SPORT Wednesday 4 April 2018

PAGEPA | 30 PAGE | 32-33 PAGE | 36 Fit-againFit-aga Messi All eyes on Woods at England’s Rootot llikelyikel to start Masters practice as looks forwardd agaagainstin Roma tension builds after losses Ronaldo shines as Real beat Juventus

AP Real Madrid’s Portuguese forward Bayern rally Cristiano Ronaldo scores his second TURIN: Cristiano Ronaldo scored goal against Juventus during the past Sevilla a stunning overhead kick for his UEFA Champions League quarter-final second goal of the night to help Real first leg football match played at the with two Madrid beat 10-man Juventus 3-0 Allianz Stadium in Turin yesterday. in the first leg of their Champions League quarterfinal on Tuesday. away goals Ronaldo’s first goal came in the third minute and was helped by AP Juve’s defensive lapses, but his second was pure mastery and his SEVILLE, SPAIN: With overhead kick had the entire the help of two deflected stadium on their feet in shots, Bayern Munich appreciation. came from behind to beat In the process, Ronaldo became Sevilla 2-1 yesterday in the first player in Champions the first leg of the UEFA League history to score in 10 suc- Champions League cessive matches. quarter-finals. The Portugal international also After being outplayed set up Madrid’s third, for Marcelo, by the hosts early on and shortly after Juventus forward Paulo conceding a 32nd-minute Dybala had been sent off following opener by Pablo Sarabia, a second yellow card. Bayern rallied with an The Italian side now has a near- own goal by Jesus Navas impossible task to turn the quarter- before halftime and final around in the return leg on secured the victory with April 11. a second-half header by Sevilla also lost at home in the Thiago Alcantara. night’s other quarterfinal, as Bayern Both times the ball Munich came from behind to win deflected off a defender 2-1. Jesus Navas’ own goal cancelled to take Sevilla goalkeeper out Pablo Sarabia’s opener and David Soria out of play. Thiago Alcantara headed in the Bayern now only winner for Bayern in the 68th needs a draw in the minute. second leg in Munich next Today, Manchester Citytake on week to reach the semi- Liverpool in quarter-final, first leg finals for the fifth time in at Anfield. six seasons. In the second match of the day, Sevilla, playing in the Barcelona will meet Roma while last eight for the first time Lionel Messi and Sergio Busquets in 60 years, has never are both set to return for the home made it to the semifinals team at the Camp Nou. in the Champions League. Al Duhail maintain unbeaten run with Pakistan whitewash away win; Al Gharafa suffer late blow Windies AFP CHINTHANA WASALA several attempts made by the The visitors took an early THE PENINSULA Zobahan players. lead inside 14 minutes when Al Duhail finally broke the Mabkhout’s powerful strike KARACHI: Pakistan beat the DOHA: Qatari football giants deadlock in the 84th minute saw the ball hitting the West Indies by eight wickets in Al Duhail maintained their with their first shot on target, crossbar and headed by the third and final Twenty20 unbeaten streak in the AFC when Mohammad scored the Romarinho from close range international in Karachi Champions League when winner following Sultan Al into the net upon rebound. yesterday, completing a 3-0 Ismail Mohammad’s late strike Brake’s pass from the left. Ahmed Alaaeldin equalised series whitewash. sealed a 1-0 win over Iranian Al Duhail, with five wins in in the 28th minute after he The West Indies scored side Zobahan yesterday. a row, sealed the top spot in beat Al Jazira goalkeeper Ali 153-6 - their highest total of the Having already entered Group A and will now host Al Khaseif after picking up a pass series but Pakistan reached the the last 16, coach Djamel Wahda in their final group from Abdelaziz Hatem fol- target in 16.5 overs with Babar Belmadi decided to take on the match on April 17. lowing a Wesley Sneijder Azam scoring 51 and Fakhar home team at the Foolad Shahr Meanwhile, in Doha, it was free-kick. Zaman 40. Stadium in Isfahan without a different story as Al Gharafa In the last minute of the two of their key players suffered a late blow against first half, Portuguese defender SCOREBOARD Youssef Msakni and Youssef visiting Al Jazira. Diogo Amado directed Snei- WEST INDIES El Arabi. Ali Mabkhout scored twice jder’s corner kick into the net C. Walton c Azam b Nawaz ...... 0 Their absence made no dif- as Al Jazira secured a 3-2 win from close range, giving the A. Fletcher run out ...... 52 ference to the strong Qatari against Al Gharafa in their home team a valuable 2-1 half- M. Samuels b Shadab ...... 31 champions as they managed Group A fixture to qualify for time lead. A. McCarthy c Zaman b Shadab ...... 5 to frustrate Zobahan who were the last 16 stage. Mabkhout came to the R. Powell lbw Ashraf ...... 2 J. Mohammed c Sarfraz b Shinwari ...... 13 desperately in needed rescue of Al Jazira once D. Ramdin not out ...... 42 of a win. AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: again when he equalised K. Paul not out ...... 1 The first half of in the 70th minute. Extras: (lb6, nb 1) ...... 7 yesterday’s match did Group Stage Al Gharafa were Total: (for six wickets; 20 overs) ...... 153 not see any teams reduced to 10 men in Did not bat: R. Emrit, S. Badree, O. Smith succeeding in scoring YESTERDAY’S RESULTS added time as Assim Fall of wickets: 1-2, 2-74, 3-90, 4-95, 5-96, 6-140 and neither of the Group A Madibo received his Bowling: Nawaz 4-1-26-1, Shinwari 4-0-34-1, Shaheen teams were able to Al Gharafa (QAT) 2 - 3 Al Jazira FSC (UAE) second yellow card. 4-0-27-0, Ashraf 4-0-33-1 (1nb), Shadab 4-0-27-2 pose any real danger Al Ahli Saudi FC (KSA) 1 - 0 Tractorsazi Tabriz (IRN) That gave an extra PAKISTAN Fakhar Zaman c Ramdin b Emrit ...... 40 for their opponents. Group B advantage for Al Jazira Babar Azam c Walton b Smith ...... 51 However, in the Zobahan FC (IRN) 0 - 1 Al Duhail SC (QAT) and they made the full Hussain Talat not out ...... 31 second half, things Al Wahda FSCC (UAE) 1 - 4 PFC Lokomotiv (UZB) use out of it, grabbing Asif Ali not out ...... 25 changed and Zobahan the winner in the 94th Group G Extras: (lb5, w2) ...... 7 came close to scoring minute. Total: (for two wickets; 16.5 overs) ...... 154 on multiple occa- Cerezo Osaka (JPN) 2 - 1 Jeju United FC (KOR) Mabkhout broke free Did not bat: Shoaib Malik, Sarfraz Ahmed, Moham- sions. Al Duhail Buriram United (THA) 1 - 1 Guangzhou Evergrande and avoided the goal- mad Nawaz, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Al Gharafa’s Wesley Sneijder (left) challenges Al Jazira’s Mohamed keeper Amine Group H keeper before calmly Shaheen Afridi, Usman Shinwari Sydney FC (AUS) 4 - 1 Suwon Samsung Bluewings Fall of wickets: 1-61, 2-113 Jamal during their AFC Champions League match played at the Lecomte saved the netting the ball to earn Bowling: Paul 2.5-0-37-0, Emrit 4-0-24-1, Smith 3-0-38-1, Thani bin Jassim Stadium in Doha yesterday. day for the visitors Kashima Antlers (JPN) 2 - 2 Shanghai Shenhua FC (CHN) his side their second win Badree 4-0-30-0, Mohammed 1-0-8-0, McCarthy 2-0-12-0 when he spoiled of the campaign. 30 SPORT WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018

Salah can City ready destroy any for Klopp’s defence: trio, says Van Dijk Gundogan

REUTERS REUTERS

LONDON: Liverpool striker LONDON: Manchester City Mohamed Salah (pictured midfielder Ilkay Gundogan below) is capable of (pictured below) believes destroying any defence and they are better prepared to deserves to win the season- cope with Liverpool’s ending player of the year attacking trio in the first leg award, team mate Virgil van of the Champions League Dijk has said. quarter-finals at Anfield Runaway Premier League today. leaders Manchester City Messi didn’t start the City’s 4-3 defeat at Liv- travel to Liverpool in the first Sevilla game as a erpool in January was their leg of an all-English Cham- precaution. We think only loss against a Premier pions League quarter-final League side this season. clash today. he will be fine for It came courtesy three Salah is set to pose the Wednesday (today) goals in nine second-half biggest attacking threat to but we will see how minutes from Roberto City, having already scored he feels: Barca coach Firmino, Sadio Mane and 37 goals in all competitions Mohamed Salah, who have Barcelona’s Lionel Messi celebrates this season, including one in Ernesto Valverde combined to score 75 goals in after scoring a goal against Sevilla in Liverpool’s 4-3 league victory all competitions for Liverpool over Pep Guardiola’s side in this March 31, 2018 file photo. this season. January. “There’s a lot of respect, When asked if Salah has because all three have scored the attributes to beat City’s plenty of goals and they’ve well-drilled defensive line, also set up many more,” Gun- Van Dijk said, “That’s what Fit-again Messi likely dogan told British media. everyone knows. That’s how “Liverpool are still the we feel as well. only team that’s been capable “He’s that kind of player of beating us in the Premier that you just need to be on League. But we’re aware why your best. When he is 100 to start against Roma this happened, although we percent and in the zone then performed pretty well that he can beat anyone. day. “There are ways to stop REUTERS the team’s attitude against “Obviously, going back to him but I’m not going to tell Sevilla. Anfield for the first-leg game you because I don’t want our BARCELONA: “Welcome “It’s to Messi’s credit that is a great motivation for us. opponents to think about it.” Romans, 100,000 gladiators he keeps on demonstrating “We’d like to get a great Salah is likely to jostle await you,” warned Barcelona (his class),” the Uruguayan result in the first leg and then with City midfielder Kevin de in a preview video ahead of forward said. dominate the game in the Bruyne for the Professional their Champions League “But the work of the whole second leg, in front of our Footballers’ Association quarter-final first leg against team, to keep going and not fans. That’s what we want to Players’ Player of the Year AS Roma today. give up, is what stays with me.” do and, if we achieve that, award. One warrior stands head Barcelona looked lost at then I’m sure we’ll make it Van Dijk cannot vote for and shoulders above the rest. Sevilla until Messi arrived, into the next round.” his team mate but said the Lionel Messi is fit again especially without Sergio Bus- Gundogan spent four team will continue to do eve- and expected to start against quets anchoring the team and years playing under Liverpool rything possible on the pitch the Italian side after rising controlling the game. boss Juergen Klopp who to boost Salah’s chances of from the bench to rescue Bar- The Catalan holding mid- managed Borussia Dortmund claiming the individual celona a point in a 2-2 draw fielder is back in training after before moving to England. honour. with Sevilla on Saturday. a toe injury and could also It was a period with the “I think everyone in the Messi missed Argentina’s start as Barcelona welcome German club winning the dressing room are just normal friendlies during the interna- Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde during a press conference Roma to their Colosseum for Bundesliga title, German Cup guys. Nobody feels better than tional break with muscular yesterday. the first leg. as well as reaching the 2013 each other.” problems, a 2-0 win over Italy “Andres Iniesta, our Champions League final. and a humiliating 6-1 Valverde said. “We think he November 2015, with the Cat- Michelangelo, Leo Messi, our thrashing by Spain in Madrid. will be fine for Wednesday alans registering a thumping emperor,” Barcelona declared Thrown on by Ernesto Val- (today) but we will see how he 6-1 home win over the Italians. in the video. verde just before the hour feels after tonight’s effort. Messi made his return from While veteran playmaker mark as Barcelona trailed “Of course, he’s an a two-month injury layoff in Iniesta’s brush strokes in mid- Sevilla 2-0, Messi turned the important player. He makes a that game, running the show field paint the path, it is only tide in his team’s favour and difference every time he and scoring twice, as well as with Messi leading the charge drove home an 89th-minute touches the ball.” setting up Gerard Pique. Barcelona can be confident of equaliser from outside the The last time Roma faced Luis Suarez, who also putting Roma to the sword and area. “He didn’t start the game Barcelona was in the Cham- struck twice against Roma in taking another step towards a as a precaution,” coach pions League group stage in that match, was pleased with potential treble.

‘Extraordinary’ Guardiola holds no fears for Klopp AFP positioned. He always has great teams to Wednesday’s seismic encounter. United on Saturday. 12 fixtures. which make excellent decisions,” Klopp Klopp’s journeyman playing career First, Guardiola will focus on finding Klopp has enjoyed more victories LONDON: Jurgen Klopp has no qualms told UEFA.com recently. took in stops at unglamourous outposts a way to improve his mediocre record over Guardiola than any other manager about saluting Pep Guardiola’s ability “At Barcelona it was Xavi, Iniesta, including Rot-Weiss Frankfurt and against Klopp. and he believes he can add to that to create “extraordinary” teams, but the Busquets, Lionel Messi and so on. Mainz, while Guardiola playedayed for over Leaders City are 18 points clear of impressive record because his Liverpool Liverpool boss is convinced he can “At Bayern Munich he had fantastic a decade in the rarified air ofof Barcelona,Barcelona, thirdthird pplacedlaced LiverpooLiverpooll in tthehe squadsquad is ccloserloser in quaqualitylity to GuarGuar-- bridge the class divide when Manchester players who made a lot of great deci- where the local boy made goodgood becamebecame Premier League, butbut therethere diola’sdiola’s current crocropp tthanhan at City visit Anfield for their Champions sions. Now, with Gundogan, Silva, a Catalan icon. won’twon’t be anyany inferioritinferiorityy anyany time in their careers.careers. League showdown. Aguero, Sane on the left wing, Sterling It was no different whenhen theythey tootookk complexcomplex fromfrom KloppKlopp “There’s“There’s no bbigig ddif-if- Having first gone head to head with on the wing, Gabriel Jesus, they’re their first steps into management.gement. when theythey clash for fference,erence, actuallactually.y. It’s Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, extraordinary. - Competitive streakak - KKlopplopp thethe thirdthird time thisthis justjust that Pep has the friendly rivalry between Klopp and “Positioning is important, but this is learned his trade in anonymitymity at Mainz season.season. alwaysalways hhadad betterbetter Guardiola has its biggest stage yet as Liv- not witchcraft, it is not unusual just before enjoying a career breakthroughbreakthrough Liverpool’sLiverpool’s 4-3 teams than me,” Klopp erpool face City in the Champions because the wing-backs come inside. once he moved to Dortmundund in 2008.2008. winwin over CitCityy in said.said. League quarter-final first leg today. “But when the players are in position Taking over at Barcelonana in the same JanuaryJanuary saw Klopp “You“You cacann see tthathat Two of Europe’spyg heavyweight theyyy move every millisecond in year Klopp arrived at Dortmund,ortmund, thethe taketake hhisis personalpersonal nnowow withwith ManchesterManchester managers,managers, KKlopplopp anandd GuarGuar-- orderorder to bbee avaiavailable,lable, aandnd cerebral Guardiola relisheded the inintel-tel- tallytally against Guar-Guar- City - ttheyhey hhaveave a llotot dioladiola llookook destdestinedined to when thetheyy are, that’s whwhenen lectual and philosophicalal asaspectspects of diola’sdiola’s teateamsms to ssixix mmoreore points (in the compete fforor thethe sport’s thethe individualindividual qualityquality ooff management. wins,wins, ffiveive defeatsdefeats Premier League)League) than we biggestbiggest prizes for yearsyears the plaplayeryer becombecomeses Yet that renaissance manan imaimagege hid andand oonene ddrawraw frfromom do. to come. important.”important.” Likewise,Likewise, a fiercely competitive streakreak thatthat hashas “However,“However, tthathat ddif-if- ButBut therethere is strong GuardiolaGuardiola iiss an fuelled all of his best teams.ms. feferencerence has nevernever beenbeen as mutualmutual adadmirationmiration admirer of Klopp’sKlopp’s Although Klopp twice wonwon the Bun-Bun- smallsmall as itit isis nnow.”ow.” betweenbetween tthehe bbosses,osses, witwithh commitmentcommitment to an enterenter-- desliga title with Dortmund,nd, wwhoho aalsolso Klopp unstintingunstinting in his tainingtaining stylestyle of play,play, thethe finished as Championsns LeaLeaguegue Pep Guardiola praise forfor Guardiola’sGuardiola’s SpaniardSpaniard llastast seseasonason runners-up in 2013, the 50-year-old0-year-old aabilitybility to get hhisis hailinghailing hhisis counterpart as has yet to secure the first silverwarelverware plaplayersyers to givegive “the best managermanager in the of his two-and-a-half-yearar reignreign lifelife to hishis purist worldworld fforor spectators at Liverpool In contrast, Guardiolaardiola principles. because ccreatesreates teateamsms to has amassed 22 trophiess with “His teams are attackattack tthehe bbackack four”.four”. Barcelona, Bayern and CiCity,ty, alwaysalways excel-excel- DespiteDespite ttheirheir including two Champions LeagLeagueue lentlylently abilityability to thrill ththee crowns and six domestic leagueleague neutral,neutral, KloppKlopp titles. andand GuardiolaGuardiola The 47-year-old can makemake it Jurgen Klopp had vastlyvastly seven league titles if Cityy get thethe differentdifferent three points they need to bee crownedcrowned pathspathpaths champions by beating Manchesteranchesteranchester WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018 SPORT 31

SCOREBOARD South Africa (I innings) ...... 488 Australia (I innings)...... 221 Philander bowls South Africa to South Africa (II innings) ...... 344-6 dec Australia (II innings) M Renshaw lbw b Morkel ...... 5 J Burns lbw b Morkel ...... 42 U Khawaja lbw b Maharaj ...... 7 P Handscomb b Philander ...... 24 record Test win over Australia S Marsh c Bavuma b Philander ...... 7 M Marsh c De Kock b Philander ...... 0 REUTERS T Paine c De Kock b Philander ...... 7 P Cummins b Philander ...... 1 JOHANNESBURG: Vernon N Lyon run out (Markram) ...... 9 C Sayers b Philander ...... 0 Philander grabbed six wickets in J Hazlewood (not out) ...... 9 a devastating spell of seam Extras (Lb1, Nb7) ...... 8 bowling as South Africa crushed Total (46.4 overs) ...... 119 Australia by a record 492 runs Fall of wickets: 1-21, 2-34, 3-68, 4-88, 5-88, to clinch the four-match series 6-95, 7-99, 8-100, 9-100 3-1 yesterday, leaving the Bowling: Rabada 8-3-16-0 (4nb), Philander tourists with much soul- 13-5-21-6 (1nb), Maharaj 13-2-47-1 (1nb), Mor- kel 10.4-5-28-2 (1nb), Markram 2-0-6-0 searching to do. Result: South Africa won by 492 runs The scandal-hit tourists had Series: South Africa won 3-1 promised to fight for a draw on the final day to end a contro- versial tour on a positive note but Leg-spinner their resistance lasted just 83 minutes as Philander ripped Shadab fined through the batting order to finish with career-best figures KARACHI: Pakistan’s teenage of 6-21. leg-spinner Shadab Khan has Australia were bowled out been fined for violating the for a paltry 119 in their second players’ code of conduct in a innings to succumb to their T20 against the West Indies, heaviest ever loss to South Africa the International Cricket in terms of runs, their second Council said yesterday. biggest defeat against any The 19-year-old was opponent and the fourth biggest South Africa’s Morne Morkel celebrates with the trophy fined 20 percent of his match loss in Test cricket. and team-mates after winning the series against Australia fee and handed a one demerit By contrast, South Africa on day five of the fourth and final Test at Wanderers point following a “send off” completed their biggest victory Stadium, Johannesburg, South Africa. signal after dismissing West over the Australians in Tests by Indian opener Chadwick runs, and sealed their first home Walton in the second series win over the demoralised it,” new captain Tim Paine told international cricket for a very stumps and Paine (seven) edged was a collective team effort. We Twenty20 international in visitors since 1970. reporters. “This group had a long time and they will have to to De Kock as the tourists all know there were a lot of inci- Karachi on Monday. The Australian side have chance to show some fight and step up again now that we have struggled to cope with Philan- dents in this series, but after each been rocked by a ball-tampering determination today and we lost two of the best players in the der’s seam movement. day I would sit in the dressing- SCOREBOARD scandal in which former captain weren’t able to because mentally world for the foreseeable future.” Pat Cummins (one) left a room and sense that there was England (I innings) ...... 307 Steve Smith, his deputy David we weren’t quite there. Philander took six wickets delivery that cannoned into his a calmness to our emotions and New Zealand (I innings) ...... 278 Warner and batsman Cameron “At the moment there is a fair for three runs in 32 balls to carve off-stump and Chadd Sayers we were really just focused on England (II innings) ...... 352-9 dec New Zealand (II innings) Bancroft were sent home after bit of disappointment and bor- through the tourists and keep (zero) edged to Dean Elgar at winning games of cricket.” T Latham c Vince b Leach ...... 83 the third Test before being derline embarrassment in our fellow seamer Morne Morkel gully as the Australian innings Tempers boiled over in the J Raval c Stoneman b Broad ...... 17 slapped with hefty bans. change room.” (2-28) wicketless on his final ended in a rush of failures. series on a number of occasions, K Williamson c Bairstow b Broad ...... 0 Since that incident in Cape Paine conceded that South morning of international cricket The match ended when but Paine said he was looking R Taylor c Cook b Leach ...... 13 Town, they scored 447 runs for Africa had been the better side before his retirement. Nathan Lyon (nine) was run out, forward to sharing time with the H Nicholls c Cook b Anderson ...... 13 the loss of 30 wickets as the since Australia claimed a 118-run Australia resumed on 88 for a chaotic end to what has been South Africans. B Watling c Anderson b Wood ...... 19 “mental disintegration” they are win in the opening Test in three, but lost the Marsh brothers a shambolic series for the “We have been invited in (for C de Grandhomme c Leach b Wood ...... 45 I Sodhi (not out) ...... 56 so famous for inflicting on oppo- Durban and that the tourists had in the opening over as Shaun Australians. a beer), though it’s a bit early, it N Wagner c Vince b Root ...... 7 nents proved to be their own wilted under the pressure. (seven) got an inside edge on to “This means a lot to us,” might be a coffee,” Paine said. Extras: (LB2, NB1) ...... 3 downfall. “The performance is con- his pad and was caught by South Africa captain Faf du “We have got some young Total: (for 8 wkts) ...... 256 “I don’t think it was one day cerning, no doubt about that. Temba Bavuma, and Mitchell Plessis said. “And I believe this players in our team who will Fall of wickets: 1-42, 2-42, 3-66, 4-91, 5-135, too many, it was probably a few From the Durban Test match, was snatched by wicketkeeper is the best we have been right learn a lot from going to have a 6-162, 7-219, 8-256 … but there has been enough South Africa outplayed us purely Quinton de Kock, both off through a series. Credit to eve- beer with some of the experi- Bowling: Anderson 26-8-37-1 (1nb), Broad 24- spoken about the week that we on skill,” he said. Philander. ryone that played their part, at enced players in the South 6-72-2, Wood 22-10-45-2, Leach 32-15-61-2, Root 12.4-5-28-1, Stokes 4-3-2-0, Malan 4-1-9-0 have had and we are disap- “But we have also got some Peter Handscomb (24) was various times a lot of guys put Africans have got. We are very Did not bat: T Southee, T Boult pointed with the way we handled guys here who have played bowled after chopping on to his their hands up so we can say this happy to do that.” Sodhi stands firm as NZ bag series win

REUTERS England skipper Joe Root yesterday and seamer Broad tried every bowling option removed Jeet Raval (17) with his CHRISTCHURCH: Tail-ender available to him and his team had loosener before coming up with Ish Sodhi hit a gutsy half-century their chances to take wickets a peach of a delivery to take the as New Zealand fought a defiant throughout the day, even if none key wicket of Williamson for a rearguard action on a tense final of them were clear cut. golden duck when the New day to hold on for a draw in the The draw brings an end to a Zealand captain edged behind. second Test yesterday and secure tour Down Under that started in Ross Taylor (13) blocked to a first series win over England October and also included a 4-0 prevent a hat-trick but soon since 1999. Ashes defeat, helping extend Eng- became spinner Jack Leach’s first Winners of the first Test in land’s run without a Test win Test victim with a reverse sweep Auckland by an innings and 49 overseas to 13 matches. straight to Alastair Cook at short runs, New Zealand were 256 for New Zealand’s success in the backward square. Captain Kane Williamson holds the winner’s trophy after New Zealand won the Test series against eight when the umpires offered series was built on their new ball Henry Nicholls also made 13 England during day five of the second and final Test at Hagley Oval in Christchurch. RIGHT: New Sodhi the light, still 126 runs in attack and Tim Southee was before he became paceman Zealand’s Ish Sodhi celebrates as he walks from the field yesterday. arrears but with the all-important named Man of the Match for his James Anderson’s 531st Test draw secure. 6-62 in England’s first innings, victim, miscuing a drive that took England made the perfect while his partner Trent Boult won an edge into the hands of Cook 10 heaviest Test defeats by runs start to the final day when Stuart the series award for his 17 wickets in the slip cordon. England beat Australia by 675 runs at Brisbane (Nov. 1928) Broad claimed wickets with the over the two matches. BJ Watling scored a battling Australia beat England by 562 runs at London (Aug. 1934) first two deliveries but the “The bowling attack has been 19 before getting across the Australia beat South Africa by 530 runs at Melbourne (Feb. 1911) tourists were unable to winkle brilliant,” said New Zealand crease to flick Mark Wood to South Africa beat Australia by 492 runs at Johannesburg (April 2018) out the final few batsmen as the captain Kane Williamson. “But Anderson at backward square Australia beat Pakistan by 491 runs at Perth (Dec. 2004) fading light cast long shadows those two guys in the last session, before Leach got his second Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh by 465 runs at Chittagong (Jan. 2009) over Hagley Oval. Sodhi and Neil Wagner - just a wicket when Latham top-edged West Indies beat England by 425 runs at Manchester (July 1976) Opener Tom Latham scored phenomenal effort. It was an a sweep. Australia beat England by 409 runs at London (June 1948) a gritty 83 but it was spinner amazing day of test cricket.” Sodhi put on 47 runs for the West Indies beat Australia by 408 runs at Adelaide (Jan. 1980) Sodhi’s 168-ball 56 not out in England, humiliated when seventh wicket with de Grand- Australia beat England by 405 runs at London (July 2015) partnerships with Colin de dismissed for 58 in the first homme and New Zealand looked Grandhomme and then Neil innings in Auckland, had been in in real trouble when the all- Wagner that most frustrated the driving seat in Christchurch rounder pulled a Wood bouncer England. after scoring 307 in their first to Leach at fine leg. “Series victories, especially innings and 352-9 declared in the Wagner came out and joined Media rights ensure big pay day for BCCI over England, don’t come around second after New Zealand’s first Sodhi at the crease, however, and that often and just to be part of knock of 278. the pair batted through more REUTERS Wednesday...from the same stage,” the BCCI said this, especially when I was quite “We threw absolutely every- than 31 overs until the paceman in a statement. Star India paid Rs 38.5bn for the disappointed with my per- thing at New Zealand today, very was dismissed after a 103-ball MUMBAI: The world’s richest cricket board is rights to broadcast India’s home matches for the formance with the ball, was proud how we went about it as a knock for seven runs in what poised to get even wealthier after media rights to 2012-2018 cycle. The BCCI had consolidated its massive for me,” Sodhi said. group. Fair play to New Zealand, turned out to be the last action of Indian cricket for the next five years brought position as the world’s richest cricket board in “The whole time I was they hung on very well.” Root the series. spirited bidding yesterday. September with the game’s biggest TV deal when thinking about batting as straight said. “Waggy was really good, he The e-auction of television and digital rights, it sold Indian Premier League’s (IPL) global media as I could, they started bowling “Bar that first innings, we’ve got me through the tough a first in cricket, was not concluded but the Indian rights to Star India for a staggering $2.52bn. bumpers around the wicket and played some good cricket and periods,” said Sodhi. “He’s a board (BCCI) received a bid of $683m for consol- Six companies, including Facebook and Google, I found them quite hard to pick especially in this game, I think we fighter when he bowls and he idated global rights from an unidentified bidder. initially entered the fray to bid for 102 matches in up so there were some tough showed what we are about.” showed it with the bat today and “The online auction will now resume on India from June, 2018 to March, 2023. periods there.” The hosts resumed on 42-0 he dragged me along with him.” 32 SPORT WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018 WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018 SPORT 33

Tiger Woods of the United States plays his shot from the 12th tee during a practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, USA yesterday. Golf economy set for ‘Tiger Bump’

REUTERS robots and projectile guns that we’re the best ball, the most accurate ball. And the consumer doesn’t AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods is back in Green Jacket believe us until Tiger says, Yeah that’s true. contention and from country club bars to board- “During Tiger’s absence the entire industry, rooms, the former world number one is once again the PGA Tour, we were all kind of looking who is the tide lifting all boats in the golfing world. the next player. Golf television ratings are trending upwards, “Then when Tiger came back the entire indus- so are equipment and ball sales while Masters tick- try is jumping on the Tiger bandwagon.” Bernhard Langer of Germany waves on the fifth hole during a ets and even tips are experiencing a ‘Tiger Bump’ The trickle down econom- practice round prior to the start of the 2018 Masters Tournament as a rejuvenated Woods returns to the US Masters ics of Woods’ comeback are at Augusta National Golf Club in Augusta, Georgia, USA on Monday. for the first time in three years. far-reaching. Much of the buzz being generated around golf’s During the final first major is emanating from a 42-year-old golfer round of the Valspar, a who is closer to qualifying for the Seniors Tour bartender at a golf club At 60, Langer still England’s Justin Rose (open to players 50 and over) than his last victory raved on social media that at Augusta in 2005. tips were up 300 percent with But nothing gets the sporting public revved up Woods in contention. more than a compelling comeback story and Woods “I was slammed packed with relishes challenge is writing one for the ages. people watching Tiger play, it was Rose has a “This is a little bit like a Lazarus resurrection insane,” said Alcaonline in a post on here with respect to where he was,” Steve Mona, Reddit picked up by several news in Augusta World Golf Foundation CEO, told Reuters. “Only outlets. Master plan for last September he was talking about whether he “I know it seems minimal but AFP would be able to comeback at all. Now that he is the economic trickle down effect the favourite at the Masters it is just astonishing. this has when it comes to the golf AUGUSTA: It has been 25 years since Bernhard Langer won the most “He is certainly in form. I don’t think anyone world is hard to explain. I made at recent of his two Masters titles, but the 60-year-old German’s enthu- career success would be terribly surprised if he were in the hunt.” least 3X the amount of money I siasm for the challenge of Augusta National hasn’t dimmed. The greatest player of his generation, Woods usually make on Sundays just “My goal is not just to maybe make the cut or something,” Langer REUTERS dominated golf like few athletes in any sport ever because Tiger was in said Monday as he looked forward to his 35th Masters start on have. contention.” Thursday. AUGUSTA: Justin Rose has won A prodigious talent who first appeared on tel- With Woods at the start of a “I would like to be in contention, like to be on the leaderboard a US Open, Olympic gold, Ryder For some reason I hit evision swinging a golf club at two years old, Woods comeback but on the downslope and have a chance on Sunday to win the trophy -- or the green jacket Cups and more than a dozen All eyes on Woods at Masters grew into a champion by winning 14 majors in of a turbulent but spectacular in this case.” major tour victories worldwide the ball really well swashbuckling style. He became a crossover celeb- career, it is uncertain how long Jack Nicklaus, 46 when he won his 18th and last major title at but the 37-year-old hopes that when I get on that rity and very wealthy with career earnings totaling this Tiger bubble will last. Augusta in 1986, is the oldest Masters champion. his golf career will ultimately range, and I think $1.7bn according to a 2017 report by Forbes. But with Woods’ stock soar- Langer donned his first green jacket in 1985 and his second in be graded on successes yet to it’s just a place I’ve Having climbed to such great heights, Woods’ ing everyone is buying in and 1993. come. fall from grace that started in 2009 has been all Mona believes that it could be Two years ago, a 58-year-old Langer trailed 22-year-old Jordan “I think how I’m going to be tended to play well: practice as tension builds the more shocking. a good long-term investment. Spieth by two after 54 holes. remembered in the game is Justin Rose A tawdry divorce, a DUI and years and years “What Tiger does is he His closing 79, Langer says, was the result of an aggressive strat- really what happens from here AFP Former world Tiger and what he’s going to of injuries, surgeries and failed treatments sent increases interest in the egy that didn’t pan out. onwards,” the Englishman told number one Woods, do here and seeing if he can    sponsors scurrying. game... they get interested and “I didn’t play to finish fourth or fifth or third or whatever. I wanted reporters on Monday ahead of tournament sharp,” addedded AUGUSTA: Tiger Woods now ranked 103, get to number 15. The back that had caused Woods so much pain think maybe this is a game for to win and I played extremely aggressive right out of the get-go and this week’s Masters. Rose, who has tied for fifthh aatt excited fans and rivals alike “That’s fine with us. I can . (9":.,#,  ($(;/(,- was getting no better and the golfer who had held me.” got caught a couple of times with really bad breaks,” Langer said. “So I had a great career, but the Valspar Championshipand and by practicing on Monday at practiced with Fred just focus on what I need to the number one world ranking for a collective 683 He’ll be attacking again this week, on a course that he has seen there’s difference between a third at the Arnold Palmer inn a a the Masters, the 14-time Couples and 2017 do to try and win. weeks slumped out of the top 1,000. change over the years, its inviting fairways narrowed by intimidat- great career and whether it be season that started with a winwin major champion totally PGA Championship “There’s going to be a Even the ever-positive Woods suddenly seemed ing plantings of trees. a special career or a Hall of at the WGC Championship-ip- healthy at Augusta National winner Justin buzz around Augusta this resigned to a dour fate. “Now it’s a really good driving course,” said Langer. Fame career. HSBC Champions. for the first time in five years. week with Tiger being on the Yet after undergoing spinal fusion sur- “I like everything about Augusta,” he said. “If you miss the green, “If I go on to achieve some After the Arnold Palmerr at at Woods, and the potential Thomas as fans grounds and it’s going to be gery last April the dark clouds hanging over you can choose eight different clubs or six to play the shot. other really big championships, Bay Hill, he travelled to Augustasta for his first major victory flocked to watch exciting to see, but everyone Woods slowly began to lift. “You really need creativity and imagination and touch, and I major championships, from this for two rounds to learn moreore since the 2008 US Open and every shot for a hint else has got a game plan to Shaking off years of competitive rust, like that challenge... especially the fast greens. point on, then my career course nuances and come to first Masters win since 2005, of the magic that do. They’ve got to try and be  Woods returned with an encouraging tie for “If you miss in the wrong place, you get punished no matter becomes more a special career terms with his playoff loss lastast was the talk of the course, the person that’s going to slip ninth at the Hero World Challenge followed by who you are. So you have to really think your way around this brought him Masters   #$   ( than a great career.” year to frequent Ryder Cupup even with a dozen other stars on that green jacket on a tie for 23rd at the Farmers Insurance Open and golf course.” Two times a runner-up at team mate Sergio Garcia. on peak form ahead of Thurs- titles in 1997, 2001, Sunday.”  %&'((  $ a missed cut at the Genesis Open. the Masters, Rose believes he “I always just love beingup up day’s start of the year’s first 2002 and 2005. Day said the 10-year Then suddenly Woods grabbed the spotlight  ) *    ' could take the next legacy here, and you always do tendend major championship. major drought had people as only he can, announcing his return to form with building step this week at to learn a thing or two,” he aid.said. “When Tiger walked onto forgetting what Woods has  +,--'    ' three impressive results - 12th at the Honda Clas- Everyone happy to Augusta where he has come “And I think for me last yearear the range there was an antic- winner Justin Thomas as fans done, his major title total four sic, a tie for second at the Valspar Championship  .*   ( close to adding a second major after losing in the playoff, itwas was ipation and excitement from flocked to watch every shot shy of the all-time record of and a tie for fifth at the Arnold Palmer on a track where he feels ener- important just to come andnd the crowd to watch him com- for a hint of the magic that Jack Nicklaus and his 79 PGA  +,--'      Invitational. see Woods back gised just by loosening up on walk the grounds. pete again,” said Britain’s brought him Masters titles in wins three off Sam Snead’s Woods’ back now appears to be strong enough  /  ( 0 1 (    # the driving range. The trip to Augusta alwaysays Justin Rose, last year’s Mas- 1997, 2001, 2002 and 2005. record. to carry the hopes of an entire industry that is expe- REUTERS “For some reason I hit the brings good feelings for the ters runner-up and the 2013 “When it comes to Tiger “I think a lot of people  2 ( 3 (    % riencing a ‘Tiger Bump’. ball really well when I get on Briton. US Open champion. and the Tigermania that quickly forgot what he had   Xv†sv †‡€hw‚ ‡v‡yr With Woods back in contention, NBC/Golf AUGUSTA: There were smiles everywhere and no shortage of well- ! .# (/-    ! that range, and I think it’s just “It starts by just drivingup up Woods hasn’t won a title comes with it, that everyone accomplished in his career as h‡&#‡uh‡‡r€ƒ‡Ih€r†sv †‡puvyq Channel said the final rounds of both the Arnold wishes and encouragement around Augusta National on Monday a place I’ve tended to play well,” Magnolia Lane and feeling oodgood since 2013 but after failed wants to see him win and he got injured and was out for " 4 5 6 (   ' 6“hyrhhs‡r vp‚vp6ˆtˆ†‡hsy‚r Palmer and Valspar championships registered the - almost all of it directed at a fit-again Tiger Woods. the world number five said. and having good energy aandnd comebacks and four back play the way he did before,” a while,” Day said. “That’s just highest ratings for a PGA Tour telecast, outside of There might not be quite so many happy faces around “It’s an energy thing as well. feeling good about the place.ce. surgeries, the last a spinal said Australian Jason Day, the life. Everyone lives fast now. 6s‡r svv†uvt‡vrqsvs‡uh‡‡ur6 ‚yqQhy€r the majors, since the 2015 Wyndham the place come Sunday if, as some are predicting, the I feel like I put a lot of work into That sort of love affair startedted fusion, he’s a contender again 2015 PGA Championship Everyone wants instant D‰v‡h‡v‚hy v†‡vƒƒrq‡‚€‚ˆ‡ Championship. 14-times major winner can cap a fairytale being ready for this my very first Masters in 2003.03. at age 42. winner. gratification. †ˆ†‡hvrqpuhyyrtrv6ˆtˆ†‡hƒyh’vt The golf industry has also seen a spike. Bridge- comeback by adding a fifth Green Jacket tournament.” It’s become a happy huntinging “I got a second chance on “Everyone’s kind of “Now that he’s back and h‡UurHh†‡r †s‚ sv †‡‡v€r†vpr! $ stone said that when Woods (who uses their to his collection. Rose, who has three top ground.” life,” Woods said on his web- champing at the bit for him he looks kind of where he 46$78.$4.4647 ball) has been in the field in 2018, the aver- Back playing at the US Masters for fives in the Masters, said that Two decades on from his site. “I am a walking to get here and see how he’s was before, everyone’s get- !!8  age basket value with Bridgestone the first time in three years, Monday being the first major of the year, sensational major debut ass a miracle.” moving and everything.” ting that taste back in there, !" products increased by over 120 per- had a bit of a homecoming feel to it his preparations begin sooner teenage amateur at the Britishish Woods shared second at Thomas, Rose and top- like, oh, let’s see what he can #$% &!#%'(#(" cent compared with the same as a relaxed Woods hit the driving than for the others. Open and with a game suitedted the PGA Valspar Champion- ranked Dustin Johnson plus do.” period in 2017. range and the putting green to the “Probably about a good six, for success at Augusta, Roseose ship and fifth at Bay Hill in multiple major winners Rory Woods and Spieth are Las 8)  & “His endorsement (that we delight of a massive gallery. eight weeks ago it starts creep- likes his chances to do some-me- his Masters tuneups. McIlroy -- seeking a career Vegas oddsmaker favorites !"*P,*QN!*# make the best ball) is more val- Dogged by injury and scan- ing into your mind,” he said. thing special this week. “This year is going to be Grand Slam with a win -- and with McIlroy, Thomas and ***** uable than all of the science and dal, it has been 13 years since “I (finished) a month off “My skillset should produceuce different,” Woods said. “This Jordan Spieth all enter the Johnson just behind followed 8)*!#"* data that we throw out to the Woods last triumphed at Augusta four, five weeks ago with the a chance to win if all goes well.ell. year I’m healthy. I can play Masters playing well. But the by Rose, Bubba Watson and **##* consumers,” Angel Ilgan, Pres- and it appeared as if many of hopes of being fresh and ready Not worried about the otherher and I can compete.” biggest roars are for Woods. Phil Mickelson.  /%0112# /%0032 ident & CEO of Bridgestone, those teeing it up at the year’s for this, and I played a nice run players or the other variables.les. Former world number “There’s a number of guys “We’re all favorites,” two- 8 !45* told Reuters. first major had forgotten what a of golf since then. I’m coming in playing as goodood one Woods, now ranked 103, that are playing really nice,” time Masters winner Watson *& **#   “It is just ridiculous that ruthless competitor he was back “I played four of my last five as I’ve ever played, so I’m’m practiced with Fred Couples Day said. “But everyone is said. “We’re all good enough we can show them hundreds then. weeks, so I feel certainly tou excited about that.” and 2017 PGA Championship kind of solely focused on to win out here.”    '   and thousands of testings with In 1997, he rampaged to a 12-shot victory to claim his first Masters title and then took virtual ownership of the Green Jacket with Bubba Watson of the United States plays three wins from 2001 to 2005. a shot during a practice round on Monday. “It’s fun to see him back healthy After considering retirement, Bubba out of ‘dark place’ enjoying playing the game of golf,” said American Rickie Fowler. REUTERS 2014 then confirmed his return to elite “And, again, life’s in the right spot,... energy for the mental challenges pre- number of other top golfers, including “Obviously he knows how to win, status when he captured his second title and golf’s in the right spot. Golf is really sented by Augusta National. former world number ones Tiger Woods he’s not scared when he’s in the situa- AUGUSTA: Twice winner Bubba Watson in as many months with a triumph at the easy when you free it up. It’s very diffi- “Here is different. You got to be and Rory McIlroy, have also shown solid tion of in contention on the weekends. thought about retiring last year while World Golf Championships-Match Play cult when you’re not thinking mentally prepared. The mental part of it form of late. And, again, life’s in Despite being without a PGA Tour title dealing with an undisclosed health issue event in Austin. properly.” is what drains you around this place,” That will set the stage for what should since 2013 and with his last major victory but said on Monday he will bring a “Seven months ago I did not believe Watson has seen his odds of win- said Watson, who in the final round of be a memorable week at Augusta National the right spot,... and now a decade gone, Woods presence at renewed sense of confidence into this it,” Watson said during a news conference ning a third Green Jacket this year the 2013 Masters carded a 10 on the par- and Watson said he was pleased to see golf’s in the right Augusta National is still one that should week’s US Masters. at Augusta National when asked if he could improve considerably following his lat- three 12th hole. so many of his competitors in top form. spot. Golf is really make his fellow competitors nervous. Watson started to look a lot thinner have imagined arriving at the year’s first est PGA Tour victory and will be “So you got to be mentally prepared “That’s what we want. We don’t easy when you free it Woods has posted 11 top five finishes, late in 2016 and it was only midway major with two wins in the season. competing in what many consider to be and focused on every shot and commit- want an asterisk by it and say everybody including four wins, on a course that was once through last year when he started to feel “But like I’ve said throughout these one of the most wide-open Masters fields ted to what you see and what you want played bad so you just won,” said up. It’s very difficult tweaked to “Tiger Proof” the layout. Staring down and play better, before finally ending a two wins when I’ve been interviewed, my in years. to do.” Watson. “We want everybody to play when you’re not Woods on a final day was a golfing nightmare and, two-year title drought in February with team around me... they have cheered me The 39-year-old American admits he Like many previous Masters cham- their best. thinking properly: while his invincible aura may have faded, the thought a win at Riviera. on and they have helped me come out of has not practiced much ahead of the pions, Watson has peaked at just the “Again, it’s going to come down to Bubba Watson of a Tiger back-nine charge on Sunday is as much The Masters champion in 2012 and a dark place. year’s first major, opting instead to save right time. But he is not alone as a how we prepare.” Tiger Woods an unpleasant one for his rivals as it is a potential thrill for fans. 34 SPORT WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018

Seven cities confirm interest in 2026 Winter Games: IOC

REUTERS and Turin are all in the initial unspecified number of them to contribution and allowing host “The IOC has turned the be held in Beijing after four process. take part in the one-year can- cities more flexibility in page with regard to Olympic other cities dropped out of the ZURICH: Seven cities, or joint- There is considerable didature phase. planning for the Olympics and candidatures. Our goal is not just bid race for fear of soaring costs bidding cities, have expressed Olympic experience in the field The IOC has overhauled the the post-Games use of to have a record number of can- and size of the Olympics, leaving interest in hosting the 2026 with Calgary having hosted the bidding process for Games after facilities. didates, but ultimately it is to the Chinese capital and Kaza- Winter Olympics, the Interna- 1988 Winter Games and a sharp slump in interest from The IOC will elect the select the best city to stage the khstan’s Almaty as the only tional Olympic Committee said Sapporo having staged the 1972 potential cities in recent years, winning 2026 bid at its session best Olympic Winter Games for candidates. yesterday. edition. cutting costs for bid cities and in Milan in September, 2019. the best athletes of the world,” More cities dropped out of Canada’s Calgary, Austria’s Cortina is also a former host, slashing the campaign time in “I warmly welcome the he said. the 2024 Summer Olympics Graz, Swedish capital having organised the 1956 half. National Olympic Committees’ The IOC said there had race with the IOC opting to Stockholm, Sion in Switzerland, Winter Olympics. It has also simplified the and cities’ interest in hosting the already been interest for 2030, award them directly to Paris and Turkey’s Erzurum, Japan’s The cities will now enter a seven-year preparation for Olympic Winter Games,” said from the United States Olympic in turn give Los Angeles, which Sapporo and a joint bid from dialogue stage until October Games organisers, reducing IOC President Thomas Bach in Committee among others. had also bid for 2024, the 2028 Italy’s Cortina d’Ampezzo, Milan when the IOC will invite an costs, upping the IOC’s a statement. The 2022 Winter Games will Games.

A pedestrian walks past a security fence Australian women’s beach and barricades located outside a venue volleyball player practises for the upcoming Commonwealth Games ahead of the 2018 Gold Coast on the Gold Coast in Australia, yesterday. Commonwealth Games.

Commonwealth Games set The security will come from 3,500 police and 2,000 to begin amid tight security members of the Aus- tralian Defense AP Force who have million tickets for the games, there were 140,000 still unsold. blanketed venues GOLD COAST, Australia: Sun, Organisers remain confident, and streets, pro- surf, and security. The first two though, that sales will hit 95 have come relatively easy for percent of capacity. tecting 6,600 ath- organisers of the Common- The Queen’s Baton relay letes and officials wealth Games which begin will come to an end today, 388 today on the glitzy Gold Coast days after it started. It has and more than a tourist strip. traveled 230,000 kilometers million spectators. The security will come (143,000 miles) and Sally from 3,500 police and 2,000 Pearson, defending 100-meter members of the Australian hurdles champion and 2012 Defense Force who have blan- Olympic gold medalist, will be keted venues and streets, pro- among the final baton runners. India cleared tecting 6,600 athletes and offi- Organisers have been cials and more than a million serious about protecting the of doping, spectators who are expected secrecy around the opening to attend 18 events ranging ceremony at Carrara Stadium, warned over from swimming and track and suspending the credentials of field to squash, diving, table a television network for tennis and beach volleyball. showing shots from the cer- needle find The highest-profile visitor emony rehearsal on Monday will be Prince Charles, heir to night, breaking a confidenti- AFP the British throne, who is rep- ality agreement. resenting Queen Elizabeth II at The ceremony is expected GOLD COAST: India were cleared the multi-sports games. This to feature a tribute to Aus- of doping but slapped with a year’s edition, the 21st, includes tralia’s Aboriginal and Torres “strong written reprimand” 71 countries and territories. doctor for a breach of its “No games organisers. Syringes Officials are keen to avoid Strait Islanders. One of the yesterday after syringes were Organisers yesterday had Needle” policy. The CGF’s court were found at the athletes any repeat of the norovirus - a official slogans of the game is found in the Commonwealth two issues to deal with, both at decided that “a strong written village on the Gold Coast on the stomach bug- which caused “Jingeri,” which means “Good Games athletes village. the athletes village. reprimand” was adequate after weekend, but games organisers more than 280 people to Day Friends” in Yugambeh, a The Games’ Federation Court The Commonwealth the doctor admitted to giving had earlier ruled that it wasn’t become ill at the recent local indigenous language in said the doctor of India’s boxing Games Federation repri- a vitamin injection to a boxer an anti-doping violation. Pyeongchang Winter Olympics southeast Queensland. team injected an unwell fighter manded the Indian team’s without advance notice to And Mark Peters, chief in South Korea. While staying mum on any with vitamins, but breached rules executive of the games organ- “The country involved details of the ceremony, Peters, on the use of syringes. ising committee, confirmed immediately isolated them,” a no-nonsense former captain Games officials separately said ATHLETES TO WATCH AT GOLD COAST GAMES three athletes - he declined to Peters said. “ of the Australian baseball team, that analysis of the contents of the HAMISH BOND (Road cycling, New Zealand) say which sport or country - There are no more than the promised all the singing would syringes, which were found by a Part of the most dominant rowing combination in the world with Eric Murray, Bond won two Olym- were being held in 48-hour initial three... it doesn’t affect be live - no lip- synching. And cleaner, showed they didn’t pic gold medals in the pairs before they split after the Rio Games. Bond had made no secret of his isolation until their illness their training or preparation.” no, definitely not, any giant contain performance-enhancing desire to continue on until the 2020 Games in Tokyo, but in cycling. Despite conceding he was still subsides. Peters said of the 1.24 kangaroos. drugs. undergoing a learning curve in his new sport he was named to contest the individual time trial on “As part of the investigation, the Gold Coast and won the Oceania title in Tasmania earlier in March as part of his final preparations. the doctor in question confirmed that he had administered a vitamin LEE CHONG WEI (Badminton, Malaysia) B complex, by injection, to an Arguably the second most dominant badminton player in history, behind China’s Lin Dan, the athlete that was feeling unwell,” 35-year-old will be looking for his third men’s singles gold at the Carrara Sports Arena after Malay- a court statement said. sian officials opted to send younger players to Glasgow. Lee has also anchored Malaysia’s gold “Upon questioning, the medal winning team twice and is seeking two more titles at what will be his final Commonwealth doctor conceded that he was Games. aware of the No Needle Policy LAUREL HUBBARD (Weightlifiting, New Zealand) and subsequently detailed all use Transgender weightlifter Hubbard has had to fight off opposition from critics, particularly in Aus- of needles for the period March tralia, who had sought to have her banned for the Games claiming she had an unfair advantage. The 19 to date and cooperated in dis- 39-year-old New Zealander, who lived as Gavin Hubbard until 2014 and competed at national level closing all medication in his pos- as a man, has been cleared to compete by both the International Olympic Committee and Interna- session,” it added. tional Weightlifting Federation. She finished second in the women’s super-heavyweights at last Under Games rules, teams year’s world championships. need permission to use syringes MATTHEW GLAETZER (Track cycling, Australia) and all needles must be central, The tall 25-year-old showed he was in career best form at the recent world championships in the secured location with access restricted to authorised medical Netherlands, winning the men’s sprint and finishing second in the 1km time trial. Glatezer, who took personnel. up cycling after injuries ended his pole vaulting dreams, became the first man to break one minute “In the circumstances, the for the time trial at sea level last November. He will be busy having entered in the sprint, time trial, Federation Court’s decision is that

team sprint and Keirin with rides on every day of the April 5-8 competition. CGF (Commonwealth Games Fed- The members of the England cycling team train ahead of the 2018 Commonwealth Games yesterday. eration) should issue a strong written reprimand to the doctor,” the court said. WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018 SPORT 35 Wild and Sharks reach play-offs

REUTERS Atlantic Division but matched the team record for most points (103) MIAMI: Jonathan Quick made 27 in a regular season. Toronto’s saves, and the Los Angeles Kings Curtis McElhinney had 32 saves. moved into third place in the Sam Reinhart and Jason Pacific Division with a 3-1 victory Pominville scored for Buffalo. over the visiting Colorado Capitals 4, Blues 2 Avalanche on Monday. Nicklas Backstrom finished The loss by the Avalanche with a goal and an assist as clinched Western Conference Washington defeated host St. playoff berths for both the Min- Louis to improve to 12-2-0 in its nesota Wild and the San Jose past 14 games. Sharks. Backstrom now has 18 points The Kings, who host Min- in his last 13 games (four goals, nesota on Thursday and the 14 assists). Andre Burakovsky, Dallas Stars on Saturday, need Alex Chiasson and Alex Ovechkin to get just one point in their final also found the net for the Cap- two games to guarantee them- itals. Goalie Braden Holtby, who selves a Stanley Cup playoff is in a battle with Philipp Gru- berth. Colorado holds a one- bauer for the starting job, made point lead over the St Louis 34 saves for Washington in the Blues, who have a game in hand, win. for the second wild-card spot. Patrik Berglund and Vladimir Torrey Mitchell, Dustin Tarasenko scored for the Blues. Brown and Kyle Clifford scored Jets 6, Senators 5 for Los Angeles, which moved Blake Wheeler scored two past the idle Anaheim Ducks into goals as the visiting Winnipeg third place with its fifth straight edged Ottawa. win over Colorado. Alexander The Jets posted their eighth Kerfoot scored the Avalanche’s win in nine games and remained lone goal, and Jonathan Bernier Minnesota Wild forward Zach Parise (11) and Edmonton Oilers forward Leon Draisaitl chase the puck along the half board during the in the hunt for first place in the stopped 22 shots for Colorado. third period of their NHL game at Xcel Energy Center on Sunday. Central Division. They are five Wild 3, Oilers 0 points behind the first-place Zach Parise scored twice to Nashville Predators with three continue his torrid stretch, and sustained Saturday night at an empty-netter with 44 seconds Luongo made 26 saves for the Maple Leafs 5, Sabres 2 games remaining. Devan Dubnyk made 22 saves Dallas, and the defenseman will remaining. win. The Panthers improved Auston Matthews and Andrew Copp and Kyle for his fifth shutout of the season miss the remainder of the season. Panthers 3, Hurricanes 2 their points total to 88, five William Nylander each had two Connor both had a goal and an as Minnesota beat visiting Dubnyk, who was drafted by Alex Petrovic scored with behind the idle New Jersey Devils goals and an assist as Toronto assist, while Josh Morrissey and Edmonton. the Oilers in the first round in 7:58 left in the third period as in the battle for the last wild-card cruised to a victory over visiting Brandon Tanev also scored for The news wasn’t all good for 2004 and spent five seasons in Florida defeated visiting playoff berth in the Eastern Buffalo. Winnipeg. Matt Duchene and the Wild, though. The team Edmonton, made his 400th Carolina. Conference. Andreas Johnsson also had a Thomas Chabot each had two announced prior to puck drop career start a perfect night with MacKenzie Weegar and Carolina got goals from goal and an assist for the Maple goals for the Senators. Ottawa’s that Ryan Suter needs surgery his 29th career shutout. Joel Evgenii Dadonov also scored for Trevor van Riemsdyk and Derek Leafs, who are already locked Christian Wolanin collected his for a right ankle fracture Eriksson Ek iced the game with Florida, and goalie Roberto Ryan. into the third playoff spot in the first career NHL goal. Hammer Series aiming to nail it in HK Villanova romp to REUTERS A file picture from a it an authentic event with US collegiate crown cycling event. impactful racing that really AFP LONDON: Cycling’s Hammer matters,” Bartlett said. out to a 21-14 lead midway Series will roll into Hong Kong “We were blown away by through the first half. in October with one of the men how seriously the teams took it LOS ANGELES: Freshman However, DiVincenzo and behind the novel all-action last year. It was full gas every Donte DiVincenzo came off the Mikal Bridges hit back with format predicting it could day for three days. bench to score 31 points as jumpers to cut the Wolverines’ become the two-wheeled “Think of the passion of Villanova University outclassed lead to three points before two version of Twenty20 cricket. Twenty20 cricket, IPL and Ryder the University of Michigan Colin Gillespie free throws put The three-day, multi-disci- Cup, and the engagement the Wolverines to claim the pres- Villanova to within one at pline team event was success- fans have with those events. The tigious US collegiate basketball 21-20. fully tested in the Netherlands important thing was that teams crown on Monday. DiVincenzo then drained a last year, where Team Sky and riders liked it.” Team Sky Towering guard DiVincenzo superb three-point jump shot claimed a thrilling one-second will be joined in the 2018 series dominated the Michigan with just over six minutes of the victory and three million traditionalists brought up on time-trialling. by world champion Peter defense with a devastating first half remaining to put Villanova watched the competition in Grand Tours and one-day “We wanted to emphasise Sagan’s Bora-Hansgrohe team half display as the top-seeded ahead. Limburg online. classics, Graham Bartlett, CEO the team element because while Team Sunweb, second last Wildcats cruised home for a Although Michigan rallied Limburg will host another of Hammers co-founders Velon, cycling is a team event at heart, year, are fully committed to the 79-62 win at San Antonio’s through Muhammad-Ali Abdur Hammer event in June as part of believes the Hammer format and we want to celebrate that.” races. The exact nature of the Alamodome in Texas. Rahkman, DiVincenzo again a series that will start in Sta- offers a bit of everything and can Marketing and media Hong Kong finale is yet to be DiVincenzo’s starring role took Villanova clear with a vanger, Norway the previous engage a new breed of cycle company Velon work closely revealed but Bartlett promised sealed Villanova’s third national three-pointer and a layup in month and culminate around the fans. “There is plenty of space with World Tour teams, race a “big finish” to the season. college basketball title, two quick succession to put the streets of Hong Kong. for all different flavours,” Bar- organisers and broadcasters, and UAE Team Emirates team years after the Pennsylvania favourites 30-26 ahead with More rounds could be added tlett said at his London office. are best-known for providing manager Carlo Sarroni said the college clinched their second 4min 7sec remaining in the half. in 2019. The Hammer Series, “We want to be very clear... live rider data and on-board Hammer race could help crown in 2016. Villanova were DiVincenzo traded dunks contested by five-rider teams, is we are not trying to replace any- video. The Hammer Series, establish Hong Kong on the UCI heavy favourites for NCAA with Michigan’s Charles Mat- broken down into a climbing body’s position here, we are according to Bartlett, is another cycling map. showpiece, the climax of the thews but moments later pro- day, a sprint day and concludes trying to add something new to way of making cycling more “Hong Kong has everything “March Madness” knockout vided the assist for Omari in a pursuit in which the leading the mix. digestible to a wider audience. to become an important competition that is one of the Spellman to put Villanova team from the first two days sets “Hammer was designed spe- Last year’s Limburg event appointment in the world cycling highlights of the US sporting 34-28 ahead. off first. cifically to do something dif- attracted a cumulative 3.2 calendar and the Hammer Series calendar. A three-pointer from Jalen Last year, Team Sky held off ferent but also to respect the million viewers on social media leg will be the best way to make Michigan made a fast start, Brunson handed Villanova a Sunweb in a thrilling chase. three key skill sets in the sport, sites Facebook and YouTube. a huge step towards this goal,” with Moritz Wagner’s layup nine-point cushion at the half- While it may concern sprinting, climbing and “The key thing was to make he said. helping the Wolverines jump time break, with a 37-28 lead. Morton and Astros roll in home opener REUTERS 2017 World Series banner Field history.Mathis won the first St. Louis starter in four during a pregame ceremony. game by lining a 1-0 cur- games to get an out in the NEW YORK: Charlie Morton Morton was the pitcher of veball from Wilmer Font (0-1) sixth inning. He permitted reprised his dominant record in both Game 7s that to center field, scoring Nick seven hits and four runs, pitching from last postseason, Houston won last postseason, Ahmed. Two batters earlier, walking none and whiffing and the Houston Astros rode shining as the starter against Ahmed delivered the game- five. He also provided a a balanced offensive attack the New York Yankees in the tying double as Jake Lamb stunning boost with the bat, to a 6-1 victory over the American League Champi- scored on a headfirst slide. snapping a 2-2 deadlock in Baltimore Orioles on Monday onship Series before relieving Mathis’ hit occurred more the fifth when he turned on in the home opener at Minute against the Los Angeles than two hours after Chris a fastball right down the Maid Park. Dodgers in the World Series. Owings hit a three-run, middle from Zach Davies Morton (1-0) continued Marwin Gonzalez game-tying homer with two (0-1) with Jedd Gyorko on what has been a sterling start homered to help Houston outs in the bottom of the base after Davies plunked for Astros starters, twirling six jump out to a 6-0 lead and ninth off Kenley Jansen. him with two outs. Mikolas’ scoreless innings while cruise to the win. Cardinals 8, Brewers 4 first big-league hit traveled allowing three hits and two Diamondbacks 8, Miles Mikolas won his 407 feet into the seats in walks with six strikeouts. The Dodgers 7 (15 innings) first major league start since left-center. Astros completed one turn Pinch hitter Jeff Mathis 2014 and also cracked a tie- Reds 1, Cubs 0 through their rotation delivered the game-winning breaking two-run homer in Raisel Iglesias struck out allowing six earned runs over single with one out in the the fifth inning to give St. Anthony Rizzo with the 30 1/3 innings (1.78 ERA) with bottom of the 15th inning as Louis the lead for good in Mil- bases-loaded to escape an 36 strikeouts. Arizona rallied for a victory waukee’s home opener. eighth-inning jam as Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) hits an RBI double during His effort dovetailed with over visiting Los Angeles in Mikolas (1-0) worked 5 Cincinnati held on for a the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Minute Maid Park on Sunday. the Astros unveiling their the longest game in Chase 2/3 innings, becoming the victory over visiting Chicago. WEDNESDAY 4 APRIL 2018 SPORT 36 You want to play in big series and we’ve had the AFC CHAMPIONS LEAGUE: GROUP STAGE opportunity to do that this Joe Root Group B Group A winter. Unfortunately, it’s not England captain Zobahan FC vs Al Duhail SC Al Gharafa vs Al Jazira FSC Foolad Shahr Stadium, Thani bin Jassim Stadium, gone as well as we’d liked. ACTION TODAY’S Isfahan: 17:15 Doha: 18:30 Qatar crush Syria Root looks forward 3-0 in Davis Cup THE PENINSULA Qatar’s Jabor Al Mutawa in action in the Davis Cup match against Syria. after losses HANOI: Qatar handed a 3-0 defeat to Syria in the REUTERS opening match of the 2018 Davis Cup Asia/ Oceania Zone Group III CHRISTCHURCH, NEW ZEALAND: Captain Joe in Hanoi, Vietnam on Root believes England have a better idea of the Monday. direction they are heading after their long tour Jabor Al Mutawa Down Under came to a disappointing conclusion clinched the opening with the side failing to secure a victory in seven rubber, crushing Rabee Tests against Australia and New Zealand. Sleem 6-1, 6-2. A defiant rearguard action by New Zealand Mubarak Shannan prevented the tourists from converting a prom- Zayid made it 2-0 as he ising position into a win in the second Test yes- overpowered Yacoub terday, the draw in Christchurch giving the hosts Makzoume in three sets. their first series win over England since 1999. In the decider, That followed a chastening 4-0 Ashes defeat Zayed was dominant in Australia and extended England’s run to 13 and easily completed a matches without an overseas Test triumph since 6-2, 2-6, 6-3 victory. they beat Bangladesh in October 2016. The doubles match “You want to play in big series and we’ve had was a bit tough but the the opportunity to do that this winter,” Root said Qatari pair of Issa in the on-pitch presentation ceremony at Hagley Shannan Al Harrasi Oval after England fell two wickets short of and Mousa Shanan victory. Zayed came through, “Unfortunately, it’s not gone as well as we’d beating Makzoume liked. But we have to pick ourselves up and make and Sleem 6-4 , 7-6 sure that when we come to the start of the (3). summer, we’re all switched on and we take the Nine countries are good stuff we’ve done this week into it.” England’s competing in two hopes of winning the series were all but undone groups. Cambodia, when they were bundled out for 58 in the first Pacific Oceania, innings of the day-night opening Test in Auckland Malaysia and Vietnam as the frailties of their batting was exposed. They are in Pool A. lost by an innings and 49 runs. Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi “Bar that first innings, we’ve played some good Arabia, Syria and Jordan cricket and especially in this game, I think we form Group B. showed what we are about,” he added. Qatar next play Jordan. Qatar’s Al Khulaifi wins gold and silver medals in Sarajevo

THE PENINSULA

SARAJEVO: Qatari swimmer Yaqoub Abdulaziz Al Khulaifi (pictured) won a gold and a silver medal in the Sarajevo International Swimming Cham- pionships. The Bosnia and Herzegovina meet is one of the qualifying events for the Youth Olympic Games, to be held in Argentina qualified in the 100m butterfly winner in the 50m butterfly and in October. for the Youth Olympics in bagged the silver medal in the Al Khulaifi, who has already Greece recently, emerged the 200m freestyle. Qatar to participate in Arab Shotgun Championship THE PENINSULA Qatar Shooting and Archery Association Secretary-General DOHA: The Nasser bin Saleh Al Majid Al Naimi (pictured) is the Attiyah-led Qatar team left for the head of the squad and Al Anoud Arab Shotgun Championship, al Naimi is the administration which is taking place in Rabat manager. Morocco. The participating teams are: Attiyah, a former Olympic Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, the United Games skeet bronze medallist and Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, triple Asia champion, is one of the Algeria, Lebanon, Iraq, Libya, Pal- 14 members representing Qatar. estine and hosts Morocco.

Qatar’s Nasser bin Saleh Al Attiyah in action in this file picture.