases, the AFC told Meshaal Barsham. Al Taawoun confirm Champions League Group C AFP they had taken sufficient Sepahan went on to control the match between Al Duhail and precautions at the Qatar hub game against the mostly youthful Al Al Taawoun, played at the where West Asia group Sadd side, but veteran striker last 16 ticket with Education City Stadium. matches are being staged. Rodrigo Tabata did have a chance “Bio-secure bubbles” had to equalise in the 38th minute. been created for players and However, his shot from just outside win over Al Duhail staff and they were being reg- the box went wide and hit the side ularly tested, while new netting. AFC – DOHA bubbles had been set up for the Xavi made his first substitution media and security officials, at halftime, bringing on Abdelkarim Saudi Arabia’s Al Taawoun the body said. Hassan in place of Tarek Salman. FC snatched a ticket to the “There has been no trans- In the 53rd minute, Sepahan 2020 AFC Champions mission of COVID-19 between managed to score once again, dou- League Round-of-16 after two competing teams bling their lead through Shahbaz- defeating Al Duhail 1-0 in throughout the matches,” they zadeh who finished off a rebound Group C yesterday. said in a statement. after Meshaal Barsham had parried The first half was cagey YESTERDAY’S RESULTS “AFC will continue to do a shot into his path. and featured missed everything in its power to min- Al Sadd then made another chances by Mohammed GROUP C imise the transmission of change, bringing on Khoukhi Musa, Edmilson Junior and Persepolis FC (IRN) 4-0 Sharjah (UAE) Covid-19.” Boualem in place of Mohammed Dudu for Al Duhail as well Al Duhail SC (QAT) 0-1 Al Taawoun FC (KSA) The football body insisted Waad in the 61st minute. Tabata got as Cedric Amissi for the GROUP D it was committed to “ensuring a golden opportunity to score in the Buraidah based side. Deep Al Nassr (KSA) 0-1 Al Ain FC (UAE) the safe completion of the AFC 73rd minute, when Musaab Khidir into stoppage time in the Sepahan FC (IRN) 2-1 Al Sadd SC (QAT) Champions League”. sent in a teasing cross but his close- first half, Cassio expertly After the lengthy break due range header was remarkably saved denied Almoez Ali who to the virus, officials are and held between the Sepahan struck from the left. chipped, but substitute Saad rushing to complete the com- keeper’s feet. Junior threatened 55 Yaslam managed to reach petition before the end of the Finally, a goal did come for Al minutes in, and after a the ball and clear off the year, with a single-leg final Sadd, when Hashim Ali scored in the break by his side, the line. now due to take place on 82nd minute. Belgian cut inside from the A bandaged Duke then December 19. Yusuf Abdurisag pounced on a left flank beating two dramatically sealed the tie Al Hilal said they had sug- weak back-pass in the Sepahan box, players before curling an for Al Taawoun after gested various ways of before squaring it for Hashim to tap effort in from range that breaking free from his remaining in the tournament, into an empty net. Cassio gratefully clutched marker in the area to meet including postponing Wednes- In stoppage time, there was an into his arms. Sultan Mandash’s corner day’s match. opportunity to equalise but The match exploded and put the ball past Al But the AFC said it had Khoukhi’s header was kept out by a into life in the final 10 Bakri. rejected the request as it Sepahan defender on the minutes, with Al Duhail The result sees Al Duhail “would have a huge negative goal-line. missing a golden chance to crash out of the compe- impact” on the match The referee then blew his whistle open the scoring through tition, while Al Taawoun schedule. Al Hilal played Iran’s to signal the end of the game as Al Ismail Mohammed, who qualify to the Round of 16 Shahr Khodro on Sunday, after Sadd suffered their first defeat of the was through on goal with for the first time in their the AFC refused to postpone competition. just the keeper to beat and history. the game. Former Aussie batsman, broadcaster Rahul’s ton powers Dean Jones dies of cardiac arrest Kings to 97-run win AFP – MUMBAI -- Dean Jones. Gone so young. Condolences to the family and over Kohli’s RCB Former Australia batsman and may his soul rest in peace,” cricket commentator Dean tweeted India’s head coach Ravi IANS –DUBAI wicket, which was the only Jones, who had been covering Shastri. meaningful partnership that the ongoing Indian Premier Star India called Jones “one Former Riding on a blistering century RCB managed to put up on the League from Mumbai, has died of the great ambassadors of the Australian skipper KL Rahul, Kings XI night. of a heart attack, his employer game” and praised him for his cricketer Punjab thrashed Royal Chal- Ravi Bishnoi (20) ended the Star India said yesterday. involvement with the sport’s Dean Jones lengers Bangalore (RCB) by 97 stand with the wicket of Finch “It is with great sadness that development across cricket- speaking to runs in an IPL encounter at the in the eighth over. De Villiers we share the news of the mad South Asia. media during Dubai International Cricket fell in the ninth over to passing away of Mr. Dean “He was passionate about a press event Stadium yesterday. Murugan Ashwin to end any Mervyn Jones,” the broadcaster discovering new talent and nur- in this file Rahul’s unbeaten 132 off 69 slender chances of RCB putting said in a statement. turing young cricketers... He photo taken balls helped KXIP post a up a challenge. Bishnoi and “He died of a sudden will be sorely missed by eve- on February mammoth 206/3 in 20 overs. Ashwin ended the game with cardiac arrest. We express our ryone at Star and his millions 14, 2014. In reply, RCB were bowled out three wickets each. deep condolences to his family of fans across the globe.” for 109 in 17 overs. It was an especially bad the and stand ready to support RCB needed big contribu- day in office for Kohli, who them in this difficult time.” tions from their star-studded apart from being dismissed for Jones, who played 52 Tests Reactions to death of former Australian batsman Dean Jones top order to stand a chance in just one run, was guilty of and 164 one-day internationals Still in shock hearing the news of Deano’s passing. this. Rip Deano, you will be missed: David Warner, the mammoth chase. But what dropping Rahul twice in the in the 1980s and 1990s, winning Thoughts are with Jane and the family at this Australia batsman ensued was far from it, as RCB 17th and 18th over. the World Cup in 1987, was one incredibly tough time. A great man with an were reduced to 57/5 inside Rahul went berserk after of Australia’s most popular amazing passion for the game: Justin Langer, Simply awful news. Rest in peace Deano. Grew up nine overs with the young that, smashing 26 runs off Dale cricketers. Devdutt Padikkal (1), Aaron Steyn in the 19th over before In 1986, he famously struck Australia coach idolising you and it was a pleasure to know you. Finch (20), Josh Philippe (0), ending the 20th with a four 210 in the blistering heat of Heartbreaking: Jason Gillespie, former Australia captain Virat Kohli (1) and AB and consecutive sixes. His 132 Chennai during cricket’s Dean Jones will be missed, he taught me so much fast bowler de Villiers (28) all back in the is the highest score by any second-ever tied Test. on and off the ground. I and all of the cricketing hut. Indian in the IPL and the first He coached in the Pakistan world will miss him: Darren Lehmann, former Shocked to hear about the tragic loss of Dean Mohammed Shami put the century by any batsman this Super League and was also a Australia batsman and coach Jones. Praying for strength and courage to his early breaks on the RCB season. widely travelled innings, giving away just 14 commentator. family and friends: Virat Kohli, India captain runs in the three overs he BRIEF SCORES: “Shocked to hear about the Incredibly shocked by the news that Dean Jones bowled and taking the wicket KXIP 206/3 in 20 overs tragic loss of Dean Jones. has passed away. Had a poster of the great man in Absolutely heartbreaking news about Dean Jones of Philippe. Sheldon Cottrell (KL Rahul 132 not out, Mayank Praying for strength and my room as a kid: Glenn Maxwell, Australian passing away. A wonderful soul taken away too dismissed Padikkal in the very Agarwal 26; Shivam Dube 2/33) courage to his family and batsman soon. Had the opportunity to play against him first over of the innings before RCB 109 in 17 overs (Wash- friends,” said India’s skipper during my first tour of Australia: Sachin Tendulkar, claiming the all-important ington Sundar 30, AB de Vil- Virat Kohli on Twitter. I can’t believe this news. So very sad to hear about Indian batting great wicket of Kohli in the third. liers 28; Murugan Ashwin 3/21) “Really shocking to lose a Finch and de Villiers then Kings XI Punjab won by 97 colleague and a dear friend put up 49 runs for the fourth runs.