14 Established 1961 Sports Tuesday, December 26, 2017 Banged up hand not a barrier for captain Smith Coach Lehmann to step down after Ashes MELBOURNE: Getting whacked on the hand by a trophy with his express pace, late swing and aggres- Cameron Bancroft shot would not keep Steve Smith sion, Bird was more than capable of stepping into fill his from the Boxing Day test against England, the Australia shows, Smith said, even if the pitch was not expected to captain said yesterday. Smith was struck on the right be overly helpful to the bowlers. “It looks pretty flat. It hand by a Bancroft shot while standing at the back of doesn’t look like there will be great deal of sideways the batting nets at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on movement, maybe a bit of reverse swing as the game Sunday ahead of the fourth test in the series. goes on,” he said. “Hopefully we can get the ball revers- The 28-year-old said he had been in pain on Sunday ing and hopefully there’s a little bit of spin for Nath and again yesterday when he was batting during train- (Nathan Lyon). “We’ve been able to get results here in ing but it would not affect him when he leads his side the last couple of years. We’re going to have work hard, out today as they continue their push for a series first-innings runs are going to be crucial again. “We’ve whitewash. “It was a little bit sore today playing a few now got an opportunity to keep winning. That’s been different shots” he told reporters. “But I’ll be able to my message to the boys, don’t worry about 5-0 at this deal with it and I’ll get on with it. “Maybe I’ll just have stage. “You’ve got to win this one first.” to use a bit more of my top hand throughout the game, a bit less wristy. “I copped a few (on the right hand) in Lehmann to step down as coach the nets in Perth and a few more in the game. It just Meanwhile, Darren Lehmann will step down as seems to be whenever Australia coach after the you’re getting hit in a 2019 Ashes series in spot - it just continually England, he told Fox gets hit.” Sports yesterday. The Australia have already Push for a 47-year-old, who took regained the Ashes after the job in 2013, will lead an innings and 41-run series Australia’s World Cup victory in the third test in defence in England Perth last week gave whitewash before they attempt to them an unassailable 3-0 win an away Ashes lead in the five-match series for the first time series. Smith said that since 2001. “That will be Bancroft had apologized it,” Lehmann said. “It will profusely for the inci- be a case of too much dent. “I didn’t give him time, too much travel. much (initially). He kept coming up ... it’s all good, acci- “I’ve really enjoyed the role and am loving it,” added dents happen,” Smith said. The Australians had been Lehmann, who played 27 tests and 117 one-day inter- forced to make one change from the side that ham- nationals for Australia as a prolific middle-order bats- mered England in Perth to seal the series with Mitchell man. “We’ll just get to that point and work out what we Starc ruled out due to a heel injury and replaced by do from there.” Australia clinched the current series PERTH: Australian captain Steve Smith celebrates after reaching his 200 on day three of the third Ashes cricket Jackson Bird. against England last week with victory by an innings Test match at the WACA ground. — AFP While Starc had been instrumental in regaining the and 41 runs in the third test in Perth. —Reuters Shooting range opens at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Heritage Village By Abdellatif Sharaa KUWAIT: The Shooting range at Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Heritage Village opened on Saturday in the presence of the Amiri Diwan Advisor Mohammad Daifallah Sharar and the Secretary General of Kuwait and Arab shoot- ing Federations Obaid Mnahi Al-Osaimi. Sharar said he was happy to meet officials escorting the convoy throughout the Run. from the Kuwait Shooting Sport Club to open Lamborghini As is the norm with Lamborghini events the shooting range at Sheikh Sabah Al- (such as BullRun, Bulls & Coffee), the whole Ahmad Heritage Village. He went on to add experience always proves to be unforget- that the range will be open to village visitors, Kuwait table, for both the vehicle owners and avid who always enjoyed being here these past fans who are always astonished by a gath- five years. ering of so many Lamborghinis. “We always Al-Sabah and HH the Crown Prince Sheikh members in preparing the club’s branch at Advisor Sharar thanked KSSC officials for organizes first look forward to events that bring us closer Nawaf Al-Ahmad for their continued support. Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad heritage village in to our customers in a casual setting, which their efforts in introducing the sport to local He also thanked the higher committee of Salmy. He also lauded the support of advisor allows our customers and Lamborghini youth and training them on different types of Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad heritage village at the Amiri Diwan Mohammad Sharar and ever BullRun Kuwait to show off the brand and the cars. shooting techniques. On his part, Secretary headed by Advisor Mohammad Sharar. village officials for providing all facilities nec- It brings us great pleasure to see so many General Al-Osaimi said “we are honored to Competitions at the range will be on Fridays essary to open the ranges as scheduled. This KUWAIT: Lamborghini Kuwait, represent- people passionate about Lamborghinis and open the shooting range at the village, and it from 1:00 pm - 6:00 pm, at the rate of com- is the sixth year in which the sport of shoot- ed by Fouad Alghanim & Sons Automotive to witness the gathering of all the beautiful is a range that was built at the invitation of petition each hour, while prizes will be given ing participates within the sports and social Company, organizes the first Lamborghini Lamborghinis in such an event.” said Tarek Advisor Sharar for the sixth year running. Al- to the top three winners. activities at the village, and is witnessing con- BullRun. The BullRun, organized by AlShafie, Fouad Alghanim& Sons Osaimi said there will be competitions and Meanwhile President of Kuwait and Arab tinued success, becoming the destinations of Lamborghini Kuwait, is a Lamborghini rec- Automotive Company Dealer Principal and prizes for the winners. Al-Osaimi thanked HH Shooting Federations Eng Duaij Khalaf Al- Kuwaitis and visitors due to its cultural, social ognized event where Lamborghini owners General Manager. the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Otaibi lauded the efforts of KSSC board and sports activities. are able to gather and enjoy a drive togeth- The range of Lamborghini vehicles is er in an official Lamborghini convoy and an ever-growing, with the latest additions to event that is open to all Lamborghini the Lamborghini family being: the breath- Kuwait customers. BullRun 1 participants all taking Aventador S; the Aventador S gathered at the Company’s service center Roadster; the track-focused and record- and the Run to Dhai Complex started at breaking Huracan Performante; as well as 4:00 PM, under the guidance and support the soon to be available Lamborghini of the Lamborghini Kuwait team and the Urus - the world’s first Super Sport Ministry of Interior with local Police Utility Vehicle. sights on being fully fit for the first Test Du Plessis against India, starting in Cape Town on January 5. “I’d rather feel good and play no cricket rather than play and not feel good,” doubtful for he said. Du Plessis admitted that a selection dilemma would be eased if he didn’t play. “It gives someone else an opportunity to play, Zimbabwe Test which was quite a headache in the first place.” Fast bowler Dale Steyn, who is mak- PORT ELIZABETH: Captain Faf du Plessis is ing a comeback after more than a year out a doubt to start South Africa’s one-off day- of action with a broken shoulder, is another was not originally chosen in England’s Ashes Wood is nearing full fitness after touring night Test against Zimbabwe, starting at St doubt, with Du Plessis saying he would not Curran to debut touring squad. But he got his chance when with the England Lions, while Ball struggled George’s Park today. Du Plessis has not be rushed back into action. “With Dale, in Steve Finn left the tour early with knee carti- in his only Test appearance on tour in played since suffering a back injury during a terms of the amount of overs he’s bowled lage problems and now has a Test opportuni- Brisbane. “It wasn’t an easy decision,” Root one-day international against Bangladesh in leading up to the first Test I think it’s impor- for England in ty following Overton’s injury setback. Captain said. “We certainly had a little while thinking October. He said he was still feeling some tant to assess how ready he is to bowl at full Joe Root said he was backing Curran to make about it on this surface and these conditions. discomfort and would only play if he felt he intensity,” said Du Plessis.