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TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 SteveS Smith puts hand up to lead AAustralia again if given chance I’veI certainly had a lot of time to think about it and I guess nown I’ve got to a point where if the opportunity did comec up again, I would be keen.

Steve Smith Sport |09 VOLLEYBALL: AMIR CUP Al Rayyan beat SC 3-0 (25-23, 25-13, 25-22); Al Ahli beat Al Wakrah 3-1 (25-12, 19-25, 25-18, 25-20)

Qatari players during a training session yesterday as they prepare for their third European Qualifying match in Debrecen, . The Asian champions who have won both of their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 European Qualifiers so far, will take on today.

Asian champions look to continue winning run at European qualifiers Upbeat Qatar take on ‘strong’ Ireland THE PENINSULA – DEBRECEN Meanwhile, star striker Qatar coach Felix Sanchez with team officials during a training session yesterday. Almoez Ali said the team's goal Asian Champions Qatar will be looking Qatar are about to play a very is to present the best possible to wrap up the first stage of the image which fits the "Asian European Qualifiers in Debrecen, difficult match against a strong Champions" tag. Hungary, with a flourish when they team. Ireland has many players "The fighting spirit has face Ireland in today's Group A clash in the English Premier League, always been the most at the Nagyerdei Stadion. the strongest league in the important secret of our suc- Sanchez and his team are enjoying world. Considering that the cesses, during the current tour- a fine run at the European Qualifiers nament or in the previous where they have won both their Group confrontation will be an ideal events we have he participated A encounters so far, but Sanchez is test for our team, we have to in," Almoez, Qatar's hero at the aware that today's encounter will be adapt quickly to such types of AFC Asian Cup two years ago, the most difficult of them all. matches: Qatar coach Felix said yesterday. Qatar, who have qualified automat- Sanchez "We hope to continue what ically for the World Cup as the host we started in the European nation, are included as a guest team in Qualifiers. We are a good team the European Qualifiers to gain match and as long as the collective practice against top teams. the physical point of view. and fighting spirit is there, we Sanchez yesterday warned his They have players who have will try to give our best. players about the challenges they might fast reflections," Sanchez "It does not matter who face in today's confrontation. said. scores, the important thing is "Qatar are about to play a very dif- "We will try to provide the for the team to provide a ficult match against a strong team. best possible level in order to decent performance. Per- Ireland has many players in the English continue the good image that sonally, I seek to help the team Premier League, the strongest league we presented in the previous two his tally to 30 international goals in 137 the services of Tottenham full-back and this is my goal. And if I get the in the world. Considering that the con- games and we have to be ready to caps. Matt Doherty and Sheffield United’s opportunity I will score goals of course frontation will be an ideal test for our avoid any situations that the com- Ireland come into today's match Enda Stevens. because this is part of my responsi- team, we have to adapt quickly to such petitor may impose on us," Sanchez off the back of a defeat to "We have an idea about the for- bility," Almoez, who has played for types of matches," Sanchez said during said yesterday. on Saturday night, their 10th loss in a mation for today's game, but at the same several European clubs, including KAS a virtual press conference on the eve Qatar are high in confidence, row since the arrival of their new time we will wait until our last training Eupen, FC Pasching, LASK Linz and of the match. having defeated and manager Stephen Kenny. in order to make the final decision on Cultural Leonesa, said. "There is no doubt that it is a dif- Luxembourg. It was also their second loss in the the line-up," Sanchez said yesterday. "We are participating in a unique ficult match against a strong team Mohammed Muntari fired the Group stage, having lost 3-2 at . "We focus only on preparing for event which is an ideal opportunity to that seeks to recover from their pre- 'Hosts' Qatar at the Nagyerdei Stadion Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home against matches optimally, we are not affected make contact with strong teams in vious two losses. They will look for to their opening win against Luxem- Luxembourg who are 98th in the FIFA by what is happening or what is said preparation for the World Cup. We a win which will of course act as a bourg (1-0). Later, skipper Hasan Al rankings - 56 spots lower than Ireland, in the media. We always work hard hope the qualifiers in the best possible motivation for them. So it will be a Haydos scored a stunning winner in rubbed more salt into their wounds. and prepare well to compete in the best way by giving our best against Ireland," high-level match, especially from their 2-1 victory over Azerbaijan to take In today's match, Ireland will miss possible way," Sanchez said. Almoez said. Viñales, Yamaha shine in Qatar again MOTOGP – DOHA speed and off the mark advantage commanding fashion was simply 2017 season, it’s fair to say it hasn’t seemed a bit too much to overcome stunning. completely gone to plan for Viñales It’s been a Ducati stranglehold in for the Yamahas, especially after Yamaha’s game, and the vic- in Iwata blue. Three wins in the recent years, but a repeat of 2017 what we saw in 2020. Many were tories we’ve seen from Viñales in opening five races was a dream sees Top Gun take season-opener proved wrong. recent years, has been to get out at start to life as a Yamaha rider, honours under the lights As the lights went out, Ducati’s the front from the get-go and run but five wins – including the “We are back.” Those were the monsters roared into Turn 1 four your own race. latest triumph – since rousing words of Maverick Viañles abreast. Viñales and teammate It might have only been Round the famous Le Mans (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) Fabio Quartararo were helpless 1 of the season, but we learned a encounter hasn’t straight after he performed from the front row as Bagnaia, lot from Qatar’s opener. When been the icing on arguably his best premier class per- Miller, Zarco and even Jorge Martin Viñales says “we are back”, it looks the cake. This formance to date to claim victory (Pramac Racing) – from 14th on the like he really means it. The might be the start at the 2021 Barwa Grand Prix of grid – shot into the first corner in Spaniard won one race last season of what we all came Qatar. And he’s not wrong. P1, P2, P3 and P4. It was unreal to but it was a largely disappointing to expect though. The Losail International Circuit watch. But what happened next year for both him and Yamaha in It must be said that Yamaha has only seen one manufacturer proved that Yamaha and Viñales general. Yes, they won seven out have always performed well in the win there in the last two seasons. have turned a corner. of 14 races, but Viñales and Quar- Qatar: Viñales, Valentino Rossi and That is, of course, Ducati. Heading Through the first sector, Viñales tararo’s title challenges on the latest Jorge Lorenzo have all won at into the opening race of 2021, the was P9. From there, previously, it spec machinery went up in smoke. Losail. But that shouldn’t take any- Italian manufacturer in the capable was probably game over in terms To display such a performance that thing away from what we hands of Francesco Bagnaia, Ducati of a decent points haul for Yamaha is pretty much the total opposite of witnessed on the latest Lenovo Team teammate Jack Miller as battling in a pack with different what we’ve seen from Viñales and Sunday under the lights. and Johann Zarco (Pramac Racing) machines is something that has Yamaha in recent years is a tell-tail A lot can change over were favourites to continue the been a huge weak point in the last sign that the combination is here the coming months. trend. What very few people couple of seasons. So for Viñales to to stay at the top of the Champi- However, Viñales has expected was a Viñales victory. Not then pick each rider in front of him onship for the foreseeable. returned to action with an because he isn’t capable, but off, not look uncomfortable doing Since winning his first race with almighty bang. Is this form here because Ducati’s straight-line so, and going on to win the race in Yamaha in Qatar at the start of the to stay? Time will tell. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 SPORT 11 Amir Cup: Al Rayyan and Al Ahli reach semi-finals

Al Ahli and Al Wakrah players battle for a Action during the first Amir point during their Cup quarter-final between Amir Cup last-8 match Al Rayyan and Qatar SC yesterday. Al Ahli yesterday. Al Rayyan won claimed a 3-1 victory, 3-0 with a 25-23, 25-13, winning the match with 25-22 score-line. scores of 25-12, 19-25, 25-18, 25-20.

PORTUGAL LOOK TO BOUNCE BACK IN WC QUALIFIERS Serbia, could have A look at what’s happening in 2022 World Cup qualifying in Europe today: GROUP A Portugal looks to rebound from a 2-2 draw against Serbia when it visits Luxembourg, which is coming off a shock win in avoided Ronaldo fury: UEFA Ireland. Portugal squandered a two-goal lead against Serbia, leaving both nations tied with four points at the top of the group. Cristiano Ronaldo, who is yet to score in the qualifiers, REUTERS — BELGRADE was furious after having a goal disallowed against Serbia even though the ball appeared to cross the line. Serbia will visit Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo Azerbaijan, which lost its opener against Portugal. Luxembourg A Cristiano Ronaldo goal not in action with Serbia’s Marko is third in the group with three points. given in a dramatic World Cup Dmitrovic. qualifier between Serbia and GROUP E Portugal would have stood if Following a 3-1 loss to in its opening qualifying match, the two football associations hosts the hoping star player Gareth Bale had agreed before the game to will rediscover his scoring form. Bale, the country’s all-time use goal-line technology, UEFA leading scorer, has not found the net for Wales since his 33rd said yesterday. international goal in October 2019. The Czechs do not have Portugal captain Ronaldo such attacking issues, scoring seven goals and taking four points was left fuming and got booked from their pair of opening qualifiers last week. That included a for dissent after his stoppage- draw with Belgium, the world’s top-ranked team which plays at time effort in Saturday’s Group home to . A 2-2 draw at Serbia was GROUP G cleared by Stefan Mitrovic after After scoring seven goals in its first two qualifiers to top the the ball had crossed the line as group, hosts a team that has lost both of its shown by television replays. opening matches and sits just above last-place Gibraltar thanks With no Video Assistant to a better goal difference. Turkey has beaten the Referee (VAR) in place to review and , considered the best two teams in the group. The the incident, match officials Dutch will be looking to improve their goal tally in Gibraltar waved play on and a livid after squandering several chances in its 2-0 win over Latvia on Ronaldo left the pitch seconds Saturday. “We have to ensure that we are focused on a good before the final whistle as he result and hopefully of course score a lot of goals,” Netherlands also threw away the captain’s coach Frank de Boer said. , which also has won its armband while heading opening two qualifiers, hosts Norway, which is still waiting for towards the tunnel. star striker Erling Haaland to score his first goal in the qualifying “The decision to use goal- campaign. line technology for the match,” the European soccer this, it doesn’t make us happy implement VAR in the 2022 GROUP H European Qualifiers lies with governing body said. at all,” he said. European qualifiers. was the World Cup runner-up in 2018 but its qualifying the host association for each “If the host association Santos said after the game “VAR was also not in use in campaign has already encountered problems after an plans to implement goal-line it was unacceptable not to have the UEFA Nations League group opening defeat too and an technology, they must also VAR at this level of competition stage in the autumn of 2020 underwhelming 1-0 win over . obtain written consent from the but UEFA on Sunday said the and has therefore to-date never Croatia hosts in what wwouldould All I can say is that I said visiting association in order for COVID-19 pandemic made it been used in UEFA national normally be considereddered an easyeasy sorry to the coach and the it to be used,” UEFA added. impossible to install the system team qualifying group stage win, though 176th-rankedranked Malta team about what happened. Match referee Danny in time for the qualifiers. matches.” FIFA, which showed it can surpriseprise bbiggerigger Makkelie told Portuguese “In 2019 UEFA had pro- organises the World Cup, said teams in a 2-2 draw wiwithth SSlovakia.lovakia. As a refereeing team we A Bola newspaper yesterday posed to (world soccer gov- it was informed by UEFA in is the only teamteam in tthehe always work hard to take the that he had apologised to Por- erning body) FIFA the imple- January that VAR could not be group to win its openingpening two right decisions. When we are tugal coach Fernando Santos mentation of VAR in the current used in qualifiers due to the games and next playslays SSlovakia.lovakia. in the news for a reason like and the rest of the team for World Cup qualifiers,” it said. “issues and restrictions” caused Forward Artem Dzyubayuba needs one Frank de the mistake. “The impact of the pan- by the novel coronavirus. more goal to tie the Russia scoringscoring Boer this, it doesn’t make us “All I can say is that I said demic on operational and logis- The result left Serbia top of happy at all. record of 30 held byy Alexander sorry to the coach and the tical capabilities led UEFA to the group on four points from Kerzhakov. Slovakiakia is team about what happened. delay the implementation of two games, ahead of Portugal already in trouble aafterfter Danny Makkelie As a refereeing team we VAR in the Europa League on goal difference. The two opening draws withth Match referee always work hard to take the group phase (to 2021-22 instead teams meet again in the reverse Cyprus and Malta. right decisions. When we are of 2020-21) as well as to fixture in Portugal on Nov. 14 in Slovenia visits Cyprus.us. in the news for a reason like withdraw the proposal to the final round of matches.

Poland’s Robert Lewandowski Three Wales (left) reacts after sustaining USA men to miss third straight an injury as ’s Cristian players sent Martinez looks on. home after Olympics after Honduras loss

REUTERS – GUADALAJARA breaching Honduras’ Juan Carlos Obregon (foreground) in team protocol Honduras punched their ticket action with Justen Glad to the men’s soccer competition of the US. at this year’s Tokyo Games with LONDON REUTERS — a 2-1 semi-final victory over the at the CONCACAF Wales have released Hal Olympic qualifying tournament Robson-Kanu, Rabbi in Guadalajara, Mexico, on Matondo and Tyler Roberts Sunday. from the national squad Los Catrachos, who finished ahead of their World Cup fourth at the 2016 Rio Olympics qualifier against the Czech Lewandowski ruled after falling to hosts in Republic for breaching the semi-finals, went ahead on team protocol, the coun- goals by American-born Hon- try’s FA said yesterday. out of clash duran Juan Carlos Obregon and “The three players will Luis Palma before the US pulled be returning to their REUTERS — LONDON injury,” the Polish Football one back in the 52nd minute. respective clubs this Association said. Honduras, who have qual- afternoon,” FAW said in a suffered a massive blow “Clinical and imaging ified for four consecutive statement. ahead of this week’s crunch studies have shown damage to Olympics, opened the scoring While no details of the World Cup qualifier away to the collateral ligament of the in the final seconds of first-half breach were given, Leeds England when striker and right knee." stoppage time when Obregon United’s Roberts took to talisman Robert Lewandowski The 32-year-old Lewand- bundled the ball home after Instagram to apologise for was ruled out because of a knee owski has been in scintillating Denil Maldonado headed it breaking curfew. injury yesterday. form this season and already across the face of the goal. got on the board when Jackson North and Central America and “Gutted to be leaving Lewandowski injured his has struck 42 goals for Bayern Disaster struck for the Yueill rifled in a shot from the Caribbean at the July the camp early, but rules right knee just past the hour in all competitions this season. Americans in the 47th minute outside the area. Honduras, 23-Aug. 8 Tokyo Olympics. are rules and I shouldn’t mark of Sunday’s victory over He scored twice for Poland in when goalkeeper David Ochoa who reached the semi-finals of As both semi-final winners have been up in the hotel Andorra and underwent scans the 3-0 win over Andorra in the got caught in possession and his the eight-team tournament as qualify for the Olympics, the later than the set time,” he yesterday. The Bayern Munich Group I fixture. pass was swiftly blocked by the top team in Group B, will final qualification match is wrote. “Sorry to the team, player is expected to be out for Lewandowski is on track to Palma and bounced straight next face either Mexico or essentially an exhibition. staff and Wales fans. I will 10 days. break Gerd Mueller’s 1971-72 into the net for what proved to in today’s final. The eight-team tournament continue to work as hard “Robert Lewandowski will Bundesliga season record of 40 be the game-winning goal. Group A winner Mexico and was originally scheduled to be as I can to earn my place not play in Wednesday’s World league goals in one campaign, The United States, who have Canada are playing in Sunday’s held in March 2020 but was in the squad for the Euros.” Cup qualifying match against having already bagged 35 with not qualified for the Olympics second semi-final to determine postponed because of England in London due to an 8 league games left. since the 2008 Beijing Games, the other team that represents COVID-19. 10 SPORT TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021

MIAMI OPEN RESULTS MEN'S SINGLES: ROUND OF 32 Roberto Bautista Agut (7), , def. Jan-Lennard Struff (31), , 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Miami Open: Medvedev John Isner (18), United States, def. Felix Auger- Aliassime (11), Canada, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). Jannik Sinner (21), , def. Karen Khachanov (14), Russia, 4-6, 7-6 (2), 6-4. Daniil Medvedev (1), Russia, def. Alexei Popyrin, limps to 3rd-round win , 7-6 (3), 6-7 (7), 6-4. Taylor Fritz (22), United States, def. Cameron Norrie, AP – MIAMI made enough of them - serves espe- a break point, which meant the Britain, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1. cially - to close out the 2 1/2-hour outcome was determined by a handful Alexander Bublik (32), , def. James Daniil Medvedev could barely walk, match. of shots. Isner likes such matches Duckworth, Australia, 6-4, 6-4. much less run. He could still serve, When Popyrin misfired on a - sometimes. Frances Tiafoe, United States, def. Dusan Lajovic though. backhand on the final point, Osaka advanced to the fourth (16), Serbia, 1-6, 7-5, 6-3. WOMEN'S SINGLES: ROUND OF 32 The top-ranked Medvedev held Medvedev shuffled to the net with a round at Miami for the first time in Maria Sakkari (23), , def. Liudmila his final two service games despite smile that turned into a wince. her career when qualifier Nina Sto- Samsonova, Russia, 6-0, 6-1. being hobbled by cramps and beat “My serve saved me,” Medvedev janovic withdrew from their match Naomi Osaka (2), , def. Nina Stojanovic, Alexei Popyrin 7-6 (3), 6-7 (7), 6-4 in said. “Thanks a lot to my serve.” shortly before the scheduled start Serbia, walkover. the third round at the Miami Open. Also advancing was No. 18-seeded because of a right thigh injury. Jessica Pegula (29), United States, def. Karolina Medvedev said the victory brought John Isner, the only former Miami Osaka, ranked No. 2, has won 22 Pliskova (6), Czech Republic, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. a special sort of satisfaction. champion in the men’s field. On the consecutive matches since her most Sara Sorribes Tormo, Spain, def. Elena Rybakina “Winning a Grand Slam final in women’s side, No. 2 Naomi Osaka recent defeat in February 2020, and (21), Kazakhstan, 6-1, 3-6, 6-2. straight sets doesn’t feel the way I felt advanced with a walkover, but No. 4 she earned her fourth Grand Slam title Elise Mertens (16), Belgium, def. Anett Kontaveit after the match point today,” he said Sofia Kenin lost to No. 27 Ons Jabeur at the Australian Open last month. But (22), , 6-2, 0-6, 6-2. with a grin. “A match to remember 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. in Miami, where she is making her Garbine Muguruza (12), Spain, def. Anna Kalinskaya, for sure.” Isner never had a break-point fifth appearance, she has previously Russia, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4. Medvedev failed to convert three opportunity and won anyway, which made early exits. Ons Jabeur (27), Tunisia, def. Sofia Kenin (4), United match points in the second set after is the kind of feat typical of Isner. The She’ll next face No. 16 Elise States, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4. taking a 5-2 lead. An hour later the big American with the big serve hit 16 Mertens, who won a seesaw match Bianca Andreescu (8), Canada, def. Amanda Russian was still playing, and on a aces and edged No. 11-seeded Felix against No. 22 Anett Kontaveit, 6-2, Anisimova (28), United States, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (2), 6-4. humid afternoon with temperatures Auger-Aliassime 7-6 (5), 7-6 (5). 0-6, 6-2. No. 29 Jessica Pegula in the mid 80s, he paid a price. That made it four consecutive sets defeated No. 6 Karolina Pliskova for He broke in the final set for a 4-3 Isner has won by tiebreaker against the third time this year, 6-1, 4-6, 6-4. lead, but by then he was limping Auger-Aliassime in Miami. The score In other men’s play, No. 7 Roberto Daniil Medvedev of Russia hits a forehand against around the court. when they met in the 2019 semifinal Bautista Agut rallied past No. 31 Jan- Alexei Popyrin of Australia (not pictured) during the To keep rallies short, Medvedev was 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4). Lennard Struff 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. Bautista third round in the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. began hitting high-risk shots, and In the rematch, neither player had Agut will face Isner next. Olympics: Overseas athletes may be able to take part in test events

REUTERS – TOKYO

International athletes could be invited to participate in test events before the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games this summer, organisers said yesterday. The events will be a dress rehearsal in how to prevent the spread of COVID-19 as organisers host an inter- national sports event during a global pandemic. “At the moment we are currently gauging how many athletes would like to participate in the test events... We will coordinate with the government Torchbearer Sho Endo, once we can confirm those numbers,” Japanese freestyle skier senior Tokyo 2020 official Yasuo Mori and former Olympian told reporters. during the Tokyo 2020 Test events for five competitions, Olympic torch relay, in including track and field and the mar- Inawashiro, Fukushima QSA President Al Jaber attends FINA athon, could involve foreign athletes prefecture, Japan. participating, the organisers said. meeting ahead of General Congress Asked what Tokyo 2020 would do with the test events if there were the Games begin on July 23. Test events stay masked, stand apart and clap Qatar Swimming Association (QSA) President Khaleel Al Jaber attending the another wave of coronavirus infec- for skateboarding and shooting were instead of cheer for torchbearers as International Swimming Federation’s (FINA) virtual meeting to review preparations tions, Games Delivery Officer this month postponed from April until organisers try to ease public safety for the FINA General Congress to be hosted in Doha on June 5. It was the second Hidemasa Nakamura said they were May because of the pandemic’s impact concerns. FINA meeting regarding the event, with the first taking place on the sidelines of “inextricably linked with the domestic on scheduling. Tokyo 2020 organisers have season-opening FINA/CNSG Marathon Swim World Series 2021 at Katara Beach and local coronavirus situation.” Tokyo The Olympic Torch relay started banned international spectators from on March 13. Top FINA officials attended the meeting. 2020 is planning 18 test events before last week, with bystanders asked to attending the Games. Bale reiterates plan to return to Real Madrid

REUTERS – LONDON

Gareth Bale has reiterated his plan to return to Real Madrid once his loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur is over and played down suggestions his comments were disrespectful to the London club. The 31-year-old raised eye- brows last week when appearing to rule out any chance of staying with his former club Tottenham for a longer period, having returned on loan in September. Some of the club’s fans took to social media to accuse Bale of using Tottenham to get himself fit for this year’s Euros, having fallen out of favour at Real Madrid, where he has a contract until 2022. “Obviously, going into next season, legally my contract says I have to go back to Real Wales’ Gareth Madrid, which is what I stated, Bale during which I don’t think is being dis- training ahead respectful to anybody. That’s of the World legally what I have to do,” Bale Cup Qualifiers. said on Monday from the Wales camp ahead of Tues- day’s World Cup qualifier at there. Then whether then I sit season strongly with home to the Czech Republic in down with my agent and Tottenham. Cardiff. decide, that’s something I will “I am concentrating on this “Real Madrid are I guess my do in the summer.” Bale has season. There’s a game parent club and as far as I scored 10 goals in 25 appear- tomorrow, big end of the season agreed I was on Tottenham on ances in all competitions since with Tottenham. I don’t need to loan until the end of the season his loan move and has recently worry about anything else,” he and I go back. That’s the plan begun to show some of his best said. “After the Euros and my so far. form after struggling initially for summer holiday I will sit down, “The reason I left is because fitness. we’ll go through it then and I wanted to play games and Bale said his only priority at come to a solution.” Wales are enjoy my football. Come the moment was helping Wales looking to bounce back from summer I will go back to Real in their bid for World Cup qual- defeat by Belgium in their Madrid and we will go from ification and finishing the opening qualifier last week. TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 SPORT 09 Lengthy Smith puts hand up to lead Waratahs ‘bubble’ launch tours not Australia again if given chance player REUTERS - SYDNEY The scandal centred around Smith, his to succeed Paine than the 31-year-old Smith recruitment sustainable, deputy David Warner and Cameron Ban- but it has been fast bowler Pat Cummins Three years after his ignominious exit as croft, who was caught on camera attempting who has been nurtured in the past as Aus- review after says Kohli Australia’s captain in the wake of the ball- to change the condition of the ball using tralia’s vice-captain. tampering scandal, Steve Smith has said he sandpaper, and it plunged Australian cricket “I’m always going to have to live with is keen and ready to lead the national side into crisis. Paine has since led Australia’s Test Cape Town regardless of whether I lead Penney REUTERS - MUMBAI again if an opportunity came his way. side with distinction, but with the wicket- again or not. It’s always there,” Smith said. Smith, one of the world’s best contem- keeper-batsman turning 37 by the time he “I’ve been through all that now. axing captain Virat Kohli said porary batsmen, was suspended from inter- captains the hosts in the Ashes series against “Time keeps moving forward, and I’ve confining players to ‘bubbles’ national cricket for 12 months and banned England at the end of 2021, a clear succession learnt so much the last few years about REUTERS - SYDNEY for months on end is not fromomm leadership roles for two yeyearsars for his plan would be requiredrequired. myself and grown as a human being. I feel sustainable and the game has rolelee in tthehe “san“sandpaper-gate”dpaper-gate” scanscandaldal in Few playersplayers havehave bbetteretter cre-cre- as though I’d be in a better place if the oppor- to consider scheduling Capeappe Town in MarcMarch,h, 2018. dentialsdtil tunitytunity ddidid ccomeome uupup.. The New South Wales changes to reduce the mental AfterAfter Smith’sSmith’s banban TimTim PainePaine tooktook “If“If it ddoesn’t,oesn’t, tthat’shat fine as well and I’d Waratahs have launched a toll tours are taking during the overer the reins of Australia’s Test supportsupport whoever is iinn charge the same way review of player COVID-19 pandemic. sidede wwhilehile AaronAaron FinchFinch waswas I’veI’ve supportesupportedd TTimim aand Finchy. I haven’t recruitment and retention Kohli’s comments come as handedannded the captainccaptaincyy of the alwaysalways felt like I wwantedante to do it again. That’s after sacking coach Rob cricketers prepare to head into white-ballhite-ball formats.formats. onlyonly come in tthehe llastast little bit.” Penney in the wake of five another restricted envi- “I’ve certainly had a lot ooff EarlierEarlier this month,mon Usman Khawaja successive defeats to start ronment for two months for timeme to tthinkhink aaboutbout it andand I gguessuess calledcalled fforor SmitSmithh ttoo bbee given the captaincy of the AU season. the Indian Premier League noww I’II’veve got to a point where iiff Australia's Test sideside oonce Paine's tenure is Penney was sacked on (IPL). thee opportunityopportunity diddid come up overover iiff hhee covets thtthee rrole. Sunday, a day after the “As I said, a couple of days again,ain, I would be keen,” Smith told “If Steve SmiSmithth wwants to captain Aus- Waratahs suffered a second ago as well, scheduling is Newsewws CorCorp.p. “If it was what Cricket tralia,tralia, I think he sshouldhou captain Australia,” record loss of the season to something that needs to be Australiausstralia wwantedanted andand iitt wwasas QueenslandQueensland ccaptainaptain KKhawaja told reporters the in looked at in the future,” Kohli whathaat was best for the team in Brisbane on MarchMarch 16. front of a handful of fans at said at the presentation cer- at tththee time, it’s cer-cer- “He's ourour numbernu one batsman, the 80,000-seater Olympic emony after the final match of tainlynly somethinsomethingg I he'she's donedone it before, he's paid for stadium. England’s tour of India on wouldould be inter-inter- hishis mmistakes,istak there's no reason Including Saturday’s Sunday. estedted in now,now, whywhy hehe shouldn't be in line 46-14 drubbing, the War- “Because playing in that’sat’s fforor forfoor theth captaincy if wants atahs have conceded 201 bubbles for so long, two-three sure.”rree..” to do it.” points this season -- a per- months, is going to be very, formance that chief exec- very difficult going forward.” utive Paul Doorn said was India’s players have not good enough even for hopped from one bubble to the England have no reason to push the a young team weakened by next since September for the the departure of a host of 2020 IPL in the United Arab internationals. Emirates. “Effectively, we’ve had That was followed by their panic button, says Jos Buttler five losses this year, three three-month tour of Australia of them record losses,” and then a home series against Doorn told reporters in England that lasted two REUTERS - MUMBAI Sydney. “We knew that it months. was an inexperienced side They will next join up England have no reason to push to start with so, from our with their respective fran- the panic button despite their perspective, there was chises for the IPL bubble, 2-1 loss to India marking a ample time to (deliver with the eight-team T20 second straight series defeat in success) but unfortunately tournament to be played the 50-overs format, said that wasn’t to be. from April 9-May 30. stand-in captain Jos Buttler. “There are a range of India will then travel to England have dominated other things around England for the World Test white-ball cricket in recent recruitment and retention Championship final against years, piling up nine one-day that we are delving into to from June 18-22 series victories in a row. They make sure they are a in Southampton before their also top the world rankings in success going forward.” five-Test series against both the 50 overs and The Waratahs had won England starts from Aug. 4. Twenty20 format. England’s Mark just five of 19 matches since While foreign players in However, their seven-run Wood and Jos Penney took over from need of rest have the option of loss to India in a thrilling Buttler celebrates fellow New Zealander skipping the cash-rich IPL, decider on Sunday came on the taking the wicket Daryl Gibson in 2020, and their Indian counterparts are heels of the World Cup cham- of India’s Shardul captain Jake Gordon said expected to be available for pions’ defeat to Australia at Thakur during the there was some feeling in the showpiece annual tour- home last year. third and final ODI the squad that they had let nament organised by the Buttler, who lead the side in against India in Pune their coach down. country’s cricket board. the last two ODIs against India on Sunday. “We haven’t been per- “You can’t expect everyone in the absence of the injured forming,” said the Wal- to be at the same level of Eoin Morgan, said England were labies scrumhalf, who mental strength,” said Kohli, blooding fresh talent and the We are still a very good side, and push the boundaries and pleased with England’s hopes to return from injury who also leads the Royal Chal- back-to-back defeats were we’re expanding the talent pool strive to do that.” exposure to the conditions. against the ACT lengers Bangalore in the IPL. nothing to worry about. with a few guys missing and few Defeat in the ODI series “It’s a long cycle looking on Friday. “We’ve been “Sometimes you do get “We’ve been a brilliant side other guys getting opportu- capped a poor tour for England, ahead to the next World Cup (in letting our state down, our cooked, and you do feel like a for a long time now, I wouldn’t nities, which is fantastic. who also lost the test series 3-1 2023) and of course you want fans down, our family bit of change. read too much into it,” Buttler “And that’s been a big part and suffered defeat in the T20 to learn and win at the same down. There’s definitely a “I’m sure that things will told reporters after Sunday’s of us getting better and better leg. With India scheduled to time,” the wicketkeeper- sense across the board of be discussed and things will loss. as a side and we never want to host the T20 World Cup later batsman said. “We’re disap- letting people down.” change in the future as well,” “We’ve lost two series now put limitations on what we’re this year and the 50-overs pointed when we don’t do that Jason Gilmore, who will he said. but it’s two series in the last 11. capable of. We’ll continue to try World Cup in 2023, Buttler was but there’s a big picture.” take over as co-coach for the rest of the season along with former Wallaby Chris Whitaker, said he was con- Overseas ticket holders may get only partial refunds fident there was enough quality in the Waratahs squad to avoid a winless AP - TOKYO giant Alibaba slated to take over ticket season in the last three No information about tickets has been forthcoming sales starting with the 2022 Beijing matches. Many fans living outside Japan who from organizers of next year’s Beijing Winter Winter Olympics. “We’re feeling for Rob, bought tickets for the Tokyo Olympics Andrew Pham, who lives in Spokane, but the reality of profes- from brokers - known as Authorized Olympics, which open in 10 months - February 4, Washington, spent about $2,500 on sional sport is you’ve got to Ticket Resellers - will not get full refunds. tickets and faulted the United States get your wins on the board,” And they may have a long wait to get any 2022. It is possible that fans from abroad will also Olympic and Paralympic Committee for the former Junior Wallabies refunds at all. be banned from these Games. repeatedly appointing CoSport as the coach said. The question of refunds came into ticket agent. He questioned the level of “The change is not play a week ago when local organizers customer service provided. going to be the magic wand, and the Japanese government decided Cartan Tours, which is the reseller it’s not going to drop in 300 to bar most fans from abroad because for most of the Caribbean and Latin test caps or 800 Super of the pandemic. America, did not indicate on its website (rugby) caps, so the squad There are dozens of Authorized how it would handle refunds, or when. that we’ve got is the squad Tickets Resellers. They are typically It said it would work “to obtain all eli- that we’ve got. appointed by national Olympic com- gible and applicable refunds.” “We believe we can mittees and are allowed to charge a 20% The Olympic torch is seen at Hibarigahara Festival Team GB, which is handling sales in make some small shifts that handling fee on tickets. For $2,000 worth Site, during the last leg of the first day of the Tokyo Britain, indicated on its website it would can impact on the game. It’s of tickets, for instance, the reseller can 2020 Olympic torch relay, in Minamisoma, Fukushima give full refunds. going to be a tough one charge $2,400. prefecture, Japan, in this March 25, 2021, file photo. “If you have bought a travel against the Brumbies... and CoSport, the ATR for the United package(s) through us, they are protected then with the Force and the States and other territories and coun- by our COVID-19 guarantee, offering a Rebels... I definitely think tries, said in a letter over the weekend quarter of this year” and could not start six months ago. He said he’s received 100% refund,” the group said. they’re winnable games.” to ticket holders that it would not refund paying refunds until then. $209 but is still waiting for $420 to be Tokyo organizers said about Meanwhile former All the handling fee. It said it would refund It has also asked purchasers to apply refunded. 600,000 Olympic tickets have been sold Blacks loose forward Liam the face value of the ticket and the for refunds almost immediately. It set a He said he held on to about $3,000 to people outside Japan. Japanese resi- Squire has been ruled out shipping fees. deadline of April 9 to submit the required worth of tickets, hoping he’d able to dents bought 4.45 million. Organizers of the remainder of the The letter, signed by CoSport pres- document. attend. said several years ago there would be a ident Robert F. Long, said: “CoSport and “Failure to meet this deadline will “I don’t like that they are making us total of 7.8 million tickets for the season after aggravating a other Olympic entities encouraged the jeopardize your refund,” the letter said. fill out a form with information they Olympics. knee injury, the Otago Japanese government and organizers to “We realize this is a quick turnaround, already have,” he wrote in an email. “It’s Shutting out fans from abroad will Highlanders said yesterday. refund all cost incurred by international however, it is based on the deadline we another thing to delay the refund or to be a large blow to the local organizing Squire, who made only two spectators.” must meet to apply for a refund on your disqualify customers from getting the committee budget. It had expected to appearances off the bench Tokyo organizers have said they behalf.” refunds.” receive $800m from ticket sales and any for the Highlanders this would refund the face value of the In addition, by applying for a refund Records show that CoSport, which shortfall will have to be made up by Jap- season, continued to be tickets, but are not responsible for other customers may in effect be releasing also operates as JET Set Sports, received anese government entities. hampered by his right knee, added charges. They have said they will CoSport from any further claims. This two loans each of $784,900 in a coro- The official cost of the Olympics is coach Tony Brown said. not cover the extra fees imposed by would keep ticket holders from taking navirus-related loan program run by the $15.4bn. However, several government Squire has battled knee ATRs, or cancellation fees for hotels or further legal action. Small Business Administration. One audits suggest it might be twice that and hip injuries since the flights. Brandon Nagata, who lives in came in April 2020 and the other in much, and all but $6.7bn is public money. last of his 23 tests for the All The New -based CoSport Honolulu, said he has spent almost January, for a total of $1,569,800. A study by the University of Oxford says Blacks against Ireland in added that it would not receive refunds $4,000 on tickets. He said he applied for The future of CoSport and all resellers these are the most expensive Olympics 2018. from the organizers until “the third some refunds from CoSport more than is in question with Chinese e-commerce on record. Sport TUESDAY 30 MARCH 2021 08 F1: Round one to Hamilton but Verstappen will be hard to beat

REUTERS — MANAMA crossed the limits at the same Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton (right) turn four on numerous occa- Formula One’s ‘racing gods’ during the press conference with sions before his pitwall smiled on Lewis Hamilton and second placed Red Bull’s Max engineer passed on a warning Mercedes in Sunday’s Verstappen on Sunday. from race control to stop season-opener but round one doing it. of what promises to be a far The topic became a bigger fight showed Red Bull’s talking point after the race. Max Verstappen will be hard Masi said the two situa- A file photo of Park Inbee to beat. tions were “quite different” Bold strategy and supreme and nothing had changed racecraft won the day after during the race. Verstappen, who had led He said Verstappen had testing and every practice breached sporting regulations Olympic hopes session, started from pole that always apply by “gaining position with a faster car only a lasting advantage by over- to finish second. taking another car off the driving me on, The 23-year-old Dutch racetrack”. driver would surely have won Masi confirmed also that says Park after had he not gone off track he had instructed Red Bull to while passing Hamilton on relinquish the position. fresher tyres with four laps The race director also win remaining, and then been issues notes for drivers spe- ordered to hand back the lead cific to each race and in REUTERS — CARLSBAD in a key moment of a nail- Bahrain they said the track biting race. limits would be monitored at Park Inbee said the prospect of “If somebody would have disappointed, so we definitely all the fans have wanted for a turn four during the race only defending her Olympic title at this told me this is going to be the made a good step forward,” long time. Of course, this is in relation to gaining an year’s Tokyo Games is driving her on result on Sunday, I would said Verstappen, whose new I have no doubt that they only one race, so we don’t advantage. this season after the South Korean have probably not believed team-mate Sergio Perez went (Red Bull) are extremely know what the future holds,” Hamilton was therefore started her 2021 LPGA Tour campaign it,” said Mercedes team boss from last to fifth. difficult to beat. They are he added. warned only once it became with victory at the Kia Classic on Toto Wolff. Bahrain has not been Red “There’s a long way to go, apparent how often he was Sunday. “I have no doubt that they Bull’s strongest race in the the ones that are leading 22 (races)... I’ll be grey (haired) going wide. The world number four, who won (Red Bull) are extremely dif- past, which made their form the pack. And I think today, by the end of this.” Mercedes team boss Toto gold at Rio in 2016 as golf made its ficult to beat. They are the on the opening weekend all the racing gods were on F1 race director denies Wolff told reporters the mes- return to the Olympics for the first time ones that are leading the pack. the more ominous. our side. inconsistency on track limit sages needed to be clear and since 1904, collected her 21st LPGA Tour And I think today, the racing “Red Bull’s pace is rules consistent. title with a five-shot win over Amer- gods were on our side. incredibly strong, as you could Formula One race director “At the beginning of the icans Amy Olson and Lexi Thompson “It’s not that we have see. We can’t match them in Toto Wolff Michael Masi has denied race it was said track limits in in . found suddenly some qualifying right now,” said Mercedes team boss inconsistency in applying the turn four wouldn’t be sanc- The 32-year-old is now four wins awesome performance.” Hamilton, whose win was his rules during Sunday’s season- tioned. Then in the race sud- away from matching Pak Se-ri’s record The victory, by a margin 75th for Mercedes and the opening Bahrain Grand Prix denly we heard that if you for the most LPGA Tour victories by a of 0.7 of a second, was Ham- 300th by a British driver since after Verstappen was would continue to run wide it South Korean but she said the chance ilton’s record-extending 96th the championship started in Verstappen, who at 18 penalised for breaching track would be seen as an to defend her Olympic title in Tokyo and continued for a 15th suc- 1950. became the youngest race limits but not race winner advantage and it could cause was her top priority. cessive season his run of “We just don’t know how winner in the sport’s history, Hamilton. a potential penalty,” he said. “The good motivation for me obvi- winning in every year he has much better they’ll be in other has long been seen as the Red Bull’s Verstappen was “At the end that decision ously now is the Olympics,” said Park, competed in the sport. places that we go to, or how champion-in-waiting and told to hand back the lead to actually made us win the who topped the podium ahead of New The 36-year-old won 11 of much worse.” there is a mounting feeling his seven-times world champion race,” added the Austrian. Zealand’s and ’s the 16 races he started last Mercedes have won the time has come. Hamilton four laps from the “Max ran wide in the Shanshan Feng in Rio. year but the task already last seven drivers’ and con- Hamilton said he was as finish of a nail-biting race definition of the race “I knew that the Olympics was going looks a lot harder. structors’ titles, after Red Bull excited as anyone at the after he ran wide while over- director, gaining an to happen (this year), and it really moti- “Last year we would have won four in a row with prospect of such a genera- taking the Mercedes. advantage, had to give back vates me, trying to prepare myself at been super-happy with this Sebastian Vettel from tional battle. Television images showed the position and that saved my best so I can represent the country,” result and now we are 2010-13. “I think it’s something that Hamilton had previously our victory.” she was quoted as saying by Yonhap news agency. The top 15 players in the world rankings at the end of June qualify for the July 23-Aug. 8 Tokyo Games, with Sandwich wrapper wrecked Alonso’s comeback race a maximum of four golfers allowed from each country. REUTERS — MANAMA “After the second stop, a but retired on lap 32. who had recovered fromm the Mercedes.Mercedes. Despite being No. 4 in the world, sandwich wrap paper got “The start was fun, we virus. Most of last yyear’sear’s Park is only the third-highest ranked Fernando Alonso’s Renault- stuck inside the rear brake gained some places and I had Grands Prix were behindehind South Korean player, behind No. 1 Ko owned Alpine team have duct of Fernando’s car, which some enjoyable battles with closed doors. Jin-young and No. 2 Kim Sei-young. blamed a discarded sandwich led to high temperatures and old colleagues. However, it “It’s the first timee wewe Fernando “Trying to qualify myself for the wrapper for wrecking the caused some damage to the was disappointing to not see have seen fans in a longg time Alonso Olympics is actually not as easy as like double world champion’s brake system,” said team the chequered flag in the and it’s so good to see peopleeople winning a tournament,” Park added. Formula One comeback race executive director Marcin end,” said the 39-year-old. out here and everyoneyone “You have to play really well for in Bahrain on Sunday. Budkowski. Sunday’s season-opener keeping their distancee andand four years after the Olympics is done The Spaniard retired “So we retired him for had fans in attendance after staying safe,” seven-timestimes and you have to be playing best at from his first race since 2018 safety reasons.” organisers made tickets world champion Lewisewis the time. after the car’s rear brakes Alonso had qualified available to those fully vac- Hamilton said afterter “But I think I am getting close. I overheated. ninth for the race at Sakhir cinated against COVID-19 or winning the race forr wouldn’t say I’m safe but getting close to my goal.” NBA: Devin Booker leads NHL: Capitals start quick, hold off Suns to win over Hornets Rangers as Panthers down Stars

REUTERS — CHARLOTTE points and added 11 assists as REUTERS — WASHINGTON for New York, while Alexis visiting Portland defeated Lafreniere and Chris Kreider Devin Booker scored a game- Toronto. Tom Wilson scored two goals both scored once. Keith Kinkaid high 35 points Sunday CJ McCollum scored 10 of and Alex Ovechkin added one made 17 stops for New York. afternoon to help the Phoenix his 23 points in the fourth more as the Washington The Rangers got their bench Suns hold off the host Charlotte quarter and had seven Capitals notched three goals in boss back as coach David Quinn Hornets 101-97 in overtime. rebounds for the Trail Blazers, a four-plus minute span of the returned after missing six Booker and Chris Paul, who who have won three straight second period before holding games while on the COVID-19 finished with 16 points, each road games. on for a 5-4 victory over the protocol list -- New York went made free throws in the extra Derrick Jones Jr. added 16 visiting New York Rangers. 4-2-0 under acting coach Kris period as the Suns picked up points for Portland. Robert Those three goals came in Knoblauch -- who remained as their fifth victory in their past Covington had 13 points and 12 a span of 4 minutes, 24 seconds an assistant for this game along six games. rebounds, former Raptor and gave the Capitals a 3-0 with Jacques Martin. Charlotte had its three- Norman Powell had 13 points, lead. Evgeny Kuznetsov made Meanwhile, Jonathan game winning streak snapped, Enes Kanter and Jusuf Nurkic it 4-0 early in the third period, Huberdeau scored twice and and lost at home for the first each had 10. but the Rangers scored four had an assist to lead time in six games. Denver Nuggets 126 - times in nearly 9 1/2 minutes past host Dallas in a game Los Angeles Lakers 96 - Atlanta Hawks 102 although they never caught marred by an injury to Pan- Orlando Magic 93 JaMychal Green scored a Washington. thers’ No. 1 defenseman Aaron Dennis Schroder scored 24 season-high 20 points, Nikola TJ Oshie finished with one Ekblad. points and host Los Angeles Jokic had 16 points, 10 rebounds goal and two assists to help the The No. 1 overall selection held on to defeat Orlando. and eight assists, and host Capitals, while Ilya Samsonov in the 2014 draft, Ekblad fell Washington Kyle Kuzma had 21 points Denver beat Atlanta. made 16 saves. Washington after being tangled up near the Capitals right wing and 11 rebounds, Montrezl Jamal Murray added 17 now has won three in a row and end boards with Dallas Tom Wilson (left) Harrell finished with 18 points points, Michael Porter Jr. had 10 of its last 11 games. Ovechkin defenseman Esa Lindell in the celebrates with and 11 rebounds off the bench, 15 points and 10 rebounds, and continued his roll and has Florida offensive zone at 8:58 centre Nicklas and Markieff Morris totaled 12 Will Barton scored 12 for scored 11 goals in that run. of the second period. Backstrom after points and 11 rebounds for the Denver. Colin Blackwell celebrated After about 10 minutes, scoring his second Lakers. LeBron James missed Aaron Gordon got the start his 28th birthday with two goals Ekblad was stretchered off the goal of the game his fifth straight game with a and finished with 13 points in ice. against the New York high ankle sprain. his Nuggets debut. NHL RESULTS Huberdeau’s tallies give him Rangers. Dwayne Bacon scored a Trae Young had 21 points, Capitals 4, Rangers 4 18 points -- seven goals and 11 career-high 26 points, Chuma seven assists and seven turn- Panthers 4, Stars 1 assists -- in 16 career games Okeke scored 14 points and Mo overs, Danilo Gallinari scored Red Wings 4, Blue Jackets 1 against Dallas. He assisted on period, and goalie Calvin until the back-to-back wins in Bamba had 11 points off the 14 points, John Collins added 11 Owen Tippett’s empty-net goal Pickard collected his second his first two starts this season. Ducks 3, 2 (OT) bench for the Magic. and Clint Capela finished with with 1:05 left in regulation. win in as many days, leading He made 16 saves Sunday, one

Portland Trail Blazers 122 10 for Atlanta, which lost for Devils 1, Bruins 0 Also on Sunday, Michael host Detroit past Columbus. day after saving 20 of 21 shots - Toronto Raptors 117 just the third time in its last 12 Predators 3, Blackhawks 2 Rasmussen scored the go- Pickard had not recorded a as the Red Wings beat Damian Lillard scored 22 games. ahead goal early in the third victory since November 2018 Columbus 3-1 on Saturday.