SPORTS SATURDAY, AUGUST 13, 2016 licks lips on ‘spinners’ paradise’

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews predicted more trouble ahead yesterday for Australia’s beleaguered batsmen in the final Test, saying the pitch in Colombo would be a “spinners’ paradise”. Mathews’ side have already taken an unassailable 2-0 lead in the three-match series and now have the chance to register their first whitewash against a major team since gaining Test status in 1981. Australia’s batsmen have found Sri Lanka’s trio of spinners- Rangana Herath, Dilruwan Perera and Lakshan Sandakan- unplayable at times and have only scored one half- between them in the first two Tests. The Sinhalese Sports Club (SSC) is traditionally a high-scoring venue but Mathews expected it to assist his spinners from the off as he made clear Sri Lanka were in no mood to go easy on their visitors. “It’s going to be a turner. SSC traditionally has been good for batting, but since late it has helped spin bowling a lot,” Mathews told reporters on the eve of the match. “It will turn from day one and it will be a spinners’ paradise once again.” After being soundly beaten in the first two Tests in Pallekele and Galle, the Australians are now in danger of losing their status as Test ’s number one ranked side if they go down 3-0. “We are not satisfied with 2-0 we need to go for a 3- 0 whitewash,” Mathews said. “We are excited. Everyone is geared up and not taken the foot off the gas. “We have trained extremely hard in the last couple of days. Hopefully LONDON: ’s Asad Shafiq (R) bats during play on the second day of the fourth match between we can go out there once again and beat the Aussies again.” England and Pakistan at the Oval. —AFP Mathews indicated that Sri Lanka, who have been troubled by the recent injuries to their fast bowlers, could call up medium- pacer Suranga Lakmal in place of Vishwa Fernando in their Shafiq leads Pakistan starting XI.

Voges injury doubt His opposite number Steve Smith held back from naming resistance in 4th Test his line-up as he revealed that batsman Adam Voges was an injury doubt. “We will wait till the toss. We are waiting on LONDON: Asad Shafiq put the disappoint- Shah, on 21, edged the all-rounder to gully seven-the hardest of all the three chances Adam Voges who has some issues with his hamstring from ment of a pair last time out behind him only for Alex Hales to drop the two-hand- England had missed come tea. Azhar, on the last game, so we will see how it goes,” Smith said. with a stylish unbeaten half-century as ed catch. But having done his nightwatch- 35, was then given a reprieve when he Australia, who were handed a ceremonial mace at the start of Pakistan made inroads into England’s first- man duty by getting through the first pushed a drive back at Finn only for the 6ft the series to mark their ascent to the top of the Test rankings, innings lead in the fourth Test at The Oval. hour, Shah fell for 26 when he nicked fast 7in bowler to drop the low chance despite could be overtaken by both England and India by the time Pakistan were 196 for three in reply to bowler Steven Finn to second slip, where getting both hands to the ball, with they return home. England’s 328 at tea on Friday’s second Joe Root held a juggling catch that ended Pakistan then 91 for two. With blue and A whitewash would revive unfortunate memories of their day, a deficit of 132 runs, as they battled to a stand of 49 and left Pakistan 52 for two. sunny skies, allied to a good pitch, offering last tour of the sub-continent in 2013, when they lost all four square the four-match series at 2-2. Shafiq avoided a third straight nought some of the best batting conditions of the Tests against India in a series which was marred by a spat Shafiq was 79 not and 26 by getting off the mark with a cover-dri- series, it was a miss England could ill afford. between senior players. Smith played down the significance not out, their unbroken stand so far worth ven four off Finn. England had to re- Pakistan were 97 for two at lunch, with of losing the number one spot to India or England, who are 69 runs. Shafiq, dropped on seven, had arrange their cordon after , Azhar 36 not out and Shafiq unbeaten on leading their respective series against the West Indies and twice been out for nought during usually at third slip for the quicks, was 24. Shafiq lofted Ali for six over long-on but Pakistan. “I haven’t really thought about the ranking to be England’s 141-run win in the third Test at unable to field close in after suffering a fin- Azhar fell one shy of a fifty when he gloved perfectly honest with you,” Smith said. Edgbaston last week. Pakistan resumed on ger injury trying to take a catch at an attempted sweep against the off-spin- “It’s been a disappointing series from all aspects so far, so three for one following the loss of opener Edgbaston. Vince, still playing at The Oval ner and was caught behind by - this is another opportunity to play in the sub-continent on Sami Aslam late on Thursday after but stationed away from the bat, saw his keeper Jonny Bairstow, although it needed what looks like another tough wicket. “I dare say it will take a England’s middle-order, led by ’s place at third slip taken by James a review to confirm the dismissal. Azhar bit of spin like the last two ones. So for us we haven’t been 108, had bailed the side out from their lat- Anderson when England’s all-time leading faced 113 balls, including nine fours, and good enough on these so far.” Despite their struggles est top-order collapse after captain wicket-taker wasn’t bowling. added 75 for the third wicket with Shafiq. in the first two Tests in Pallekele and Galle, Smith said Alastair Cook had won the toss. But Shafiq did get to fifty, in 75 balls, when Australia’s batsmen would still play with a positive mindset. Azhar, promoted to open after his cen- Fielding issues he expertly late cut Ali for the seventh four “You have to think proactively. If you sit there and try and tury at Edgbaston, and nightwatchman Poor close catching had mainly been a of his innings. Flags above The Oval pavil- defend all day, one’s going to have your name on it. So you Yasir Shah were both nought not out. Pakistan problem this series but Woakes ion flew at half-mast in honor of legendary have to be willing to play with a bit of courage to take the Chris Woakes was denied his customary was again denied a wicket when a diving Pakistan batsman Hanif Mohammad, who game on,” said Smith. -— AFP wicket in the first over of a spell when Anderson at third slip dropped Shafiq on died aged 81 on Thursday. — AFP Conte puts spotlight on Chelsea flops

LONDON: As Antonio Conte gesticulated season tour, the 47-year-old’s ferocious work Conte won three consecutive Serie A titles to this situation is to think of the present,” Conte wildly on the touchline, the Chelsea manager ethic quickly became clear. Conte used a go with the five he earned as a player in Turin. said. “There are problems and we are here to felt his voice cracking and took a moment to megaphone to shout instructions at his play- solve them. The situation is not easy. It is register a sensation that spells bad news for ers during the early days of his managerial Fractured important to stay together in this moment.” his club’s underachieving stars. Possessing a career and although he hasn’t gone to that It is that ability to make an immediate Cesc Fabregas, Diego Costa and Oscar were menacing glare that suggests he isn’t to be extreme at Chelsea yet, the Italian has made impact that most appealed to Chelsea owner among those reported to have fallen out of trifled with, the no-nonsense Conte has swag- his feelings known as vocally as possible and Roman Abramovich, who is betting the new love with Mourinho, but Conte seems unlikely gered into Stamford Bridge determined to his throat has taken the brunt of those tirades. boss can heal a fractured dressing room that to soothe any bruised egos. shake up a squad that went stale during their “I like to follow the training session with spiraled out of control last season. Amid wide- After assessing their performances in pre- woeful Premier League title defense-even if it my voice. To call at them and explain my rea- spread reports that several key players were season, Conte has already learnt enough to means he loses his voice in the process. sons and my ideas of football. During the so tired of previous boss Jose Mourinho’s know who he can trust and he struck a stern After two years in charge of the Italian game it can be very difficult for my throat,” hardline style that they effectively downed note when asked about his transfer plans fol- national team, Conte is making the most of said former Juventus midfielder Conte, whose tools, Conte has arrived to find a squad in des- lowing a friendly win over AC Milan. “I think his return to the day to day cut and thrust of reputation for tenacity during his playing perate need of fresh motivation. this match told me a lot - about the players club management. Drilling his new players for days has followed him into the dug-out. Hired “When you finish 10th it means there are who can go on loan or we can sell. It was up to six hours on the training pitch in the by Juventus in 2011 after earning his manage- problems. Don’t forget the past because it important because I have a more clear idea blazing California heat during Chelsea’s pre- rial stripes with promotions at Bari and Siena, teaches us a lot but the important thing in than before,” he said. —AFP