WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014 SPORTS Argentina face holders Uruguay in Copa America

SANTIAGO: World Cup runners-up 2011 event they staged. Brazil, with the Sampaoli told reporters. Uruguay, with a with the hosts narrowly beating both in since the early 1990s been expanded Argentina face holders Uruguay, who gifted Neymar as , will be looking record 15 titles, will miss striker Luis successive knockout rounds. from the 10 nations of the South knocked them out of their home tourna- to recover from their disappointing Suarez at the June 11-July 4 tournament American CONMEBOL confederation to ment four years ago, and Brazil will meet World Cup as hosts this year under while he continues to serve his nine- FALCAO RETURN 12 with guest teams usually from North Colombia in a World Cup rematch in the returned 2010 World Cup coach . match FIFA ban from competitive inter- Colombia, led by playmaker and top and Central America and the Caribbean’s group phase at the 2015 Copa America. They also face Peru and Venezuela in nationals for biting ’s Giorgio scorer James Rodriguez, reached the CONCACAF region. Hosts Chile, looking to win the Group C. The talented Chile side spear- Chiellini at the World Cup. quarter-finals in Brazil and will be look- Mexico have been regular partici- world’s oldest active international tour- headed by Alexis Sanchez, who also face Suarez contributed four goals includ- ing to win the Copa for the second time pants and twice reached the final but nament for the first time, were handed Ecuador and Bolivia in Group A, will fan- ing one in the 3-0 win over Paraguay in strengthened by the return from injury Jamaica are taking part for the first time. an easier draw in the Chilean Pacific cy their chances of ending their wait for the 2011 final in as of striker Radamel Falcao. Chile will begin the tournament against coast resort of Vina del Mar on Monday. a first crown. Uruguay won the tournament that also “The hopes of the World Cup remain Ecuador at the Estadio Nacional in Lionel Messi’s Argentina, top seeds in “It’s hard to see a (title) candidate saw 2004 and 2007 champions Brazil and to share a group with them (Brazil) Santiago on June 11. Argentina’s clash Group B in which they will also meet today... Let’s hope that in this Copa knocked out in the quarter-finals. will be important for all it means,” with Uruguay will be in La Serena on Paraguay and Jamaica, will be looking to America recent history, which has Chile and Colombia hope to continue Colombia coach Jose Pekerman said. June 16 and Brazil’s eagerly anticipated avenge their upset defeat by Uruguay turned out to be complicated for the their run of good form, which was evi- “This is an important time in South meeting with Colombia in the capital on on penalties in the quarter-finals at the host team, is reversed,” Chile coach Jorge dent at the World Cup finals in Brazil, American football.” The tournament has June 17. —Reuters Sony does not plan to renew FIFA sponsorship

TOKYO: Sony Corp does not plan to renew its An official for the electronics conglomerate said that he disputed its summary of his find- sponsorship contract with FIFA, the governing said he could not comment on future contracts. ings. body for world soccer, as the Japanese electron- The people familiar with the matter declined to A number of European officials have called ics maker needs to prioritise its restructuring be identified as they were not authorised to on FIFA to publish Garcia’s full report but the efforts, people familiar with the matter told speak to the media. A FIFA spokesman said: “The governing body said it could not release it to the Reuters. existing contract with Sony runs until 31 public for legal reasons. Such a move would follow Emirates Airline’s December 2014 and we are currently in discus- Garcia and Eckert met face to face and decid- announcement this month that it was ending its sions with the brand.” ed that Garcia’s report would be sent to the sponsorship of FIFA, a blow to the governing Sponsors have put pressure on FIFA to chairman of FIFA’s audit and compliance com- COLOMBO: cricketers warm up during a practice session at the R Premadasa body as it investigates whether there was cor- respond robustly to allegations of bribery to mittee, Domenico Scala, who would in turn Stadium in Colombo. England and play a seven-match One Day ruption in the bidding process for the next two secure the 2018 World Cup for Russia and the decide how much of the report should be sent International (ODI) series in Sri Lanka. —AFP World Cup competitions. 2022 tournament to Qatar. to the FIFA executive committee. Sony has been a FIFA sponsor for the eight Earlier this month, FIFA’s ethics judge Hans- They also confirmed that the ethics commit- years to 2014 in a contract worth 33 billion yen Joachim Eckert said in a statement there were tee had opened a number of formal cases England seek to settle ($280 million). Sony on Tuesday said it was aim- no grounds to reopen the controversial bidding against unidentified individuals and FIFA con- ing to restructure its television and mobile divi- process, clearing Qatar and Russia of wrongdo- firmed it had lodged a criminal complaint in sions further, while targeting robust growth for ing. But that announcement was immediately Switzerland, but stood by its conclusion that any score against Sri Lanka its electronics devices division, which houses its undermined when Michael Garcia, the former wrongdoing was not enough to jeopardise the growing image sensors business. U.S. prosecutor that led FIFA’s own investigation, winning bids. —Reuters COLOMBO: England will look to settle scores on the opening day on February 14, with Sri against Sri Lanka after their bad-tempered clash Lanka playing New Zealand and England facing earlier this year when the two sides meet in a Australia. pre-World Cup one-day series from today. The upcoming series, which opens in The seven-match tour has been spiced up Colombo, provides both teams a chance to Hughes in critical condition by comments from England captain Alastair strike form-provided the weather does not play Cook that his team will try to exact revenge for spoilsport. the Test and one-day defeats at home. The prevailing north-east monsoon over the Cook’s status as captain came under heavy island has already forced one of the two warm- Hughes injured after being hit on helmet pressure after the 1-0 Test defeat, and tempers up matches to be abandoned, leaving the frayed in the ODIs when off-spinner Sachithra tourists short of match practice. : Australian cricketer Phillip Hughes is in Senanayake controversially ran out Jos Buttler With more rain forecast during the series, Sri critical condition in a Sydney hospital after before delivering a ball. Lankan officials have set aside reserve days for undergoing emergency surgery for a severe “There is a World Cup at the end of it, but we five of the seven matches. “It’s not ideal, is it?” head injury suffered when he was struck on the are here to try and win this series,” Cook said on England batsman Ian Bell said. “But I suppose, helmet by a ball during a domestic match yes- arrival. “I think we owe you (Sri Lanka) a little bit on this tour, we’re going to get interrupted by terday. The 25-year-old batsman was transferred of revenge.” rain all the way through.” to St Vincent’s intensive care unit after surgery The ‘Mankaded’ dismissal by Senanayake, England have lost 11 of 18 one-dayers this and his condition is not expected to become since suspended for an illegal bowling action, is year, including a 4-1 drubbing in Australia clear for 24-48 hours. considered to be against cricket’s spirit of fair which co-hosts the World Cup with New “We’re all in shock,” Cricket Australia boss play. But Sri Lanka insisted Buttler was earlier Zealand in February-March. James Sutherland told reporters in Melbourne, warned for backing up, and senior pro Mahela England (from): Alastair Cook (capt), Moeen his voice trembling. “All we know is that it’s seri- Jayawardene lashed out at Cook for question- Ali, Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jos Buttler, Steven Finn, ous and he’s fortunate to be in the best possible ing Senanayake’s run-out. Harry Gurney, , Chris Jordan, Eoin place right now with experts all around him.” Meanwhile Sri Lanka are smarting from this Morgan, Joe Root, Ben Stokes, James Taylor, Fitted with a ventilator to aid his breathing, month’s 5-0 thrashing in India in a series that James Tredwell, Chris Woakes. Hughes was rushed from the Sydney Cricket was hastily arranged after the West Indies aban- Sri Lanka (from): (capt), Ground in an induced coma, having collapsed to doned their Indian tour over a pay dispute. , Kusal Perera, Kumar the ground when hit by the from New Sri Lankan captain Angelo Mathews insisted Sangakkara, , Lahiru South Wales fast bowler Sean Abbott. the matches will be used to recover from the Thirimanne, Jeevan Mendis, Thilina Kandamby, Hughes, who had been touted to replace morale-sapping loss and find the right combi- , Dilruwan Perera, Ajantha injured Australia captain Michael Clarke for next nation for the World Cup starting in February. Mendis, Shaminda Eranga, Dhammika Prasad, week’s test match against India, had scored 63 “We need to get back into our groove,” , Lahiru Gamage. runs for South Australia in the Sheffield Shield Mathews said. “We want to look at players Schedule: match before being hit. Apparently dazed by the whom we think need to be looked at and Nov 26: First ODI, Colombo (day-night) blow, the left-hander stooped and put his hands whom we think will go on the World Cup. Nov 29: Second ODI, Colombo on his knees before falling face first onto the “It’s very important that we sort out our Dec 3: Third ODI, Hambantota (day-night) pitch, prompting players and medical staff to bowlers and also the batting order. By the end Dec 7: Fourth ODI, Colombo rush to his aid. The match was later called off. of the series we should have a very clear idea of Dec 10: Fifth ODI, Pallekelle (day-night) whom we want to take to the World Cup.” Dec 13: Sixth ODI, Pallekelle NO GENTEEL GAME Both teams are grouped together in the pre- Dec 16: Seventh ODI, Colombo (day- Though often viewed as a genteel game, liminary stage of the World Cup and will feature night). —AFP cricket’s fastest bowlers regularly deliver the ball at speeds of over 140kph (87mph) and batsmen defend themselves with a wooden bat less than a metre long and about four inches wide. Vettori, toss the keys to A is roughly the same shape and size as a baseball but heavier and harder. While final Pakistan-NZ Test batsmen are heavily padded, they often sustain painful and perfectly legal blows from fast SHARJAH: Veteran left-arm spinner Daniel series,” said Misbah. “Every team aspires to bowlers, who have full license to launch deliver- Vettori’s comeback and who wins the toss win, especially when they are 1-0 down ies that bounce up at head height. will be the joint focus in the series-deciding and level the series. Vettori is an experi- Balls occasionally strike batsmen on the hel- third Test between Pakistan and New enced campaigner but we have played him met, sometimes drawing blood on impact, but Zealand starting in Sharjah today. before so we know how he bowls,” the seriousness of Hughes’s injury shocked sea- New Zealand have included Vettori in Besides Vettori, the toss will also be a soned cricket writers and players alike. the eleven in their bids to level the series key factor as the team winning the toss dic- “Thoughts are with Phil Hughes. Terrible to which they trail 1-0 after losing the first Test tated terms in the first two Tests. Pakistan see and just shows how dangerous our game by 248 runs in Abu Dhabi and drawing the piled up 566-3 after winning the toss and can be,” Australia legspinner James Muirhead tweeted. second in Dubai. then spun out New Zealand twice for a HOBART: In this Dec. 14, 2012 file photo, Australia’s Phil Hughes ducks under a bouncer from Hughes was placed on a motorised stretcher The 35-year-old Vettori, who has 360 comprehensive win. Despite the odds, New Sri Lankaís Shaminda Eranga on the first day of their cricket Test match at Bellerive Oval. —AP , played the last of his 112 Tests (one Zealand staged an impressive comeback in and taken to the edge of the field where medical Test for ICC World XI and the rest for New the second Test in Dubai, winning the toss staff performed mouth-to-mouth resuscitation fans on social media. “Our thoughts and prayers Hughes played 26 tests and 25 one-day interna- Zealand) in July 2012 and has since been and dictating terms before Pakistan, set a before he was rushed to hospital by ambulance. are with phil and his family! He is a great fighter tionals for Australia, but never quite cemented sidelined due to a back injury. target of 261 on the final day, salvaged a After scans at the hospital, he was taken and a great young man!” Australia coach Darren his place in the national set-up. Skipper Brendon McCullum confirmed draw to set up an intriguing finale. straight into surgery. Australia captain Clarke Lehmann tweeted. Hughes has long struggled to shake off per- Vettori will replace Jimmy Neesham in the Pakistan’s spinners-left armer Zulfiqar arrived to check on Hughes at the hospital, The England and Wales Cricket board tweet- ceptions of vulnerability against short-pitched side. “Yeah, Dane will play and we are all Babar (13 wickets in two Tests) and leggie where the stricken batsman’s mother and sister ed: “Thoughts with Phil Hughes and his family bowling, but with Clarke injured, he was excited about it,” said McCullum on Yasir Shah (11) — will hold the key. But were also present. from all at ECB. Get well soon.” backed to regain a spot in the test team for Tuesday. “He will become the most capped McCullum said his team can take confi- News of the injury sparked a wave of sympa- A popular team player born in a small town in the first match in Brisbane against India start- Test player for New Zealand and we are dence from an improved performance in thy from the global cricketing community and northern New South Wales state, the pint-sized ing Dec. 4. —Reuters going with three spinners.” the second Test. “We would have loved to Vettori will overtake Stephen Fleming have won the second Test,” said McCullum. who also played 111 Tests for New Zealand. “But you have to look at what we have Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq admitted done in Dubai, bank the confidence and Australia board to probe Clarke selection row Vettori’s inclusion showed New Zealand’s head to Sharjah knowing that we have an aspiration to level the series. opportunity to win away from home if we MELBOURNE: Cricket Australia boss James been involved in the process to make sure I under- Although Clarke has missed only one test “I think they will do every bit to level the play up a little bit up.”—AFP Sutherland will grill Michael Clarke and national stand where these things have gone awry,” through injury in his career of 107 matches, his team selectors after a bizarre breakdown in com- Sutherland said. determination to rush back from the hamstring munication over the injured captain’s availability “It’s not really appropriate for me to go into any problem has already cost him time on the sidelines for the first test against India next week. more detail. “All I can say is I am concerned that while robbing the team of its top tactician. Selectors on Monday named the injured skipper there are some mixed messages coming out of Straining the hamstring directly before the in a 12-man squad for the Brisbane test with the Cricket Australia in the last 24 hours or so. “I want Zimbabwe tour, Clarke promptly re-injured it when proviso that he play a two-day tour match against to understand why things have fallen off the rails a he resumed playing and was sidelined for the rest the tourists starting on Friday to prove his fitness. bit there.” of the tournament along with the one-day series Hours later, Clarke, battling to recover from a The controversy follows a public spat between against Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates in hamstring injury, said he had already been ruled the captain and his coach Darren Lehmann, a October. out of that match by the team’s medical staff and member of the four-man selectors panel, over the Clarke aggravated the injury again in the open- said he intended to prove his fitness by playing for omission of Steven Smith for a one-day match ing ODI against South Africa earlier this month, his Sydney club on Saturday. against Zimbabwe which Australia lost in August. forcing him to miss the rest of the series. The confusion grew late on Monday when Clarke was publicly upbraided by Lehmann for Although repeatedly urged to quit one-day Cricket Australia (CA) issued a statement siding criticising the selectors’ decision to overlook the cricket to prolong his career in tests-even with the with the selectors, and reiterating that Clarke need- middle order batsman. The Australian skipper was World Cup on home soil looming in February- ed to turn up for the Adelaide tour match. unrepentant. Clarke said he had no such plans. “My goal is to CA chief executive Sutherland told Fairfax News Ltd media reported that Clarke would be continue to play for Australia for a lot longer. I love SHARJAH: New Zealand cricketers Kane Williamson (right) and Corey Anderson (left) Media yesterday he would investigate the break- ruled out of the test match on Tuesday, but Cricket both forms of the game,” he told local broadcaster participate in a practice session at the Sharjah cricket stadium. —AFP down. “I will speak to Michael and others who have Australia declined to confirm his status. Channel Nine. —Reuters