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Wednesday, August 1, 2018 TENNIS Dhul-Qa’da 19, 1439 AH Emotional Murray GULF TIMES makes triumphant hardcourt return SPORT Page 4 FOOTBALL / SHEIKH JASSIM CUP AL SADD STADIUM, 7PM Al Duhail favourites for Sheikh Jassim Cup as new Al Duhail have been the dominant team over the past few years, while Al Rayyan have hung in around in the season begins top four after their stunning league triumph in 2015-2016

By Anil John Doha

new season brings in new hope but it is often accompanied by fears and apprehension. How aA team grapples with these fac- tors plays an important role in their successes — or failures, for that matter. As the fi rst salvos are fi red today in the 2018-19 domestic football season with the tradi- tional curtain-raiser, the Sheikh Jassim Cup, Al Duhail and Al Rayyan will be keen to shake off their summer rust and lay a marker for what is going to be a lengthy 10 months ahead. The season is starting a few weeks early this year in order to accommodate several interna- tional events, among them the Asian Games beginning in Indo- nesia mid-August and the Asian Cup in the UAE earlier next year. Al Duhail have been the domi- nant team over the past few years, while Al Rayyan have fallen off the radar a wee bit, just about managing to hang in there Al Duhail head coach Nabil Maaloul (left) and Al Rayyan coach Rodolfo among the top four last in the last Al Duhail player Karim Boudiaf (right) takes part in a training session with teammates ahead of their Sheikh Jassim Cup clash against Al Rayyan. Arruabarrena (right) speak to the media. PICTURES: Othman Khalid two seasons after their stunning league triumph in 2015-2016. Duhail won both tournaments, Tunisia at the recent World Cup, few weeks in Europe but coming in November or December. Un- injury he suff ered at the end of with a Qatari club and is eager to The last time Al Rayyan won they will play Al Rayyan for the and has now taken up the hot seat out of the off -season is also not til then we have to cope without the last season. make a good fi rst impression. a cup tournament was in 2013 title as the latter were the Amir at Al Duhail, was candid enough that easy. We have a busy schedule him,” said Maaloul. Hamdalla was their top per- “I may be new here but I have when they claimed both the Cup runners-up! to acknowledge that at his press ahead, with the QNB Stars League But they have plenty of other former last season and although followed Qatari football while Sheikh Jassim Cup and the Amir Both teams were in Europe conference yesterday. and our Asian Champions League stars on their roster who have they have veterans Rodrigo I was with Al Wasl in the UAE,” Cup, and they would be more preparing for the season and have “I know Al Duhail has achieved quarter-fi nals coming up”. the ability to win matches on Tabata and Sebastian Soria, they Arruabarrena said yesterday. than eager to make up for their only returned a few days back. great success under Belmadi. He Al Duhail will be also without their own – like Youssef El Arabi, have been often inconsistent in “Al Rayyan are one of the top lapses and close calls with glory With Al Duhail’s long-serving has been a strong coach who fol- their talisman Youssef Msakni the top scorer last season with the past. Also, age is against both teams in the country with a very in the following years. and highly successful coach lowed a great work ethic. I’ll also who suff ered a serious knee liga- 26 goals, Nam Tae-hee and the players, with Tabata now 37 and strong fan following. I am aware Their appearance in the Sheikh Djamel Belmadi taking up the go along with his methodology ment injury in his knee towards young Bassam al-Rawi. Soria 34. They will have to be of the challenges and we will Jassim Cup today also has a quirk reins of the Algerian national side and try to maintain the level of the end of last season and had to Al Rayyan’s new coach Rodolfo managed sensibly if they are to aim to meet them with a positive to it. Also dubbed the ‘Super and Al Rayyan’s Michael Laudrup the team and maybe also enhance miss the World Cup for Tunisia. Arruabarrena, however, has no last the whole season. frame of mind. Cup’, it is played between the also leaving, the new bosses have it,” the Tunisian said. “Surely he will be missed. such luxuries as his star striker Argentinian Arruabarrena, who “The Sheikh Jassim Cup is the League and Amir Cup winners of some really big boots to fi ll. “Tomorrow’s match is going to Youssef is still recuperating af- Abderrazzak Hamdalla is doubt- has coached Boca Juniors and also fi rst tournament of the year and the previous season. But because Nabil Maaloul, who coached be a tough one. We prepared for a ter surgery and will be only back ful for the match with an ankle UAE’s Al Wasl, is on his fi rst stint we would like to win it, for sure.”

CRICKET Spinner Rashid’s recall prompts Yorkshire criticism

Reuters Michael Vaughan said his 10 Tests but it is not only went into self-imposed exile Manchester, England that the decision to pick Rashid Vaughan who has been critical of from England duty for three years was “ridiculous” prompting the his inclusion. in the mid-1970s, said: “Let me Bradford-born spinner to say Former Yorkshire and England tell Adil that Vaughan will be re- ngland’s decision to recall that his comments were “stupid”. batsman Geoff rey Boycott said membered as one of the greatest Yorkshire leg-spinner Adil “If I’m stupid to suggest that Rashid’s response to Vaughan England captains and an elegant, Rashid to the Test side to he should have played a four-day made him look like a “spoilt brat” superb batsman. face India today, despite game leading into a Test series and was scathing of the decision “In 10 years nobody will re- himE not playing four-day county against the number one team in to pick the leg-spinner. member Adil’s Test match per- cricket, has been criticised by two the world — I fi rmly believe the “In two years England have formances.” of his county’s most prominent cricketing world has gone nuts gone around in a circle. By pick- Former England skipper and former players. if he thinks he doesn’t have to do ing Adil Rashid, they are select- all-rounder has The 30-year-old signed a that,” said Vaughan. ing the unselectable: a player backed the selection choice, white-ball only contract with his “This all could have been put who will not play four-day however, and expects Rashid to county Yorkshire in February but to bed if England had sat him Championship cricket for York- provide a fascinating element to said he “was not fi nished” with down and said he has to play in shire because his heart isn’t in the Test at Edgbaston. the longest format of the game. that four-day game. it but he will play for England “He will toss up the ball and give He did not feature in the recent “I cannot be wrong that I’m in Test Matches. Absurd? Yes,” it a nice fl ight. On the other hand, four-day game with Lancashire asking someone to prepare their he wrote in the Daily Telegraph the Indians will go after him. It will which included several members body, their mind. If someone is newspaper. be a great contest and I am looking of the England squad on both not playing four-day cricket in “The only reason the head se- forward to it. The pitch will assist sides. our schooling ground to prepare lector Ed Smith selected him is him and he will have a point to But he will be England’s sole Test match cricketers, I don’t because there is no one else, and prove,” Botham said. specialist spinner in the fi rst Test think you should be able to play the fact that there are no decent All-rounder Sam Curran will at Edgbaston with no place for in a Test match.” spinners in county cricket is a also play at Edgbaston as will Ben Moeen Ali after the team was an- shameful indictment on all the 18 Stokes whose trial for aff ray be- nounced yesterday. ‘SPOILT BRAT’ counties,” he added. gins on Monday, the day after the England’s Moeen Ali (left) and Adil Rashid take part in nets at Edgbaston in Birmingham yesterday. (Reuters) Former England and Yorkshire Rashid has taken 38 in An unimpressed boycott, who fi rst Test is scheduled to end. Gulf Times 2 Wednesday, August 1, 2018 CRICKET

GOLF Six great England Test matches

England will play their 1,000th Test match when they face India at Edgbaston today. Their overall Test record currently reads, played 999, won 357, lost 297, drawn 345. India eager to cement Here’s a look at six particularly memorable encounters from those 999 matches.

1902: V AUSTRALIA, THE OVAL England won by one England seemed set for another defeat in an Ashes series they had already lost when they collapsed to 48 for five chasing No 1 status with a victory target of 263. But Gilbert Jessop’s rapid century got them back in the game before the last-wicket Yorkshire pair of George Hirst and Wilfred Rhodes saw them to a thrilling win.

1938: V AUSTRALIA, THE OVAL England won by an innings and 579 runs series win in England Still the largest innings victory by any side in the history of , England’s co- lossal winning margin was built on Leonard Hot weather in England may mean dry and dusty pitches, more akin to surfaces found in India Hutton’s 364. The Yorkshireman batted for nearly 800 minutes, or more than 13 hours, as he posted what was the then-highest in- dividual score in Tests. It would be 20 years Kohli says he has nothing to prove ahead of England Tests before West Indies great Garry Sobers topped Hutton’s mark with 365 and nearly 60 before any side made more than England’s 903 for seven declared.

1963: V WEST INDIES, LORD’S Drawn One of the great draws, this match went all the way to the very last ball, with all four results still possible. England captain Ted Dexter took the attack to the fast-bowling duo of Wes Hall and Charlie Griff ith with a dashing first-innings 70 before Basil Butch- er replied with an excellent second-innings hundred. England, set 234 to win, suff ered a top-order collapse before Brian Close’s 70 England’s Joe Root and India’s Virat revived their hopes. But with Hall bowling Kohli pose with the trophy on the a marathon spell, they were still six short of eve of the first Test at Edgbaston in their target with two balls left when Colin Birmingham yesterday. (Reuters) Cowdrey, who had suff ered a broken arm batting in the first innings, walked out to AFP bat with his forearm in plaster at No 11. But London Cowdrey didn’t have to face, with David Allen blocking Hall’s final two deliveries to ensure the draw. ndia may be the world’s top- ranked Test side but they still 1981: V AUSTRALIA, HEADINGLEY face accusations they are lions England won by 18 runs at home and lambs abroad. Perhaps still the most astounding win ever IBut a series win in England, where known in Test history. England, following Virat Kohli’s men begin a fi ve-Test on, were all set to go 2-0 down in the series campaign at Edgbaston today, would when Ian Botham, in his first match since go some way to ridding India of that being relieved of the captaincy, produced unwanted tag. a breathtaking counter-attacking innings In the past fi ve years, India have of 149 not out, while Graham Dilley gave won just one of their six Test series him valuable support with a maiden Test outside of Asia, against a struggling fifty. A target of 130 should still have been West Indies. well within Australia’s reach but England, Their overall Test record in Eng- with back as captain, defied land is uninspiring — six wins from mid-match odds of 500/1 thanks mainly 57 matches and three series victories to veteran fast bowler ’s inspired — 1971, 1986 and 2007. return of eight for 43. But if the current prolonged hot weather in England continues, the 2005: V AUSTRALIA, EDGBASTON upcoming series may well be played Reuters want to perform for the team,” the things, I am compromising on my you’re the favourites it’s not certain England won by two runs on dry and dusty pitches, more akin London 29-year-old told a news conference mindset... I need to be in the most that the underdogs will just come England, 1-0 down in after a to the surfaces that are found in In- yesterday, ahead of what will be clear mental space and that hap- out and be fearless the whole time. heavy defeat at Lord’s, turned things dia, rather than traditional green England’s 1000th five-day match. pens when I am focused on what I “I think it’s a balance that is re- round in Birmingham. They had a stroke English seamers. ndian captain Virat Kohli brushed “Obviously I want to score runs for have to do.” quired and we’ve played enough of luck when Australia paceman Glenn Also, while doubts persist about off talk of having to prove his bat- the team and I want to take Indian England won the one-day interna- cricket at this level to understand McGrath was injured shortly before play England’s ability to cope should ei- Iting ability on English soil ahead cricket forward, and that’s my only tional series between the teams 2-1 that.” started after treading on a stray ball on ther one of veteran new-ball duo of the five-match Test series against motive.” and lost the Twenty20 competition England captain Joe Root said his the outfield during a warm-up. England Stuart Broad and James Anderson the hosts starting at Edgbaston Kohli said he had matured as a by the same margin this month. team was ready to rise to the chal- were on top for most of the match from get injured, India do at least have today. person and was not aff ected by Kohli refused to say whether his lenge of taking on India. then on until Australia’s last two wickets some pace-bowling depth. Kohli struggled to make an impact criticism of his performance in the team were the underdogs or the “That is where we’re at, five games added 104 runs to take them to within Bhuvneshwar Kumar and Jasprit when India last toured England in four years since India’s 3-1 series favourites. against the world number one touching distance of victory. But fast Bumrah may be unfi t for the fi rst 2014, scoring 134 runs in 10 innings, defeat by England. India last won a Test series in (Test) side where we can make a bowler Steve Harmison had tailender Test but the likes of Mohamed Sha- but has since emerged as one of “Back in the day when I did not England in 2007, while the hosts statement if we play well and win,” Michael Kasprowicz down the leg- mi, Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav the most reliable batsmen in the know better these things used to are looking for their first series win Root said. side by wicket-keeper Geraint Jones. The have shown themselves to be capa- world across all three formats of bother me because I used to read in four. “You can see that hunger in the post-match picture of England all-round- ble operators outside of Asia. the game. a lot. But I don’t read anything “If you’re an underdog it’s not a dressing room. It feels like we’re in er Andrew Flintoff consoling distraught Anderson is a master of conven- “I’m not in a frame of mind to (anymore),” he said. given that the pressure will only be a good place. Now it’s just about Australia not-out batsman Brett Lee be- tional swing, but India may have the prove myself in any country, I just “If I waste my energy on these on the opposition,” Kohli added. “If delivering.” came a defining image of one of the most edge if conditions favour reverse- exciting Ashes series of them all. swing during what will be England’s 1,000th Test match. 2011. fully well,” Azharuddin told AFP in series and there are question marks his top-order colleagues. 2012: V INDIA, MUMBAI Meanwhile India captain Kohli, Delhi. against both top-orders. “It just takes one good innings to England won by 10 wickets ‘BOWLING VARIETY’ one of the outstanding batsmen of “He has led India in so many Test get into your rhythm.” England have often struggled in Asia and “They seem to have got a good vari- his generation, will be desperate to matches, so I don’t think he will have ‘QUALITY BATSMEN’ India would appear to have the having lost the first Test by nine wickets, ety of bowlers and strength in depth prove he can score runs in England. any pressure now as far as leadership England, following a 1-1 drawn se- edge in spin bowling but off -break few gave them much chance when the in their pace bowling,” said England He managed a meagre 134 in fi ve is concerned.” ries with Pakistan, are sticking with bowler Ravichandran Ashwin has teams met in Mumbai. But contrasting opener Alastair Cook. matches during his maiden Test se- England captain Joe Root, who Keaton Jennings in the hope of at last rarely performed as well outside of hundreds from Alastair Cook and Kevin “In the last ten years I’ve played ries in England in 2014, which India like Kohli is at his best when leading fi nding a reliable opening partner for Asia as he has in the sub-continent. Pietersen, who shared a double-century them, they haven’t had the option lost 3-1 with one draw. from the front, comes into the series Cook, while India’s Shikhar Dhawan Left-armer Ravindra Jadeja is an stand, put the tourists in control. Spin- of playing fi ve or six diff erent types But Mohamed Azharuddin, the having converted only three out of 23 and Cheteshwar Pujara have both experienced campaigner while left- ners and Graeme Swann of seamers,” added Cook, England’s India batting great, believes eve- fi fties since his Test-best 254 against been struggling for runs. arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav out-bowled their India counterparts in both all-time leading Test run-scorer, rything is now in place for Kohli to Pakistan in 2016 into hundreds — a “We are not worried at all, be- has forced his way in after impress- innings as England completed one of their whose highest score of 294 was have a successful series. poor return for a player of his ability. cause both are really quality bats- ing during the preceding one-day best away wins. made against India at Edgbaston in “I think he will perform wonder- Batting could hold the key to the men,” said India’s Ajinkya Rahane of series.

BOTTOMLINE South Africa milestone becomes a millstone for Steyn

Reuters now,” he told Reuters in an interview. broke his right shoulder and tore three he’s struggling and everything like that. Mumbai “I hope it just gets out of the way and major muscles during the fi rst Test “But I probably just got through the we can just carry on. Because there’s against Australia in Perth. hardest Test of my career and I’m abso- more wickets in me than 421. I have In January this year, he made a come- lutely fi ne. That’s a plus in my book. I ale Steyn admits overtak- got 500 plus on the horizon so I don’t back after 13 months on the sidelines am pretty pleased with that. ing Shaun Pollock to become know why we are so consumed on one only to injure his heel when he opened “I walked away from both of those South Africa’s highest wick- number. the bowling in the fi rst Test victory over Test matches not leaving the fi eld once et-taker has become some- “When I am bowling it’s like ‘you’re India at Newlands. or having any problems. So the cloud of thingD of a millstone around his neck but gonna get there, you’re gonna get there’. injury is, in my opinion, now gone.” he is determined to prove he still has lot I know I am, but I’m not interested in TOUGH GIG And as eager as he is to get the issue more to off er than merely claiming a getting there,” he added. After another six months out, he returned of the record out of the way during the 422nd Test victim. “What I am interested in doing is for the two-Test series in Sri Lanka need- home series against Pakistan at the end The 35-year-old paceman has been performing well for my country, taking ing three wickets to overtake Pollock. He of the year, he will approach his cricket closing on Pollock’s tally of 421 wick- wickets and winning cricket games. If picked two in the opening Test but went as he has always done. “When I started ets for a couple of years but, limited by I can do that, those records, that fame wicketless in the second. playing cricket I was always told ‘don’t injury to three Tests since November and all the other things you want with Although Sri Lanka proved to be a play for money, don’t play for fame, 2016, has managed only to reach, not professional sport will come.” tough gig for South Africa’s fast bowl- don’t play for records. If you are good pass, the milestone. Steyn’s 421 wickets have come in 88 ers in the 2-0 Test series loss, Steyn was enough it will come,’” he said. Having proved his fi tness on the re- Tests at an average of 22.64 and he is re- happy with how his body stood up to “I thought that’s perfect, I’ll take cent tour of Sri Lanka, however, Steyn garded as one of the sport’s greatest fast the challenge. that. I have played for 14 years. That wants to get the record in the bag as bowlers for his ability to take wickets in “I actually quite enjoyed Sri Lanka,” went quickly. And in that 14 years came quickly possible and move on with the all conditions. Steyn said at a GoPro promotional all of those things. If I have to sit there rest of his career. His injury problems began in De- event. “The interesting thing is that lot and focus on one thing like records, it “Actually, it’s like a bit of a burden cember 2015, and about a year later he of people have been saying he’s injured, will consume me.” Gulf Times Wednesday, August 1, 2018 3 CRICKET

DOWN MEMORY LANE Spirit of détente breaks out as England take on India The Maharaja of Porbandar was India’s leader on their very first Test tour of England, back in 1932

By Andy Bull tween the league and the English coun- The Guardian ties. The reason they gambled on that $20mn deal with Allen Stanford, after all, was because they wanted their own ecent visits have been mired in lucrative alternative to the Indian tour- controversy but Virat Kohli’s nament. team will play fi ve Tests and The friction between the two boards Rhopes are high for a return of seemed to come out on the fi eld, too, the sporting values that once charac- and the series between the teams turned terised the tour. fractious. All of a sudden, the English The Maharaja of Porbandar was a were throwing jelly beans on to the better captain than batsman, a fact pitch to taunt Zaheer Khan, Andy Flow- that, it has to be said, had very little to er was storming the tourists’ dressing do with his leadership. The Maharaja room to complain about the way Ian was India’s leader on their very fi rst Bell was run out, and Jimmy Anderson Test tour of England, back in 1932. and Ravi Jadeja were shoving each other When it was over, the joke was that in the corridors at Trent Bridge. he’d bought more Rolls-Royces than More than 80 years after the Maha- he scored runs. Which was unfair, since raja’s team arrived, India are back, and the scorebooks show that he made a being led by a very modern sovereign, combined total of eight in the matches Virat Kohli, a man, Suresh Menon wrote he played, and even the most generous in this year’s Wisden, whose “marriage estimates are that he only had seven in December to Bollywood star Anush- Rolls in his fl eet, the best of them a ka Sharma seemed to confi rm his royal bright white Phantom, numberplate status”. ‘Porbandar’, which he had had shipped Kohli is the superstar captain of the over especially from India. sport’s superpower team, with a wealth, After a run of 0, 2, 0, 2, 2, 2, and 0 stature and infl uence entirely beyond in the tour matches, the Maharaja de- the ken of English cricket. He is the only cided to excuse himself from the fi rst, cricketer on Forbes’ list of the hundred and only, Test, fi guring, no doubt, that richest athletes, and the only cricketer his form had peaked when he hit a leg on Time’s list of the hundred most in- glance for two while playing against fl uential people. Kohli is the world’s Glamorgan. He was wise that way, best Test batsman – since Steve Smith blessed, the next year’s Wisden said, is banned – and he happens to have with all the “attributes necessary for even more luxury cars than the Maha- his position” except that he wasn’t able raja did. to bat, bowl, or catch. But the Maharaja Relations between the teams are was a natural diplomat. Which mat- The Indian team that toured England in 1932. Below, the Maharaja of Porbander, Natwarsinhji Bhavsinhji. easier now. Kohli rightly says that this tered, because there was so much civil is because the English are fi nally play- unrest in India. than when they arrived”. the Raj hangover.” The BCCI decided to ing in the IPL. Time was when English Three members of the squad with- “Cricket,” wrote Ashis Nandy, “is an cure it for them. The ICC was reformed players couldn’t wait to get out of In- drew from the trials in solidarity with Indian game accidentally discovered by and rebranded, the MCC relegated to a dia – “done the elephants, done the Mahatma Gandhi, who was on hunger the English.” The sociologist was talk- role as “custodian of the laws”. The 1996 poverty, might as well go home” as Phil strike in Yerawada jail. The Maharaja, ing about the character of Test cricket. World Cup, which England had imag- Tufnell put it in 1993 – now they are so though, knew just how to butter up the But it is true in other ways, too. The ined they would host, was switched to desperate to get there. “There was never English, and told them all the things changes in the sport refl ect the shift in the subcontinent, and in 1997 Jagmo- that familiarity or sort of warmth be- they liked to hear. “We hope to do well Anglo-Indian relations over the past han Dalmiya, a man who once memora- tween the two teams, purely because we and we expect to learn a great deal,” he century. Everything pivoted in the bly rebuked the English with the line “I didn’t know the guys enough to be able said during a reception at the House of early 1990s, when India started its pro- wonder how, with this intelligence, you to have conversations with them,” Kohli Commons, “but above all we shall play gramme of economic liberalisation, and could have ruled us for over 200 years”, said recently. “I think this season has the game on and off the field. That is the Board of Control for Cricket in India became the fi rst Asian president of the broken that barrier to a great extent.” our mission and by that means we hope wrested control of the sport away from ICC. The IPL followed in 2008, spurred Of course the ECB really had no to cement still further the bonds of the English Test and County Cricket on by India’s success at the inaugural choice but to give in. These days, if friendship between our two countries.” Board, which, until July 1993, had pow- World T20 a year earlier. you’re not in India, you’re not in the Wisden praised the team’s “fi ne re- er of veto over all decisions taken at the For 20 years or so, the English chafed game. So behind Kohli’s line is the tacit gard for the traditions of the game” and ICC, which was run almost as an ad- against these changes. They stubbornly suggestion that if everything has now their “modest and correct demeanour junct of the MCC. refused to release their contracted play- settled down, it’s not down to Indian at all times”. They lost the Test by 158 “The TCCB,” said the then BCCI ers to appear in the IPL and fought off diplomacy so much as the English fi - runs, but they left “fi fty per cent better president IS Bindra, “has not got over an attempt to set up a partnership be- nally accepting their lot.

INTERVIEW/JOS BUTTLER By Will Macpherson year, in all three formats, Buttler has very differently to how people ex- London Evening Standard leaped forward. pected, which was pleasing. I proved Speaking to Buttler, it is easy to un- I can play the situation. I do have a derstand how this happened. He is a defence, I can leave a ball. That’s ‘The fun of cricket is exploration...I d Smith started as England’s curious character who says “for me, what it’s all about, being able to national selector in April and the fun of cricket is exploration”. He adapt.” felt that there was one thing, watches his favourite players on TV Buttler believes that India are the am always looking at other ways of above all others, that he had to and studies their strokeplay. He will toughest task England could face at do:E get Jos Buttler in the Test team. A incorporate anything he can fi nd into home because, while Australia and shortage of recent fi rst-class cricket his batting and spends hours just test- South Africa always arrive strong, In- doing things so I can improve’ did not matter. ing things. dia have an unusually fi ne set of pace In doing so, he knew he then had four “How can you do something diff er- bowlers. He also believes his IPL expe- batsmen — Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow, ent?” he asks. “What will changing my rience is relevant, even in a game nine Ben Stokes and Buttler — aged 27 or grip a little bit do? What happens to times as long. 28 who have known each other for 15 the ball if I try to hit in this way? Or use “Familiarity of facing an action, years, and are approaching the peak my hands like this? whether it’s a white ball or a red ball, of their powers, on which to build the “Practice is fun. Just going to the you pick up some cues and are used team. nets and exploring. I will watch other to facing them. That helps,” he says. One, Root, is captain; another, guys and study their movements. And “Sometimes knowing people, shar- Bairstow, keeps wicket; Stokes bowls then you just need someone who is ing a dressing room can help. It takes 15 overs a day. Buttler, for Smith, was a good thrower. Paul Collingwood is away fear factor, and some unknowns, the exception because he is excep- good. He’s got a great arm and will having had an insight into them off the tional. “Unique gifts” was how Smith send it for as long as you want with- fi eld.” described what his “luxury player” out saying much! It’s more an inward Using IPL experience in a Test series brought. thing. I might ask how something is a reminder of how much Buttler has Buttler was one of Smith’s fi rst looks or works but it’s more about the on his plate. He says the IPL “is some- picks to face India at Edgbaston this feeling I get.” thing I’m determined to do because I week, thanks to his performances Buttler is not sure where batting will love it and it’s had such a huge impact when he was recalled for the series go next but knows what he wants to on my career.” against Pakistan in May and June. He achieve: the reduction of risk through He will also play with Root at Syd- played both Tests, getting England rehearsal. “I’m always trying to im- ney Thunder in the Big Bash this year back into one and helping them win prove and look at other ways of doing but accepts his schedule will need the other. things but I don’t know what’s left out lightening. After that, he was man of the there,” he says. Back to Tests. It was India at home series in an ODI whitewash “It’s about polishing up shots to where it all started for him in 2014 and of Australia and lit have the same trust in them as you he believes he has come full circle. up Twenty20s have in a forward defence. The re- “I was fearless,” he says. “I’d just opening the verse sweep is a big one. If I’ve prac- moved counties [from Somerset to batting. tised it enough, there’s no reason why Lancashire], with the hope of becom- This I shouldn’t have the same confi dence ing a Test cricketer, and then it hap- playing it fi rst ball. A number of times, pened that summer. I’ve got out playing a forward defence, “I didn’t care what it looked like, I but no-one says I should never play just wanted to play the game, play the it again!” situation and have a great time. I prob- For all that, the most pleas- ably didn’t understand how valuable ing element of his Test re- experience is and thought you could turn was proving he do it or you can’t, whereas now, I have could nail the fun- experience to fall back on which helps damentals. “I was me stay calm and make good deci- very aware I may sions.” not play Tests Now, Buttler uses all that experience again,” he says. to lead cricket’s exploration of the pos- “Now, I am sible. For the next six weeks, though, aware it’s just he is just happy to keep proving he can two games. I leave the ball alone. think I played © London Evening Standard Gulf Times 4 Wednesday, August 1, 2018 SPORT

TENNIS BADMINTON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS India’s Saina and Srikanth advance Emotional Murray four-point streaks of his own IANS Nanjing, China to level the scores at 13-13. He subsequently took a slender lead at 15-14, but the ndian stars Saina Nehwal Indian came up with an im- and Kidambi Srikanth pressive run of seven back to won their respective back points to take the open- matches at the Badmin- ing game. The second game makes triumphant Iton World Championships saw a neck and neck battle yesterday. Saina defeated till the halfway stage when Aliye Demirbag of Turkey in the two players went into the straight games to enter the break with Srikanth in pos- third round of the women’s session of a 11-9 lead. singles category. The Indian came out all Saina fought off a brave ef- guns blazing after the re- fort from her Turkish oppo- sumption, taking six con- hardcourt return nent to cruise to a 21-17, 21-18 secutive points to open up a victory in just 39 minutes. comfortable 17-10 advantage. ‘I fought hard and I had to. The movements and stuff were fine. It lasted pretty well’ The opening game saw a Although Nguyen closed the tough battle in the early stages gap to within two points, Sri- AFP before Saina produced a four- kanth produced another late Washington point burst to lead 14-10. She burst to wrap up the match. held on to the advantage till Srikanth will be up against the end to win the game. Pablo Abian of Spain in the n emotional Andy Saina showcased her class next round. The unseeded Murray made a trium- in the second game, scoring at Spaniard defeated Toby Penty phant return to hard- ease as she romped to a win. of England 21-18, 21-6 in his courts on Monday in The Hyderabad-based In- campaign opener. hisA fi rst match on the surface dian is expected to face a Japan’s Kento Momota for nearly 17 months, outlasting tougher challenge in the next made a blistering start to his Mackenzie McDonald at the ATP round where she will meet Badminton World Champion- Washington Open. an experienced opponent in ships yesterday then brushed The three-time Grand Slam fourth seed Ratchanok In- off any talk of pressure. champion and former world tanon of Indonesia. The explosive 23-year-old number one, who missed 11 Ratchanok staged a strong is the man in form coming into months with a right hip injury comeback to win a tough en- the Nanjing showpiece and and surgery last January, defeat- counter against the impressive is tipped by many to win the ed the 80th-ranked American Mia Blichfeldt of Denmark. tournament. 3-6, 6-4, 7-5. The nail-biting see-saw bat- After swatting aside Murray, who has fallen to tle, which lasted an hour and Ukraine’s Artem Pochtarov 832nd in the rankings, needed 16 minutes, saw Ratchanok 21-13, 21-12, Momota said: seven match points to subdue carve out a 16-21, 22-20, 21-10 “I don’t take the attention at McDonald, squandering fi ve victory. home and abroad as pressure, before being broken in the 10th In the men’s singles catego- but instead motivation.” game of the fi nal set before ry, Srikanth took 37 minutes to In the mixed doubles com- breaking back and fi nally ending defeat Nhat Nguyen of Ireland petition, the unseeded In- matters after two hours and 37 in straight games. dian pair of Saurabh Sharma minutes at 12:45am Tuesday. The Indian, who advanced and Anoushka Parikh lost to “I fought hard and I had to,” to the second round, did not eighth seeds Chan Peng Soon Murray said. “The movements have to sweat too much on his and Goh Liu Ying of Malaysia and stuff were fi ne. I didn’t break way to a 21-15, 21-16 victory by an 18-21, 11-21 margin in 36 down. It lasted pretty well.” over his unseeded opponent. minutes. The 31-year-old Scotsman Srikanth forced the early It was curtains for Pranaav unleashed a primal scream and a advantage, taking four con- Jerry Chopra and N. Sikki right fi st-pumping frenzy of joy secutive points to open up a Reddy as well, since they lost after McDonald hit a forehand 7-2 lead before increasing the 16-21, 4-21 to 12th seeds Hafi z long on the fi nal point. gap to 11-5. Nguyen staged Faizal and Gloria Emanuelle “I enjoyed getting through that a strong fi ght back with two Widjaja of Indonesia. one. You could see it in the cele- bration,” Murray said. “That was Andy Murray returns a forehand shot to Mackenzie McDonald during the Citi Open in Washington, DC. (Getty Images/AFP) a tough match. It could have gone either way. It was nice to get it.” aggressively,” Murray said. “It came over Swiss Stan Wawrinka, points, four of them on errors, slamming a ball to the court in Murray had not played in a will help having one more match another three-time Grand Slam and McDonald broke back to 5-5 frustration at what in top form hardcourt match since March under my belt.” winner fi ghting back from a left when Murray netted a forehand would have been a routine shot. 2017 at Indian Wells, where he It was Murray’s fi rst experi- knee injury. to end the 12-minute game. Both held serve until the ninth lost in his opening match. ence with a serve clock, which The world number 198 had a At 30-30 in the 11th game, game, when McDonald sent a “I hadn’t played in darkness will be used at the US Open this fi rst-round match against US McDonald stuck his racquet over forehand wide to hand Murray or under the lights in a really year. “Without a shot clock, that qualifi er Donald Young rained the net to play the ball, losing the break and a 5-4 lead. Murray long time and I felt my rhythm would have been a three-hour out. Murray’s fi rst hardcourt the point on a violation quickly held on a service winner to force was off ,” Murray said. “I was match,” Murray said. “It’s a pos- match in nearly 17 months, de- called by French umpire Ar- a third set. Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri struggling on my serve. I cut the itive change for tennis.” layed three hours by rain, turned naud Gabas. McDonald then hit booked a second-round match unforced errors a little bit in the After making his return from when he broke in the penulti- a forehand long to give Murray against third-ranked defending second set and started serving January hip surgery last month mate game of the second set and another chance to serve for the champion Alexander Zverev of better.” at Queens and Eastbourne, Mur- again on his fi fth break chance match. Murray, who surrendered Germany by defeating Russian Murray booked a second- ray skipped Wimbledon and be- in the opening game of the third four double faults and won only Evgeny Donskoy 6-4, 6-1. round match Wednesday against gan preparing for the hardcourt set. Murray, whose best Wash- fi ve-of-15 second-serve points US wild card Noah Rubin beat British fourth seed Kyle Ed- campaign. ington fi nish was a runner-up in the fi rst set, broke to open Russian Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, mund, who had an opening bye. eff ort in his 2006 debut, served the second set but swatted an 6-4 to reach a second-round “I’ll have to play much better WAWRINKA RAINED OUT for the match in the 10th game ugly forehand well wide to sur- match against US second seed if I want to win that match, more His lone win on grasscourts but squandered fi ve match render a break in the next game, John Isner. Saina Nehwal.

FOCUS ATP executive expects serve clock success, benefi t for Nadal Serve and warm-up clocks to see more points and quicker the clock to allow for an inter- Wozniacki stresses fi tness making their ATP and WTA points. I don’t know if it’s good ruption and time is allowed for main draw debuts yesterday for players.” exchanging balls after games. will be a positive for players, Bradshaw says players such “We built a protocol that has even routine-filled server Ra- as Nadal, who makes several common sense built into it,” fael Nadal, predicted the ATP adjustments before serving, Bradshaw said. “The things ahead of US Open Tour’s off iciating head. or Novak Djokovic, who likes where they should pause AFP ington event over a richer WTA “There may be some bumps lots of ball bouncing, will should be obvious to every- Washington tournament in San Jose this along the way but I think in the adjust. one. week, happier with a shorter long run it’s going to be a posi- “Both those guys, when they “If you have a great point, peo- fl ight from Europe and the same tive for everybody,” ATP execu- see the time, will adapt,” he ple go crazy, they’ll wait until ard work and peak fi t- time zones as the next two US tive rules and competition vice said. applause dies down. When ness are the major Open tuneup events in Canada president Gayle Bradshaw said “Rafa, I think it’s going to be a players hear the score, they concerns for world and Cincinnati. Monday. benefit, wearing down other know the clock has started.” number two Caroline “I just prefer being on this side “I’m optimistic this is really guys after chasing down his After a warning, servers will WozniackiH as she starts her fi rst (of the US),” she said. going to be a big plus. I think balls.” lose a serve and receivers will run to the US Open as a Grand there’s some anxiety because Players and fans both called lose a point for clock viola- Slam champion. AZARENKA OUTLASTS it’s new, but once they get for faster pace of play, said tions. The 28-year-old Dane cap- BONDARENKO IN SAN JOSE out and try it they will be fine Bradshaw, who noted ATP “To me, this is a success if tured her fi rst major title in Former world number one Vic- with it.” directors will meet in New York there are no time violations,” January at the Australian Open, toria Azarenka outlasted Kat- The US Open tested the to consider using the clocks Bradshaw said. downing current world number eryna Bondarenko 6-3 6-7(7) clocks in 2017 qualifying and tour-wide next year. Bradshaw said players liked one Simona Halep in the fi nal, 7-5 at the Silicon Valley Classic announced plans to use them Clocks won’t be in place in removing time violation dis- and the 2009 and 2014 US Open on Monday to set up a highly- in main draw matches when 2018 ATP Tour events after cretion from the umpire and runner-up approaches the hard- anticipated second-round clash this year’s Grand Slam event the US Open except the Next putting a clock on display for court campaign ahead of New with top-seeded Garbine Mugu- begins August 27 on the New Gen event in Milan where they all to see. York with new confi dence. ruza yesterday. York hardcourts. were tested last year. “Umpires will be expected to “It feels great to have won my Azarenka took the fi rst set The ATP, WTA and US Tennis A warm-up clock will hasten give a time violation if it goes fi rst Grand Slam. It was a great comfortably but faced stiff er Association agreed on a proto- the pre-match process, to zero if they haven’t started two weeks,” Wozniacki said resistance in the second from col that would allow the clocks allowing players five minutes their motion,” Bradshaw said. Monday. “At this point, you have Slam appearance, Wozniacki fi - wanted to be in the best shape the Ukrainian, who battled hard to be used in pre-US Open for hitting and another minute “A lot of times it has been to keep on working hard and try nally lifted a champion’s trophy possible. So it feels fi ne.” against the 29-year-old Belaru- events so players could better to prepare before the start. common sense to do that. A to be in the best shape possible in Melbourne and reclaimed the Wozniacki has adjusted sian on a night when her pow- adjust to the change. “They don’t have to get the ball lot of times it has not. It’s the heading into the US Open. That’s world number one ranking six her goals after fi nally braking erful fi rst serve lacked its usual “For myself, it’s not going to be in play. They just have to be inconsistency that frustrates all you can do.” years after last holding the top through for a Grand Slam title, accuracy. easy,” said Japan’s 20th-ranked ready to play,” Bradshaw said. the players.” Wozniacki was sharp as she spot, eclipsing Serena Williams looking now for success on the Azarenka committed 12 dou- Kei Nishikori, the 2014 US The serve clock will allow And he said “it makes it easier” reached Melbourne, coming off by 11 months for the longest gap same Arthur Ashe Stadium court ble faults and was broken four Open runner-up. 25 seconds for players to for umpires,” adding, “They a title in the 2017 season-ending between reigns. where she lost to Kim Clijsters times but did just enough to edge “I’m not going to have time to begin the service motion, the don’t want to be so disrupted WTA Championship in Singa- Wozniacki, who captured her nine years ago in her fi rst Grand the defensive-minded Bondar- think much about where to put umpire starting the clock after that they don’t off iciate the pore, beating Venus Williams in 29th career WTA title a month Slam fi nal and to Serena Wil- enko, who sent a backhand long my serve between the points announcing the score with re- match.” the fi nal. ago at Eastbourne, made a liams in 2014. on match point to put an end to and with the heat it’s going to ceivers responsible for playing Listening to player feedback Days later, Wozniacki became fourth-round exit at the French “The motivation and hunger the marathon match. be a little bit tougher I think. at the server’s place. will be crucial, said Germany’s engaged to former NBA player Open and lost in the second has always been there. It’s about Elsewhere, Australian Ajla “There are many diff erent play- “We’re going to start the clocks third-ranked Alexander Zverev, David Lee. Wozniacki had previ- round at Wimbledon. resetting your goals and having Tomljanovic defeated Spaniard ers. Some like to play quick. when he starts his motion, not Washington’s top seed. ously been engaged to Northern “I took a little time off ,” Wo z - another milestone,” Wozniacki Georgina Garcia Perez 6-4 6-1 to Some guys like to take a lot of when he’s bouncing the ball,” “It will be important for the Ireland golf star Rory McIlroy niacki said. “It has been a hard said. “I reset that after the Aus- set up a second-round meeting time between points. It might Bradshaw said. ATP to listen to players, to hear but they broke up in 2014. season. My old trainer came in tralian Open.” with second-seeded American be good for fans if they want Umpires can pause or reset their opinions,” Zverev said. In her 43rd main draw Grand and pushed me to my limits. I Wozniacki chose the Wash- Madison Keys. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 1, 2018 5 SPORT

MLB SPOTLIGHT Jays trade suspended pitcher Osuna to Back from disabled Houston Astros

AFP handed pitcher Luis Rijo for Los Angeles Lynn. NATIONALS MAKE HARPER he Toronto Blue Jays AVAILABLE IN TRADE TALKS list, Paxton pitches dealt suspended pitch- The Washington Nationals have er Roberto Osuna to made six-time All-Star out- the Houston Astros on fi elder Bryce Harper available in TMonday in exchange for three trade talks ahead of Tuesday’s pitchers, including right-hander deadline, according to multiple Ken Giles. reports Monday evening. The 23-year-old Mexico na- MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand tive is eligible to return on Sun- fi rst reported the Nationals were Mariners past Astros day from a 75-game ban under letting other teams know Harper ’s domes- is available. The Athletic’s Ken ‘I didn’t have to think about my back once, which was great’ tic violence policy. Rosenthal confi rmed the Nats Jays general manager Ross are sending out “feelers” on Reuters Atkins said he considered the Harper, but suggested that any Seattle team’s fan base when making the deal appears to be a long shot. decision to trade closer Osuna “I’d be shocked if they do it,” but did not go into detail. a rival executive told Rosenthal. ames Paxton outduelled Gerrit “We do feel a responsibility to “They’re seeing if someone Cole as the de- the fans and we do feel empathy wants to go crazy.” feated the visiting Houston Astros for the fans and we ultimately MLB Network’s Jon Morosi 2-0 on Monday night in the open- work for the fans,” Atkins said. reported the Cleveland Indi- erJ of a three-game series between the “We are human and it is very dif- ans have been in touch with American League West’s top two teams. fi cult for accusations not to in- the Nationals about Harper but Nelson Cruz hit a two-run double for fl uence us in some way.” have thus far refused to include Seattle, sending the defending World Osuna’s lawyer Domenic Ba- 23-year-old starter Shane Bieber Series champion Astros to their sea- sile said he wants people to un- in an off er. Fan Rag Sports’ Jon son-worst fi fth consecutive defeat. The derstand that his client still has Heyman reported earlier Mon- Mariners, with their second win in a row, to go through the legal process. day that rival teams believed pulled within three games of the divi- “I remind everyone that he is there was “almost no chance” sion-leading Astros. presumed innocent and that our Washington would market or Paxton (9-4), who was activated from focus is to continue to deal with trade Harper before the dead- the 10-day disabled list earlier in the day his court matter,” Basile said. line. Yahoo Sports’ Jeff Pas- after being out since July 7 due to lower Osuna has not pitched in the san also reported Monday that back stiff ness, allowed three hits in seven majors since May 6, two days be- Harper has been asking friends scoreless innings. The left-hander didn’t fore he was put on leave when he and confi dants if they think the walk a batter and struck out eight. was charged with one count of Nationals might trade him. “I didn’t have to think about my back assault on a woman in Toronto. Harper, 25, is set to hit free once, which was great,” Paxton said. He’s expected to plead not guilty agency after the season and “That’s the point I wanted to get to be- in a Canadian court on Wednes- could command the largest con- fore I came back. I feel like if I had come day. tract in major league history. back the start before this, I would’ve The Jays also received minor Washington is expected to try to been out there thinking about my back league right-handed pitchers sign Harper long term, but he is and I wouldn’t have been able to compete Hector Perez and David Paulino expected to have many suitors. like I did.” in the trade. The 2015 National League Alex Colome pitched the eighth and Elsewhere, the New York Yan- MVP has struggled to a .220 bat- Edwin Diaz worked a 1-2-3- ninth for his kees shored up their pitching for ting average this season, but his major-league-leading 40th save of the a playoff stretch run by acquiring major-league-high 84 walks season. right-hander Lance Lynn from have contributed to a .369 on- Cole (10-3) didn’t allow a hit until run- the Minnesota Twins. base percentage. He also has 25 ning into trouble in the sixth inning. Lynn will fi ll the role of relief home runs and 62 RBIs. His ca- After Cole struck out the fi rst two bat- pitcher and joins Luis Cessa as reer highs are 42 and 99, respec- ters, Jean Segura grounded a ball up the insurance for a starting rota- tively, set in 2015. middle. Astros infi elder Yuli Gurriel, tion that includes Luis Severino, The injury-plagued Nationals playing second base with reigning AL Masahiro Tanaka, CC Sabathia, are 52-53, 5 1/2 games back of the MVP Jose Altuve (knee) on the disabled Sonny Gray and newly acquired Philadelphia Phillies in the NL list for the fi rst time in his career, made a J.A. Happ. East, and six teams are ahead of diving stop behind the bag, but his throw Seattle Mariners starting pitcher James Paxton throws against the Houston Astros during the third inning at Safeco Field in Seattle. The Yankees gave up fi rst them in the race for two wild- to get the speedy Segura was a fraction PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports baseman Tyler Austin and right- card playoff berths. late. Denard Span then lined a single to bottom of the 13th inning to score Edu- lies lead. was then tagged out for the bizarre 5-2- centre fi eld, sending Segura to second. ardo Nunez and lift the Boston Red Sox RESULTS 6-5 double play. ROBERTO OSUNA Nunez was credited with an RBI triple Cruz lined the next pitch down the left past the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 Monday Mariners 2-0 Astros fi eld line, past a diving third baseman night at Fenway Park. in the fi fth, but the extra bases occurred , to score both Segura and Swihart’s fi rst career walk-off hit gave Cardinals 5-4 Rockies because centre fi elder Herrera appeared Span and give the Mariners a 2-0 lead. Boston its fourth victory in a row. Nunez Red Sox 2-1 Phillies to misjudge the ball in the air. Jackie Bra- Cole went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two and Brock Holt each had two hits of the Twins 5-4 Indians dley Jr. scored to tie the game at 1. runs on four hits. He walked two and Red Sox’s seven hits. Price struck out Franco looking with fanned eight. Boston starter tossed eight A’s 10-1 Blue Jays runners on fi rst and second and two outs With two on in the top of the fi rst, solid innings, allowing one run on eight Giants 5-2 Padres in the sixth to keep the game tied. Houston’s Evan Gattis hit a long drive hits and a walk while striking out fi ve. Rangers 9-5 Diamondbacks Holt led off the eighth with a double off down the left fi eld line that landed in the Hector Velazquez (7-0), the Red Sox’s the Green Monster in left, but Nola ral- second deck. After a video review, um- sixth pitcher, earned the win in relief. Brewers 5-2 Dodgers lied to retire the Red Sox in order to keep pires called it a foul ball. The Astros put Phillies starter Aaron Nola threw eight Braves 5-3 Marlins the game tied at 1. two runners on against Colome in the strong innings, giving up four hits and Marcell Ozuna hit a solo homer with eighth, as Max Stassi singled with one one run while throwing 105 pitches, 73 The Phillies had a chance to extend one out in the bottom of the 10th inning out and George Springer walked with for strikes. He fanned six and walked one. their advantage in the third when Carlos as St. Louis beat visiting Colorado. two outs. However, Colome struck out Austin Davis (1-1), the fi fth of six Phila- Santana hit a grounder to third inning also homered for St. Lou- Bregman on a 3-2 pitch to end the inning. delphia pitchers, took the loss. with runners at second and third with is, Matt Carpenter had three hits, and Each team fi nished with four hits. The Phillies managed 10 hits but left one out, but they ran themselves into an Dakota Hudson (1-0) got his fi rst career 12 runners on base en route to their unorthodox double play. victory with one inning of scoreless re- RED SOX PUSH PAST PHILLIES fourth straight loss. In the second inning, Rhys Hoskins was caught between lief. Nolan Arenado hit a grand slam for IN 13TH INNING Maikel Franco hit an RBI single to left, third and home, and then Odubel Herrera the Rockies, who had their four-game Blake Swihart hit a walk-off double in the scoring Asdrubal Cabrera for a 1-0 Phil- was tagged out running to third. Hoskins winning streak snapped.

FOCUS Mariners boost bullpen with trades for Duke, Warren Reuters Seattle

he Seattle Mariners made a pair of moves on Monday to strengthen their bullpen in their Tpursuit of an AL wild-card berth, picking up veterans Zach Duke and Adam Warren. Seattle announced the acqui- sition of the left-handed Duke, 35, along with cash considera- tions from the Minnesota Twins in exchange for righty Chase De Jong and minor league infi elder Ryan Costello. In a second deal, the Mariners sent international bonus pool money to the New York Yankees for Warren. Duke is 10th among active left-handers with 513 career Left-handed reliever Zach Duke. Pitcher Adam Warren. games and is one of three active pitchers with at least 150 relief 3.40 ERA in seven MLB seasons, starts) with the Mariners in 2017, Astros. Tacoma to clear a roster spot for with a .278 on-base percentage, back left-hander Marc Rzepc- appearances and 150 starts in all but a brief stint with the Chi- his only season in the majors. James Paxton, who was out 2 Paxton. Vogelbach, 25, hit .212 a .409 slugging percentage, 16 zynski on a minor league con- the majors. Seattle is his ninth cago Cubs spent in pinstripes. Costello, 22, batted .266 with 1/2 weeks due to lower back in- with two homers and seven RBIs homers and 57 RBIs. tract. Rzepczynski, 32, began the organization. He is 17-14 with a After making a career-high 17 16 home runs and 70 RBIs in 101 fl ammation, was activated from in 25 games for Seattle this sea- In 84 Triple-A games this season with Seattle but was re- 3.20 ERA in 344 career relief ap- starts in 2015, Warren has started games with Class-A Clinton this the DL to start the series opener son. year, Vincej, 27, hit .236 with a leased on June 6 after going 0-1 pearances, and 64-89 with a 4.28 only twice since. season. The Mariners, who fi n- vs. Houston. Paxton is 8-4 with The Mariners also placed third .301 on-base percentage, a .341 with a 9.39 ERA in 18 appear- ERA overall, making 169 starts. De Jong, 24, is 5-5, with a 3.80 ished the weekend two games a 3.70 ERA this year, and he baseman Kyle Seager on paterni- slugging percentage, six homers ances. He subsequently signed Warren, who turns 31 next ERA in 21 starts with Double- ahead of Oakland for the second threw a no-hitter at Toronto in ty leave and purchased the con- and 44 RBIs. He made his ma- with the Cleveland Indians and month, has a 2.70 ERA in 30 in- A Arkansas this season, being wild-card spot in the AL, made May, but he has lost three of his tract of shortstop Zach Vincej jor league debut for the Cincin- pitched 2 2/3 scoreless innings nings of work across 24 games named a Texas League midsea- a handful of other transactions past fi ve starts. from Tacoma. Seager, 30, has nati Reds last year, going 1-for-9 over fi ve appearances this month this season, striking out 37 and son All-Star. He was 0-3 with ahead of their Monday night First baseman Daniel Vogel- appeared in all but one game for with no RBIs in nine games. before he was outrighted off the walking 12. He is 23-22 with a a 6.35 ERA in seven games (four home game against the Houston bach was optioned to Triple-A Seattle this season, batting .228 The Mariners also brought roster and elected free agency. Gulf Times 6 Wednesday, August 1, 2018 SPORT

NFL NHL Hayes and Rangers agree to one-year, How Gore became 5.125mn deal

By Colin Stephenson lege and was originally drafted Newsday in the fi rst round by the Chi- cago Blackhawks in 2010. But he never signed with the he Rangers avoided Blackhawks and the Rangers a Dolphin, and why arbitration with re- signed him as a free agent in stricted free agent 2014. forward Kevin Hayes He has played 310 career Ton Monday by signing the NHL games, scoring 73 goals, 26-year-old to a one-year with 101 assists. contract worth $5.125mn. Since joining the Rangers The one-year deal means that for the 2014-15 season, Hayes Hayes will be an unrestricted ranks third on the club in goals that’s so right free agent next summer. and points and fourth in as- With the club in a self-de- sists. Last season, he was third ‘I told him I’m going to finish here, not knowing if it would come true or not’ scribed rebuilding phase, the on the team in scoring with 44 Rangers had to decide wheth- points. By Greg Cote er to make Hayes one of their Miami Herald building blocks and sign him WILD SIGN EX-FLYERS to a long-term deal before his READ TO 2-WAY CONTRACT arbitration hearing, which had The Minnesota Wild signed he old Hurricane Frank been scheduled for Thursday. former Philadelphia Flyers Gore always trained back That’s what they did with right winger Matt Read to a in Miami, back home, defenseman Brady Skjei, when two-way contract on Monday. during NFL off seasons, they signed him Saturday to a Per the Wild’s press release, andT it was during the spring of six-year deal worth $31.5 mil- Read’s deal is for one year and 2015, working out with new Dol- lion. is worth $650,000 for time phins draftee Bobby McCain, With Hayes, however, gen- in the NHL and $200,000 for when Gore fi rst said aloud what eral manager Jeff Gorton and time in the AHL. might have always been tucked the Rangers’ braintrust ap- Read, who turned 32 last deep in his heart and mind. parently did not want to make month, has played seven sea- “I told him I’m going to fi n- that kind of commitment sons in the NHL, all with Phil- ish here, not knowing if it would to the 6-foot-5, 217-pound adelphia. Last season he failed come true or not,” Gore recalled center, who had a career-high to win a spot with the Flyers Monday, face glistening with 25 goals last season. out of training camp and spent sweat following the fi fth practice With Hayes signed only most of the season with Le- of Dolphins training camp. “I’m through the upcoming season, high Valley in the AHL. In 19 happy it did.” the odds are great the Rang- games with the Flyers, he had Thirty-nine former Canes ers will look to deal him before one goal and no assists. have played for the Dolphins the trade deadline. Otherwise, Read fi rst burst onto the in the franchise’s 53 seasons, they risk losing him to free NHL scene with the Flyers but none of the homecomings agency for nothing. in 2011-12 when he scored has felt more full circle, more With Hayes signed, the club 24 goals and added 23 as- right, than Gore’s. Born in Mi- has only one remaining arbi- sists. Read earned favor under ami, raised in Coconut Grove, tration-eligible restricted free then-coach Peter Laviolette’s schooled at Coral Gables High agent: forward Ryan Spooner. up-tempo style and became and then UM, he’ll be the fi rst Spooner, who was acquired a top-line player in his fi rst Cane-turned-Dolphin to reach from the Boston Bruins the few seasons, leading to a four- Canton and the Pro Football Hall day before the trade deadline year, $14.5 million deal signed of Fame. in the Rick Nash deal, has his in September 2013. These are tough days for The arbitration hearing set for However, after scoring 57 U’s ‘s tightly knit sports family. Saturday. goals (19 goals per season) in Former Canes running back Ty- Hayes, a Dorchester, Mass.- his fi rst three NHL seasons, rone Moss died late last week at native who was recruited to Read has netted just 30 goals 33 reportedly because of heart- play college hockey at Boston the past four years (7.5 per related issues. Two nights later University by current Rangers season). In his seven seasons, the 16-year-old son of UM base- coach David Quinn, played his Read has 87 goals and 100 as- ball pitching coach J.D. Arteaga college hockey at Boston Col- sists in 437 games. died in an auto accident. Gore was a former teammate who knew Moss well. The pain still KEVIN HAYES raw, he preferred not to discuss the loss on Monday. The bond within the UM ath- letic family is real, and will help Miami Dolphins running back Frank Gore (No 21) during warm-ups in Davie, Florida on Saturday. PICTURE: Miami Herald/TNS two families deal with the grief and heal. That bond also is why, ductive at the one brutal posi- He is the last person I will ever all on Monday. haven’t seen him play since he for this community, Gore’s re- tion with the shortest career- doubt. Seeing what he’s done Here: Fifth all-time in NFL was like 5 years old.” Frank Jr. is turn to Miami brings a smile span, some seven years after through his career, starting in rushing with 14,026 yards and a junior at Killian. Running back, with it. It is the perfect end run running backs are thought to be college, has proven every person poised early this season to climb of course. For Gore home games for the all-time great runner – to in chronological decline. wrong that ever doubted him.” to fourth – trailing only Emmitt will be truly that, “in front of my fi nish where he started, at age 35, NFL head coaches want noth- Those included the Dolphins, Smith, Walter Payton and Barry fans, family and my coaches still as the oldest back in the NFL, ing to do with 35-year-old backs. who scouted Gore hard and Sanders. in Miami, Pop Warner to high still beating odds. But Gase knew better. He envi- worked him out intensely be- But here, too: Still trying to school.” It had a chance to happen when sions Gore as not only a men- fore the 2005 draft, only to select prove himself. Of his career, “It’s It is personal in another way, the Dolphins hired Adam Gase as tor for young Kenyan Drake and running back Ronnie Brown No. a blessing, especially thinking too, though. He’s still the 5-9 coach in January 2016, and then rookie Kalen Ballage, but as a 1. about where I came from, com- supposed injury risk everybody when the Indianapolis Colts did major contributor with them. Do “I thought that was out the ing out of college with two ACLs doubted, even though he has not re-sign Gore and left him a not be surprised if Gore ends up door,” he said of ever playing for and all the doubters saying I played all 16 games eight times free agent this past March. starting, or at least getting com- the Dolphins. wouldn’t play two or three years, in his career – including the last “I’m happy it came with Gase parable touches to Drake, who Gore lasted until the Niners then saying me getting picked in seven seasons in a row. being the head coach,” said Gore says Gore “always has an extra took him in the third round, and the third round was a reach. “ “I want to prove I still can,” of his homecoming. Their rela- gear even at his age. It’s cool see- no wonder. If he’s 5-9 he barely Finishing as a Dolphin is very said the man who hasn’t had tionship goes back 10 years, to ing that face to face.” is. He had two separate ACL knee personal for Gore. anything to prove for a long, long their days with the San Francisco Says Gase: “I wouldn’t doubt injuries while at UM, one erasing “My kids get to see me every time. “I want to show my fans in 49ers. Frank with anything. (His age) is an entire season. day now, and I get to see my old- Miami I can still be a top guy in Gore is an anomaly, still pro- irrelevant. He’s a diff erent dude. “I’m still here,” he answered it est son’s high-school games. I this league.”

NBA Hawks waive Anthony aft er buyout agreement Reuters homa City Thunder and Justin as president of basketball op- Atlanta Anderson from the Philadelphia CARMELO ANTHONY erations in June after an inves- 76ers. tigation determined his wife was To complete the trade, the using anonymous social media he Atlanta Hawks have Hawks traded Mike Muscala accounts to praise her husband placed Carmelo An- to Philadelphia and Dennis and criticize others. thony on waivers, hours Schröder to Oklahoma City, and The investigation, conducted after reaching an agree- Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot by the outside fi rm Paul, Weiss, Tment on a contract buyout. He moved from Philadelphia to Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison will become a free agent once he Oklahoma City. LLP, concluded that Colange- clears waivers. lo’s wife, Barbara Bottini, was A source told ESPN that WADE STILL COY responsible for the existence terms of the buyout call for the ABOUT FUTURE of four anonymous Twitter ac- 34-year-old Anthony to re- Dwyane Wade isn’t shedding counts that had leaked informa- ceive the $27.9 million due to much light on his future. tion about the 76ers and been him under the terms of his con- The 12-time All-Star guard critical of the team’s coach and tract, then rebate $2.4mn to the sidestepped questions about some players. Hawks. Once he clears waivers, whether or not he will play at The accounts also tweeted fa- he is expected to join the Hou- 16th NBA season during a con- vorable opinions about Colange- ston Rockets for the veteran ference call on Monday. lo while denigrating Philadel- minimum contract of $2.4 mil- “In due time,” Wade said. phia’s former general manager, lion. He already has been work- “Time will tell.” Sam Hinkie. ing out with Houston stars James The 36-year-old Wade is Jerry Colangelo declined to Harden and Chris Paul. also considering retirement. He say if his departure was tied into Anthony, who is entering his spent his fi rst 13 seasons with his son’s situation. 16th NBA season, has a career the Miami Heat before playing “I haven’t made any public scoring average of 24.1 points per one season with the Chicago comments about what tran- game with Denver, New York and Bulls and a half-season with the spired,” Jerry Colangelo told the Oklahoma City. In 2017-18, in his Cleveland Cavaliers before re- Washington Post. “I don’t think only season with the Thunder, he turning to the Heat last season. it would be appropriate. It’s a averaged 16.2 points per game in Miami president Pat Riley “I want him back as a compet- the same motivation.’ But I still aged just 11.4 points in 67 games continue with the club when his very diffi cult summer for him 32.1 minutes. said last week that the franchise itor. I want him back as a guy who see a player who can contribute between the Cavaliers and Heat. contract expires at the end of the and his family.” The Hawks acquired Anthony is willing to wait on Wade’s de- wants to have the greatest year he heavily if he really wants to.” year, according to multiple re- Jerry Colangelo joined the on July 25 as part of a three-team cision. Riley is hopeful Wade ever had as a player. I read more Overall, Wade has averaged JERRY COLANGELO OUT ports. 76ers in December 2015. transaction, with Atlanta also reveals his intentions by mid- articles about ‘Dwyane being 22.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.7 WITH 76ERS AT END OF YEAR Colangelo’s departure isn’t The 78-year-old said he will receiving a protected 2022 fi rst- August. “I want him back as a done, he’s lost a step, he’s not the rebounds in just over 34 minutes Philadelphia 76ers special ad- surprising due to the fact his son, continue in his role as director of round draft pick from the Okla- player,” Riley told reporters. same player, he might not have per game. Last season, he aver- viser Jerry Colangelo will not Bryan, resigned under pressure USA Basketball. Gulf Times Wednesday, August 1, 2018 7 SPORT

FOOTBALL SPOTLIGHT Trump sowing divisions, says United hope to LeBron James

AFP Trump’s attempts at discord. Washington James, who ranks seventh in career National Basketball As- sociation scoring, will play with asketball great LeBron the Los Angeles Lakers next sea- sign one more James yesterday accused son after leaving the Cleveland President Donald Trump Cavaliers. of intensifying racial di- But he remains tied to Ohio, visionsB in the United States. where on Monday an elemen- “I believe our president is kind tary school for at-risk young- of trying to divide us,” James, sters opened in his hometown of who is also a philanthropist, said Akron, through his LeBron James in an interview with CNN’s Don Family Foundation. player: Mourinho Lemon. James, wearing a grey suit “He’s kind of used sport to... and buttoned-down shirt, said divide us and that’s something even the most successful African ‘It’s our nature, you always want more for your team but then club decisions are I can’t relate to, because I know Americans face discriminatory that sport was the fi rst time I attitudes. diff erent and normally you don’t get what you want which happened during all my career’ ever was around someone white. “They always going to let you You know?” the bearded and be- know that you are the n-word no spectacled James said. matter who you are,” he said. Trump has repeatedly criti- “I think it’s always been there. cized National Football League But I think the president in players who kneeled during the charge now has given people — national anthem to protest racial they don’t care now, they throw injustice, a protest begun by San it to your face.” Francisco 49ers quarterback Co- James was asked what he lin Kaepernick in 2016. would say to Trump if he could James, 33, has previously sit across from the president. expressed solidarity with the “I would never sit across kneeling players and voiced ear- from him,” James replied. “I’d lier criticism of Trump. sit across from Barack, though,” He told his CNN interview- he said of Trump’s predecessor er that he “can’t sit back and Barack Obama, the fi rst African not say nothing” in the face of American president.

LeBron James plays with his daughter Zhuri during the opening ceremonies of the I Promise School on July 30 in Akron, Ohio.

Manager Jose Mourinho of Manchester United .

Reuters but I think two I am not going lan last week. around the place is great and Netherlands at under-20 level Indian women qualify for Manchester to get which is not a drama,” The club’s inconsistent per- that is helpful for us especially and can play as a centre back or Mourinho told beIN SPORTS. formances has led Mourinho to when we are under-manned and in a holding midfi eld position. last eight of world hockey “In every pre-season it happens express his frustration on multi- we are working our hardest.” City did not provide fi nancial anchester United the same with every club which ple occasions throughout the US United play Champions details of the deal, but media London: India entered the last The second goal of the game manager Jose Mour- is the manager wants more. tour, including criticising indi- League holders Real Madrid and reports said the fee was in the 8 stage of the Women’s Hockey through the stick of Neha Goyal inho says he is con- “It’s our nature, you always vidual players and United’s lack German champions Bayern Mu- region of 3mn euros ($3.51mn). World Cup 2018 with a clinical at the end of the third quarter fi dent that the club want more for your team but of transfer activity. nich in their next two friendlies The reports added that Sandler 3-0 win over Italy yesterday. as India earned a penalty Mwill sign at least one more player then club decisions are diff erent Goalkeeper Lee Grant, how- before hosting Leicester City in could be loaned back to a club in Sjoerd Marijne’s side, who are corner with the clock stopped before the Premier League’s and normally you don’t get what ever, has dismissed the notion the opening league fi xture on the Netherlands. ranked 10th in the world, were at zero seconds left. The flat hit transfer window closes on Aug. you want which happened dur- that Mourinho is unhappy with Aug. 10. Sandler is City’s third sign- the dominant side over the was powerful from the injec- 9. ing all my career. the squad. ing of the close season and fol- course of the 60 minutes and tion which led to a goalmouth The Portuguese boss ex- “So if I get one player until the “From what we’re getting CITY SIGN SANDLER lows forward Riyad Mahrez and deserved their win against melee. Goyal showed her pressed his hopes of signing two end of the market, that’s fi ne.” from the inside it (the atmos- Manchester City have signed defensive midfi elder Claudio the Italians, who at 17th were poaching skills and was on new recruits after United’s 4-1 United have struggled to phere around the camp) has been defender Philippe Sandler from Gomes into the club. the lowest-ranked team at the hand to prod the ball home at defeat by Liverpool in the pre- impress in pre-season with a nothing but positive,” Grant told Dutch top division side PEC City face FA Cup winners World Cup. Goals from Lalrem- the goal-line. season International Cham- patchy squad that has been de- Sky Sports. “The messages we Zwolle, the Premier League Chelsea in the Community siami, Neha Goyal and Vandana Vandana Katariya, who was a pions Cup last weekend in the pleted through injuries and key are getting from the manager are champions announced yester- Shield on Sunday, before Pep Katariya were enough for the threat throughout the game, United States but now says one players resting after the World positive ones and that is impor- dayThe 21-year-old, a product Guardiola’s team take on Arse- Indians as they saw the game got a well-deserved goal in the addition seems more probable. Cup in Russia. Their sole pre- tant for us going forward. of the Ajax Amsterdam youth nal in their opening league clash through with comfort. dying moments of the match. “I am confi dent I will get one, season win came against AC Mi- “His attitude and demeanour system, has represented the on Aug. 12. Lalremsiami, who is considered With a few minutes left to play, to be one of the brightest pros- she displayed quick thinking pects in Indian hockey, showed to slide in front of the charging BOTTOMLINE great calm and composure to Italian defenders at the penalty put her side in the lead in just corner and deflected the ball the 9th minute. A quick long home. corner from India saw the ball India will now off against reach the Mizo sniper near the Ireland in the quarterfinal on goal, who allowed it go across Thursday, with the two teams her body and slotted the ball having already faced off in the Under fi re New Zealand coach home with a fine backhand group stages and the Irishwom- shot. en running out 1-0 winners. quits aft er player mutiny CHESS

AFP said they would not play for New timidation “lack any foundation corner”, saying she would prefer Wellington Zealand again if he remained in and are based on fundamental to lose a game while trying to win Qatar players excel charge. diff erences in professionalism it. “Part of the resignation is and performance,” he said. “That’s my mindset, and if mbattled New Zealand that Andreas has confi rmed that Current Ferns players have you tell me I can’t do that, then in Switzerland women’s coach Andreas he will fully participate in the told reporters, under anonymity, I can no longer represent that Heraf quit yesterday, review and we will look to the they had to ask Heraf’s permis- shirt with pride or conviction,” QNA Master Hussein Aziz Nezad 3.5 ending a rocky era which fi ndings of the review to deter- sion to leave the table at dinner, she said. Doha points and Salih al-Hor 5 points. Eculminated in most top players mine the outcomes around this they were shouted at for pass- The player criticism reached Ghanem al-Shammari also refusing to play for him. matter,” Shaw said. ing the ball between defence and a peak in June following Heraf’s managed 3.5 points in the six The former Austrian interna- Heraf quit with immediate ef- midfi eld or if they passed the comments after a 3-1 loss to Ja- atar’s national chess rounds that he took part in. tional’s resignation came as the fect as both coach of the Foot- ball backwards because it was pan in which New Zealand were team performed well The tournament is a major New Zealand Football Associa- ball Ferns, as the women’s team deemed too risky. told to play an ultra-defensive in the Biel Interna- preparation step for the na- tion (NZF) launched an investi- is known, and as New Zealand’s Problems within the women’s game. tional Chess Festival tional team ahead of their fu- gation into complaints about the technical director. camp spilled into the public Heraf believed they “could Qin Switzerland, which features ture events, especially the 43rd 50-year-old who has been on He has not commented in New arena after their tour of Spain have lost 8-0” with a more posi- several rounds and concludes Chess Olympiad, which takes “special leave” since June. Zealand but in a recent interview in March, following which New tive approach and said New Zea- today. place in Georgia from Sept. 22 NZF president Deryck Shaw with Austrian newspaper Der Zealand’s most-capped player, land, ranked 20th in the world, As Round 6 of the event con- to Oct. 6. Before that Qatar will accepted Heraf’s resignation Standard he claimed there was a Abby Erceg, retired in frustra- “will never have (the) quality to cluded, Qatar’s team have man- take part in the 6th edition of but said the inquiry would con- “large-scale conspiracy” against tion. compete with” 11th-ranked Ja- aged good results with Grand- Francophone Chess Champion- tinue into issues raised in written him. Erceg later described the pan, the former world champi- master Mohamed al-Sayed ship, which runs from Aug. 25 to complaints from 13 players who Allegations of bullying and in- Ferns’ tactics as “cowering in a ons. securing 3 points, International Sept. 2. (QNA)

Wednesday, August 1, 2018 GULF TIMES SPORT

HORSE RACING Tayf and Ebraz to battle again in Qatar Watan wins in presence International Stakes By Our Correspondent to landing the £200,000 first London prize. The five-year-old has since taken minor honours on three ayf and Ebraz, who were occasions behind stablemate separated by a nose in Gazwan, finishing third in the of Sheikh Joaan at Qatar Ta thrilling finish to the Qatar Arabian World Cup (Gr1 Qatar International Stakes PA) at Chantilly in October, (Group 1 PA) 12 months ago, second in the HH The Amir’s are set for a battle again in this Sword (Gr1 PA) over 1m 4f in year’s renewal at the Qatar Doha in February and third in Goodwood Festival today. the Qatar Gold Sword (Gr1 PA) Goodwood Festival The pair features among ten over 1m 2f at the same venue entries for the £400,000 mile two months later. contest, which is also the first Now the His Highness Sheikh Al Shaqab-bred colt earns first victory for Qatar at this edition of the five-day event leg of the Doha Triple Crown. Mohamed bin Khalifa al-Thani- A stellar cast also includes owned grey tackles a mile, and Ateej, Zikreet, Zayin Angkor Smart feels he will be suited Centurion, Storm Trouper, by the drop in trip. Kao Kat Mhf, Aaley Al Magam, Reflecting on Ebraz’s gallant Lightning Bolt and Muraaqib. second 12 months ago when Tayf will be running for the Goodwood was hit by a deluge, first time this season, and the Al Shahania Stud-based French trainer Alban De handler said, “I have never Mieulle believes his charge will raced in conditions like that benefit from his reappearance. before. It just goes to show how The six-year-old, owned by tough the horses are. It was an His Highness Sheikh Abdullah amazing finish between two bin Khalifa al-Thani, had tri- warriors of the sport. umphed in testing conditions “Unfortunately last year was a 12 months ago but was last small field and he found him- seen finishing down the field self in front too soon where he in the Qatar Arabian World didn’t want to be, so hopefully Cup (Group 1 PA) at Chantilly this year he can run to his last October. strengths and we will see what However, it was subsequently happens.” discovered that he had suf- With that in mind, Smart also Qatar Equestrian Federation president Hamad bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah (centre) fered a minor injury, and plans runs pacesetter Aaley Al presented the trophies to the winners of Qatar Vintage Stakes (Gr2). to run him in Qatar this year Magam, in the same owner- had to be shelved. ship as Ebraz. Al Shaqab executive director Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah receives the owner’s Qatar Goodwood Festival kicks off “Just after the Arabian World “Aaley is with us this summer trophy after Watan won on Day One of the Qatar Goodwood Festival. PICTURES: Cup he was lame behind and purely to ensure we have pace Juhaim and Zuzanna brilliantly we found a small fracture,” in all the races we run,” he explained De Mieulle. “He explained. By Our Correspondent By Our Correspondent declared the winner by photo finish. Qa- stayed in his box for more than “His job is probably the tough- London London tar Racing and Equestrian Club (QREC) three months before he started est in the barn as he has to get Board member Khalid bin Mohammed working again slowly. He is in out and do the donkey work al-Ali presented the trophies to the good form now, but I think after every time he runs. He seems atar Olympic Commit- atar Goodwood Festival kicked winners. 10 months without competition to be a horse capable of doing tee President HE Sheikh off yesterday with seven races John Gosden’s Stradivarius was steered he will need at least one race to just that though, so fingers Joaan bin Hamad al- Qon the first day. In the first race, by jockey Andrea Atzeni to victory in reach his top level.” crossed all goes well.” Thani was present on the Matchbook Betting Exchange Handi- the Qatar Goodwood Cup (Gr 1) (3yo+). The Bordeaux La Teste han- Dutch trainer Karin Van Den fiQ rst day of the Qatar Goodwood cap Stakes (Class 2) (4yo+), William Ajay Sharma, British ambassador to dler added: “We won this race Bos feels Lightning Bolt is Festival yesterday at Goodwood Haggas’s Alfarris was the winner under Qatar, presented the trophies to the last year, but just by a nose ready to put up a bold show. Racecourse in the UK. The fi ve- jockey Jim Crowley. winners. and the weather was so bad The six-year-old, owned by day Festival will see a wide range of Mark Johnston’s Dark Vision won Qatar Ronald Harris’s Under The Cover won we were only to see the race Landgoed Waterland, was races with the world’s top Arabian Vintage Stakes (Gr 2) (2yo) with jockey Chelsea Barracks Handicap Stakes in the last 200m and not from claiming his second top-level and Thoroughbred horses. Ryan Moore rides Al Shaqab’s Watan to victory. Silvestre De Sousa in the saddle. Qatar (Class 2) (4yo+) under jockey PJ Mc- the start. I hope the weather triumph when triumphing It was a fantastic start to the Equestrian Federation president Hamad Donald. will be better this year. at Newbury last year, having Festival with Al Shaqab Racing re- bin Abdulrahman al-Attiyah presented The day concluded with Matchbook “To win during the Goodwood pipped Tayf by a head in The cording the fi rst victory for Qatar Signifi cant win at Goodwood: the trophies to the winners. Time To Move Over Fillies Handicap meeting makes this race even Presidents of the UAE Cup (UK in this edition. Khalifa al-Attiyah David Elsworth’s Sir Dancealot, was the Stakes (3yo+) and Haggas scored his more prestigious, and the best Arabian Derby) (Group 1 PA) at In the presence of HE Sheikh winner of Qatar Lennox Stakes (Gr 2) second win of the day when he saddled Arabian horses are there. This Doncaster in 2016. Joaan, Watan won the fi fth race in Al Shaqab executive director Khalifa bin (3yo+). It was a blanket finish and Sir Move Swiftly to victory under jockey season the competition will be Van Den Bos, who also bred the card impressively. The chest- Mohamed al-Attiyah was very pleased with Dancealot, ridden by Gerald Mosse, was James Doyle. very strong.” the chestnut son of Munjiz out nut colt, schooled by Richard Han- Watan’s win in a race for maidens on the first De Mieulle believes Ebraz will of the mare Oleya Du Loup, is non, was steered by Ryan Moore to day of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, espe- once again prove a formidable unconcerned with her charge win the six-furlong race reserved cially because the colt is bred by Al Shaqab rival. having won twice on a fast for two-year-old maidens. Racing. “Watan’s win today at Qatar Good- “Ebraz is one of the best surface at Duindigt. Al Shaqab executive director wood Festival is very special,” said al-Attiyah, horses, so he will be a big chal- “The most important thing Khalifa bin Mohamed al-Attiyah “especially as he was bred by Al Shaqab as a lenge, but we will be trying to is how he has grown in his received the winner’s trophy at the son of Toronado, who himself won the Sus- beat him again,” he added. mind,” she added. “Bolt is in presentation ceremony. sex several years ago. We consider this win Qatar-based trainer Julian good shape I can assure you. Also present on the fi rst day of very significant for us at this stage. “Argu- Smart is hoping Ebraz can He is more mature and has the Festival were Duke of Rich- ably, we have started to reap the rewards of go one better than last year just had two wins behind him mond, owner of Goodwood Race- our attention on breeding in Al Shaqab and after going agonisingly close in his backyard.” course, Qatar Equestrian Fed- the performance and form of Watan today eration president Hamad bin are a demonstration of this. He excelled Abdulrahman al-Attiyah, Qa- and won the race impressively. We will run tar Racing and Equestrian Club Watan in tougher races in the near future as FOCUS (QREC) general manager Nasser he is up to that. We will maintain Al Shaqab’s bin Sherida al-Kaabi, and QREC policy of paying due attention to breeding racing manager Abdulla Rashid al- because we want Al Shaqab’s breeding to Kubaisi, besides numerous horse be prominent in this type of racing. We have Ministry of Interior owners and trainers from around been working to this end and we have the Ajay Sharma (left), British ambassador to Qatar, presented the trophies to the the world. opportunity to realise better results.” winners of Qatar Goodwood Cup (Gr1). discusses safety

SPOTLIGHT requirements for Josoor Institute boosts delegates’ World Cup dreams 2018-19 sports season QNA of having a control room within Doha each stadium to make binding By Sports Reporter ternational event like the World Cup. I was decisions in a timely manner Doha focused on learning so I could later trans- and communicate with those in fer my knowledge to Josoor Institute to be inistry of Interior’s charge within the stadium. implemented at the upcoming 2022 FIFA Establishments and He said that it is important to wo Josoor Institute alumni del- World Cup in Qatar,” said al-Khamiri. Authorities Security have a system that introduces egates who attended the 2018 “On a personal level, it was an op- Department held a the audience and players to the FIFA World Cup in Russia have portunity to prove myself and my ability Mmeeting with sports associa- procedures that need to be tak- taken major strides towards to assume responsibilities and tasks at a tions and clubs in the country to en while entering, exiting and Tachieving their personal football dreams. World Cup level and exchange expertise discuss the safety requirements watching events. He also said it Josoor Institute is a centre of excellence with participating delegations,” she said. for the sports season 2018-19, is important to work together to for the sports and events industries that Al-Khamiri, who also holds a Sports to ensure the success of sports build a vision for securing ma- is inspired and developed by the Supreme Management degree from Qatar Univer- tournaments in an atmosphere jor sports events and providing Committee for & Legacy (SC). sity (QU), believes that joining Josoor In- of comfort and safety. safety for all. TV director Hamad Sultan al-Kuwari stitute is a key step for Qataris looking to The department’s assistant Head of the Stadium Security and Sports Management graduate Eman contribute or play a role in the 2022 FIFA head, Brigadier General Jassim al- Department, Captain Mubarak al-Khamiri recently returned from Rus- World Cup. “I’m keen to play my part in Hail, said the meeting is not the Bilal al-Ali, said the aim of the sia after being picked by Josoor Institute Qatar’s World Cup. And joining Josoor fi rst of its kind and was preceded meeting is to set the co-operation to take part in the SC’s Observation Pro- Institute was essential in terms of learn- by many other co-ordination mechanisms between the min- gramme. ing new skills that will further my ambi- meetings to discuss all organisa- istry and the related entities in Al-Khamiri described attending the Hamad Sultan al-Kuwari, senior director Eman al-Khamiri, Qatar University Sports tions and goals.” tional, safety and training aspects, sports. He added that the co-op- 2018 FIFA World Cup as “a huge responsi- at Al Kass Sports Channels and Josoor Management graduate and Josoor She said that after leaving university her and based on the future vision to eration is not limited to football bility”, but one she relished, “as I aspire to Institute alumnus delegate, attends a Institute alumnus delegate, also was part skills had been boosted by the practical promote co-operation with Qatar but also covers all sports since it is become one of the fi rst woman graduates to match at the 2018 FIFA World Cup. of the SC’s Observation Programme. programmes and workshops run by Josoor Olympic Committee (QOC) and part of the same system. work in sports management in Doha”. Institute in partnership with QU. “At Josoor Qatar Stars League (QSL). He highlighted everyone’s Similarly, al-Kuwari, who works as a that the secret to success is teamwork, lic, as the country will be visited by more Institute, we applied the skills we’d learned He added that the meeting keenness to organise periodic Senior Director at Al Kass Sports Chan- particularly when it comes to media cov- than one million football fans in 2022. at university in very specifi c and particu- sought to discuss all the aspects meeting to discuss all that is re- nels, said the Russian trip has helped him erage, which is the façade of any sporting “It’s impossible to simply rely on offi cial lar fi elds. For instance, professionals with related to security and organisa- lated to safety and security with- to further his dream to become the fi rst event,” he said. authorities, so all community members expertise at international universities and tion of sports tournaments, to in sports clubs during all kinds of Qatari to join FIFA’s production crew for “I thought the World Cup was just about should be encouraged to consider volun- sports clubs provided insight into sports reach a comprehensive system tournaments. He said this meet- the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar. the matches, but I’ve learned there’s far teering or helping out,” he said. marketing, which we had learned only as a that ensures organising safe sports ing and the upcoming ones are Both delegates hold Professional Di- more to it than just the games; such as the As part of her experience, al-Khamiri concept at university.” tournaments and prevent any risks not only limited to discussions plomas in Football and Sports Manage- logistics and organisational issues outside visited the Sochi Stadium, where she TV director al-Kuwari said he has also that may pose a danger to the se- on the security requirements of ment from Josoor Institute and have par- the stadium. I’ve also learned that the com- learned about the organisation of games, benefi ted greatly from Josoor Institute’s curity of fans and players. the 2018-19 sports season, but ticipated in several of its workshops and munity plays an important role in the suc- management of facilities, stadium logistics, programmes, and has taken part in the Al-Hail highlighted the im- also aim to touch on the security programmes. cess of such events. For instance, 6,000 media coverage, security and surveillance organisation’s Sports Leadership Summit portance of good security and strategy in the long term. Al-Kuwari said the Russian trip added volunteers aged 16-years and over were operations, the entry and exit of attendees, in 2017, exclusively delivered with Geor- organisation’s preparations for Al-Ali urged the associations hugely to his professional skills and pro- mobilised in Moscow and positively inter- players and teams. Face recognition tech- getown University in Washington, DC. sports events in terms of equip- and clubs to co-operate with the duction competencies. “Attending the acted with fans and visitors.” nology used to capture fans was also among Al-Kuwari says he is “confi dent Qatar ping fi elds with tools and equip- department in raising awareness World Cup in Russia gave me a rare and Al-Kuwari believes Qatar should follow the areas that caught her attention. will rise to the occasion and organise a ment for the departments to between the audience and club valuable insight into what awaits Qatar Russia’s community-focused lead and “The visit was a golden opportunity to hugely successful FIFA World Cup tour- handle their security role. He members on the requirements of in four years’ time. I learned fi rst-hand encourage volunteering among the pub- gain expertise on the organisation of an in- nament in four years’ time”. also highlighted the importance sports security.