SPORT 16 SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2017 Pellegrino ‘Well prepared’ Portugal eye takes over as Southampton victory against manager London Reuters Rizwan Rehmat have a team rule: the maximum Saint Petersburg trust, the maximum respect and rgentine Mauricio Pel- the maximum attitude. I think legrino was named as uropean champions once we emerge from the group Amanager of Premier Portugal have done and only then we will begin to League Southampton yester- their homework on study (semi-final) opponents,” day, the week after the club football minnows New Santos said. sacked Claude Puel. Zealand with coach When asked to predict the The 45-year-old has EFernando Santos predicting an outcome from the vs Mex- agreed a three-year contract all-out attack against their Con- ico clash today, Santos refused and will arrive at St Mary's federations Cup rivals at to pick a winner. Russia and next week to prepare for the Krestovsky Stadium today. are the other two teams new season. Portugal beat hosts Russia in in Group A. Pellegrino, who won La their previous game in Moscow ”I believe we will win against Liga as a defender with where star striker Cristiano Ron- New Zealand but I can’t say what Portugal's forward Cristiano Ronaldo Valencia, began his coaching aldo scored the only goal of the will happen in that match,” said takes part in a training session in Saint career as an assistant at Liv- match at Spartak Stadium. Por- Santos. Petersburg yesterday, on the eve of the erpool before spells with tugal kicked off their ”These are two high-quality 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup group A Valencia, Estudiantes, Inde- Confederations Cup campaign teams. And we will play against football match against New Zealand. pendiente and Alaves. with a 2-2 draw against South the third strong team in Group A All Whites coach Anthony Hudson said "I am delighted that after American giants Mexico. and this side has given their a diligent selection process Ronaldo was not the only threat for his ”We do not worry about rivals the heat in the two previ- we have recruited Mauricio side in today's clash. Inset: Portugal's what happens in the other group. ous meetings. Pellegrino as our new first We are only concentrating on ”New Zealanders will try to coach Fernando Santos arrives for a team manager," Southamp- New Zealand. In recent days we show their talent. We are aware press conference at Krestovsky Stadium ton vice chairman Les Reed have worked only on our next of that. We will be playing a dif- in Saint Petersburg yesterday. said in a club statement. opponents,” Santos said ficult side but we think that we "We had an impressive yesterday. will win,” Santos said. list of candidates and went ”We have watched both He added Russia and Mex- through a comprehensive matches (involving New Zea- ico could not be compared as interview process. Mauricio land) and studied their game. both teams play with different impressed us throughout with Today, the entire team met and tactics. his depth of knowledge, moti- discussed how we will play ”These are two completely well otherwise it would not important thing for me,” the ”After the game with Mex- vation and ability, against the New Zealanders. We different teams with different become European champions. coach added. ico, we had mixed feelings. The communicating this in a pro- are well prepared,” he added. characteristics. The only simi- The game is not limited to 90 Meanwhile, All Whites coach players have been proud of their fessional and passionate way. Santos said Portugal are tak- larity is that they play with three minutes. The match can last for Anthony Hudson said his team show,” the Briton said. "He has an excellent ing one match at a time. central defenders. Russian foot- 120 minutes also. At Euro 2016, was not just competing against New Zealand were beaten understanding of the South- ”We respect other teams but ball is very different from New we won four games and the fact Ronaldo in their clash today 2-0 by Russia in the opening ampton way, and his style of we are not afraid of anyone. We Zealand’s football. Their last that it was done in extra time against Portugal. Confederations Cup match. play and aspiration matches game was played in a style sim- shows our good preparation to ”This match is not different ”Everyone said that Mexico the philosophy, culture and ilar to the British,” Santos said. play long games,” he said. from any other game we have will score 3, 4 or even 5 goals. ambition of the club." Confed Cup fixtures ”Although English style is no Santos said key defender played so far,” Hudson said However, we have a good side. It is the second time South- Group Stage - Group A longer what it used to be but it is Luís Neto is certain to feature in yesterday. We had a chance to get a draw. ampton have turned to an Today (GMT) different from the football of the the game today. ”All coaches are asked about We are pleased that we showed Argentine coach having past. In general, all the players ”Luís came here (for the it but Portugal is not only about a good game but disappointed employed Mauricio Pochettino Mexico v Russia (1500) in my team are used to playing press conference) because I’m Ronaldo. If you remove Cris- with the result,” Hudson said of for 14 months before he joined New Zealand v Portugal (1500) in different championships with one hundred percent certain to tiano, they will still remain a side the 2-1 loss to Mexico. Tottenham Hotspur in 2014. Group Stage - Group B different styles,” he added. see him on the pitch,” he said. with a lot of high-quality play- ”We will try to approach it Pellegrino stepped down Tomorrow Santos said Portugal earned ”All our players are fit and ers. We have a definite plan but (the game against Portugal) with as Alaves manager last month their status as European cham- confident. We have a great team I would not want to go into the right attitude and organisa- after leading them to the Chile v (1500) pions despite winning only two spirit. I repeat - some players details. We do not think that we tion. We need a positive result. Spanish King's Cup final and

Germany v Cameroon (1500) games at Euro 2016 in regula- play more, some play less but will play only against Ronaldo. Yes, Portugal is a world class side finishing ninth in La Liga with tion time. everyone feels an important part We are thinking about how to but we will play for the result,” a team who had only been ”Portugal has always played of this team. This is the most achieve results,” Hudson said. Hudson said. promoted to the top flight the previous season. He said he was "excited and passionate" about the Qatar down North Korea in Doha friendly future with Southampton. "I think my philosophy and the culture of the club will work well together," he said. "We have to be a team on and off the pitch; I want to Action during the friendly match make the supporters proud between Qatar and North Korea of the players and to feel part at Aspire Academy football pitch of the game every week." on Thursday. Qatar displayed Frenchman Puel was a dominating show against fired after less than a year in their opponents to claim a charge despite taking South- comprehensive 2-0 victory. The ampton to the League Cup two sides also played a friendly final and eighth place in the match earlier this month which Premier League table. ended in a 2-2 draw. Southampton won only one of their final eight league games, scoring just one goal in their last five home matches, and ended with their lowest points tally in four years.

Verstappen fastest in both practice sessions Azerbaijan GP second free practice times 1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) 1:43.362 (36 laps), 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/ Baku excellent day with an improved several misjudgments on the of Renault also crashed into the Mercedes) 1:43.462 (32), 3. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Red Bull) 1:43.473 (34), 4. Reuters time of 1:43.362 in the second ses- scorching Baku circuit. barriers after misjudging Turn Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:43.489 (35), 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) sion. The only disappointment for Force 's Sergio Perez had Eight. Championship leader 1:43.615 (35), 6. Lance Stroll (CAN/Williams-Mercedes) 1:44.113 (27), 7. Sergio ed Bull's Max Verstappen the pacesetter came when he been flying through the city cir- Sebastian Vettel on the soft com- Perez (MEX/Force India-Mercedes) 1:44.306 (34), 8. Daniil Kvyat (RUS/Toro clocked the fastest lap in appeared to lose control late on cuit and registered the fourth best pound tyre registered times of Rosso-Renault) 1:44.321 (27), 9. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Force India-Mercedes) R both of yesterday's prac- before spinning sideways into the time in the first session before 1:44.967 and 1.43.615, finishing 1:44.484 (37), 10. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:44.525 (23), 11. Felipe tices ahead of the Azerbaijan advertising hoardings. crashing late on. third and fifth. It was a mixed day Massa (BRA/Williams-Mercedes) 1:44.609 (33), 12. Fernando Alonso (ESP/ Grand Prix tomorrow, but ended "It was very weird," Verstap- He escaped unscathed after for Mercedes duo Lewis Hamil- McLaren-Honda) 1:45.515 (15), 13. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP/Toro Rosso-Renault) the second session in the wall pen told Sky Sports. colliding with the external wall ton and Valtteri Bottas. 1:45.733 (34), 14. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas-Ferrari) 1:45.831 (33), 15. Nico after spinning off. "I locked up and was still try- at a narrow section at Turn The Finn, who hit a Formula Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:46.003 (29), 16. Jolyon Palmer (GBR/Renault) Verstappen topped first prac- ing to make the corner, but I tried Eight, and although his car lost One record top speed of 373kmh 1:46.061 (17), 17. Stoffel Vandoorne (BEL/McLaren-Honda) 1:46.174 (28), 18. tice with a time of 1:44.410, with to play it safe and take the exit road. its rear right wheel, Force India last year, went into a spin at Turn Pascal Wehrlein (GER/Sauber-Ferrari) 1:47.150 (25), 19. Marcus Ericsson (SWE/ team-mate Daniel Ricciardo fin- "Suddenly I lost the rear and mechanics succeeded in repair- 10 during the first practice, but Sauber-Ferrari) 1:47.347 (25), 20. Romain Grosjean (FRA/Haas-Ferrari)

ishing four tenths behind him to then I just had a four-wheel power ing it for Perez to finish seventh recovered to finish second, a

1:47.722 (22) ensure a Red Bull one-two, before slide into the barrier," he said. It in P2. tenth behind Verstappen, in the the Dutch teenager capped an was a scrappy day punctuated by In the evening, Jolyon Palmer evening's session. SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2017 SPORT 17

Prosecutor British player Evans tests positive open to lifting Messi prison London you know this was taken out of ruled he had taken the sub- recent tournament in Smethurst on the night before AFP competition and the context stance inadvertently. Surbiton. their junior doubles match at sentence was completely unrelated to "On 24 April 2017, Mr Evans, Birmingham-born Evans Wimbledon. ritish world number 50 . a 27-year-old player from Great withdrew from last week's As a result, he was stripped Madrid Dan Evans has been pro- "I made a mistake and I Britain, provided an anti-dop- , this of all Lawn Tennis Association Reuters Bvisionally suspended after must face up to it. I do not con- ing sample to the TADP in week's Wimbledon warm-up funding and support for four testing positive for cocaine. done for one second to anyone association with his participa- event at Queen's Club and months. occer great Lionel Messi Evans, 27, provided a posi- that this was acceptable tion in the , an next week's Eastbourne Four years later, he was could have his 21-month tive sample when he was tested behaviour. ATP World Tour event, held in tournament. stripped of his LTA funding Sprison sentence for tax during the Barcelona Open in "I've let a lot of people down Barcelona, Spain," an ITF state- The failed drugs test is the again after allegedly showing a fraud substituted for a fine April and the International Ten- - my family, my coach, my ment read. latest controversy in bad boy bad attitude and lacking after a Spanish prosecutor nis Federation announced on team, sponsors, British tennis "That sample was analysed Evans' chequered career. commitment. said yesterday it was open to Friday he will be banned with and my fans. by a World Anti-Doping Agency He gave a glimpse of his In 2013, he admitted: "I dropping the jail term. effect from June 26 "pending "I can only deeply apologise (WADA) accredited laboratory talent when he beat former don't train hard enough and The judge in charge of the determination of the case". from the bottom of my heart. in Montreal, , and was US Open champion Marin don't work hard enough day in case will make a decision "This is a very difficult day This has been an extremely sad found to contain cocaine and Cilic on the way to the last 16 and day out. I'm obviously bearing in mind the prosecu- for me and I wanted to come and humbling experience." its metabolite. at the Australian Open in pretty bad at my job." tor's recommendations. here in person to tell you guys Martina Hingis tested pos- "In accordance with Article January. In March 2015, he was fined Judges usually follow the state face to face," Evans said at a itive for cocaine at Wimbledon 2.1 of the TADP, Mr Evans was That was his best perform- for failing to turn up for a prosecutor's guidance in London Hotel on Friday where in 2007 and was subsequently charged on 16 June with an ance at a , but Evans Futures event on the Wirral as Spain. he took no questions but made suspended for two years. Anti-Doping Rule Violation." has often been known more for his ranking slumped to 772nd Barcelona great Messi and a statement. Richard Gasquet had been Evans' participation at his exploits off the court than in the world. his father Jorge were found "I was notified a few days issued with the same suspen- Wimbledon, which starts on any heroics on it. Evans appeared to have guilty by a Catalan court last ago that I failed a drugs test in sion in 2009, but it was reduced July 3, was already in doubt In 2008, he was caught at a finally matured when he July on three counts of tax April where I tested positive for to a little more than two months after he was seen on crutches nightclub until the early hours reached a career-high ranking fraud between 2007 and cocaine. "It's really important when the ITF's tribunal panel following a calf injury during a with doubles partner Daniel of 41 earlier this year. 2009 to the tune of 4.1m euros ($4.6m) on image rights. An appeal against the sentence was rejected by Spain's Supreme Court in May. Neither Argentina Cilic and Muller into Messi nor his father were expected to serve time in jail, as under Spanish law sen- tences under two years can Queen's semi-finals be served under probation. The Barcelona-based prosecutor handling the case London TENNIS RESULTS ning streak on grass. also said that if the judge did AFP Results from the ATP tournament at Queen's The 34-year-old's huge not want to swap the prison Club in London yesterday (x denotes seeding): serve was on full display when term for a fine, it was open to arin Cilic set up a Quarter-finals he won the 's-Hertogenbosch a three-year suspended semi-final clash Gilles Muller (LUX) bt Sam Querrey (USA) 6-4, title on grass last week and once prison sentence for Messi and with Gilles Muller 7-6 (7/5) again he used it to devastating his father considering they at Queen's Club Marin Cilic (CRO x4) bt Donald Young (USA) 6-4, effect against Querrey. had no prior offenses, a as the Croatian 7-5. The 2010 Queen's cham- spokeswoman for the prose- Mpowered to 6-4, 7-5 victory over Open pion, Querrey is no slouch on cutor said in an emailed Donald Young yesterday. Results from the ATP tournament in Halle yes- grass either, but Muller held his statement. Having lifted the Queen's terday (x denotes seeding): nerve in two tight sets. Messi's case was one of trophy in 2012, Cilic fancies his Quarter-finals "I was never top 30 before the first high-profile investi- chances of adding a second title (SUI x1) bt (GER) in my life, and now this year for gations by Spanish authorities as the highest ranked player left 6-3, 6-4 the first time I have a "2" in front into top football players' tax in the draw following the shock Karen Khachanov (RUS) bt (RUS) of my ranking. That means a affairs. The state prosecutor exits of Andy Murray, Stan 7-6 (10/8), 4-6, 6-3 lot," he said. earlier this month accused Wawrinka and . (GER x4) bt Roberto Bautista "Those are things you dream Real Madrid striker Cristiano The world number seven Agut (ESP x7) 6-7 (6/8), 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 of as a kid, so when it happens Ronaldo of knowingly using

has yet to drop a set in three Richard Gasquet (FRA) bt (NED) it feels good." a complex business structure matches en route to his fourth 6-1, 3-6, 6-1 Grigor Dimitrov is another to hide image rights income semi-final appearance at the former Queen's champion hop- in Spain. Wimbledon warm-up event in "It is another match without ing to get his hands on the Ronaldo has denied any west London. losing serve, so that's extremely silverware again and the Bul- wrongdoing. Cilic, who also finished as pleasing." garian moved into the last four Messi, who has won eight Queen's runner-up in 2013, was Luxumbourg's Muller is with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win against La Liga titles, five King's Cups pushed hard by Young, but the through to his first Queen's Russia's Daniil Medvedev. and four Champions League former US Open champion fired semi-final after defeating 2010 With Medvedev suffering a crowns with Barcelona, fin- 11 aces to see off the American champion Sam Querrey 6-4, 7-6 shoulder injury during the pre- ished top scorer in Spain this world number 55 in one hour (7/5). match warm-up and needing season with 37 league goals. and 26 minutes. Muller has won the first two lengthy treatment before he The five times world 's Marin Cilic returns against Donald Young of the US "I'm playing really well this ATP Tour titles of his career this could start playing, it was no player of the year is Barcelo- week. I'm feeling great on the year, helping him climb to a surprise Dimitrov won the first during their men's singles quarter-final tennis match at the na's all-time top scorer and court," said Cilic, who is chas- career-high ranking of 26, and set after sprinting into a 5-0 ATP Aegon Championships tennis tournament at Queen's Club their highest-paid player. ing his second ATP title this year. he now has a seven-match win- lead. in west London, yesterday. Messi and his father defrauded the Spanish tax office of 4.1m euros between 2007 and 2009 by using a web of shell companies based in Belize, and Kvitova hammers out Wimbledon warning Uruguay to evade taxes on income from the player's image rights. Birmingham UK looked good enough to win the official's announcement that the AFP point and draw her level again, ball had in fact touched the line. with Kvitova's return appearing That put Safarova 4-5 etra Kvitova, the two-time about to slide wide. instead of 3-6 down with three Rangers sign Wimbledon champion But the ball struck the net consecutive match points against Pwhose career was almost cord, jumped into court, and fell her. Mexican pair ended by a knife attack, reached dead. She capitalised by taking the her first semi-final since the inci- "It was lucky -- I had been next three points as well and dent seven months ago by struggling from the moment I with it the match. London winning her third straight-set dropped serve," she admitted. Both players received a two- Reuters match at Birmingham Kvitova next plays her long- minute standing ovation, though yesterday standing friend Lucie Safarova, Gavrilova left before it had exicans Carlos Pena The popular, grasscourt lov- a fellow Czech who saved match finished. and Eduardo Herrera ing Czech did that with a 6-4, 7-6 points for the second time this Meanwhile, top seed Roger Mhave signed three- (7/5) win over Kristina Mladen- week while surviving 6-7 (4-7), Federer reached the year deals at Rangers, ovic, the fifth-seeded French 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) in three hours semi-finals on Friday, beating bringing to eight the number 's Petra Kvitova in action during her quarter final player, achieved her last-four against Daria Gavrilova. defending champion Florian of players to join the Scottish spot in what is only her second match against 's Kristina Mladenovic at the Aegon Classic It was Safarova's second suc- Mayer 6-3 6-4 and edging closer side this summer as manager tournament since her in Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, Britain, yesterday. cess against a seed this week, her to a ninth title at the Wimbledon Pedro Caixinha overhauls a comeback. victory over the ninth-seeded tune-up event. squad that finished 36 points Last month Kvitova slipped despite enduring problems with momentum. Mladenovic, no Australian following another in The 18-times grand slam behind champions Celtic. away from Paris with an empty the injured hand. mean player herself, the first round against the third- champion, whose last title at Financial details were not feeling after losing in the second "It was very close, but I then held serve twice, advanced seeded Slovakian, Dominika Halle was in 2015, skipped the disclosed but reports in Mex- round of the French Open, while played better than I did before. to a 3-1 lead in the tie-break, and Cibulkova, when Safarova saved entire claycourt season after ico suggest Rangers paid a Mladenovic became the home It was just about one or two looked the more confident of the two match points. winning the Australian Open and combined $5m to Guadala- star of Roland Garros by ending points and one or two breaks," two. This time she saved three in claiming titles at Indian Wells jara and Pumas for the pair. the title defence of Garbine said Kvitova. But she too double-faulted, by far the best match of the tour- and Miami this year, to prepare Portuguese manager Muguruza. It was also about a missed repairing some of the damage nament so far. At 3-5 down in for grass. Caixinha has already added But on Friday was Kvitova's opportunity which might have with a brilliant passing shot the final tie-break Safarova hit He will face rapidly rising countrymen Bruno Alves, turn to receive the applause, as cost her the second set. which saved match point on Kvi- a drive to the baseline which talent Karen Khachanov, who Fabio Cardoso, Daniel Can- she revealed that many parts of When she served for the tova's serve at 6-4. It was then Gavrilova thought was out, but won his all-Russian quarter-final deias and Dalcio to the squad, her incisive grass court game are match at 6-4, 5-3, Kvitova deliv- that Kvitova enjoyed a slice of her appeal to the video replay against Andrey Rublev 7-6(8) 4-6 as well as Aberdeen captain in working order and that many ered two double faults, dropped fortune. brought no images to the screen. 6-3 to reach his first tour semi- Ryan Jack and Colombian things may still be possible her service game and lost her Mladenovic's serve at 5-6 Instead she had to accept the final of the year. youngster Alfredo Morelos. 18 SPORT SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2017 CA offers new deal to break pay impasse

Sydney AFP Australia the team ricket Australia yes- teray revised its offer to players in a bid to resolve a bitter pay to beat at Women's dispute that threatens Cto disrupt upcoming tours. The governing body said it World Cup in London has offered a number of conces- sions, including a greater share London of surpluses for both interna- AFP tional and domestic players. The offer, outlined in a let- eigning champions Australia will be the team to beat ter from CA executive general when the 11th edition of the Women's World Cup gets manager Kevin Roberts to Aus- Runder way in England this weekend. tralian Cricketers' Association Led by Meg Lanning, the outstanding batsmen in the wom- chief Alistair Nicholson, comes en's game today, Australia will be looking to win their seventh just a week before the current title in a tournament that now features the world's top eight Memorandum of Understand- one-day international sides. ing (MOU) expires on June 30. Australia swept aside by 103 runs in a recent Australia boss James Sutherland (centre) in seen in this file picture. But the players' union warm-up match, while South Africa themselves skittled out responded that the latest offer the West Indies, the reigning women's World Twenty20 cham- was "unacceptable" and has have been encouraging and we the new deal. "The letter pro- for "emergency mediation" with pions, for just 63 in another warm-up game. been staunchly opposed to CA's remain optimistic that contin- vided to players today from CA CA chief James Sutherland to Meanwhile England, Australia's perennial rivals in the plan to modify the existing MOU ued momentum will result in a does not accurately reflect how rescue the protracted talks. women's game, needed fewer than 28 overs to reach a mea- that provides a flat share of rev- new MOU being agreed by June far apart the parties remain with Australian vice-captain gre target of 131 against another fellow previous World enue for the players. 30," Roberts said in the letter. a week to go," the ACA said in a David Warner has insisted play- Cup-winner in New Zealand. CA had instead offered inter- "CA has listened to feedback statement late Friday. ers will not back down, placing Organisers will hope that any rustiness has been chipped national men's and women's from players and has also invited "The parties have not at risk upcoming tours to Bang- away come the start of the tournament proper and that there players a share of surpluses up the ACA to explore the flexibil- reached agreement on many ladesh and India along with the is a repeat of the excitement generated during last year's to Aus$20m ($15m), while ity we are prepared to offer in fundamental issues. showpiece home Ashes series women's World Twenty20 in India. increases in domestic players' order to conclude a new MOU. "The contract offers do not with England later this year. "Our last global (women's) event was won by the West payments would be capped at "Player feedback suggests contain revenue sharing for all Indies," International Cricket Council chief executive David 18 percent (men) and 150 per- that the sharing of international players, and are not what they Unacceptable Richardson told AFP during a conference call earlier this cent (women). cricket surpluses with male and appear to be. They do not week. The letter did not say how female domestic players and the include crucial information Players' union say the "I know that it's easier to be more competitive in the much more CA was prepared to level of pay increases for male regarding terms and latest offer was Twenty20 format than it is in the 50-over one, but I think offer. state players are critical issues conditions. 'unacceptable' as they this tournament will show the talent that is available out But it did confirm that new for them. "Further, as has been had staunchly there," the former South Africa -keeper added. contracts have been distributed "We are therefore writing to requested since August 2016, opposed CA's plan to A final at Lord's on July 23 will mark the culmination of to all Australian men's and wom- indicate that CA is prepared to critical financial and forecasting modify the existing 31 matches also played at county grounds in Bristol, Derby, en's players that are conditional address these issues to help information has yet to be pro- MOU that provides a Leicester and Taunton. upon a new MOU being achieve a new MOU." vided so the ACA can properly flat share of revenue All the fixtures will be streamed live, with 10 broadcast finalised. The ACA said CA's revised assess the offers and advise the for the players. on television in another sign of the growing global interest "Meetings between CA and offer was "unacceptable" and players accordingly." in women's cricket. the ACA over the last fortnight advised players not to sign up to The players' union has called 's Fakhar Grandhomme, Raval earn goes from village Kiwi central pariah to hero contracts Auckland Reuters Mardan, Pakistan became popular in the whole AFP region and people used to say ew Zealand Cricket wherever I went that, 'He is a have awarded all- akhar Zaman (pictured) hard-ball player, don't play Nrounder Colin de was once banned from with him,'" he said. Grandhomme and opening Fplaying cricket in his vil- His brothers even used to batsman Jeet Raval with cen- lage and beaten by his brothers beat him up to stop him from tral contracts for the next 12 because he was simply too good playing, elder sibling Asif said. months. -- but he has returned a hero "But he never quit cricket, Batsman Neil Broom has after his starring role in Paki- and has become a hero today," also been offered a contract stan's Champions Trophy win. Asif added, joking: "He has after he was recalled to the His eyes bright, the tall become a lord for us". national side following a 27-year-old posed for selfies Fakhar said he had devoted lengthy absence to replace and was garlanded with flow- most of his time to cricket as a while he recov- ers as he was welcomed back child, but had never dreamt of ered from eye surgery. to his home in Katlang in north- playing beyond club level. Players on the list are western Pakistan. Instead, he wanted to be a guaranteed a retainer from Fakhar said he was still tak- navy commando. NZC, with match payments South Africa's Chris Morris (second right) celebrates with team-mates after taking the wicket ing it all in after he top-scored "Joining the Pakistan Navy on top. Each player is ranked with 114 off 106 balls to lead was the biggest turning point of England's Sam Billings during the second international Twenty20 match at the Cooper according to the contribution Pakistan to a shock victory over in my career," he said. Associates County Ground in Taunton, south-west England, yesterday. they are expected to make arch-rivals India in the final, Recruited as a sailor, he over the next 12 months. after making his ODI debut ear- appeared in a forces tournament All-rounder Doug lier in the tournament. where navy coach Nazim Khan Bracewell and offspinner "I did not feel much at that spotted his talent immediately -- SA coach Domingo returns Mark Craig dropped off the time," Fakhar said, referring to and encouraged him to quit the list, while wicketkeeper Luke Sunday's final in London. armed forces to focus on cricket. Ronchi announced his retire- "Then I came here, and "(He) said, 'You can play ment from international people started coming here... cricket at a high level,'" Fakhar home after mother's accident cricket on Thursday. They all are giving me love, so recalled. "Colin made a break- now I feel that I have done For five years he played in Taunton,UK in charge has coincided with the do well after defeats by even- through last summer and is some great heroics." domestic tournaments, but it AFP retirements if such leading play- tual shock winners Pakistan and rated well in all three for- Bottom-ranked Pakistan was his performance with the ers as long-serving captain losing finalists India. mats," NZC selector Gavin produced a breathtaking dis- Lahore Qalandars in the pop- outh Africa coach Russell Graeme Smith and star all- AB de Villiers's men then Larsen said in a statement. play in the climax of a ular Pakistan Super League T20 Domingo has made an rounder Jacques Kallis. suffered a nine-wicket thrash- "Jeet's test numbers tournament featuring the tournament that prompted Semergency return home Meanwhile he has also been ing by England in the first T20 speak for themselves, and world's top eight one-day inter- national selectors to take after his mother was seriously deprived of the services of out- at Southampton on Wednesday Neil, as well as averaging 43 national nations. notice. injured in a car accident. standing fast bowler Dale Steyn and need to win at Taunton to in ODI cricket since his They piled up 338 for four, Domingo returned to Port due to injury in recent years. give themselves a chance of tak- recall, is also seen as viable bolstered by left-handed Elizabeth on Thursday and will According to South African ing the series in Cardiff. cover for the test team's opener Fakhar's maiden hun- miss the remainder of South media reports, Domingo's con- The centrepiece of their tour middle-order." dred, in what was just his fourth Africa's Twenty20 series with tract is up at the end of the is a four-Test series against NZ central contract list: one-day international. His England, which continues at England tour and the 42-year- England. Corey Anderson, Trent Boult, efforts set social media alight Taunton and concludes in Car- old will have to re-apply for the Star batsman de Villiers, a Neil Broom, Colin de Grand- during the match, with lauda- diff tomorrow. role if he wished to remain in mainstay in all three formats, homme, , Matt tory articles and memes quickly South Africa face the Eng- post. has already said he will miss the Henry, Tom Latham, Mitch- going viral. land Lions in a warm-up match The Proteas have had a Test series as he takes some time ell McClenaghan, Adam But, Fakhar said, it was not starting Thursday ahead of their largely miserable start to their off from a heavy workload. Milne, Colin Munro, Henry always so: in fact his village Test series with England but it time in England, losing a one- The Proteas could also be Nicholls, James Neesham, Jeet once refused to allow him to remains to be if Domingo will day international series against without another senior batsman Raval, Mitchell Santner, Ish take part in local cricket games. be able to return in time for that their hosts before suffering a in Test captain Faf du Plessis for Sodhi, Tim Southee, Ross "I played one or two hard- fixture. Domingo succeeded first-round exit in the ensuing the series opener at Lord's on Taylor, Neil Wagner, BJ ball matches in school and Gary Kirsten as South Africa eight-nation Champions Trophy July 6 while he awaits the birth Watling, , scored some runs. I then coach in May 2013 and his time ODI tournament when tipped to of his first child. . SATURDAY 24 JUNE 2017 SPORT 19

Jamaican Coleman sizzles in 100m Thompson to only race in heats as Gatlin keeps pace 100m at Worlds Kingston Sacramento, California, as he ended Olympic marathon Reuters Reuters bronze medallist Galen Rupp's eight-year run as the US men's lympic sprint double hristian Coleman dis- champion. Mead edged Kenya- champion Elaine played the kind of born Shadrack Kipchirchir to OThompson (pictured) speed that helped him win in 29:01.44 as Rupp could will only run in the 100 Sixers make clock the fastest time only finish fifth, more than three metres at the World Champi- of the year when he seconds behind the winner. onships in London this August Fultz top pick, Cled 100 metres qualifying at the National record holder Molly after skipping the longer dis- US national championships on Huddle pulled away to take the tance at Jamaica's national Thursday as 35-year-old Justin women's race in 31:19.86. trials. Lakers snag Gatlin kept pace with the The top three finishers in Thompson, a world silver youngsters. each event plus wild cards will medallist in the 200m at Bei- Ball second Coleman, who has clocked earn selection to the US world jing in 2015, has a wildcard a season-best 9.82 seconds, championships team, provided entry in the 100m as the Boston slowed down noticeably in his they have met the qualifying reigning Diamond League AFP heat but still ran 9.93 on a blaz- standard. Trophy winner and cruised ing afternoon where track Former national 800m to 11.20 secs (wind -1.3 m/s) arkelle Fultz (pic- temperatures topped 43 degrees champion Alysia Montano, in the preliminary round on tured) is a Celsius at a meet that doubles wearing a Wonder Woman Thursday. Mself-described hard up as world championships T-shirt, ran the championships Thompson, who did not worker and that diligence trials. for the second time in four years speak with paid dividends on Thursday "Yeah, I have complete con- while pregnant. Five months reporters as the Philadelphia 76ers fidence in myself that I can beat with child this time, she finished after her race, made him the first overall anybody I get on the line with, last in the preliminaries in will not be pick in the 2017 NBA entry whether it's him (Usain Bolt) or 2:21.40. Montano was eight selected for draft. anybody else," Coleman said of months pregnant when she ran the 200 in The 76ers acquired the his chances against the world at the championships in 2014. London as per top pick in a trade with the record holder in the Jamaican's "There is something about Jamaica Ath- Boston Celtics a week ago, final 100 metres at the London coming out to any venue not letics policy. allowing them to move up and championships in August. Christian Coleman runs in the Men's 100 meter opening round really expecting to win but going The next best qualifiers to select the 19-year-old Olympic silver medallist during Day 1 of the 2017 USA Track & Field Championships at along with the journey and see- the women's 100m semi- American. Gatlin was not far behind the Hornet Satdium in Sacramento, California on Thursday. ing what comes out of it," she finals are Simone Facey, "I figured out I had a 21-year-old Coleman time wise, said. Olympic finalist Christania chance to make it there (the winning his heat in 10.00 sec- but US record holder Tyson Gay champion Barbara Pierre a win- Williams and Jonielle Smith. NBA) probably in my 11th onds as he fights back to full failed to advance, as the ner of her heat in 10.99. World 100 metres In the absence of Usain grade," said Fultz, who played fitness following a string of 34-year-old finished 15th over- 400 metres champion Allyson Bolt, who has a wild card entry for the University of Wash- injuries. all in 10.17 after stumbling at the Felix also advanced with the The 21-year-old to London, 2011 world cham- ington Huskies last season. "I "It's a surreal time for me," start. seventh fastest time of 11.03. prodigy shrugged off pion Yohan Blake made easy just realized that I was doing Gatlin said of being able to com- The semi-finals and finals of Felix is running the 100m and searing temperatures progress to Friday's semi-finals stuff that other kids weren't pete with America's young both the men's and women's 200m in Sacramento as speed at Sacramento's of the men's 100m with a time doing and it just started to sprinters. 100m are set for today. work for the 400m in London, Hornet Stadium to of 10.21. Blake took control work out for me." "I am a older guy in a year Double Olympic medallist where she already has a wild advance in 9.93sec in after 30m and cruised to the The Los Angeles Lakers that I'm probably the most Tori Bowie continued her fine card as reigning champion. the semi-finals of the tape ahead of training partner used the second pick to injured I have ever been." form in the women's sprint, Temperatures had dropped US National Jevaughn Minzie. choose University of Califor- Isiah Young won a third heat leading qualifying in 10.90 with considerably by the 10,000m Championships. "The plan coming in today nia at Los Angeles point guard in 9.97 and Mike Rodgers was Morolake Akinosun second fast- finals but Hassan Mead had too was to just take it easy," Blake Lonzo Ball. second to Gatlin, also in 10.00, est in 10.98 and world indoor much heat for the rest of the field told Reuters, adding that he The choice of Fultz fits in was delighted with his form. nicely with Philadelphia's "It feels awesome because rebuilding program. if I can do that from early, "I'm very excited really, shutting down and just walk- just like the fans in Philly, how Ennis-Hill's coach urges ing 10.2 is pretty awesome, in they back up their players and a negative wind, so I'm in everything like that," Fultz incredible shape." said. "And I'm just looking for- Former world record ward to going in there and Coe to act on medal delay holder and two-time world giving it my all and hopefully 100m bronze medallist Asafa changing the program London in 2011 after Russian winner Tatyana Powell, who has been nurs- around." This was one of the Reuters Chernova was stripped of her title for ing an Achilles tendon injury, youngest drafts in league his- a doping violation.Coe had said that also made Friday's semi- tory as a record 16 freshmen nternational Association of Athlet- reallocated medals would be presented finals with a time of 10.22. -- or first year American col- ics Federation (IAAF) president at the 2017 World Championships in Running in Powell's race, lege players -- were selected ISebastian Coe must take action over London but the Times newspaper said 2014 Commonwealth Games in the first round. the delay in presenting Jessica Ennis- legal process was unlikely to be com- champion Kemar Bailey-Cole The 19-year-old Fultz, Hill (pictured) with her 2011 World pleted by August."Seb is on record pulled up injured after 80m. who is the club's fourth top Championships gold medal, her former saying athletes should not be getting Julian Forte with 10.14 overall pick, averaged 23.2 coach Toni Minichiello has said. their medals sent recorded , so was the fastest qualifier fol- points, 5.9 assists, 5.7 Briton Ennis-Hill, 30, was upgraded for them to miss an opportunity like this lowed by Odean Skeen with rebounds and 1.6 steals over to a gold medal for the heptathlon event is very unfortunate... " Minichiello said. 10.17. 25 games last season for a Huskies team that was 9-22. He joins a young squad that features Australian for- ward Ben Simmons, another top draft pick who missed all Spieth storms into early lead at Travelers of last season with a foot injury; Jahlil Okafor and 2017 NBA rookie of the year final- Hartford, US TRAVELERS CHAMPIONSHIP bogey at number nine, his final ists Joel Embiid and Dario AFP Leading scores after the first round on Thurs- hole of the day, as he matched Saric. That young core of tal- day in the PGA Tour Travelers Championship his low round on the PGA Tour. ent is expected to provide a ordan Spieth posted the low- (Par 70; USA unless noted): Wagner got off to a hot start, base to rebuild the team and est opening-round score of 63 - Jordan Spieth holing out a 69-foot chip from if Fultz, Simmons and Embiid Jhis career on Thursday with 64 - Johnson Wagner, Brett Stegmaier off the first green. Wagner can stay healthy they could a 63 at the Travelers 65 - Graham DeLaet (CAN), Troy Merritt entered the tournament having evolve into a solid big three. Championship. 66 - Xander Schauffele, Fabian Gomez (ARG), missed the cut in his last five Since 2003, the 76ers The 23-year-old Spieth, who Hudson Swafford, Padraig Harrington (IRL), starts. The last of his four career have won only one playoff is coming off a disappointing tie Brian Harman, Boo Weekley, Tom Hoge, Matt wins came at the 2012 Sony series, and they have only one for 35th at the US Open, made Every, Scott Piercy, Mark Hubbard, Kevin Na, Open in Hawaii. winning season since 2005.

his eighth birdie of the round on Daniel Summerhays, Beau Hossler "It was a nice way to start The Sixers went 28-54 last his last hole to seize a one-shot and kind of let me know today season. The 19-year-old Ball lead in his first career appear- was going to be my day," he said. had 14.6 points, 7.6 assists, 6.0 ance at the PGA Tour's Travelers his final-round 69 at the US Graham DeLaet of Canada rebounds and 1.8 steals a Championship. Open, rolling in a 15-foot birdie and Troy Merritt opened with game for the UCLA Bruins last Rory McIlroy, who is also putt on the first hole Thursday. 65s. DeLaet's round included an season. No other US univer- playing in the event for the first "That one going in on the eagle-three at the sixth hole. sity player averaged 14 points time, shot a 67 after missing the first was big for me," Spieth said. World number three McIl- with six rebounds and six cut last week at the US Open. "And then I made one on the roy missed several short birdie assists a game as well. Embiid Tied for second were John- fourth that was a putt that putts but managed to scramble fired the first salvo between son Wagner and Brett Stegmaier required a lot of precision, kind for par on most of those holes. the new-look 76ers and Lak- after posting 64s in the morn- of a right-edge putt. "I feel like I could have been ers on Thursday night telling ing. Spieth played in the "When that one went in is at least three or four better," said him teammate Simmons afternoon at par-70, 6,841-yard when I really started to feel good McIlroy. "I think I hit five or six through social media to dunk River Highlands course. with the putter." putts out there that hit the hole on Ball. Spieth, who has finished in Stegmaier, a Connecticut and didn't go in." "Please dunk on him so the top 10 six times in 15 events native who has missed the cut Jim Furyk, who shot a hard that his daddy runs on this year, hit eight of 14 fairways in eight of his last 10 tourna- 12-under 58 last year in the final the court to save him," Embiid Jordan Spieth of the plays his shot from in regulation and 15 of 18 greens ments, reeled off seven birdies round of the tournament, set- tweeted in reference to Ball's the 18th tee during the second round of the Travelers while needing 27 putts. in a nine-hole stretch through tled for a 67. Former world father, LaVar, who does most Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Two-time major winner Spi- the middle of the opening round. number one Jason Day, of Aus- of the talking off the court for Connecticut, on Thursday. eth built on the momentum from His lone blemish was a tralia, struggled to a 72. his son.