SPORT Friday 9 November 2018

PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Virat Kohli draws NBA: James, Lakers flak for ‘leave hold off Wolves in India’ remark home thriller Home hero Bassem, Epaillard share podium as final LGCT round kicks off

RIZWAN REHMAT Bassem Hassan Mohammed’s Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohammed guides THE PENINSULA Argelith Squid over an obstacle during international show jumping the Doha 2018 CSI5* 1.45m event in the career began at the Doha DOHA: Qatar’s show jumping star opening day of the LGCT final round at Al Olympic Qualifiers in 2011. Bassem Hassan Mohammed yesterday Shaqab Arena yesterday. Since then, Bassem has made a produced a flawless routine with Argelith Squid to share honours with number of key appearances on Frenchman Julien Epaillard in the the Qatari Nations Cup team. opening event of the LGCT final round His first international win came at Al Shaqab Arena. in Chantilly and Valkenswaard Bassem, who enthralled home fans in 2012 with Levicci. In 2014, last year with his spectacular Grand Prix win at the same venue, yesterday he was part of the Asian Games clocked a time of 24.85 seconds, a Gold medal winning Qatari time shared by Epaillard who was team. astride Safari d Auge. The star Qatari rider, 31, was thrilled to share the stage with Bassem qualified for his first FEI Epaillard. World Cup Final with Rosalia “It’s very nice to start the weekend La Silla in 2013. He put in a with the win,” Bassem said yesterday fantastic performance in the with a smile. 2014 LGCT Antwerp Grand Prix “I know Julien is fast and I saw him before I went in. I tried my best with a new horse Primeval and ended up with the win. It feels Dejavu, finishing 4th. Later good to start in this fashion,” he in the season, he became the added. first Qatari ever to win an Both riders won €6,625 each. LGCT Grand Prix when he rode GK Casper, who had Bertram Allen in the saddle, sealed the third spot in Victoria to victory in Monaco. the 145cm competition. GK Casper clocked a time of 25.16 seconds in the two-phased competition as Allen got richer by €3,750. London Knights impress Norway’s Geir Gulliksen (VDL Groep Quatro, 25.45 seconds, €2,500) and Dutchman Maikel van der Vleuten (Arera C, 25.70 seconds, €1,500) com- ahead of Team Finals pleted the top-five out of 51 entries. With riders eager to grab honours GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR course including some substantial overs in the opening contest of the three- and several tall and delicate verticals. day spectacle, Gerco Schroder of the DOHA: London Knights threw down the First in were the Prague Lions lying Netherlands got the first ride with gauntlet to their closest rivals yesterday, in 10th place on the overall ranking. But Glock’s Cognac Champblanc who pro- executing powerful double clears in the it was a hugely unexpected disap- duced a clear round. opening round of the high pressure finals pointment for Peder Fredricson and British star Ben Maher (Madame of the 2018 GCL Team Championship. Hansson WL, one of the top performing X) secured the sixth best time. Nerves were clearly on edge in the horses in the GCL season. They finished Dutch rider Marc Houtzager, high stakes competition ahead of tomor- on 8 faults and team mate Niels Bruyn- astride Sterrehof’s Baccarat, secured row’s showdown to decide which teams seels and Delux van T & L clocked up 5 the early lead with a top time of 30.33 go to the GCL Super Cup at the new GC putting them on a total of 13. seconds but he got beaten by Maher Playoffs with over €10m in prize money. Chantilly Pegasus are on the edge of and two other riders. Qatar’s Bassem Hassan Mohammed (right) and France’s Julien Epaillard pose Calculations were rife as GCL team the relegation zone and every point was Last year, Bassem astride Gunder, for photographs after the opening event of the LGCT final round at Al Shaqab riders, managers and owners worked out crucial. Roger-Yves Bost had 9 faults on produced a spectacular ride in the Arena in Doha yesterday. where they needed to finish to achieve Castleforbes Talitha, but team mate nine-strong jump off to win the final the best possible shot at the Play-offs Carlos Lopez on Hooligan de Laubry LGCT Grand Prix of the season - a full tomorrow. The top teams had their sights pulled off a much-needed clear round two seconds ahead of Janika Sprunger LONGINES GLOBAL CHAMPIONS TOUR (FINAL ROUND): RESULTS - DAY 1 on finishing in the top four of the overall with one time penalty for a total of 10. (SUI) on Bacardi VDL and Peder Fre- ranking ensuring they are fast-tracked to Paris Panthers, in 14th place on the dricson (SWE) on H&M Christian K. CLASS 01: DOHA 2018 CSI5* 1.45 M the semi finals of the Playoffs avoiding the overall ranking, benefitted from a superb Two Phases: A + A, Both Phases Against the Clock Action at Al Shaqab today will quarter final stage. Only 16 out of 19 teams clear round from Gregory Wathelet on RK Rider/Horse 1st Phase 2nd Phase Time Prize commence at 9:00am with young 1 Julien Epaillard / Safari d Auge 0.00 0.00 24.85 €6,625 go to the Playoffs and there was a des- Qualido 3 followed by Yuri’s Mansur on home riders competing in the first 1 Bassem Hassan Mohammed / Argelith Squid 0.00 0.00 24.85 €6,625 perate battle to avoid the relegation zone. four faults. It was to be a disappointing contest of round three of the Hathab 3 Bertram Allen / GK Casper 0.00 0.00 25.16 €3,750 The Knights’ formidable duo of Ben outing for Athina Onassis of St Tropez Series (Against the clock No Jump Off 4 Geir Gulliksen / VDL Groep Quatro 0.00 0.00 25.45 €2,500 Maher and Nicola Philippaerts stayed Pirates after her talented ride MHS Going 1.00/1.15m). The second competition 5 Maikel van der Vleuten / Arera C 0.00 0.00 25.70 €1,500 cool and ended on a clean score sheet in Global put in a dramatic refusal leaving (1.20/1.30m) will start at 2:00pm. 6 Ben Maher / Madame X 0.00 0.00 26.22 €1,125 the fastest combined time to put them her on 15 faults and team mate Edwina The two CSI5* competitions on day 7 Christian Kukuk / Colestus 0.00 0.00 26.70 €750 into pole position for Saturday’s major Tops-Alexander on 5 faults. But their two of LGCT final round start at 8 Michael Whitaker / Valmy de la Lande 0.00 0.00 26.80 €625 contest. They have been leading the current 8th position in the ranking 4:30pm and at 6:30pm respectively. 9 Eric van der Vleuten / Wunschkind 19 0.00 0.00 27.13 €500 season ranking consistently and are cur- ensures qualification for the Playoffs. 10 Nicola Philippaerts / J'Adore van het Schaeck 0.00 0.00 27.93 €500 rently 23 points ahead of Valkenswaard Cascais Charms and Hamburg Giants A star in the making. A young kid United. suffered heavy scoring rounds leaving rides a horse on the sidelines of CLASS 02: DOHA 2018 CSI5* 1.50/1.55M - GCL COMPETITION 1ST ROUND Rome Gladiators were the only other them in perilous positions at the bottom the LGCT final round yesterday. Table A: Against the Clock team to achieve double clears with no of the ranking. It was not a happy result RK Rider/Horse Round A Time Prize time penalties in Doha thanks to high for Valkenswaard United, although 1 Ludger Beerbaum / Chiara 0.00 72.95 €19,800 calibre performances from Laura Kraut second in the overall ranking, Zorzi on 2 Danielle Goldstein / Lizziemary 0.00 73.24 €12,000 3 Ben Maher / Explosion W 0.00 73.36 €9,000 and Lorenzo de Luca putting them in Contanga 3 clipped the first part of the 4 Gregory Wathelet / Qualido 3 0.00 73.95 €6,000 second spot on the grid. GCL double combination in common 5 Julien Epaillard / Virtuose Champeix 0.00 74.91 €3,600 Fortunes rose and fell for the GCL with several other riders and Ehning on teams. Valkenswaard United’s Marcus Funky Fred had four faults at the tall ver- GCL TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP: STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 1 Ehning and Alberto Zorzi suffered 4 faults tical near the end of the course. Rank Team/Riders Penalties Time each pushing them down the order. Ranking leaders London Knights 1 LONDON KNIGHTS Home city team Doha Fursan Qatar fin- faced down that pressure in emphatic Nicola Philippaerts/H&M Chilli Willi 0 79.60 ished third and Miami Celtics maintained style. Nicola Philippaerts and H&M Chilli Ben Maher/Explosion W 0 73.36 their form to come in fourth. Willi powered round the course with 0 152.96 The clock is now ticking and the perfect strides for a brilliant clear. And 2 ROME GLADIATORS teams have less than 48 hours to make Ben Maher and the acrobatic Explosion Lorenzo de Luca/Irenice Horta 0 77.81 strategic decisions on which riders and W sealed their lead on the day with a Laura Kraut/Zeremonie 0 76.74 horses they will field in the GCL Round masterful clear round. 0 154.55 2 tomorrow at 14:30 local time. The focus will now be on which 3 DOHA FURSAN QATAR Michael Whitaker/Strides Hilanasterne 1 80.48 The impressive Al Shaqab Arena in teams will change horses or riders ahead Bassem Mohammed/Gunder 0 79.63 Doha, was under floodlights and the vast of tomorrow’s showdown, the last chance 1 160.11 120m x 80m sand arena was set with for the teams to move up, or down, the Uliano Vezzani’s deceptively challenging overall rankings for 2018. FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 17 QSL chief discusses Mourinho defends football ties with Juve taunts after top OPL official ‘fantastic victory’

THE PENINSULA REUTERS football in Qatar as well as the success model of QNB Stars DOHA: Qatar Stars League (QSL) League. TURIN: Manchester United CEO Hani Taleb Ballan yesterday Al Adwani gave a brief pres- boss Jose Mourinho (pictured received Oman Professional entation on the mechanism of below) defended his taunting If you understand League (OPL) Director Hisham work they carry out during the of Juventus supporters after his Italian you will know Al Adwani. season and related matters. side’s sensational late revival that I was insulted by Hani hoped further progress Al Adwani said, “It was my which saw them grab a 2-1 win them for 90 minutes. would be made in the co-oper- pleasure to visit Qatar and meet over the Italians and boost their ation between the QSL and OPL, with the QSL officials including chances of reaching the I didn’t offend that would serve the best directors of various departments, knockout stages of the Cham- anyone, I just made a Qatar Stars League (QSL) CEO Hani Taleb Ballan presenting a interests of both entities. especially Hani. I thank them for pions League. souvenir to Oman Professional League (OPL) Director Hisham Al gesture to tell them During the meeting, the two the warm welcome extended to Former United player Cris- officials discussed the possibility us. I have been closely watching Adwani during their meeting yesterday. tiano Ronaldo had given that I wanted to hear of exchanging expertise and the functioning of various Juventus a deserved lead in the them louder: Jose experience. Talks also dealt with departments. We, at the OPL, are QNB Stars League, which has a Qatar in all sectors, including second half but despite being Mourinho the development of football in trying to make maximum use of prominent place on the Asian sports. The Qatar Football Asso- outplayed for almost the the two brotherly countries and the experience and expertise we continent. “We are proud of the ciation and QSL deserve special entirety of the game, United the growth made by professional gather from the QSL as well as success achieved by the State of praise,” he added. struck back with a free kick appeared to send a thinly veiled from Juan Mata in the 86th message to English football’s minute and a scrappy own goal organising body. in stoppage time which UEFA “Do you understand Italian? credited to Leonardo Bonucci. Then maybe ask the FA to “If you understand Italian translate for you,” he said. Al Duhail crush Al Shahania you will know that I was Despite Juventus hitting the insulted by them for 90 woodwork twice and David de minutes. I didn’t offend anyone, Gea making a string of great I just made a gesture to tell saves, Mourinho said he was them that I wanted to hear pleased with his side’s per- as Al Sadd storm to big win them louder,” Mourinho told formance after the team had reporters after cupping his ear been outplayed and beaten to the home fans at the final 1-0 by Juve two weeks previ- THE PENINSULA whistle, prompting a cascade ously at Old Trafford. of howling whistles. “It is a fantastic victory for DOHA: Feared striker Yousef El “I probably shouldn’t have us, a victory that is not just Arabi fired a hat-trick as Al done it, and with a cool head I about the points we lost at Duhail beat Al Shahania 5-1 in wouldn’t have. But with my home. It is about the feeling Week 12 of the QNB Stars League family insulted, including my of how well we played,” he at the Al Duhail Stadium Inter Milan family, I reacted like said. yesterday. this.” Mourinho’s reaction came “And I think even if this In other matches yesterday, YESTERDAY’S RESULTS on the day that the Football game doesn’t end with victory Al Sadd crushed Al Kharaitiyat Al Duhail bt Al Shahania: 5-1 Association (FA) said it would I would have the same feeling, 7-1 after a brilliant hat-trick by appeal against a decision which that the team played really, Baghdad Bounedjah, while Al Sadd bt Al Kharaitiyat: 7-1 saw him escape punishment for really well from the first Dutch playmaker Wesley Sne- Al Gharafa bt Qatar SC: 2-0 an alleged foul-mouthed out- minute against -- I repeat -- ijder scored a brace to lead Al TODAY’S FIXTURES burst in Portuguese in front of a super team.” Gharafa to a 2-0 win over Qatar 5:10pm: Al Ahli vs Al Rayyan at television cameras following his The thrilling finale in Turin SC at Qatar SC Stadium. side’s 3-2 win over Newcastle is the latest in a series of epic At Al Duhail Stadium, El Al Ahli Stadium United last month. turnaround victories for Arabi scored two goals in the 5:10pm: Al Khor vs Al Arabi at An independent regulatory United, who beat Bourne- first half and another in the Al Khor Stadium commission had cleared mouth 2-1 with an added-time second as the defending cham- Mourinho of the charge on Oct. goal from Marcus Rashford on pions roared to their 10th win of 7:20pm: Umm Salal vs Al Sailiya 31 after consulting language Saturday and also rallied late the season and consolidated at Al Gharafa Stadium experts. to beat Newcastle in October. their top position in the WhenWhen qquizzeduizzed in a TheT h e comebackcom eback standings. post-matchp ost-match victory, thethe sort ofof El Arabi (24th, 41st and 67th Al Duhail’s Yousef El Arabi celebrates after scoring a goal against Al Shahania at Al Duhail Stadium interviewinterview withwith escapeescape act for which minutes) was well supported by yesterday. BBTT SportSport about they became Paulo Edmilson (46th) and Nam what had renownedrenowned underunder SirSir Tae-Hee (90+3) as The Red into the net for Al Duhail’s third drive in the 82nd minute for Al the 37th minute from close range ppromptedrompted his Alex Ferguson, sets Knights eased to victory. goal. El Arabi completed his hat- Kharaitiyat who have roped in with a left-footed drive. ggestureesture to tthehe UnitedUnited up nicenicelyly fforor The losers’ only goal came trick in the 67th minute when he former Al Sadd player Wisam Bounedjah scored his second Juventus fans and Sunday’sSunday’s local from Ramin Semeskandi in the found the net from close range. Rizq as coach. of the match and 18th of the animatedanimated con-con- derby against 87th minute when he converted In the 87th minute, Ramin Al Sadd kicked of the pro- season as Al Sadd raced to a 4-0 ffrontationrontation with PPremierremier LeagueLeague a long-range free-kick that Al put his name on the scorers’ list ceedings by sporting specially lead soon after resumption of some of theirtheir leadersleaders MancManchesterhester Duhail goalkeeper Khalifa Aboo- when his shot went through the designed jerseys that had pic- play in the second half. pplayerslayers after the City.City. backer failed to stop. hands of the Al Duhail keeper. tures of Qatar national team Qatar’s rising national team ggame,ame, Mourinho For his first goal, El Arabi Just before the final whistle, player and an Al Sadd club player Afif scored Al Sadd’s fifth flicked a low shot after a loopy Nam scored his seventh goal of stalwart Abdullah Obaid Juma goal in a 64th minute penalty ball that fell near him. The the season. who died three days ago. kick. Moroccan fired the shot with his At Al Sadd Stadium, Bounedjah yesterday scored Saad, in the 82nd minute, right foot as Al Duhail went 1-0 Bounedjah scored in the 17th, the first goal on a fumble by Al managed to drive a powerful up. 46th and 87th minutes as hosts Kharaitiyat keeper Ahmed shot into the Al Sadd net from Four minutes from the half- raced to a comfortable victory. Sofyan. Ismail slipped in a cross close range. In the dying minutes time whistle, El Arabi picked up The Algerian striker was well from the flank but instead of of the match, Bounedjah com- a cross and charged into the Al supported by Hamid Ismail (28), grabbing the ball keeper Sofyan pleted his hat-trick with a pow- Shahania box. Without wasting Abdulkareem Hassan (37), let it slip out. Nounedjah easily erful left-footed drive into the time, El Arabi fired one home as Akram Afif (64) and Ahmad fired home from close range. top of the net. Al Shahania protested for off- Sayyar (89) as the boys in white Ismail doubled Al Sadd’s lead Substitute Sayyar, after side. But the calls were dismissed looked in little bother on home with a neat strike in the 27th getting a cross from Afif, and goal was allowed. turf. minute. The home team saw curled one in for Al Sadd’s Soon after resumption, Mahmoud Saad reduced the Hassan complete the third goal seventh goal of the night in the Edmilson tapped an easy cross deficit with a left-footed low - his second of the season - in 89th minute. Aspire Zone hosts Canada’s women boxing team camp

THE PENINSULA destination for large numbers of we really do have everything we we’ve ever experienced together. international teams competing need,” he added. The facilities and infra- DOHA: Aspire Zone Foundation in a wide range of sports. Canadian national women’s structure are truly world-class. (AZF) welcomed Canada’s Assistant Coach Samir El team boxer Sabrina Aubin com- I’m sure our week here will national women’s boxing team Mais explained the objectives of mented: “From my point of view, provide us with a massive boost, in preparation for the Women’s the training camp at Aspire and training here in Qatar is the ideal and we’ve also received a fan- World Boxing Championship said: “We’ve travelled here from choice. We have all the elements tastically warm welcome from 2018, scheduled to begin on Canada to help acclimatise to the that we need to focus our our hosts.” November 15 in New Delhi, India. heat and adjust to different time attention on the upcoming tour- During their stay, the The travelling party was zones. This marks the final stage nament. Our presence in Doha Canadian national boxing team comprised of six female fighters of our preparations for the World will enable us to adapt to the dif- will benefit from an intensive and coaches who have travelled Championship and we’re very ferences in temperature and time programme that integrates to Doha to undertake a compre- impressed by the world-class zones so that when we are able strength training, traction hensive training programme, facilities and expertise that to fight with our best per- stretches, fight practice and with their sights set on a podium Aspire has to offer athletes.” formance. I’m confident that our cardio workouts in Aspire Park. finish at the Championships. “Training and preparation is time here this will give us the Hosting training camps for During the training camp – critical for any boxer ahead of a grounding and preparation we national teams is a key com- which runs until the November fight, to sharpen their skills and need to succeed.” ponent in fulfilling Aspire Zone 11 – the team will take full ensure maximum fitness. And Sara Haghighat-Joo, another Foundation’s vision, which is Canadian boxers have termed Qatar as an ideal choice for their advantage of the facilities and with a comprehensive, week- championship boxer also com- to be the Reference in Sports training camp ahead of this month’s Women’s World Boxing expertise on offer at AZF which long training programme mented: “Without doubt, this is Excellence World-wide by Championship in India. has become the preferred mapped out for us here at Aspire, the best training facility that 2020. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2018 Australia rest Kohli draws flak for ‘leave India’ remark Starc, Lyon

REUTERS for SA, India Why are you living in our Married to Bollywood formerer captain Rahul Dravid “I“I spoke about howhow “these country and loving other coun- actress Anushka Sharma, Kohli who waswas ffamousamous forfor hishis Indians” was mentionedmen NEW DELHI: Indian cricket tries? I don’t mind you not liking is the biggest name in Indian battingng technique and in the commentcomme and Twenty20s captain Virat Kohli (pictured) me but I don’t think you should cricket and his face is plastered his economyeconomy ooff that’s all. II’m all AFP was in the eye of a storm on live in our country... Get your on billboards across the cricket- words.ds. for freedomfreed of social media yesterday after he priorities right,” he added with obsessed country of 1.3 billion. “WhatWhat an choice.choice Keep suggested a local cricket fan a wry smile. A highly successful cricketer idioticic set ofof it llightigh guys SYDNEY: Pace spearhead relocate to another country for Kohli’s comments evoked with a penchant to get under an wordsds to come andand enjoy Mitchell Starc, veteran preferring to watch English or sharp reactions as people on opponent’s skin, Kohli is the from an #In#Indiadia thethe festivef spinner Nathan Lyon and all- Australian batsmen. social media pulled out a 2008 sole Indian in the Forbes mag- #captain!”ptain!” season.sea rounder Mitch Marsh were all The 30-year-old was video, in which Kohli, then azine’s 2018 list of the world’s the aactorctor Love and left out of Australia’s reading out tweets when he captain of the India under-19 100 highest-paid athletes. added.d. peacepeac to Twenty20 squad yesterday to came across one which team, described South African He endorses foreign brands Thehe all.” play South Africa and India. described Kohli, currently the Herschelle Gibbs as his including Puma, Audi, Tissot cricketerketer OneOn fan Coach Justin Langer said top ranked test batsman, as favourite batsman. and Uber. One critic posted a took to said KohKohli may they, along with Peter Siddle, “overrated” and that Australian Also resurfaced his 2016 picture of Kohli posing with an Twittertter have had a brain would be better off playing and English batsmen were more tweet in which he had congrat- Audi and suggesting he move later on fadefade momoment Sheffield Shield cricket to be pleasing to watch than “these ulated Angelique Kerber on her to Germany since he loved Thursdaysday and shoushould not ready for a busy home Indians”. Australian Open victory, foreign cars. to playay down be attacked.attacke summer featuring four Tests “I don’t think you should declaring the German as his Criticism came from India’s the episode.pisode. against India and two against live in India then,” Kohli, who favourite women’s tennis movie industry as well. “II guess Sri Lanka. has 27.1 million followers on player. “If you want to remain trollingng isn’t for In their absence, Marcus Twitter, said in a video posted “Virat Kohli’s statement is a #KingKohli it may be time to me guys,uys, I’ll stick Stoinis and Jason Behrendorff on his new app to sell exclusive reflection of the bubble that teach yourself to think ‘What to gettinggetting get a chance to impress after merchandise. most famous people either slip would Dravid say?’ before trolled,”led, ” being included in the 13-man “You should go and live into or are forced into,” com- speaking in future,” actor Sid- Kohlihli squad for a single T20 against somewhere else, you know. mentator Harsha Bhogle tweeted. dharth tweeted, referring to tweeted.ted. the Proteas and three against the Indians. “We know coming off the back of the tour to the UAE, a huge summer at home, and the World Cup and Ashes just around the corner that we Jennings ton puts have to get the balance right between playing our best T20 team and preparing for the upcoming Test series,” said Langer. SL on the ropes “While I know all four have a desire to be playing for Australia in every format, AFP SCOREBOARD 35 before being caught off Herath with a really tough Test series England first innings ...... 342 while Foakes belted out 37 before against India coming up, we GALLE: A Keaton Jennings Sri Lanka first innings ...... 203 falling to spinner Akila believe their best preparation century helped England put Sri England second innings Dananjaya. is to go back and get some Lanka on the ropes in the first Test R. Burns run out ...... 23 England made 342 in the first really good cricket under yesterday, setting the hosts a K. Jennings not out ...... 146 innings thanks to a century from their belts in the Sheffield daunting 462 to win at notoriously M. Ali c Herath b Perera ...... 3 Ben Foakes, filling in as wicket- Shield.” low-scoring Galle. J. Root c Dickwella b Herath ...... 3 keeper for the injured Jonny Aaron Finch’s Australia England declared at 322 for B. Stokes b Perera ...... 62 Bairstow. are desperate for form. They six on day three with Jennings 146 J. Buttler c Silva b Herath ...... 35 Sri Lanka were then bowled have lost 17 of their 19 one- not out after a patient innings that B. Foakes c Mendis b Dananjaya ...... 37 out for 203, leaving them 139 dayers and were thrashed 3-0 S. Curran not out ...... 0 saw him deal deftly with the home behind, falling to a spin attack led by Pakistan in a T20 series in Extras (b4, lb7, nb2) ...... 13 side’s spin attack. Total (6 wickets, 93 overs) ...... 322 by Ali who took four for 66. the United Arab Emirates last At the close of play, Sri Lanka Did not bat: A. Rashid, J. Leach, J. Anderson Jennings’s performance will month. were 15 without loss with Dimuth Bowling: Perera 30-3-94-2, Lakmal 9-2-30-0, Her- go some way to silencing his Left-armer Behrendorff Karunaratne on seven and ath 23-1-59-2, Dananjaya 18.5-2-87-1, de Silva 12.1- critics -- many of whom were returns after recurring back Kaushal Silva on eight after 2-41-0 calling for him to be dropped after injuries, with all-rounder hanging on for seven overs, with Fall of wickets 1-60 (Burns), 2-67 (Ali), 3-74 his poor home series against India Stoinis, who was overlooked a further 447 to make at a ground (Root), 4-181 (Stokes), 5-258 (Buttler), 6-319 this summer. for the Pakistan series, also where no team has successfully (Foakes) After stumps yesterday the back. chased more than 99. Sri Lanka second innings South Africa-born 26-year-old “Marcus is such a ver- In the morning session a F. Karunaratne not out ...... 7 conceded that the past half year satile player, he’s a powerful J. Silva not out ...... 8 somewhat shaky Rory Burns, had been “tough for me per- middle-order batsman and he Extras ...... 0 brought in to fill the huge shoes Total (0 wickets, 7 overs) ...... 15 sonally”, but that he relishes the provides us with another solid of the retired Alastair Cook, was Did not bat: B. Mendis, L. Chandimal, A.Mathews, N. pressure. bowling option,” said Langer. run out for 23. Dickwella, D. de Silva, M. Perera, R. Lakmal, A. Dan- “I enjoy it. I love the process “Jason Behrendorff has Moeen Ali, out first ball in the anjaya, H. Herath of being involved, I love the also earned a spot in the first innings, fared little better, Bowling: Curran 1-1-0-0, Anderson 1-0-4-0, Ali 2-0- process of feeling the heat, feeling squad after returning to full driving straight to Rangana Herath 7-0, Rashid 2-0-2-0, Leach 1-0-2-0 the pressure, and I suppose fitness. Tactically we believe at mid-on off Dilruwan Perera for waking up in the morning it’s important to have a good three. knowing you are on a knife edge,” left-arm swing bowler at our Herath, in his last game before Ben Stokes hit a brisk 62 off he said. disposal for the four retiring, then got England captain 93 balls that saw three sixes, “So it makes today that much matches.” Joe Root out for the second time including one back over Perera’s more special,” he said. in the match, caught behind for head and an almighty sweep high “I have only watched Keaton AUSTRALIA T20 SQUAD three. over midwicket off Dhananjaya Jennings live in two test matches But Jennings played cautiously de Silva to bring up the 300. and he has got a hundred in both Aaron Finch (capt), Alex Carey, Ashton and looked comfortable against But shortly before tea he I must be his lucky charm !!!,” Agar, Jason Behrendorff, Nathan Coul- spin against Perera and the other became Perera’s second scalp, a former England great Allan Lamb ter-Nile, Chris Lynn, Glenn Maxwell, Ben spinners. An LBW appeal off demon of a ball pitching outside said on Twitter. McDermott, D’Arcy Short, Billy Stanlake,

Dhananjaya de Silva when Jen- leg and angling back to take the “Well played fantastic and Marcus Stoinis, Andrew Tye, Adam Zam- England’s Keaton Jennings raises his bat and helmet in celebration nings was on 58 was turned down Durham all-rounder’s off stump. thoroughly deserved by the hard pa after scoring a century in Galle yesterday. and Sri Lanka chose not to review. Jos Buttler smashed a quick work.” Anderson handed demerit point for Sarfraz slams Taylor over throwing gesture REUTERS by 4747 runs. if he concentrates on that,that it’s 2014-15 and again in 2017 due second game of the three- dissent in Galle Test “I“I will saysay that Taylor’sTaylor’s better.better. I complainedcomplained to to problems with his action. match series in Abu Dhabi ABU DHABI: Pakistanan captain actionaction was not umpiresumpires tthathat hhisis aactionc His latest suspension was today. REUTERS Sarfraz Ahmed (pictured)tured) hhasas correct,”correct,” Sarfraz diddid nnotot cocomeme ununder lifted in April. Pakistan will be hoping to slammed New ZeaZealandland said.said. sportsmanship.sportsmansh It was unclear whether end an 12-match losing run to GALLE: England paceman James batsman Ross Tayloraylor fforor “It’s“It’s nnotot “Ross“Ross is a Pakistan had made an official New Zealand when the two Anderson has received an official making a “disgraceful”graceful” his jjobob to pprofessionalrofessio complaint to the match referee sides meet. reprimand and one demerit point for throwing gesture whenhen ffacingacing give ((the)the) criccricketerketer and but Taylor’s gesture is likely to Pakistan crushed New breaching the code of conduct during the the bowling of veteranteran allall-- actionacti o n hehe shouldshould not come under ICC scrutiny. Zealand 3-0 in the preceding ongoing Galle Test against Sri Lanka, the rounder Mohammadad HafeezHafeez whichw hic h havehave ddone Hafeez’s bowling will also Twenty20 series on Sunday International Cricket Council (ICC) said during the one-dayy interna-interna- was that. HeHe ddid it be under the spotlight in the Meanwhile, Boult was yesterday. tional in Abu DDhabihabi oonn shownshown oonn twotwo oror threeth delighted on making a suc- During the 39th over of the Sri Lanka Wednesday. TV. It was ttimesimes - it’s cessful return. innings, Anderson first complained when Taylor appearedd to queryquery disgraceful,disgraceful, (the)(the) umpires’ump “It’s nice to be back out the umpire warned him for running on the bowling of part-time-time off-off- forfor me. job,”job,” SaSafrazf there and get the win for the the wicket, and then threw the ball in spinner Hafeez whoseose action “His“His jojobb is added. I will say that boys,” said Boult, who missed resentment. His behaviour amounted to has been deemed illegalegal bbyy the to do “Hafeez’s“Hafeez’s actionac the 3-0 loss in the preceding a violation of Article 2.8 of the ICC Code International Cricketet CounciCouncill battingb atting hashas no pproblemroblem and Taylor’s action was Twenty20 series due to the of Conduct for Players and Player Support several times in recentcent yyears.ears. andand (Taylor)(Taylor) was tryingtryin to not correct. It’s not birth of his child. Personnel, the governing body said. Sarfraz had a heatedheated createcreate an issueis his job to give (the) “I think the new ball is a “After the match, Anderson admitted exchange with Taylorlor andand withoutwithout a reason.”reas key part of the game and we the offence and accepted the sanction the on-field umpireses as HafeezHaf action which was know what early wickets can proposed by match referee Andy Pycroft,” New Zealand, fired byby was sus-s shown on TV. It was do to chasing totals. it added after slapping Anderson with his a hat-trick by penpendedd disgraceful, for me: “The hat-trick ball I was second demerit point. returning pacemann ffromr o Pakistan captain just trying to make him play Four demerit points within a two- Trent Boult, won bowlingbow and to slide one onto the pads year period incurs a one-Test ban. the series-opener twtwicei in Sarfraz Ahmed is a great feeling.” FRIDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2018 SPORT 19 IOC President has Mayweather says ‘never ‘serious concerns’ agreed’ for Japan fight about AIBA AP REUTERS Floyd Mayweather Jr. ROME: The election of an Uzbek businessman TOKYO: Floyd Mayweather said on accused of ties to organised crime as President of Wednesday he never agreed to AIBA isn’t the IOC’s only problem with the amateur come out of retirement to fight a I want to sincerely boxing association. Japanese kickboxer on New Year’s apologise to my fans Gafur Rakhimov, who is on a US Treasury Eve and was blindsided when the for the very misleading Department sanctions list for alleged links to inter- event was announced this week at information that was national heroin trafficking, was elected Saturday a news conference he attended in announced during this as head of AIBA. The sanctions bar US citizens and Tokyo. companies from doing business with him. He has Mayweather said on his press conference and denied wrongdoing. Instagram account that he only I can assure you that “First of all, the issue with AIBA is not only about agreed to a three-round exhibition I too was completely the election of the one person to president,” Inter- in front of a small group of wealthy blindsided by the national Olympic president Thomas Bach said yes- spectators for a very large fee with terday. “We have expressed serious concerns for no intention of it being represented arrangements that were over a year with regard to the overall governance as an official fight card or televised being made without my of the AIBA, with regard to their anti-doping worldwide. consent nor approval: program, with regard to their finances.” “Once I arrived to the press con- Mayweather Bach, who was in Rome for meetings, added ference, my team and I were com- that the IOC has asked AIBA to provide a report pletely derailed by the new direction containing its view “and what they think that they this event was going and we should the news conference by combating “I am a retired boxer that earns introduced as Tenshin Nasukawa -- have done to address these issues.” have put a stop to it immediately,” what was said for the sake of what an unprecedented amount of money, a 20-year-old who competes in both The IOC has yet to confirm boxing is on the wrote Mayweather. he described as several fans and globally, for appearances, speaking MMA and kickboxing and has won program for the 2020 Tokyo Games and has “I want to sincerely apologise to attendees that flew in from all parts engagements and occasional small all four of his cage fights. threatened to host an Olympic boxing tournament my fans for the very misleading of the world to attend the event. exhibitions,” wrote Mayweather. “I want it to be clear that I, Floyd without AIBA, cutting off the financially troubled information that was announced The man known as “Money” At the news conference, it was Mayweather, never agreed to an federation from a key funding source. during this press conference and I Mayweather, who retired in 2017 announced Mayweather would top official bout with Tenshin Nas- The IOC will take up the AIBA case at a board can assure you that I too was com- with a 50-0 record over an unpar- the bill at Japanese mixed martial ukawa,” wrote Mayweather. “In fact meeting in Tokyo next month. pletely blindsided by the arrange- alleled boxing career during which arts promotion Rizin Fighting Fed- (with all due respect) I have never “We don’t want athletes to be punished for mis- ments that were being made without he won world titles in five different eration’s next card on Dec. 31 against heard of him until this recent trip to behavior of officials or organisations,” Bach said. my consent nor approval.” weight classes, also said he has no a Japanese kickboxer with the rules Japan.” “Whatever decision will be made we will make our Mayweather, 41, said he was plans to put his unblemished mark yet to be determined. Rizin did not immediately reply best effort to give the boxers an opportunity to con- hesitant to create a disturbance at on the line. Mayweather’s opponent was when asked for comment. tinue their Olympic dream.”

LeBron James (left) New Zealand Nats star Harper of the Los Angeles All Blacks Lakers drives to centre Sonny rejected $300m the basket past Bill Williams Jimmy Butler #23 offer: Reports of the Minnesota Timberwolves at Staples Center in Los AFP Angeles, California on Wednesday. WASHINGTON: Washington slugger Bryce Harper rejected a 10-year, $300m offer by the Nationals in late September, foregoing one of the richest deals in baseball history to test the free agent market, US media reported. The Washington Post and USA Today cited unnamed sources in reporting that the offer was made in September, USA Today saying that the offer officially expired last week when the Nationals lost their exclusive nego- All Blacks retain tiating rights with the star right fielder. Washington’s offer would have been the biggest free agent deal by total Sonny to face money paid in the history of the four major American sports leagues according to the Post -- although there England test has been speculation that agent Scott Boras believes the 26-year-old AP superstar could command $400m on the free agent market. While Harper is now free to talk to LONDON: New Zealand All Blacks selectors have other teams, he has spent his entire resisted pressure to drop out-of-form centre Sonny career with the Nationals and could yet Bill Williams from the starting line-up for tomor- remain in Washington. row’s test against England. Williams was retained for Twickenham test and will combine in midfield with rising star Jack MLB All-Stars beat Goodhue, who returns after a bout of glandular fever. NBA: James, Lakers hold Damian McKenzie has also been retained at Giants ahead of fullback as New Zealand pursues the mainly the- exhibition series oretical use of two playmakers in its starting XV. off Wolves in home thriller Ardie Savea will again start at flanker in place of the injured Sam Cane and Karl Tu’inukuafe will AP play at loosehead prop in place of Joe Moody, who AGENCIES NBA RESULTS Tyson Chandler made his will miss the remainder of the season after sus- TOKYO: JT Realmuto and Amed Indiana 94 Philadelphia 100 Lakers debut in the first quarter taining an eye injury. Rosario drove in two runs each to lead LOS ANGELES: LeBron James LA Lakers 114 Minnesota 110 and scored his first basket with his Williams is the most contentious selection. His the MLB All-Stars over the Yomiuri scored 24 points, and Kyle Kuzma Atlanta 107 New York 112 new team when he tipped in a 2018 season has been affected by injuries but he Giants 9-6 yesterday in a warm-up and Josh Hart had 21 apiece as the Rajon Rondo miss with 5:11 has also been inconsistent in All Blacks’ backplay, Miami 95 San Antonio 88 game ahead of their six-game exhi- Los Angeles Lakers held on in a remaining in the second quarter. lacking the pace or the handling skills of the Sacramento 105 Toronto 114 bition series against Japan’s national back-and-forth affair on He finished with two points and remainder of the New Zealand backline. team. Wednesday to earn a 114-110 Utah 117 Dallas 102 six rebounds in 27 minutes. Williams also was responsible for some Juan Soto hit a double off the roof victory over the visiting Minnesota Memphis 89 Denver 87 Chandler’s contract was defensive lapses against Australia when the teams of Tokyo Dome in the third inning that Timberwolves. New Orleans 107 Chicago 98 bought out by the Phoenix Suns on met at Yokohama, Japan, two weeks ago, but held

scored Yadier Molina from second to James added 10 rebounds and Cleveland 86 Oklahoma City 95 Sunday, and he signed with the onto his spot in favor of Ryan Crotty against give the MLB team a 4-0 lead. nine assists, just missing out on his Orlando 96 Detroit 103 Lakers on Tuesday. England. Realmuto then doubled in a run second triple-double as a member Three days after the Lakers fell Head coach Steve Hansen has persisted with and Rosario added two more on a of the Lakers. Brandon Ingram alive with offensive rebounds, behind by 31 points in the first Williams throughout his tenure, despite some crit- single as the MLB squad scored five scored 20 points for Los Angeles, and Kuzma eventually hit one quarter during a loss to the Toronto icism of the former rugby league star’s runs in the inning to take a 7-0 lead. which won for the third time in the free throw for a 112-110 lead Raptors, they trailed by as many performances. Realmuto also hit an opposite- past four games. with 9.2 seconds remaining. as nine points in the opening McKenzie was preferred at fullback to highly- field solo homer in the fifth to make Powered by their veteran The Wolves had one last pos- quarter against the Wolves. Min- rated Ben Smith, who continues his exile on the it 8-3. backcourt, the Wolves got 31 points session, but Rose missed a wide nesota had a 32-30 lead after the wing. In theory, McKenzie should offer a second The highlight for the home fans from Derrick Rose and 24 from open 3-pointer with four seconds first 12 minutes. playmaking option after flyhalf Beauden Barrett came in the fourth when Seiya Mat- Jimmy Butler. Minnesota remained to go. It was just the second miss Rondo finished with 10 assists but in the cut and thrust of a modern test match, subara’s sinking liner split the gap winless away from home at 0-7, in nine 3-point attempts for Rose, for the Lakers. that option rarely presents itself. between Ronald Acuna Jr. and Soto in and it dropped its fourth consec- who had a 50-point game Oct. 31 Andrew Wiggins had 19 points McKenzie does provide a safe pair of hands if left-centre field. utive game overall. against the Utah Jazz. for the Wolves, while Taj Gibson England pursues a kicking game. By the time Acuna retrieved the Leading by a point late in The Timberwolves, who had 16 points and 11 rebounds. The All Blacks’ forward pack is the strongest ball and got it back into the infield, the game, the Lakers missed entered 19th in the NBA in Karl-Anthony Towns contributed that can be selected, taking injuries into account. Matsubara had raced around the three shots with less than a 3-pointers made at 10.3 per game, 13 points and nine boards. Towns Brodie Retallick, the international player of the year, bases for a three-run inside-the-park minute to play, two on 3-point went 20-for-40 from beyond the was held to 5-of-16 shooting from returns to the starting lineup at lock and hooker home run that cut the MLB stars’ lead attempts from James. Los arc. The 20 made 3-pointers set a the field, in part due to Chandler’s Dane Coles, who made his first test appearance in to 7-4. Angeles kept the possession Minnesota franchise record. defense. a year against Japan last week, is in the reserves.