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Home , Guenther Steiner, Kevin Pietersen, Rahat Ali (cricketer), Todd Astle

SPORT Tuesday 27 March 2018 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 34 PAGE | 36 ’s Smith Astle mops up tail as Veteran Venus braced for Black Caps claim historic outlasts Bertens to make-or-break week pink ball Test win seal Konta clash Qatar’s Abdulla grabs T2 stage glory in Desert Challenge

THE PENINSULA the top of a sand dune. It was my mistake. I did not take the right gear and we spent QASR AL SARAB, UAE: Qatar’s Adel Abdulla maybe 10 or 15 minutes getting the car out. claimed the fastest time in the T2 category The leader then came and passed us. on the 287.92km second selective section “We got going again and he stopped of the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge through again and we pushed and passed him again. the deserts of Liwa yesterday. We managed to take one minute from him The Qatari driver began the day 30min and we will now be in front of him in the 33sec behind Saudi rival Ahmed Shegawi in stage for tomorrow. This is a good thing. his rented Nissan Safari Y61 and he and nav- There are still three days to go and I am sure igator Nasser Al Kuwari reduced that gap the next one will be very hard. I hope to to 29min 24.9sec after crossing the dunes close the gap soon,” Abdulla said. of the Rub Al Khali in a time of 5hrs 35min Abdulla is running his T2 programme 43sec, despite losing over 10 minutes stuck with the crucial support of the Qatar gov- at the top of a sand dune near the finish. ernment, the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Following yesterday’s stage win, Abdulla Federation (QMMF) and Ooredoo Qatar. said: “Today we decided to push more than Both Russia’s Yuliya Khegay-Migunova yesterday. This car is completely different and Romania’s Claudia Laurentiu Barbu lost to my car. I learned a lot about this car yes- considerable time in the sand dunes and terday. We the leader (Ahmed slipped behind further behind their T2 rivals, Shegawi) and we passed him and we pushed with the latter stopping close to the stage more and more. But this stage is unbe- start and the Russian incurring time pen- lievably difficult for our cars, as a T2. We alties after the previous stage. passed many difficult places, you cannot Competitors will tackle the third desert believe. special and the second of three loops stages “We were, perhaps, leading by 15 through the UAE deserts today. minutes but, in the last 30km, I got stuck in The timed section will run for 281.27km. Qatar’s Adel Abdulla and his navigator Nasser Al 2018 ABU DHABI DESERT CHALLENGE – T2 POSITIONS AFTER SS2: Kuwari in action in their 1. Ahmed Al Shegawi (SAU)/Laurent Lichtleuchter (FRA) Toyota Land Cruiser 10hrs 00min 23.7sec Nissan Patrol during the 2. Adel Abdulla (QAT)/Nasser Al Kuwari (QAT) Nissan Patrol 10hrs 29min 48.6sec second selective section 3. Yuliya Khegay-Migunova (RUS)/Aldis Vilcans (LVA) Toyota LC 200 20hrs 21min 44.5sec of the Abu Dhabi Desert 4. Laurentiu-Claudiu Barbu (ROU)/Paul-Nicusor Spirodon (ROU) Nissan Navara 239hrs 01min 34.0sec Challenge through the deserts of Liwa yesterday.

Golf: Cockburn wins Rising star Tala eyes Asian Games Qatar Senior Open medal after historic gold in Kuwait QNA

THE PENINSULA DOHA: Scotland’s Fraser Cockburn claimed the third edition of Qatar Senior Open Golf Championship 2018, held at the Doha DOHA: Fresh from winning a gold Golf Club. at the Arab Indoor Rowing Cham- While Cockburn scored plus four, former Indian pionship in Kuwait, Qatar’s rising Kapil Dev finished second with a total score of plus five. Swe- star Tala Abu Jabara has now set den’s Claes Byberg was third with a total of plus six. The tour- her sights on winning a medal at nament, which is the first in the region for the senior golfers, saw the Asian Games to be held this 143 players from around the world compete. summer in Indonesia. Qatar Golf Association General Secretary Fahad bin Nasser Abdullah Al Sulaiti, President of Al Naimi, who awarded the winners, said the championship was Qatar Sailing and Kayaking Feder- unique and have a very good reputation among golf champion- ation (QSKF), yesterday welcomed ships in the region. the young athlete and applauded for her ‘brilliant achievement’ in Kuwait saying the Qatari rower Olympic team to meet would be aiming for more medals at the international level. Oman in friendly Tala said she is ‘aiming to win a medal at the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta’. QNA In a statement released yes- terday, Tala said it was easy to aim DOHA: Qatari Olympic football team will play a friendly match for the medal but to realise the against Oman today at No. 5 stadium in Aspire. dream will require a lot of effort in The match is part of the Qatari team’s preparations for the the coming weeks and months. upcoming entitlements, which include the Asian Games in Jakarta The 25-year old said: “It would and the U-22 Asian Cup. The Olympic team coach Unai Melgosa Gold medallist at the Arab Indoor Rowing Championship, Qatar’s rising star Tala Abu Jabara (centre) poses be amazing to win a gold at the has called a list of 27 players for the current camp. for a photograph with the President of Qatar Sailing and Kayaking Federation (QSKF), Abdullah Al Sulaiti Asian Games. It was a great honour to do well in Kuwait. The federation (right) during a welcoming ceremony at the QSKF Headquarters yesterday. has given me great support. I will Al Rayyan play continue to bid for more glory.” to improve her fitness levels. talent. She possesses great set of Al Sulaiti said Tala’s memorable “I had put in a great deal of “I have great ambitions to skills that allow her to dominate the achievement was the of effort in the event held in Kuwait. achieve more glory for my country,” field of play. She needs more careful planning of the Qatar Al Wakrah today The hard work I put in helped me she said. “I want to supplement my support and encouragement. We Olympic Committee (WOC) to back QNA to win the medal despite tough medal by aiming for more in the are confident that she will continue home-grown sporting talent in the competition from other contestants. future,” she said. to improve and do well at the top country. DOHA: Al Rayyan are scheduled to play a friendly against Al Some leading athletes from the Tala also won the gold medal level.” A total of eight countries fea- Wakrah today, as part of preparations for their AFC Champions region were present in Kuwait,” at the 2016 GCC Rowing Champi- The QSKF chief expressed his tured in the 2000 paddling event League match against Iran’s Esteghlal to be played in Tehran on Tala said. onship and at the 12th Arab Rowing happiness at the ‘outstanding in which Tala produced her per- April 2. “I will continue to work hard,” Championship held in Tunisia last achievement of Tala’, the first since sonal record of 7.02.7 minutes to The friendly with Second Division runners-up Al Wakrah will she added. year. the silver medal won by Qatar’s clinch gold medal. UAE’s Amana kick off at the Al Rayyan Stadium at 6.30pm. Tala said she is set to con- Al Sulaiti, President of QSKF, Walid Alsharashani at the 2006 Khalfan took silver medal in the The match will help the technical staff led by Michael Laudrup assess tinue her training in France said: “Tala is a unique sporting Asian Games. contest. the readiness of players ahead of the crucial game against Esteghlal. 30 SPORT TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018

Motor racing: Haas shows class, then farce in Australia

REUTERS

MELBOURNE: A weekend that began with back-slapping and high-fives for Haas after their best ever qualifying finished with ‘heartbreak’ and fines after both the team’s cars retired before the halfway mark of the Australian Grand Prix. Danish driver Kevin Mag- nussen started Sunday’s race at Albert Park in fifth place with French team mate lining up in sixth after ’s Daniel Ricciardo took a three place drop. They were running fourth and fifth prior to their first pitstops ’s German driver Sebastian where it all went wrong. Vettel gets his tyres changed There was obvious alarm from during the Australian Grand Prix the mechanics as the cars were in Melbourne on Sunday. released, and they each rolled to a halt before completing another lap. The team revealed later that it had committed the same mistake twice, failing to properly fasten wheels on each car after changing their tyres. “It was just a bad pit stop,” said team principal Guenther Steiner. “The wheelnut was on but it was cross-threaded. That doesn’t tighten the wheel up but for the mechanic, it feels like it is Stung Mercedes vow to bounce tightened and it wasn’t.” The stewards imposed fines of €4,000 ($6000 approx) for each incident, adding another sting to back after ‘one that got away’ the drivers’ huge disappointment at the season-opening race won by Ferrari’s . AFP “It’s a very tough one to Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian swallow for the whole team,” said MELBOURNE: Mercedes have Vettel (centre), second-placed Magnussen. vowed to bounce back in Mercedes’ British driver Lewis “To have both cars not fin- Bahrain next month after Hamilton (left) and third- ishing - having been in such good throwing away Sunday’s placed Ferrari’s Finnish driver positions and with so much antic- season-opening Australian Kimi Raikkonen attend a press ipation - it’s just heartbreaking to Grand Prix to Ferrari, with team conference after the Australian finish like that.” boss Toto Wolff admitting it was Grand Prix in Melbourne on Sunday. Steiner said it was “almost tough to take. unbelievable” for both cars to Sebastian Vettel got the suffer the same fate in one race jump on world champion Lewis but put the blame down to a lack Hamilton as Mercedes blun- of pitstop practice and shortage of dered their calculations on the spare tyres. Ferrari ace’s pit stop under “This weekend was very Virtual Safety Car (VSC) intense for us, we had issues in FP1 conditions. and FP2,” said Steiner of Friday’s Vettel went on to keep free practice sessions. Hamilton at bay for his second “When we get to Bahrain (we straight win in Melbourne and need) to start as quickly as pos- third overall. sible to practice there. It’s a defeat that sticks in the “A lot of people who are part craw of Mercedes and team of the pit crew are leaving early to principal Wolff, who is deter- set up out there so you never have mined the champion team will a full crew. If you train with a half not repeat the same error again. crew, it can be even worse.” “This was one that got away and it’s a bitter pill for us all to behind as Vettel emerged from swallow,” Wolff said. the pits to hold on to the lead Five things we learned from the Australian GP “Following Lewis’s pit stop, around the notoriously- we believed that we had the restrictive Albert Park street MELBOURNE: Sebastian Vettel in a Ferrari won the Australian Grand Prix at the weekend. Here are scenarios of both the safety car circuit. five things we learned from Formula One’s season opener: and the virtual safety car “I did everything I could, covered, so that Sebastian could but it’s not what anyone ** Hamilton still the man to beat - While Sebastian Vettel’s win was a great boost for Ferrari, the not pit and come out ahead of expected to happen,” said the Italian team will know they enjoyed a huge slice of luck and are still playing catch-up with the Mercedes Lewis on track. Briton. of Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton was blisteringly quick as he grabbed pole position by the massive margin “We should have been “I’m still in a little bit of dis- of more than half a second and would have cruised to victory had the virtual safety car not allowed Vettel several seconds safe, then sud- belief as I don’t really under- to snatch the lead. Hamilton was still able to close on Vettel at will and only the impossibility of over- denly saw on the TV screens stand what happened yet. taking at Albert Park -- statistically the second most difficult passing circuit on the calendar -- caused that we were not. “At least in my heart I know the reigning champion to back off in the closing laps and save his engine for another day. “Of course, under the VSC that I gave everything this sometimes you benefit and weekend. I’m sure the team is ** Then there were three - Red Bull showed signs that alongside Ferrari -- who had two men on sometimes you lose out -- but feeling pain right now but we the podium -- they can make it a three-way fight for the constructors title with Mercedes this year. it was clearly a problem on our will regroup and we’ll work on Daniel Ricciardo was all over the back of Kimi Raikkonen’s Ferrari and only just missed out on the side and we need to analyse it.” podium after fighting back from eighth position on the grid after a penalty. , who that to understand what hap- For his part Vettel believes worked his way back to sixth after spinning early in the race, is not likely to endure such an untidy pened and correct it.” Ferrari’s 2018 car is not cur- grand prix again. Wolff said what was partic- rently “a true match” for Mer- ularly frustrating was that Mer- cedes, despite having won the ** Alonso happy to ditch Honda - Two-time world champion Fernando Alonso spent most of last cedes had the pace to win the first race. season complaining about his McLaren’s Honda engine on team radio. But the switch to a Renault Melbourne race. Vettel and teammate Kimi power unit seems to have put a spring in his step of the Spaniard as he finished a fighting fifth with “Lewis was in control Raikkonen had been unable to teammate Stoffel Vandoorne also scoring points in ninth. “With some updates to come in the next few through the opening stint, then challenge Hamilton in Mel- races we can start to look ahead a little bit and Red Bull will be the next target,” Alonso smiled after after the pit stop as well, and bourne qualifying, both fin- the race. “Things are going to get better and better.” looked on course for a strong ishing almost seven-tenths of victory but it wasn’t to be,” he a second off the defending ** Haas retirements mask their speed - The American team carried their surprising speed from said. champion. pre-season testing into the race where Haas’s and Romain Grosjean ran just behind “Congratulations to Ferrari The German conceded he Hamilton and the but held off the rest of the pack with ease -- at least until they had to stop on their win. For us, it’s a tough was “a bit lucky” to win, and for new tyres. Two disastrous pit stops meant two retirements due to loosely attached wheels with one to take, but there are lots admitted Ferrari was not yet both cars grinding to a halt out on the circuit after looking on course for top-five finishes. No prizes of lessons to be learned so we where it wanted to be. for guessing what the Haas pit crews will be practising ahead of Bahrain in two weeks’ time. can come back stronger next “If you look at the gaps the time.” whole weekend, we are not yet ** Sirotkin bags some bad luck - Sergey Sirotkin’s Formula One debut lasted just five laps when Mercedes have already set a true match (for Mercedes),” his Williams conked out at turn 13 with a sudden loss of braking. So was it a loss of hydraulics that their sights on the second race he said. caused his demise? Far from it, the Russian said, it was all down to a spectator’s sandwich. Sirotkin of the season in Bahrain on “Therefore at this point we was convinced a sandwich wrapping being sucked into the brake duct was to blame. “You would not Haas Team’s Formula One driver April 8. know that we are not yet where believe what happened: it was a plastic sandwich bag, which went into the rear-right brake duct,” he Romain Grosjean is seen before Hamilton said he was we want to be, because we complained. “Yes, that’s how exciting it is. It was a big bag, a big sandwich bag.” the race at the Australian Grand bewildered to find himself want to be fastest.” Prix in Melbourne on Sunday. TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018 SPORT 31

Brazil’s defender Marcelo (left) attends a Boban died of heart attack training session ahead of today’s friendly match against Germany in Berlin. The two after struck by ball: Report teams are preparing for the 2018 FIFA World Cup to be held in Russia this summer. REUTERS ZAGREB: An autopsy showed that Croatian third division football player Bruno Boban died of a heart attack on Saturday after he was struck by the ball in the chest from close range, Croatian media reported yesterday. The 25-year old Marsonija winger collapsed in the 15th minute of their match against his former club Slavonija and was pro- nounced dead after both teams’ coaching staff and paramedics had frantically tried to resuscitate him for 40 minutes. The Index news website (www.index.hr), which reported the cause of death as a heart attack. At the time of his death, Boban was the top scorer in the third division’s section east with 12 goals and Marsonija were fifth in the standings with 30 points from 17 games. Boban had played for Slavonija from 2014 to 2016 before joining his brother Gabrijel at then top-tier side NK Zagreb. He moved to Marsonija earlier this year. Several high-profile Croatian internationals extended their condolences to the Boban family on social media, with striker Mario Mandzukic saying: “Rest in peace Bruno and my deepest condolences to the Boban family as well as to all his friends and team-mates.” It was the first high-profile soccer death in Croatia since Zadar forward Hrvoje Custic struck a concrete wall with his head during a first division match with Cibalija Vinkovci in April 2008. The 24-year old died of brain injuries five days later.

Coach Loew decides to play fringe players against Brazil

REUTERS 1978-80. Loew added the game was BERLIN: World champions more an opportunity to exper- World Cup star Diego Maradona is seen with FIFA President Gianni Germany will be far from full iment rather than a rematch of Infantino, Hernan Crespo, Christian Karembeu, Angelo Peruzzi and strength when they host Brazil four years ago. in their international friendly “For us that match does not Faustino Asprilla during the Hublot Match of Friendship match played today, with coach Joachim Loew play as big a role as it does in in Basel, Switzerland, in this March 21, 2018 file photo. planning to field a second-string Brazil,” he said. “Disappointment team as he tests ahead of the was obviously big, especially as World Cup. the host nation. Infantino promises ‘fair’ The last time these two “Now Brazil may have some teams, who have won the world thoughts of revenge but you WC bidding process title a combined nine times, met cannot really do that because REUTERS was at the 2014 World Cup when you cannot bring that semi-final Germany stunned the sports back. But Brazil have improved.” world with a 7-1 demolition of Tite took over in 2016 and ZURICH: FIFA President Gianni Infantino described the bid process hosts Brazil in the semi-final. apart from a friendly loss to for the 2026 World Cup as “fair, objective and transparent” after the But fewer fireworks are Argentina, his team have gone global soccer body announced it had received bid books from two expected this time with both unbeaten since then. candidates yesterday. FIFA, which is due to choose the hosts at its nations missing key players and “They have improved con- annual Congress in Moscow in June, said in a statement it had received Germany’s busy tinkering with their prep- siderably,” said Loew. one bid from Morocco and a joint bid from the United States, Canada head coach arations for the World Cup in “They have reinvented and Mexico. The two bids will be evaluated by a task force which will Russia which begins in June. Joachim themselves in the past two or visit all the potential host nations, FIFA added. Brazil, who have lost just Loew reacts three years. “I challenge anyone to point out an organisation that conducts a once in the 17 matches since during the “They are very disciplined, bidding process as fair, objective and transparent as the one that FIFA coach Tite took over, will be international they are all defending and their is carrying out for the 2026 FIFA World Cup,” Infantino said in the missing injured Neymar while friendly match attack is among the best in the statement. the Germans are without Mesut against Spain world. Even Neymar and “FIFA has been heavily criticised for how it conducted the selection Ozil, Thomas Mueller and in Duesseldorf, Philippe Coutinho -- both of hosts in the past; it was our obligation to learn from this and leave Manuel Neuer among others. western attacking players -- work no room for any doubt or subjectivity,” he added. Midfielder Emre Can has also Germany, extremely hard at the back. The “This is why the rules of this process... include the highest standards been ruled out with a back injury in this file coach has succeeded in making in terms of ethical conduct, participation and commitment to sustain- while Sami Khedira is doubtful photo taken them more stable.” ability and human rights.” after picking up a minor knock on March 23, The five-times world cham- The task force will use a point-scoring system to evaluate the two against Spain on Friday, Loew 2018. pions kick off their World Cup candidates and a bid which does not meet a minimum score on a said. campaign against Switzerland number of different points will be disqualified before the final vote. Marc Andre ter Stegen, the on June 17 before facing Costa The FIFA Council, formerly known as the executive committee, starting keeper in the absence issue and maybe it is good to Hector at full back while Leroy Rica and Serbia. also has the power to reject a bid before it reaches the Congress. of Neuer, will also be given a have a break for a couple of Sane and Ilkay Guendogan The Germans have been “Every single step is documented and open to the public: from the rest. days,” Loew told reporters. would start as Germany aim to drawn in Group F of the tour- submission of the bid books through each round of assessment to the “Marc will have a break He also said Marvin Platten- equal their unbeaten run of 23 nament, along with Mexico, decision-making process,” FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura because he has a bit of a knee hardt would replace Jonas matches dating back from South Korea and Sweden. said yesterday. Below strength Germany ‘Ghost’ of 7-1 Germany mauling serious for Brazil: Boateng still haunts Brazil, says Tite AFP AFP at left-back. Stars Mesut Ozil and always play for the national challenge, but a huge emotional Thomas Mueller have been team, but in games like this you challenge too. We are preparing to BERLIN: Jerome Boateng insists released by Loew to rest while can test things, the Brazilians are BERLIN: Brazil coach Tite (pictured) give our best performance, which Germany see today’s friendly Manchester City pair Leroy Sane also missing players.” says the “ghost” of their 7-1 mauling will be important, but of course I also against Brazil in Berlin as an and Ilkay Gundogan are This will be the first time by Germany at the 2014 World Cup want a good result.” important test despite coach expected to face Brazil. Germany face Brazil at senior still haunts the ‘Selecao’, as the Tite has been in charge of Brazil Joachim Loew planning a string Boateng, who was born in international level since the teams prepare to meet today. since 2016, but Felipe Scolari was of changes. Berlin, will captain Germany in Selecao were hammered 7-1 in Brazil suffered their heaviest head coach for the mauling by Loew revealed that Bar- his home city if Juventus mid- the semi-finals of the 2014 home defeat when Germany hit four Germany at the last World Cup. celona goalkeeper Marc-Andre fielder Sami Khedira fails to World Cup. goals in six devastating first-half “I was watching the game at Ter Stegen will be rested, leaving recover from a back knock. Brazil coach Tite has minutes of the Belo Horizonte semi- home in Sao Paulo with my wife and Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno to The Bayern Munich included five survivors -- final nearly four years ago. after the third goal went in, she play a half each at Berlin’s defender played down the Marcelo, Fernandinho, Willian, Toni Kroos and Andre Schuerrle started to cry,” said the 56-year-old Olympic Stadium. resting of World Cup winners Fred and Paulinho -- from the both scored twice over the 90 minutes as Germany’s Tite. “That started me off. It was a moment of great As first-choice Manuel Ozil and Mueller. squad mauled by the Germans attack ran riot en route to winning the World Cup inspiration for Germany, every shot was a goal - Neuer is recovering from a frac- “Despite that, it is still an in 2014. title. The teams meet in a friendly for the first time stuff like that doesn’t even happen in video games. tured foot it effectively means important game and there are Fernandinho is expected to since at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium and Tite says “Sometimes you get that in football, a team Germany will field their third other reasons Mueller and Ozil replace Douglas Costa in the Brazil still bear the scars. comes close to perfection and that’s what happened and fourth choice goalkeepers aren’t here anymore,” said only change from the team “This has a huge psychological meaning - no to Germany. The wound is still open and the match against the South American Boateng. which beat Russia 3-0 in one needs to fool themselves about that,” Tite told in Berlin is a part of the process of closing it.” giants. “They have both played a lot Moscow on Friday without the German magazine Kicker. “The 7-1 from the World Germany lost to Brazil on penalties in the men’s Hertha Berlin’s Marvin Plat- this season and they shouldn’t injured Neymar. Cup is like a ghost. “It’s present, people still talk final of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, tenhardt will also make only his be over played. Russia will host the 2018 about it, but the more you talk about it, the less this but this is their first meeting at senior international sixth international appearance “Those involved don’t FIFA World Cup this summer. ‘ghost’ disappears. It won’t just be a sporting level since the 7-1 rout. 32 SPORT TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018 TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018 SPORT 33

Smith braced for Hussain slams Australian ‘double IPL: Rahane standards’ over ball scandal replaces Smith make-or-break week AFP as Rajasthan “Some“Some of the stuff he was alleallegedged to have said to England’s plaplay-y- LONDON: Ex-England skipper Nasser erss during was way Royals captain AFP Smith, 28, shocked and bitterly dis- Hussain says the premeditated nature tooo personal,” said Hussain, stood down appointed by the news of Australia’s ball-tampering sets it whoho cacaptainedptained EnglEnglandand AFP : Embattled from his role as from ,” said apart from previous cases of cheat- fromom 11999999 uuntilntil 22003.003. was yester- Australian Prime Minis- ing in cricket and is adamant that “Yet the moment any-any- NEW DELHI: day facing a skipper for the ter Malcolm Turnbull. captain Steve Smith must shoulder onene has a go at him, he side Rajasthan Royals yesterday career-defining week remainder of the “It seemed com- lots of the blame. startsarts bleating ababoutout replaced Australia’s Steve Smith as which is likely to see him third Test against pletely beyond belief that Smith, 28, was banned for one wherehere the line is.” captain over his role in a ball-tamper- deposed as Australia South Africa on the Australian cricket Test by the International Cricket TheThe former EEnglandngland ing controversy. captain and slapped with team had been involved Council after admitting he and a group skipperipper saidsaid SmithSmith mustmustbe be Smith, who is on a $1.9m contract a lengthy suspension Sunday and was in cheating.” of his players planned ball tampering heldld to account for his role with the Royals, will be replaced by after admitting being the then banned for Cricket Australia (CA) during the third Test against South in tthehe scascandal.ndal. India’s Ajinkya Rahane as skipper for mastermind of the ball- one match by chief James Sutherland Africa. “He finds himself in the new IPL season starting April 7. tampering scandal which the ICC. issued an apology to fans. He is expected to face a harsh chargearge of a very good crcricketicket “Steve believes given the current has rocked cricket. “To our Australian sanction from Cricket Australia for his teamam but a team that are not circumstances it’s in the best interest Smith, 28, stood cricket fans, we are role in the plot, which saw team-mate especiallypecially ppopular,opular, eveneven bacbackk of the Rajasthan Royals that he steps down from his role as will definitely miss the sorry,” said Sutherland. Cameron Bancroft tamper with the homeme in AustraliaAustralia,”,” hehe wrote.wrote. down as captain so the team can get skipper for the remain- fourth and final Test in “This behaviour calls ball by using yellow sticky tape, before “It’s not necessarily the cap-cap- ready for the start of the IPL ithout the der of the third Test Johannesburg from Fri- into question the integ- desperately trying to conceal the evi- tain’sin’s job ttoo be popular, but it is ongoing distractions,” the club said. against South Africa on day due to his ban. rity of the team and dence down the front of his hiss jjobob to ensure his side are plaplay-y- Australia captain Smith, 28, was Sunday and was then However, Bancroft, Cricket Australia.” This photo shows Australian cricket captain Steve Smith on the front pages of the major newspapers in Sydney yesterday. Australia’s cricketers have heaped disgrace andtrousers. ingg within the spirit of the ggame.ame. banned for one Test by the Interna- humiliation on the country, the local press said in blasting the “rotten” team culture under the current leadership following captain Steve Smith admitting he cheated by banned for one match by the 25-year-old opening South Africa captain “Ball-tampering has always been “It will be ververyy difficult for tional Cricket Council after admitting hatching a plot to tamper with the ball during the third Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday. the ICC. batsman, escaped an ICC Faf du Plessis, who has part of the game, so we should be Smithmith now to carry on as cap cap-- that he and a group of his players His team’s weekend suspension. He was himself twice been sanc- careful not to get too holier-than- tainn onceonce hehe returnsreturns frofromm his hiss planned ball tampering during the of shame then ended in instead fined 75 percent tioned for ball-related thou,” Hussain wrote in a column for one-matchne-match bban.an. Do a third Test against South Africa. a crushing 322-run rout. of his fee, warned and hit offences, gave Smith Britain’s Daily Mail newspaper. cricketingicketing nation as “The incident in Cape Town has Set an unlikely 430 to by three demerit points. qualified support for “But what makes the Australians’ proudoud as AustraAustralialia certainly disturbed the cricket world. win, Australia were “The decision made coming clean. behaviour in Cape Town different reallyally want a We have been in constant touch with out for a paltry by the leadership group “Obviously he’s try- Australia face scorn over from other instances, I believe, is the cheatheat in the BCCI and taken their counsel. Fur- 107 with fast bowler of the Australian team to ing to take responsibility premeditated nature of the crime. charge?harge? I thermore we have been in regular Morne Morkel taking five act in this way is clearly so there is right in that “Steve Smith and his ‘leadership justst can’t contact with Steve,” said Zubin for 23. contrary to the spirit of but there’s also a right in group’ sat down at lunch on the third seee iit.t. Bharucha, Royals head of cricket. Now Smith is the game, risks causing that people are respon- day of the Test and decided that the Rajasthan Royals won the inaugu- expected to face a harsh significant damage to the sible for their own team’s youngest player, Cameron ral IPL 11 years ago under Shane sanction from under- integrity of the match, the actions,” he said ball-tampering shame Bancroft, would do the dirty work.” Warne but this year are returning from pressure Cricket players and the sport Sunday. Hussain lambasted the “double Former England a two-year ban for corruption, which Australia for his role in itself and is therefore Smith had insisted on REUTERS     while discussing whether to review a ver- standards” of the Australian side, skipper and cricket increased pressure on the franchise the plot which saw team- ‘serious’ in nature,” said Saturday he wouldn’t dict, prompting the umpire to referring to a recent row pundit for action over Smith. mate Cameron Bancroft ICC chief executive David resign the captaincy he MUMBAI: Australia’s long held belief that         intervene. involving batsman . “Rajasthan Royals will do every- tamper with the ball by Richardson. has held for three years they play their cricket “hard but fair”       !          Kohli accused Smith and his team of thing possible to protect the values and using yellow sticky tape “As captain, Steve since succeeding Michael would appear to have little truck outside          looking towards the players’ area on the integrity of the game,” said the before desperately trying Smith must take full Clarke. their own country if the splenetic reac- numerous occasions but the Australia cap- team’s co-owner Manoj Badale. to conceal the evidence responsibility for the Smith admitted on tion to the Cape Town ball-tampering tain rubbished the home skipper’s claims. “We agree with Steve’s decision to down the front of his actions of his players and Saturday to having com- scandal is anything to go by. %  &   ' In Cape Town on Saturday, Smith Scratching the surface reveals step down as captain, and we are for- trousers. it is appropriate that he mitted “a big mistake” The intense interest in the incident     asserted Bancroft’s use of the tape and dirt tunate to have such a capable “A little birdie tells be suspended.” and took responsibility around the world reflects not only sur-   to change the condition of the ball had been successor with Ajinkya Rahane.” me that the weak ICC Smith, who was out for Bancroft’s actions, prise at Steve Smith blithely admitting  a tactic used for the first time by an Aus- Australian cricket cheaters Badale added: “What happened in punishment isn’t any- for just seven runs on admitting he was the conspiracy to cheat but also a per- tralian team. South Africa was clearly wrong, espe- where near what Cricket Sunday, Warner and involved in planning the ception that the Australian team are There was no shortage of cricketers cially given that it appears to have Australia is thinking,” Bancroft were loudly move at lunchtime with serial offenders in bending and break- * " ,*")($ )  and pundits ready to challenge that line. been pre-meditated. That said, this will tweeted former England booed by fans during “the leadership group”. ing the rules.  "        Fast bowler , who played AP be a difficult time for Steve as well,    +          starstar KeKevinvin PietePietersen.rsen. AustAustralia’sralia’s secosecond-nd- “I’“I’mm nonott pproudroud of AustraliaAustralia cacaptainptain S Smithmith an andd hi hiss t eamteam       in all five Tests of England’s recent 4-0 given how much he cares about the Smith,Smith, whose talents inningsinnings surrender. whatwhat hahappened.ppened. It’s not matesmates hhaveave beebeenn rrenderedendered fri friendlessendless in in    "    defeat in Australia, was one of them. SYDNEY: The cheating confession game.” " withwith tthehe bbatat hhaveave ddrawnrawn Australia’sAustralia’s aadmissiondmission inin tthehe spirit ooff t thehe gam game,”e,” thethe criccricketingketing worworldld sincesince h hee an andd Ca Cam-m- “I saw Steve Smith in his press confer- that scandalised a nation has trig- Smith is a hugely popular player breathlessbreathless comparisons of ccheatingheating bbroughtrought a hehe saisaid.d. eron Bancroft’sBancroft’s aadmissiondmission on SaturSaturdayday ence say it’s the first time they’ve tried it gered an investigation destined to in India and last year featured for Ris- * withwith Aussie ggreatreat Don firestormfirestorm ooff anangerger ddownown thatthat ttheyhey hhadad p plannedlanned to to tamper tamper wit withh -- which to me, it’s surprising why they’d go way deeper than merely ing Pune Supergiants alongside Bradman,Bradman, is not tthehe ononlyly upon them.them. the ball in the ththirdird TTestest ) change a method that’s been working,” scratching the surface of the culture England’s , who is also with man caughtcaught in the “We all woke upup againstagainsa t South Africa. - Broad told reporters in Auckland. within Australia’s cricket team. the Royals this year. crosshairs.crosshairs. thisthis morning “Look at the Ashes series we’ve just It was the scratching of a Australia’s senior opening batsman DavidDavid Warner alsoalso played, all those Test matches, and they’ve cricket ball’s leather surface that David Warner stepped down from the stood dodownwnf fromrom h hisis r roleole ( reverse-swung the ball sometimes in con- sparked the problems. vice-captain’s post over the scandal asas vice-cavice-captainptain on SunSun-- ditions you wouldn’t expect it to. I don’t And so a team that has por- but escaped punishment by the ICC. A dayday while questions      ,   understand why they’ve changed their trayed itself as the exemplar of decision on Warner’s role as skipper remainremain over coaccoachh DarDar-- ""#  $#  #  $  !  *& $ "  $ $   method for this one game. what constitutes “the spirit” of the of IPL side is ren LeLehmannhmann aalthoughlthough                            " “(But) there was no evidence that they game should expect nothing less awaited. Smith said thethe formerformer "   "      !     "    were doing this in the Ashes series, from than the scorn it has worn since AustralianAustralian ininternationalternational             what I’ve seen.” making a mockery of the rules. was nnotot invinvolvedolved in tthehe + $ ! Cricket Australia’s official complaint Not simply because Cameron ((& $& $   -+  $  conspiracy.conspiracy.      to their South African counterparts over Bancroft tried to tamper with the This video screenshot shows Australia’s Cameron Bancroft desperately “It’s“It’s bbeeneen a hhorribleorrible        "     " %    & verbal abuse aimed at their players by the ball during the third cricket Test Root does not  "   "   trying to conceal the evidence down the front of his trousers after 2424 houhoursrs -- I wwantant to &   $      !   crowd during the series was also seen as against South Africa in Cape Town tampering with the ball by using yellow sticky tape during the third apologiseapologise to our ffansans ))#   $#             ' hypocritical. over the weekend. But because Test against South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday. suspect of andand tthosehose back     N           "     There was a heated exchange at tea on captain Steve Smith and other team home,”home,” saisaidd Tim ##         - #   ""    the fourth day of the first Test in , leaders were involved in the con- ball-tampering Paine whowho was           "       (   ! when Warner accused South Africa wick- spiracy to cheat. updated on our findings and next handedhanded the stastand-nd-           "      etkeeper of making As Prime Minister Malcolm steps, as a matter of urgency,” Suth- OneThat’s of notBogut’s going first to happen. retweets during Ashes in skipperskipper rorolele on      N      ' ' *#/0 123 comments about his wife, Candice. Turnbull says, the Australian crick- erland said. following his cricket post refer- Sunday.Sunday. The Australian players accused their eters are role models “for the whole Traditional media and social enced another low point for the “We’re“We’re strug-strug- opponents of crossing the line in making nation who hold those who wear media have been swamped for two game, when then Australia captain REUTERS gling but the reality TheTh Times of India, the “Clearly Australian team’s track record personal comments while coach Darren the baggy green (cap) up on a days with people expressing shock Greg Chappell instructed his andand the enormitenormityy ooff cricketingcricke superpower’s best of its conduct on & off the field coming into Lehmann called the crowd behaviour pedestal.” and outrage at their team. Many brother, Trevor, to bowl an under- AUCKLAND: The ball tampering scandal what’s hahappenedppened has sellingselling English daily, called the play here,” former India Test batsman and “disgraceful”. “And cricket is synonymous Australians say that after taking arm to reduce any chance by Australia was disappointing for cricket probably started to sinksink Australia side “Repeat“Re Offenders”, listing television pundit Sanjay Manjrekar Lehmann was the same man who iden- with fair play,” he said. the moral high ground when it New Zealand had of winning a said England captain , but he was in.in. I dodon’tn’t ththinkink wwee six otherother controvecontroversial incidents they have tweeted. tified Broad as a target for crowds Down Not for now, at least under comes to cheating, they’re now one-day international in 1981. At unaware of Steve Smith’s side employing expected this to be as bigbig been involved in thet past. “(Cricket Australia) must not look at Under to abuse during the 2013 Ashes, close scrutiny. The International exposed to allegations of the time, the underarm bowl wasn’t similar tactics during the recent Ashes series. as it hhasas bbeen,een, t thehe f afall-outll-out TheThe news ooff t thehe stepping down of Smith this incident in isolation but see if this team which England lost 5-0. Cricket Council has banned Smith hypocrisy. outlawed, although the rules have Smith stood down from his post as cap- wewe hhaveave seeseenn frfromom bac backk and his vice cacaptainpt David Warner for the is creating the right image of its nation. “I’ve always been a bit of a believer, in from the fourth Test starting Fri- Some want Cricket Australia been rewritten. tain and was banned for one Test match by home.” remainderremainder of the Test won by the hosts They have a far more crucial role to play sport... if someone wants to take you on day in Johannesburg for his part in to fire Smith as captain. Others “They’ll be lucky if it only lin- the International Cricket Council (ICC) on Smith,Smith, aalsolso ddockedocked onon SunSundayday wwas the top story for the here than the ICC (International Cricket verbally... then you’re allowed to say some- bringing the sport into disrepute. have called for a life ban for the gers for three months. The Kiwis Sunday after admitting conspiring to tamper 100 percent of his dailydaily and wawas prominently placed on Council).” thing back,” Broad said. Bancroft was sanctioned for tam- No. 1-ranked batsman in Test still carry on as (if) the 1981 under- with the ball during the third Test against matchmatch fee by thethe ffrontront pages of most newspapers in Twitter users reminded the world of “Just from the outside, it looks like Aus- pering with the ball by rubbing it cricket. arm scandal was yesterday, and South Africa in Cape Town. the ICCICC,, IndiaIndia on MondaMonday.y Australia have always Smith’s “brain fade” during the second tralia have started a lot of fights and are with granules of dirt stuck to yel- Speculation became so intense that (though pretty dodgy) was Unsourced media reports in Britain have asserted they do notno use underhand means Test in India in Bengaluru last year when moaning when someone comes back. low tape. But the penalty isn’t about instant terminations yester- actually legal,” Karen Sweeney said that some England players had suspi- andand never cross ttheh ‘line’ -- be it in sledg- opposition captain stopped “Any England player, or probably enough to rule him out of the next day that Cricket Australia issued wrote in the post that Bogut cions over whether Australia had doctored inging opposition plplayersa on the field or the just short of calling his counterpart a media, that have toured Australia can laugh game. a statement saying no players had retweeted. the ball during their 4-0 series victory, but aggression they showsh towards them. “cheat”. at those comments really, because some That’s where the Australian been sent home from South Africa, Other international teams have Root quickly knocked that down TheThe perceptioperceptionn the rest of the world has Smith and partner Peter of the comments we hear on the pitch by public is demanding Cricket Aus- where the team trails 2-1 in a four- been found guilty of ball tamper- yesterday. is that the so-calso-calledl ‘line’ can soon shift Handscomb were caught looking towards Australian supporters. tralia step in. Test series. ing, and players everywhere “Not to my knowledge. I was not aware wwhenhen tthehe AustraAustralianl players are on the the area outside Australia’s dressing room, “Having toured South Africa, I know Consensus among fans and Andrew Bogut, the long-time concede that it happens. of any ball tampering,” Root told reporters receivingreceiving end. where television replays can be seen, it’s worse than South Africa.” former players was that the Cape NBA player who has represented Former England captain in Auckland after his side crashed to an Town episode was indefensible and Australia in basketball at three once used dirt in innings and 49-run loss to New Zealand in inexcusable. Opinions were divided Olympics, was in a minority offer- his pocket to rough up the ball. A the first Test. “I have enough to worry on what the ramifications should be. ing a counterpoint. Pakistan player attempted to bite about... but it’s disappointing for Cricket Australia chief execu- “Can the sports media do us all one side of the ball to make it and cricket in general.” tive James Sutherland flew to South a favour?? We will give you tomor- rougher. Current South Africa cap- England pace bowler Stuart Broad had Ball-tampering has always been part of the The decision made by the leadership group A little birdie tells Africa yesterday and was set to land row (Monday) and maybe even tain Faf du Plessis has twice been also said that he was unaware of any tam- game, so we should be careful not to get of the Australian team to act in this way is me that the weak one day after his chief integrity Tuesday, max, to rant and rave all charged with ball tampering - once pering by Australia’s bowlers, despite the too holier-than-thou. But what makes the clearly contrary to the spirit of the game, ICC punishment isn’t officer and his high-performance day about the Cricket cheating by scratching it with a zipper and fact they were able to get reverse swing in Australia’s Steve Smith Australians’ behaviour in Cape Town different risks causing significant damage to the anywhere near what manager arrived to start an urgent debacle. Then simmer it down.... another by putting his fingers in his conditions that were not usually conducive investigation. dont want to hear about (it) for the mouth while sucking candy and to being able to do so. from other instances, I believe, is the integrity of the match, the players and Cricket Australia “We know Australians want next 3 months,” Bogut posted on wiping the stickiness into the Root added that while the burden of premeditated nature of the crime: Former the sport itself and is therefore ‘serious’ in is thinking: Kevin answers and we will keep you Twitter. leather. responsibility for teams’ behaviour always England skipper Nasser Hussain nature: ICC Chief Executive David Richardson. Pietersen on Twitter. fell upon the captain, some of it rested with the players themselves. 34 SPORT TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018

Pakistan Astle mops up tail as Black Caps ignore Kamran claim historic pink ball Test win for WI T20s AFP REUTERS KARACHI: Pakistan yesterday AUCKLAND: Recalled leg- ignored in-form opener spinner Todd Astle captured two but included in the final session as three uncapped players in the New Zealand recorded an squad for next month’s three- innings and 49-run victory over match series against England in a day-night test at the West Indies in Karachi. Eden Park to take a 1-0 lead in Sarfraz Ahmed will captain the two-match series. the hosts in the matches played Astle, who was recalled to in Karachi on April 1, 2 and 3 replace the injured Mitchell -- the first ties between inter- Santner, had Craig Overton national sides to take place in trapped in front before he ended the port city since 2009. the test when Jimmy Anderson The 36-year-old Kamran was caught by Trent Boult at misses out despite notching mid-off to give New Zealand just 425 runs in 13 Pakistan Super their 10th test victory over League (PSL) matches, England. including a century and four Paceman Neil Wagner’s half-centuries for Peshawar short-pitched tactics proved Zalmi. But the selection com- effective again as he dismissed mittee led by former captain both Ben Stokes and Chris Inzamam-ul-Haq and head Woakes, who had each scored coach did not defiant half-centuries and include him due to his age and threatened to save the match for poor . the visitors. Two players from Wagner finished with 3-77, Islamabad United, who won while Boult, who took 6-32 in the the PSL by beating Peshawar first innings, took 3-67. Astle fin- Zalmi in Sunday’s final, were ished with 3-39. included in the squad -- Asif “It was a fantastic per- Ali and Hussain Talat. formance from us. If we go back ’ teenage to that first innings, we bowled New Zealand’s Todd Astle (centre) celebrates with team-mates after dismissing England’s James SCOREBOARD paceman Shaheen Shah Afridi Anderson to win the first Test match at the Eden Park in Auckland yesterday. great lengths and also got lucky ENGLAND first innings 58 also received a call-up. to find the edges,” New Zealand NEW ZEALAND first innings 427-8 dec Asif, 26, smashed three captain Kane Williamson said. years ago when New Zealand to score runs. While Dawid heading into the final session ENGLAND second innings sixes in one over to help “They fought really hard but were well placed to win the third Malan fell early, under lights at 300-7 and A. Cook c Watling b Boult ...... 2 Islamabad win the final and it was great we were able to fight test against England at the same and Moeen Ali were involved in needing to survive another 31 M. Stoneman c Boult b Wagner ...... 55 impressed with his power the pressure and come through.” ground. small but fruitful partnerships overs, but when Astle struck J. Root c Watling b Boult ...... 51 hitting throughout the PSL. New Zealand would have felt The tourists entered the final with Stokes as the visitors ate up early to dismiss Overton, the D. Malan c Latham b Southee ...... 23 Talat, 22, is an exciting all- aggrieved if the match ended in day on 90-4 facing an time and ticked down the overs. victory was in sight. B. Stokes c Southee b Wagner ...... 66 rounder who bats left-handed. J. Bairstow c Williamson b Astle ...... 26 a draw after they destroyed improbable task of scoring Stokes and Woakes then “We weren’t good enough, M. Ali lbw Boult ...... 28 Shaheen, a tall left-arm England in the first innings, another 391 runs in 90 overs to defied New Zealand’s bowlers simple as that really,” England C. Woakes c Nicholls b Wagner ...... 52 paceman, took 5-4 against them out for a record win the match. for the entire middle session with captain Joe Root said. C. Overton lbw Astle ...... 3 Sultan in one PSL low of 58 against the Black Caps , however, scored 75 a patient, low-risk partnership “It’s very difficult to get back S. Broad ...... 1 match. inside 90 minutes on the first while wicketkeeper of 83 in almost 31 overs. into the test match after such a J. Anderson c Boult b Astle ...... 1 SQUAD: Sarfraz Ahmed day. produced a rearguard 110 not out The left-handed Stokes, poor start. I thought the char- Extras: (b8, lb2, w1, nb1) ...... 12 (captain), , Persistent rain, however, and protected last man Monty however, chased a short Wagner acter of the dressing room and Total: (for 10 wickets; 126.1 overs) ...... 320 Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam, washed out virtually two days of Panesar to ensure the match and delivery outside off stump in the the efforts today were Fall: 1-6, 2-94, 3-132, 4-142, 5-181, 6-217, 7-300, , Asif Ali, Hussain 8-304, 9-319, 10-320 play, with England bowling just series ended in a draw. final over before the dinner fantastic.” Talat, Faheem Ashraf, Bowling: Boult 27-9-67-3, Southee 26-4-86-1, de 23.1 overs on the second day and Yesterday, England began break and only succeeded in The second match, a tradi- Grandhomme 24-10-40-0 (1nb), Wagner 32-11-77-3 Mohammad Nawaz, Shadab 17 deliveries on the third. the day on 132-3 and like the hitting the ball to at tional red-ball day game, is at (1w), Astle 16.1-5-39-3, Williamson 1-0-1-0 Khan, Mohammad Amir, Hasan The final day had been eerily 2013 match, their primary goal backward point to be out for 66. in Christchurch Result: New Zealand won by innings and 49 runs Ali, Rahat Ali, Usman Khan similar to a match from five was to play for time, rather than His left England from March 30-April 3. Shinwari, Shaheen Shah Afridi. CA launches ball-tampering probe Sponsors ‘deeply REUTERS concerned’ over SYDNEY: Cricket Australia (CA) are hoping to share the results of Australia scandal their investigation into the ball- AFP tampering scandal within a couple of days as they look to take control of a story that has plunged the SYDNEY: Cricket Australia was under mounting pressure country into turmoil. to act decisively from key sponsors Monday who voiced Steve Smith stood down from “deep concern” over a cheating scandal that has rocked the his post as captain and was banned sport and damaged its reputation. for one Test match by the Inter- Captain Steve Smith admitted he hatched a plan to national Cricket Council (ICC) on change the condition of the ball during the third Test against Sunday after admitting conspiring South Africa in Cape Town on Saturday, throwing the game to tamper with the ball during the into turmoil. third Test against South Africa in He was stood down from his role as skipper for the Cape Town. remainder of the match then banned for one game by the The incident has been met International Cricket Council, with CA conducting its own with astonishment in Australia, Cricket Australia’s CEO James investigation. with the protagonists -- Smith, his Sutherland speaks to media The crisis couldn’t have come at a worse time for the vice captain David Warner and in Melbourne on Sunday, after governing body, which is renegotiating a lucrative TV deal, opening batsman Cameron Ban- addressing the issue of Australia’s with the existing Aus$600m five-year agreement expiring croft -- lambasted in the media ball-tampering charges laid during at the end of the year. under headlines almost universally their cricket Test match against There are concerns that broadcasters could use the con- trumpeting the word “Shame”. South Africa in Cape Town. troversy as a bargaining chip. Cricket Australia (CA) chief Sponsors of the team made clear yesterday they were executive James Sutherland said not happy, amid fears of the fallout on their brands. he would be heading over to South in South Africa until the investi- scenario where he stays in the job. Down Under, Australia’s major “This is deeply disappointing and certainly not what Africa later on Monday to join gation was concluded even though This is a train wreck. cricket sponsors, including Qantas anyone expects from our national cricket team,” airline integrity chief Iain Roy, who is he would be unable to play in the “This was pre-planned Airways, breakfast cereal maker Qantas, whose logo is on the team shirts in South Africa, told conducting the investigation. fourth Test in Johannesburg later cheating. It may have been imple- Sanitarium and brewer Lion, have AFP. “We are in discussions with Cricket Australia as this “I am travelling to Johan- this week. mented by a junior player in said they were assessing their rela- issue unfolds.” nesburg this evening and will The story continued to dom- Cameron Bancroft but it came tionship with Cricket Australia. Financial giant Commonwealth Bank, which sponsors arrive Tuesday morning local time inate the major newspapers in with the backing and knowledge It could not have come at a the national women’s team, said it wanted a full to meet Iain to understand the Australia and abroad with Aus- of ‘the leadership group’, a core worse time for the governing body explanation. findings of the investigation to that tralia’s belief of playing the sport of senior guys in the Australian as CA are at the climax of talks “We are disappointed about the events that have point, and to determine recom- ‘hard but fair’ in complete tatters. set-up.” about a five-year broadcast rights emerged from the third Test in South Africa and have asked mended outcomes,” Sutherland Smith, widely accepted as the of India, the crick- deal with Australian television for a full explanation from Cricket Australia following the said in a statement. world’s best batsman of the eting superpower’s best selling networks. conclusion of its investigation into this affair,” it told AFP. “We know Australians want current generation, has been English daily, called the Australia Independent media analyst CA’s head of integrity Iain Roy and head of team per- answers and we will keep you reduced to a villain, with former side “Repeat Offenders”, listing six Peter Cox said the ball-tampering formance Pat Howard were dispatched to South Africa to updated on our findings and next Australian cricketers deeming his other controversial incidents they scandal could prove disastrous for find out what went on and who knew about it. steps, as a matter of urgency.” return to lead the team as have been involved in the past. cricket’s reputation and negoti- The team’s biggest sponsor, fund manager Magellan, Cricket Australia Chairman untenable. The news of the stepping ating clout in Australia. told the Australian Financial Review: “We’re deeply con- David Peever said the body “Steve Smith’s time as Aus- down of Smith and Warner from “It could not have possibly cerned about it, it involves cheating, in no way would we expected to be able to “fully update tralia’s captain is surely up,” their leadership roles was the top come at a worse time,” Cox told condone it in what we do.” the Australian public on the former fast bowler and possible story for the daily and promi- Reuters in a phone interview. “The Magellan’s Hamish Douglass added that it was appro- findings” on Wednesday morning future Australia coach Jason nently placed on the front pages individual incident will eventually priate for CA to respond “quickly”. Australia time. Gillespie wrote for Guardian of most newspapers in India blow over but they will lose a Jaimie Fuller, executive chairman of the Skins com- Smith, Cricket Australia said Australia. yesterday. segment of the viewing market pression wear group of companies, said CA’s reputation was earlier on Monday, would remain “It is impossible to envisage a In more trouble for the game because of this.” on the line in how it responds. TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018 SPORT 35

Atlanta Hawks’ forward Taurean Prince Baseball: Prized (12) shoots the ball as Houston Rockets’ centre Clint Capela (15) defends during the second quarter of their NBA game prospect Kingery, at Toyota Centre. Phillies reach 6-year contract

AP

NEW YORK: The Philadelphia Phillies are banking on young Scott Kingery. A prized prospect who has never played in the majors, Kingery reached a six-year deal with the Phillies that takes him through the 2023 season. The contract includes three team options running through 2026. Multiple media reports said Kingery was guaranteed more than $23m. The 23-year-old Kingery is batting.392 in 20 spring training games and is tied for the Grapefruit League lead with 20 hits. Kingery hit a combined.304 with 26 home runs and 29 steals as a second baseman for Triple-A Lehigh Valley and Double-A Reading last year. He was a second-round pick in the 2015 draft from the Uni- versity of Arizona. Kingery is regarded as the best second-base prospect in baseball. The Phillies currently have Cesar Hernandez as their starting second baseman, so Kingery has also seen time at third base this spring and worked in the outfield. Coming off a 66-96 record and last-place finish in the NL East, the Phillies have been aggressive going into this season. They recently signed former NL Cy Young Award winner Jake Arrieta after previ- ously adding slugger Carlos Santana. NATIONALS 4, CARDINALS 2 NBA: Indiana Pacers seal Washington starter Stephen Strasburg struck out 10 in his final tuneup, pitching 5 2/3 innings and giving up two runs on three hits and three walks. Michael A. Taylor and Matt Adams homered for the Nationals. Bryce Harper went hitless in three trips and is batting.283. Tommy Pham had two hits, scoring twice for St. Louis. play-off berth in style ASTROS 6, MARLINS (SS) 2 Carlos Correa, Marwin Gonzalez and Brian McCann homered for Houston and Dallas Keuchel gave up two runs in five innings. Odrisamer REUTERS for a third consecutive game. Montrezl Harrell had 19 minutes off the bench for the Despaigne pitched four innings for Miami’s split squad, allowing two Taurean Prince and Isaiah points and Milos Teosodic added Spurs, who saw their six-game runs and two hits. NEW YORK: Victor Oladipo Taylor scored 28 and 26 points, 15 points for the Clippers, who winning streak end. METS 4, MARLINS (SS) 3 scored 23 points, including a key respectively, for the Hawks, who have won two of three after Jazz 110, Warriors 91 Yoenis Cespedes hit his sixth spring homer, Jay Bruce also con- overtime 3-pointer, to lead the were without Dennis Schroder losing four straight. Joe Ingles, Donovan Mitchell nected and Amed Rosario had two hits, including a two-run triple for Indiana Pacers to a 113-107 (ankle). Jonas Valanciunas had 16 and Ricky Rubio hit 3-pointers New York. Steven Matz threw four shutout innings, striking out four victory over the Miami Heat on Celtics 104, Kings 93 points and 10 rebounds, Fred during an 18-3 flurry to start the and allowing two hits and a walk. Sunday in Indianapolis. Terry Rozier scored a VanVleet had 16 points and second half as Utah pulled away ORIOLES 6, PHILLIES 5 Darren Collison scored eight career-high 33 points, including Pascal Siakam added 15 to lead from short-handed Golden State. Maikel Franco hit his sixth homer and Rhys Hoskins hit his fifth of his 12 points in overtime as a tiebreaking 3-pointer with 8:53 the Raptors, who lost for the Utah, which had a 12-game for Philadelphia and Roman Quinn stole his ninth base, most in the the Pacers clinched a play-off remaining that gave Boston the third time in five games. road winning streak snapped majors this spring. Chance Sisco and Ruben Tejada both had two hits spot with the win. The result also lead for good at Sacramento. Trail Blazers 108, Thunder Friday in an overtime loss at San and scored a run for Baltimore. Sisco, competing with Caleb Joseph sealed a post-season berth for Rozier’s game-high point 105 Antonio, regained its winning for the starting job at catcher, is hitting.429. the idle Philadelphia 76ers. total included a career-best eight CJ McCollum scored 14 of his ways away from home en route RAYS 11, YANKEES 1 Thaddeus Young contributed 3-pointers as he single-handedly 34 points in the fourth quarter to the 23rd victory in its past 27 Carlos Gomez hit one of Tampa Bay’s six home runs and C J Cron 22 points and nine rebounds, out-scored the Kings 24-21 from as Portland got past host games. Mitchell scored a game- had two hits. Meanwhile, Yankees first baseman Greg Bird is set to and Bojan Bogdanovic added 18 beyond the arc in Boston’s third Oklahoma City. high 21 points. see a specialist in New York for inflammation in his right foot. points for the Pacers. consecutive win. Damian Lillard added 24 Playing without injured stars RED SOX 6, TWINS 1 Tyler Johnson led the Heat Reserve Buddy Hield had points for the Trail Blazers, who Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, Mookie Betts hit a pair of home runs and walked, driving in three with 19 points, including 12 in the three of the Kings’ seven snapped a two-game losing Kevin Durant and Draymond runs and scoring three for Boston. J.D. Martinez had three hits and an first quarter. James Johnson 3-pointers and a team-high 21 streak. Jusuf Nurkic had 17 points Green, the Warriors fell for the RBI for the Red Sox, while Andrew Benintendi homered for a fourth added 15 points and Bam points. and 12 rebounds for Portland, fifth time in 11 games in March, time. Adebayo 14 for Miami. Dwyane Cavaliers 121, Nets 114 which swept its season series their losingest month in the TIGERS 10, BRAVES 3 Wade had 13 points and seven LeBron James totaled 37 with Oklahoma City 4-0. Steve Kerr era. Detroit starter Michael Fulmer pitched two-hit ball for seven assists off the bench. points, 10 rebounds and eight Russell Westbrook collected Quinn Cook led Golden State shutout innings, Miguel Cabrera homered and Jose Iglesias had three Rockets 118, Hawks 99 assists, and Cleveland made the 23 points, nine assists, eight with 17 points. hits for Detroit. Mike Foltynewicz’s final spring start for Atlanta lasted James Harden posted his plays down the stretch to win at rebounds and four steals for Knicks 101, Wizards 97 just two innings after he surrendered six runs on eight hits. fourth triple-double of the Brooklyn. Oklahoma City. Steven Adams Trey Burke scored a game- PIRATES 7, BLUE JAYS 4 season, and Houston parlayed Kevin Love added 20 points had 18 points and 10 rebounds high 19 points as New York Francisco Cervelli had two hits, including his fourth homer, driving torrid 3-point shooting into a and 15 rebounds for his 29th for the Thunder. defeated host Washington. in three runs and scoring twice for Pittsburgh. Jose Osuna hit his fifth victory over visiting Atlanta. double-double of the season as Bucks 106, Spurs 103 Burke, who played 57 games home run for the Pirates. Houston extended its Cleveland shot 50.6 percent Giannis Antetokounmpo had for the Wizards last season, INDIANS 6, REDS 4 winning streak to nine games. from the floor. 25 points and 10 rebounds and started for the first time with the Jose Ramirez had three hits and Yonder Alonso added a two-run The Rockets converted 14 of Joe Harris scored a career- Eric Bledsoe finished with 23 Knicks and came up with a big double for Cleveland. Josh Tomlin pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed 28 3-point attempts in the first high 30 points, but the Nets lost points to lead Milwaukee past three-point play with 35 seconds two runs on three hits. Luis Castillo pitched five innings for Cincinnati half to build their advantage. for the 14th time when holding visiting San Antonio. left that gave New York a 97-95 and gave up four runs on seven hits and two walks. They finished 20 of 52 from a lead or being tied going into Coming off a career-high, lead. MARINERS 11, PADRES 7 long range while extending their the fourth quarter. 45-point performance in an Burke added a free throw Nelson Cruz had two hits, including his second homer for Seattle. home-court winning streak to Clippers 117, Raptors 106 overtime victory over Utah with 18 seconds remaining, and Robinson Cano doubled and is batting.406 while Dan Vogelbach also 16 games. Lou Williams had 26 points Friday night, LaMarcus Aldridge the Knicks held on for the upset. doubled and scored after learning he’ll break camp with the big league Harden tallied 18 points, 10 and Tobias Harris added 20, and paced San Antonio with 34 The Wizards, who were led club. rebounds and 15 assists to help Los Angeles opened the fourth points. by 14 points from Bradley Beal, CUBS 5, ROYALS 3 steer the Rockets, who were quarter with a big run to post a Pau Gasol scored 22 points are just 4-8 in their past 12 Kyle Hendricks pitched four scoreless innings in his final tuneup without Chris Paul (hamstring) win at Toronto. and grabbed 13 rebounds in 24 games. for Chicago, allowing one hit and issuing two walks. Ben Zobrist had a pair of doubles for the Cubs, scoring a run. Jets wrap up play-off bid Tampa Bay Rays’ starting pitcher Blake Snell AFP past Wild goalie Alex Stalock 28 seconds into game-winning goal 1:21 into overtime as (4) throws a pitch during the first inning of overtime. David Pastrnak scored a second- Anaheim overcame a big night from Connor a Spring Training baseball game against the NEW YORK: Mark Scheifele scored in a period goal for the Bruins, and evened the McDavid and posted an impressive victory Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park on Saturday. shootout and Connor Hellebuyck made it score for the Wild midway through the third. at Edmonton. stand up by stopping all three attempts as Marchand finished with a goal and an The Ducks gained a point in their sixth the Winnipeg Jets clinched a play-off berth assist, giving him a five-point weekend in straight game after Adam Henrique netted with a 5-4 victory over the visiting Nashville which he had a hand in all five goals over the tying goal with 89 seconds left in regu- Predators on Sunday night. two games. He tied the record for most lation on his second tip-in of the night. Kyle Connor had a goal and two assists, overtime goals in one season, also held by McDavid scored Edmonton’s first goal Bryan Little and Blake Wheler each had a Steven Stamkos, Jonathan Toews and Alex and set up two others, increasing his season goal and an assist, and Dustin Byfuglien also Galchenyuk. points total to 99. He is four points ahead of scored for Winnipeg, which won its fifth con- Penguins 5, Flyers 4 (OT) Tampa Bay’s Nikita Kucherov for the league secutive game with its NHL-best 29th home Bryan Rust redirected a Sidney Crosby lead. win. Hellebuyck finished with 32 saves. shot into the net 2:25 into overtime, giving Canucks 4, Stars 1 Viktor Arvidsson, Kyle Turris and Ryan host Pittsburgh a victory over Philadelphia. Reid Boucher scored a goal and added Ellis each had a goal and an assist and Roman Crosby shot the puck from the left wing, and an assist as visiting Vancouver beat Dallas. Josi and also scored for Nashville, which Rust sent it past goalie Petr Mrazek from right The Canucks earned only their second moved a point ahead of the Tampa Bay in front. win in the past 10 games. It was only Van- Lightning for the NHL’s top total. Predators Derick Brassard, Patric Hornqvist, Evgeni couver’s second win in the past 16 meetings goalie Juuse Saros made 43 saves. Malkin and Crosby scored in regulation for with Dallas. Bruins 2, Wild 1 (OT) the Penguins, and Justin Schultz notched The Stars took their eighth straight loss Brad Marchand scored his fifth overtime three assists. Travis Sanheim, Brandon and saw their flickering playoff hopes fade goal of the season and Tuukka Rask made Manning, Jordan Weal and Sean Couturier further. 24 saves as Boston beat Minnesota in Saint (the tying goal with 43 seconds left in regu- Vancouver goaltender Jacob Markstrom Paul. lation) scored for the Flyers. finished with 30 saves on 31 shots, while Marchand, sprung by Torey Krug, zipped Ducks 5, Oilers 4 (OT) Dallas netminder Kari Lehtonen blocked 23 down the wing and ripped a top-corner shot Hampus Lindholm scored the of 26 shots. TUESDAY 27 MARCH 2018 SPORT 36

I think I’m playing good. I can 4.30PM 5:00PM play even better, but I need to NBA FOOTBALL Juan Martin del Potro get confidence playing on this Philadelphia vs Mini-Series: vs talks about his court, trying to keep winning Denver LIVE ON Argentina matches. But it is not easy. current form. Live on beIN HD 1 TV Live on beIN HD 2

Marin Cilic of Croatia serves against Vasek Pospisil of Miami Open: Canada during the Miami Open in Key Biscayne, Florida. Cilic and AFP MIAMI: Former US Open champions Marin Cilic and Juan Martin del Potro powered into the fourth round of the Miami Open yesterday with straight-sets victories. Argentina’s fifth-seeded Del Potro, chasing his second ATP Masters title in as Del Potro many weeks, breezed past Japan’s Kei Nishikori 6-2, 6-2. Ranked sixth in the world after vanquishing Swiss great Roger Federer in the final at Indian Wells last weekend, Del Potro needed just 73 minutes to book a fourth- round meeting with Filip Krajinovic of Serbia, who beat France’s Benoit Paire 6-3, reach 6-3. Second-seeded Cilic also reached the fourth round with a 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) victory over Canadian Vasek Pospisil. Cilic produced six aces and saved all three break points he faced. But Pospisil made him work to finish it off, save three match points on his own serve in the 12th game of the second set. fourth round “It was a relief at the end,” Cilic admitted. “I had those three match points at 6-5 and there was that great rally at deuce. I was playing really well in the tie-break, returning really well and serving really good. I saved the best for last and I’m really pleased with the victory.” Cilic will face 14th-seeded American John Isner for a quarter-final berth. Isner defeated Russian veteran Mikhail Youzhny 6-4, 6-3. Cilic and Del Potro are the biggest names left in a field lacking star power thanks to the early exits of Federer and Novak Djokovic and the injury absences of Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray. Third-seeded Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria joined the exodus as he fell 6-4, 6-4 to unseeded Frenchman Jeremy Chardy. “It was a relief at the end. Del Potro, the hottest player on the ATP tour right now, is actually in search of a third straight ATP crown after back-to-back victories in Acapulco and Indian Wells. I had those three match His win in the California desert was his first in a Masters 1000 event, a welcome points at 6-5 and there milestone after a succession of injury setbacks almost forced him into retirement in was that great rally at 2015. deuce. I was playing really “I think I’m playing good,” Del Potro said after his 13th straight match win. “I can play even better, but I need to get confidence playing in this court, trying to keep well in the tie-break, winning matches. returning really well and “But it’s not easy,” he added. “My body starts to feel tight because of all my serving really good. I success.” saved the best for last and In other third-round action, South Korean Chung Hyeon posted a convincing 6-1, I’m really pleased with the 6-1 victory over American qualifier Michael Mmoh. Chung, who has yet to drop a set in Miami, needed just 63 minutes to advance to a meeting with Portugal’s Joao Sousa, victory,” says Marin Cilic. who rallied for a 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over American Jared Donaldson.

WTA and ATP Miami Open results

Venus outlasts Bertens, MIAMI: Results at the WTA and ATP Miami Open tournament (x denotes seeding):

Men’s Third Round

Juan Martin del Potro (ARG x5) bt Kei Nishikori (JPN x26) 6-2, 6-2 gets ready to play Konta Filip Krajinovic (SRB x22) bt Benoit Paire (FRA) 6-3, 6-3 Jeremy Chardy (FRA) bt Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x3) 6-4, 6-4 AFP reach the fourth round, where the 26-year- Joao Sousa (POR) bt Jared Donaldson (USA) 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 old will try to get past the last 16 of a tour- Chung Hyeon (KOR x19) bt Michael Mmoh (USA) 6-1, 6-1 MIAMI: Three-time winner Venus Williams nament for the first time this season. John Isner (USA x14) bt Mikhail Youzhny (RUS) 6-4, 6-3 (pictured right) saved three match points Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina and Marin Cilic (CRO x2) bt Vasek Pospisil (CAN) 7-5, 7-6 (7/4) in a three-set victory over Kiki Bertens sixth-seeded Jelena Ostapenko, the Milos Raonic (CAN x20) bt Diego Schwartzman (ARG x13) 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 yesterday, lining up a fourth-round clash reigning French Open champion, also with reigning champion Johanna Konta at advanced, as did 2016 Olympic gold Women’s Third Round the Miami Open. medalist Monica Puig. Williams, ranked eighth in the world, Ukraine’s Svitolina beat Daria Jelena Ostapenko (LAT x6) bt Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) labored nearly three hours to beat 29th- Gavrilova 4-6, 6-0, 6-1, her fourth straight Petra Kvitova (CZE x9) bt Sofia Kenin (USA) 3-6, 6-2, 6-4 ranked Bertens 5-7, 6-3, 7-5. win over the Australian. Ashleigh Barty (AUS x21) bt Petra Martic (CRO) 6-4, 6-3 The 37-year-old American was cruising In a match of tense rallies Svitolina fin- Elina Svitolina (UKR x4) bt Daria Gavrilova (AUS x26) 4-6, 6-0, 6-1 with a 5-0 lead in the opening set, but she ished with 28 winners and won 70 percent Venus Williams (USA x8) bt Kiki Bertens (NED x29) 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 squandered three set points as Bertens of her first-serve points. Johanna Konta (GBR x11) bt Elise Mertens (BEL x22) 6-2, 6-1 reeled off seven straight games to snatch Svitolina will battle for a quarter-final Danielle Collins (USA) bt Donna Vekic (CRO) 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 it. berth against another Australian, 21st- Monica Puig (PUR) bt Maria Sakkari (GRE) 6-3, 7-5 The second set was another streaky seeded Ashleigh Barty, who beat Croatia’s affair, but Williams gained a decisive break Petra Martic 6-4, 6-3. for a 5-3 lead and fought off a break point Latvian Ostapenko defeated Brazilian Jeremy Chardy of France plays in the next game to force the decider. Beatriz Haddad Maia 6-2, 7-6 (7/2). She led a forehand shot against Grigor The seven-time Grand Slam champion by a set and a break before Haddad Maia Dimitrov of Bulgaria in their third- would have to dig deep when she fell 1-4 battled back to level the set. round match at the Miami Open. down to her Dutch opponent in the third. Ostapenko twice served to avoid a third Bertens served for the match at 5-3 but set. She fell behind 0-2 in the tiebreaker was unable to convert two match points before winning seven straight points for as Williams broke to put the match back the victory. on serve. “In the tie-break, I showed my great Williams would face one more match Konta, whose victory here last year tennis, and I won the match,” Ostapenko point against her own serve in the next propelled her into the top 10 in the world said. game, but she held on as Bertens appeared rankings, advanced with relative ease, “I’m really glad it happened that way,” to struggle with cramps in the final games. beating Belgian Elise Mertens 6-2, 6-1. she said. Williams sealed the win with an emphatic Konta exchanged early breaks with She next faces ninth-seeded Czech forehand winner, giving a little leap of Mertens, but gained the upper hand with Petra Kvitova, who rallied for a 3-6, 6-2, elation. a break for 3-2 when the Belgian double 6-4 victory over American qualifier Sofia “It didn’t look good sometimes, that’s faulted four times in one game. Kenin. why you keep playing until the last point,” It launched a streak of four straight Puerto Rico’s Puig followed up her said Williams, who lifted the trophy in games for Konta that gave the Briton the upset of second-seeded Australian Open Miami in 1998, 1999 and 2001. “And that’s opening set. champion Caroline Wozniacki with a 6-3, why I love this game.” She powered through the second to 7-5 victory over Greece’s Maria Sakkari.