FORMULA 1 | Page 4 CRICKET | Page 7 Hamilton would ‘We urned it’ – have hit Leclerc Aussie pride had title not restored in been in play Ashes triumph

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 TENNIS Muharram 11, 1441 AH Nadal routs GULF TIMES Medvedev to win US Open SPORT Page 3 SPOTLIGHT New technology to boost TV experience for athletics fans during Doha Worlds

thletics fans around the audience before. the past year to ensure that the “Traditional camera positions letics Championships Doha 2019. on offi cials (in the call room and in long jump, triple jump and the globe will be closer In collaboration with the coverage in Doha would be fresh only showed the top or side of “Our main responsibility is to offi ciating on the race walks pole vault, the distance achieved to the action than ever IAAF’s long-standing timing and dynamic. their heads as they took their deliver accurate, reliable and fast course), drones, rail and wire in each of the three phases of before as IAAF Pro- partner Seiko, IAAF Produc- “Athletics is an extraordi- marks,’’ Lord explained. “The timing and measurement data cameras on the back straight, a the triple jump, and the speed ductionsA introduces ground- tions will launch the world-fi rst nary sport where our athletes new cameras within the blocks and we remain 100% focused on rail camera in the tunnel between and angle of release of the long breaking technology to the technology of Block Cam at Kha- do amazing things,’’ Lord said. will capture that intense moment this, as our enhanced Start infor- the warm-up track and stadium, throws. broadcast of the IAAF World lifa International Stadium. Two “There is exceptional life, colour just before a race. Seiko has done mation System for sprints dem- a super slo-mo remote camera in “We’ve embraced innovation Athletics Championships Doha miniature cameras have been and movement not only in but a brilliant job of bringing this to onstrates. However, for Doha, the discus cage, and hand-held throughout the Championships, 2019, starting on September 27. installed in each starting block around the competition and we life.” we have also invested in new cameras for athletes to take on showing more behind-the- The IAAF, with its technology which will provide a new dimen- wanted to showcase all of this Seiko will also introduce an technologies that bring the sport victory laps. scenes footage from the moment partners and suppliers, has made sion to the coverage of the 100m to the world in new and exciting improved Start Video System, closer to the fans like the ‘Block The 2019 World Champion- the athletes arrive at the stadium, a concerted push to revolutionise and sprint hurdles, broadcast- ways.” video distance measurement for Cam’ system, and a new infor- ships will also see a quantum leap through their whole journey to broadcast coverage of athletics ing the fi rst pictures of athletes’ The idea for Block Cam came shot put and new LED sand pit mation board for the long and forward in graphic production the end of the Event – and with at its fl agship competition, the faces in the moment before they from IAAF Productions Creative event boards which will deliver triple jumps. We hope that all of and analysis, using the combined more than 130 cameras inside biggest sporting event this year, hear the starting pistol, and cap- and Live Director Westbury Gil- more information to spectators. this helps bring new excitement expertise of Seiko, Hawkeye, An- and outside the stadium, we can’t by introducing an array of new turing the explosion of energy as lett, who felt the audience was The Chairman and Group CEO and new fans to the great sport of gular Velocity and Deltatre. wait to broadcast these unique cameras that will provide inno- the athletes leave the blocks. missing a crucial moment of the of Seiko Holdings Corporation, athletics.” These will display the maxi- Championships to a prospective vative angles on the competition IAAF Director of Broadcast drama by not being able to see Shinji Hattori said: “We are very The suite of new cameras being mum speed reached by sprinters audience of more than a billion and behind-the-scenes pictures James Lord said his team had the athletes’ faces at the start of proud of the service that we have used by IAAF Productions will during a race, and their fi nish- people,” Lord added. that have never been shown to been working intensively over sprint races. created for the IAAF World Ath- also include body cameras placed ing speed, the speed of take off – IAAF

FOOTBALL Qatar favourites but India keep up hope in qualifi er Pre-match niceties apart, it’s diff icult to see Qatar make any further concessions when the team face off at 7.30pm today

By Sports Reporter Doha

here’s a little bit of hype these days about how Indian football is looking Tup, but that will count for nothing when they face Qatar in their FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 and AFC Asian Cup China 2023 qualifi er in Doha today. Qatar’s coach Felix Sanchez and some of their players have been at their courteous best, praising the visitors for their recent perform- ances, saying anything can hap- pen on the fi eld of play. But pre-match niceties apart, India’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu (left) and head coach it’s diffi cult to see Qatar make Igor Stimac at a press conference yesterday. any further concessions when the teams face off at 7.30pm at the as strategy – to tackle Qatar, but ceptional to achieve success. It Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Sta- the hosts are not bothered, with is same thing which most of the dium. Sanchez saying that they have other countries do. We were suc- Qatar have a well-earned stat- their own priorities. cessful because we had some tal- ure to maintain. For starters they “We have twin targets in ented players which made our job are the Asian champions. Then mind…qualify for the 2023 Asian easier of winning the title.” there is the small matter of them Cup and prepare a good team for Meanwhile, Stimac, who had being the hosts of the 2022 FIFA the 2022 World Cup,” the Span- coached Al Shahania in the Qatar World Cup. The possibility of a Qatar coach Felix Sanchez conducts a training session yesterday ahead of today’s match against India. PICTURES: Noushad Thekkayil iard said at his pre-match press Stars League, said Qatar hardly defeat to India, ranked 103rd in conference. had any weaknesses. the FIFA rankings, therefore, will “It is an important game for us. “I know the Qatar team pretty be something of a catastrophe as It will be a tough game, but we ex- well. Their physical strength is far as Qatar are concerned. pect all our 11 players to give their great and their technical capabili- It was with this mindset that best and play to their best. ties and movements are fantastic. they took on Afghanistan last “We want our substitutes It’s diffi cult to fi nd any weak point week, beating them 6-0 thanks wherever they are called to take to in their squad,” Croatian Stimac to a hat-trick by Almoez Ali and a the fi eld and to play their role to stated. goal each by Abdelkarim Hassan, perfection. About making tacti- “But in football, everything is Hassan al-Haydos and Boualem cal changes we have not decided possible. You never give up.” Khoukhi. yet; we have a few things in mind.” Stimac said his players are India’s stock went up a notch Sanchez said he watched India ready for Qatar despite them hav- when they managed to lead Oman play against Oman last week. ing little time to prepare for the for most of their fi rst Group E “We have seen how they played match. match last Thursday, but it’s also in the last match against Oman “We didn’t have much time a fact they ran out of steam and and we read that they plan to after the Oman game. Qatar are conceded two late goals to go make a few changes from the last a very good team. We are trying down 2-1. match. India have done well in to give everything on the pitch. India coach Igor Stimac had the last few matches and we re- So we have been working on the made it clear that the team cannot spect them and we want to give players, and talking to them on keep on relying on veteran Su- our best.” how to prepare. nil Chhetri – who scored against A self-eff acing man that he is, “Fitness is not a concern. Ef- Oman – to deliver all the time, Sanchez played down sugges- fectiveness of running is impor- asking other players to step up tions that teams like India and Af- tant. A more experienced team and take responsibility. ghanistan can learn a lot from the would have known when and how India are also thinking about Asian champions. to run. We were wasting too much changes – to personnel as well “We did not do something ex- of our energy.” Gulf Times 2 Tuesday, September 10, 2019 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT England’s Rice received threats following switch of allegiance Perfect Spain and Italy London: England midfielder Declan Rice has revealed threats have been made against him and his family since he switched allegiance from the Republic of Ireland in February. Rice won three senior caps in friendly match- close in on Euro 2020 es for Ireland before the West Ham star announced at the start of this year he would Spain captain Ramos equals Casillas’ national appearances record with his 167th cap switch to the country of his birth. AFP The 20-year-old has Paris quickly become an important part of Gareth Southgate’s squad since his controversial pain and Italy moved to within decision after representing touching distance of Euro 2020 Ireland at four diff erent age on Sunday night after respective levels. He earned his fourth wins over the Faroe Islands and England cap in Saturday’s 4-0 FinlandS saw them maintain their per- victory over Bulgaria, but the fect qualifying records for next year’s change of nationality did not tournament. go down well with some Irish Rodrigo and Paco Alcacer both scored fans, leading to vitriolic online twice in an easy 4-0 victory over the abuse. Faroes in Gijon, on a night when captain “Yeah, I’ve had a few bad Sergio Ramos equalled Iker Casillas’ bits,” Rice told ITV News when national appearances record with his asked about social media at- 167th cap. It was their sixth win from six tacks. “I’ve had people saying in Group F and put them on a perfect 18 they’re going to come to my points, seven clear of Sweden, who drew house... Yeah online. There’s 1-1 with Scandinavian rivals Norway. a few bits I could go into, With two teams qualifying from the but I don’t need to go into it, group, they are also a further point threats to my family, threats ahead of third-placed Romania follow- to me. ing their 1-0 win over Malta. “Yes, it’s “You click on their profile almost done, but not yet mathemati- and they’d just be a fake cally,” said Spain coach Robert Moreno profile, so you don’t know when asked if his team had all but quali- whether it’s true or not. But fi ed with four games to spare. do you know what? I know, “We must grow as a team by winning thinking about it now, I was all our matches. Of course, the fi nal goal never actually scared about is qualifi cation, but what matters is that it, because fans are always the team has the feeling of doing things going to be giving me abuse well.” and whatnot over it. You just The evening began in a sombre fash- kind of look at it and laugh, ion with a minute’s silence in tribute to you think, ‘Yeah, all right, as if former coach Luis Enrique’s daughter you’re going to come and do Xana, who died of bone cancer aged that type of thing’.” nine last week. Moreno, who took over Rice, whose grand-parents as boss from Enrique when the ex- come from County Cork Barcelona coach stepped down in June, in Ireland, admitted it was made 10 changes to the starting XI harder for his family to deal which won 2-1 in Romania on Thursday, with the abuse than it was for with only Ramos keeping his place. him. “It was tough, there has However the hosts wasted little time been some abuse, it was more in taking the lead, Rodrigo tapping in for my mum and dad really,” despite suspicions of off side in the 13th he said. minute following a defensive mix-up, and the Valencia striker put the game to Finland’s Jere Uronen (right) and Italy’s Federico Chiesa vie for the ball during the Euro 2020 Group J qualification match in Tampere, Finland, on Sunday night. (AFP) BARCA’S UMTITI bed fi ve minutes after the break when he SUFFERS FOOT INJURY Loncar 90+5-og) Bosnia & Herzegovina 2 lashed a vicious left-footed strike into had levelled Ciro Immobile’s fi rst Italy Liechtenstein — who surprisingly drew when they travel to Copenhagen to take Barcelona centre-back (Dzeko 13, Gojak 70); At Athens: Greece 1 the top corner with the aid of a defl ec- goal in two years with a penalty of his 1-1 in Athens — next month. on the Danes before hosting Ireland in Samuel Umtiti has suff ered tion. own six minutes before. Switzerland kept their hopes of qual- Geneva. (Masouras 33) Liechtenstein 1 (Salanovic a bruised foot while on in- Substitute Alcacer put the cherry “I was feeling the pressure of not ifying from Group D alive with a 4-0 85); At Tampere, Finland: Finland 1 (Pukki ternational duty with France on the cake with two goals in the dy- scoring with this jersey,” said Lazio thumping of Gibraltar, who are yet to EURO 2020 QUALIFYING RESULTS 72-pen) Italy 2 (Immobile 59, Jorginho and could miss this week- ing moments, fi rst slotting home from striker Immobile. “But I knew the time pick up a point or score a goal after fi ve 79-pen) Group D: At Sion, Switzerland: Swit- end’s clash with Valencia, Thiago Alcantara’s low cross in the 90th would come. Tonight wasn’t easy, but games. the injury-plagued Spanish zerland 4 (Zakaria 37, Mehmedi 43, Playing today: (all 1845 GMT) minute before fl icking in a near-post we did well. We are happy, we are start- Goals from Denis Zakaria, Ad- champions said yesterday. Rodriguez 45+4, Gavranovic 87) Gibraltar header to score his third Spain goal this ing again after the disappointment of mir Mehmedi, Ricardo Rodriguez and Group A: At Podgorica: Montenegro v Ernesto Valverde’s men, who week. missing out on the World Cup.” Mario Gavranovic were enough to move 0; At Tblisi: Georgia 0 Denmark 0 Czach Republic (1845); At Southampton: host Valencia on Saturday, are Italy also kept their 100% record Four-time world champions Italy are Vladimir Petkovic’s side to within three Group F: At Gijon, Spain: Spain 4 (Rod- England v Kosovo (1845) already without star forwards thanks to Jorginho’s late penalty, which fl ying high with a maximum 18 points points of leaders Ireland. rigo 13, 50, Paco Alcacer 90, 90+3) Faroe Group B: At Luxembourg: Luxembourg Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez fi red Italy their own sixth straight win, with four qualifying games to play, nine They are also just a point away from Islands 0; At Solna, Sweden: Sweden 1 v Serbia (1845); At Vilnius: Lithuania v due to foot and calf prob- 2-1 at nearest rivals Finland. Chelsea points ahead of third-placed Armenia second-placed Denmark, who could (Forsberg 60) Norway 1 (Johansen 45); Portugal (1845) lems respectively. Winger midfi elder Jorginho’s 79th-minute despite their thrilling 4-2 win over Bos- only manage a goalless draw at Georgia, At Ploiesti, Romania: Romania 1 (Puscas Ousmane Dembele is also nia and Herzegovina earlier on Sunday. and have a game in hand on both their Group H: At Chisnau: Moldova v Turkey winner in Tampere sent Roberto Man- 47) Malta 0 sidelined with a hamstring cini’s side six points clear of the sec- They could now secure qualifi cation rivals. (1845); At Saint-Denis: France v Andorra issue, while full-back Nelson ond-placed Finns in Group J, after in- for the tournament, which kicks off The Swiss’ fate could be decided in Group J: At Yerevan: Armenia 4 (1845); At Elbasan: Albania v Iceland Semedo has a sprained ankle. form Norwich City striker Teemu Pukki in Rome next June, against Greece or the next round of games next month, (Mkhitaryan 3, 66, Hambartsumyan 77, (1845)

FOCUS EURO 2020 QUALIFIER QFA approves increase in second division clubs ‘It’s England’s turn,’ say confi dent Kosovo, Europe’s surprise team

AFP tory against the Czech Republic Pristina was very important,” said Swan- sea midfi elder Bersant Celina. “Now it’s England’s turn.” osovo will take the fi eld They beat Bulgaria 3-2 in So- in Southampton today fi a with a goal three minutes into for their fi rst ever inter- added time by substitute Elba- national against Eng- san Rashani. Then they came Kland as surprise contenders at from behind against the Czechs the top of Group A in Euro 2020 without two injured pillars, mid- qualifi cation. Recent results have fi elder Arber Zeneli and Werder given the team ranked 120th in Bremen forward Milot Rashica. the world hope of an upset. Both will be missing against “To beat England, we’ll have England. Fenerbahce’s Vedat to fi ght like complete madmen,” Muriqi scored against both Bul- Swiss coach Bernard Chal- ning of 2018 stabilised the team. garians and Czechs. The young landes told Kosovo media. It When they gained their fi rst ever team is built around children would be a coup for a team that international win against Mada- of the widespread Kosovan di- only played their fi rst offi cial in- gascar in March 2018, Albania aspora. People fl ed fi rst the rule ternational in 2014. “It’s going were ranked 177th out of 221 of Serbian strongman Slobodan to be diffi cult,” said Frankfurt- football nations in the world. Milosevic in the 1990s, then the born midfi elder Besar Halimi, Grouped with other teams war of independence from Serbia who plays for Sandhausen in the from the bottom tier of Euro- in 1998-99 and also from a frag- Bundesliga 2. “England has an pean football, their debut in a ile economy. extraordinary team with play- UEFA competition, the Nations Many talented Kosovo quali- ers who play in the Champions League, last year, brought victo- fi ed players had already locked The Qatar Stars League held a co-ordination meeting with QNB Stars League and Second Division League coaches. League every year. You have to ries over the Faeroes, Azerbaijan themselves into representing take it as an experience, give the and Malta. Topping their group other countries, such as Lorik he Executive Committee of the QATAR STARS LEAGUE HOLDS of QFA’s Referees’ Committee. Abbassi best and hope to take points.” means that, even if Kosovo fail to Cana of Albania and Swiss in- Qatar Football Association (QFA) MEETING WITH CLUB COACHES stressed the importance of having such Because Serbia disputed Ko- take one of the top two places in ternationals Granit Xhaka, Valon decided yesterday to increase the The Qatar Stars League (QSL) held a co- meetings, development process between sovo’s 2008 declaration of in- their Euro group, they will have Behrami and Xherdan Shaqiri. number of second division clubs to ordination meeting with QNB Stars League QSL and clubs, and increasing the technical dependence, the young country another chance in the playoff s. Rashani, the hero of Sofi a, and Teight from next season by accepting the reg- and Second Division League coaches at its level of tournaments and players. was not fully recognised by the Yet, they enter today’s game Zeneli were born in Sweden. Ras- istration of Al Nasr and Lusail clubs for the headquarters in Al Bidda Tower, in line with The meeting also discussed a number international football bodies un- second in Group A, one point be- ahani plays in Norway, Zeneli for fi rst time in the competition. its policy of continuous consultation and of important points, such as development til 2015. Kosovo, a poor country hind England and three ahead of Reims in the French fi rst division. In doing so, the clubs participating in co-ordination between the two parties. of football and key technical observations of some 2mn inhabitants, made the third-placed Czech Repub- In total, the squad, which has an the new season include Al Kharaitiyat, Al The meeting was attended by Ahmed made by the coaches. Abbassi said: “We their competitive debut in World lic. On Saturday, they came from average age of just 23, is drawn Markhiya, Mesaimeer, Al Shamal, Muaither Khellil Abbassi, Executive Director of Com- met with the coaches to get their views on Cup qualifying when a penalty by behind to beat the Czechs 2-1 in from 14 diff erent leagues, though and Al Bidda, in addition to the two new petitions and Football Development at QSL; how to contribute towards the develop- Valon Berisha earned a promising Pristina. “Our team is the Brazil now play in the Superleague of clubs. Ahmed al-Adsani, Director of Competitions ment of league, professionalism and foot- 1-1 draw away to Finland. of the Balkans! Kosovo!” said ex- Kosovo. “United, with the help The competition system provides for the Department at QSL; Miguel Heitor, Acting ball in general, based on their technical ex- They lost their next nine group cited local taxi diver Agim Neziri. of our supporters, Kosovo can establishment of the league in two phases. Director of Football Development at QSL; pertise. We’ve coaches with high technical games scoring only two more The Kosovars kick off at St achieve great things,” said cap- The decision to increase the second division Ali Hamoud al-Nuaimi, Head of Competi- levels and benefi ting from their experience goals and conceding another 23. Mary’s Stadium in Southampton tain Amir Rrahmani, a defender clubs has been done to expand the game and tions at Qatar Football Association (QFA); through communication is very important The arrival of Swiss coach Ber- on an unbeaten run of 15 games, who plays for Hellas Verona in develop the sport to a bigger audience. and Abdullah al-Balooshi, representative as they’re an essential part of the system.” nard Challandes at the begin- the longest in Europe. “Our vic- Serie A. Gulf Times Tuesday, September 10, 2019 3 TENNIS

US OPEN ZHENGZHOU OPEN Kenin, Garcia advance to Nadal edges out second round

Reuters Beijing

ofi a Kenin staved off a late comeback Medvedev in thriller; attempt by Chloe Paquet to defeat the Frenchwoman 6-2, 7-5 and reach the second round of the inaugural ZhengzhouS Open yesterday. Sixth seed Kenin, seeking a third WTA ti- tle this year following triumphs in Hobart and Mallorca, rallied from a break down in the sec- ond set to close out the win after 83 minutes in bags 19th Slam title sweltering conditions. “Chloe is a tough player. I lost to her in Stras- bourg, so I knew I needed to fi gure out a way to It was the second Slam title of the year for Nadal after taking his 12th French Open crown in June win,” Kenin, who next plays local hope Lu Jin- gjing or Alize Cornet, said. AFP Medvedev, who will rise to a ca- “Conditions are really hot. I’m kind of used New York reer-best fourth in the rankings, was a to it... but it’s not easy. I’m happy to have gotten champion at Cincinnati and runner-up through it.” at Montreal, Washington and the Open. Eighth seed Caroline Garcia overcame a mid- afael Nadal captured his 19th “His summer was one of the best match wobble to overcome Czech Republic’s career Grand Slam title in summers I ever saw,” Nadal said. “Peo- Tereza Martincova 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 while Petra thrilling fashion on Sunday ple saw why he is already number four Martic beat Italy’s Jasmine Paolini 7-5, 6-1. Rby winning the US Open fi nal, in the world.” Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva battled past outlasting Russia’s Daniil Medvedev Medvedev, who saw his career-best Tamara Zidansek 6-1, 5-7, 6-1 in a rematch of 7-5, 6-3, 5-7, 4-6, 6-4 to seize his fourth 12-match win streak snapped, would this year’s Nuremberg Cup fi nal to move into crown in New York. have been the fi rst Russian to win a the second round. Three-times Grand Slam The 33-year-old Spanish left-hand- Grand Slam title since Marat Safi n at champion Angelique Kerber, who was beaten er moved one shy of Roger Federer’s the 2005 Australian Open and the fi rst in the opening round of the US Open, is among all-time men’s record 20 Grand Slam Russian to win the US Open since Safi n the main contenders in Zhengzhou having triumphs and became the second-old- in 2000. taken a wildcard to compete in the fi rst Premier est New York champion in the Open era event of the Asian swing. after Ken Rosewall in 1970 at age 35. ELECTRIC FIFTH SET Former world number one Karolina Plisk- “(It) has been one of the most emo- On a knife’s edge at 5-5 in the third set, ova is the top seed at the tournament ahead of tional nights in my tennis career,” Nadal Medvedev reeled off eight of the last Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. said. World number two Nadal took the nine points to force a fourth, breaking top prize of $3.85mn at Arthur Ashe Nadal in the 12th game with a backhand Stadium and added to his US Open tro- winner. SPOTLIGHT phy haul from 2010, 2013 and 2017. “To be honest in my mind, I was al- Nadal, who was in his fi fth US Open ready thinking, ‘What do I say in the championship match and 27th Grand speech, it’s going to be in 20 minutes,” Slam fi nal, is the fi rst man to claim fi ve Medvedev said. Andreescu major titles after turning 30. “I was like I have to fi ght for every But it took a supreme eff ort from the ball, and it went further but it didn’t go Spanish maestro, who nearly became my way.” jumps into the fi rst player to drop the fi nal after Nadal was broken in the 10th game leading by two sets since Ted Schroeder of the fourth set to force a fi fth when in 1949. Medvedev blasted a sterling backhand top fi ve “This victory means a lot,” Nadal return winner. said. “And the way it happened. It was Nadal rescued three Medvedev break hard to control the nerves. The nerves chances to hold in the second game were so high after having the match al- of the fi fth set, fi red a backhand vol- most under control.” ley winner to break Medvedev in the Nadal, who rose to 22-12 in fi ve-set fi fth game and seized a 5-2 edge when matches, only lost once at a Slam when Medvedev hit an overhead smash long. up two sets, to Italy’s Fabio Fognini in Serving for the match, Nadal was the 2015 US Open third round. broken when umpire Ali Nili issued “I more or less had the match under Nadal a time violation for his fi rst serve control,” Nadal said. “The way he was and the Spaniard sent his second long, able to fi ght, to change the rhythm of the crowd booing Nili for his call. Nadal the match, was incredible.” Rafael Nadal holds the trophy after his win over Daniil Medvedev at the US Open on Sunday. (AFP) squandered two break and match points At four hours and 50 minutes, the in the ninth game as the drama intensi- match fi nished four minutes short of in June. In addition to reaching the unbelievable, outrageous,” Medvedev ing to Nikolay Davydenko in the 2011 fi ed. equalling the longest fi nal in US Open brink of Federer’s mark, Nadal moved said. Doha semi-fi nals. Again serving for the match, Nadal Bianca Andreescu poses with her trophy at top history from Mats Wilander’s 1988 win one shy of the Open era record fi ve US Nadal, who won his only prior meet- Fifth seed Medvedev, 23, would have rescued a break point then hit a fore- of the Rock in New York on Sunday. (Reuters) and Andy Murray’s 2012 title. It was the Open titles won by Federer, Jimmy ing with Medvedev in last month’s been the youngest men’s Grand Slam hand drop volley for his third match second Slam title of the year for Nadal Connors and Pete Sampras. Montreal fi nal, stretched his win streak champion since Juan Martin del Potro point chance and Medvedev sent a fore- AFP after taking his 12th French Open crown “A 19th Grand Slam title is something over Russians to 20 matches since los- at the 2009 US Open. hand return long to end matters. Paris

S Open winner Bianca An- Clay maniac Nadal finds unlikely second home at US Open dreescu, 200th in the world rankings a year ago, leapt into AFP titles belonging to long-time ing Meadows that he would obliging knees have turned said. After he failed to even reach Uthe top fi ve yesterday, while New York rival Federer, Pete Sampras get his hands on an elusive US New York into a land of oppor- Nadal’s Grand Slam CV a Slam semi-fi nal in 2015 and Ashleigh Barty knocked Naomi Osaka off and Jimmy Connors. Open trophy. tunity. Vanquished opponents boasts 12 French Opens, four 2016 some fi gured his greatest top spot. BOTTOMLINE But it was not an instant “Since a long time ago, eve- this past fortnight struggled US Open titles, two at Wim- moments were behind him. Eliminated in the fi rst qualifying round nlike at his beloved connection between Nadal, ry time that I came here I felt to fi nd superlatives befi tting bledon and one at the Austral- But Nadal roared into the in New York a year ago, Andreescu rose 10 Roland Garros, suc- his notoriously suspect knees, comfortable. I felt very com- the 33-year-old as he capped ian Open. 2017 Australian Open fi nal, places to number fi ve after beating Serena cess did not arrive and the year’s fi nal Grand petitive and fi ghting for the big one of his greatest Grand Slam Tennis has been good for losing to Federer, then cap- Williams in the fi nal on Saturday. overnight for Rafael Slam tournament. things,” Nadal said during his years in thrilling style. Nadal but he has been just as tured a record 10th French The 19-year-old Canadian is one place UNadal on the unforgiving hard “I think at the beginning run to a second US Open title Diego Schwartzman sug- infl uential as a key driver of Open crown in June that year, behind Osaka, whose defence of her US courts of the US Open, where of my career have been some in three years. gested Nadal was “like a lion the sport’s growth. Only Nadal setting the stage for another title ended in the quarter-fi nals. he surged to within a title tough moments here, losing “I feel comfortable here, I in the middle of the jungle” and Andre Agassi can say they title run at the US Open. Barty was also knocked out in the last of Roger Federer’s all-time matches,” said Nadal, who like the atmosphere, I like the while Matteo Berrettini called have a career Grand Slam and Those struggles receded eight but, since she was knocked out in the men’s Grand Slam singles failed to reach a single semi- crowd. I feel a big energy when him “the greatest fi ghter ever an Olympic men’s singles gold further into distant memo- fourth round in 2018, increased her rank- record Sunday. fi nal in his fi rst fi ve trips to the I am playing in this Arthur in this sport.” medal, Nadal having claimed ries this year as he reached ing points total. Nadal’s epic victory over US Open. During that span, Ashe Stadium.” “It’s tough to fi nd words. his in 2008 at Beijing. the semi-fi nals at all four The Australian is just over 400 points Daniil Medvedev secured the Nadal would claim at least Nadal’s latest coronation, He’s one of the greatest cham- Knee and wrist injuries have majors for the fi rst time since ahead of the Czech Karolina Pliskova, who Spaniard his fourth US Open one singles title at the other his 19th Grand Slam title, re- pions in the history of our taken a toll throughout his 2008, his fi ve-set win over climbed one place to second. crown, leaving him one shy three majors, but it was not inforced the fact the slower sport. He’s just a machine, a career, however, costing him Medvedev moving him a step The top two have opened a substantial of the Open era record of fi ve until his eighth visit to Flush- courts of the US Open and his beast on the court,” Medvedev nine Slam appearances. closer to history. gap over Elina Svitolina, who rose two spots to third after reaching the semi-fi - nals in New York.

BOTTOMLINE Medvedev proud despite ‘amazing summer’ ending with fi nal loss AFP I’m, like, 70 years old.” three break point chances in best result was fourth round of a New York Medvedev, who won his the second game of the decider. Slam. I had some physical prob- fi rst Masters title last month in He looked beaten after go- lems. Sometimes I didn’t play Cincinnati, will climb to a career ing a double break down, but as good as I wanted. But I man- aniil Medvedev said high of fourth in the ATP rank- retrieved one and erased two aged to be in the fi nal. I managed he was incredibly ings. match points, creating an op- to give huge fi ght to one of the proud of a remarkable “After the summer I had no portunity to get back on serve as best players in the history of our Dsix-week hardcourt fear. I had everything to win. I Nadal served for the title a sec- sport.” run in North America that cul- think it’s Rafa who had some- ond time. Nadal’s victory extended the minated with Sunday’s agoniz- thing to lose. I went out there, dominance of the “Big Three” ing fi ve-set loss to Rafael Nadal I gave everything I could, and ‘CLOSE TO WINNING’ with the last 12 major titles won in the US Open fi nal. I’m proud of myself,” Medvedev “Was I close to winning? Yes, by the Spaniard, Novak Djokovic Medvedev became just the said. one set away. I mean, had break or Roger Federer. third man to reach fi nals at “He was the better one today. points at 5-4. I will remember Medvedev was attempting to Washington, Canada, Cincin- I have to admit it. I have no re- everything of it. I will be disap- become the fi rst man born in the nati and the US Open in the grets.” pointed with the result, but I will 1990s to win a Grand Slam title. same summer, but like those The Russian, a fi rst-time be happy with the way I played, Milos Raonic lost the Wimble- before him — Ivan Lendl (1982) Grand Slam fi nalist, joked he as I say, the whole summer, the don fi nal in 2016 while Dominic and Andre Agassi (1995) — he was thinking of what to say dur- whole US Open,” Medvedev Thiem fi nished runner-up to too fi nished runner-up in New ing the trophy presentation after said. Nadal at the French Open the York. losing the fi rst two sets to Nadal. “My wife always tells me that past two years. “It was an amazing match. It’s But Medvedev, spurred on I have to be happy about myself “I can say that I’m sure all of an amazing story. All this sum- by an electric Arthur Ashe Sta- sometimes, because I’m really us, we’re fi ghting our best to try mer is amazing for me. I will dium crowd, tapped into his self-criticising. For example, to make this transition. It’s really remember every moment of it,” energy reserves to launch a stir- tonight I’m not happy to lose, tough because these guys, they Medvedev said. ring fi ghtback that had Nadal up but I have to give myself credit are playing good tennis. I don’t “I have a really good memory against the ropes. for these two weeks. It’s been know what else to say. They are if we talk about tennis. I’ll defi - After levelling the fi nal at two amazing. just playing amazing tennis,” nitely remember it even when sets apiece, Medvedev missed “Before the tournament, my Medvedev said. Daniil Medvedev gestures during his final match against Rafael Nadal at the US Open on Sunday. (AFP) Gulf Times 4 Tuesday, September 10, 2019 SPORT

FORMULA 1 Hamilton would have hit Leclerc had title not been in play

Reuters a corner by the 21-year-old Mon- two races, is fourth overall but 102 “If that’s cool, then that’s how better job.” Monza egasque in an aggressive defensive points behind the Briton and only we are racing.” Bottas, who pitted later and had move. Hamilton ended the day 63 mathematically in title contention Hamilton said he respected fresher tyres than Hamilton at the points clear of his closest rival and against a rival who has fi nished all Leclerc but he was still discover- end, moved into second place after ormula One leader Lewis Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas, but two races this season on the ing more about how the youngster, Hamilton went straight at the chi- Hamilton said he would who fi nished second, with seven of podium. in only his second season and fi rst cane. have been far tougher with 21 races remaining. “There is absolutely zero issue with Ferrari, behaved on track. The Briton said he would have let FFerrari’s Italian Grand Prix Leclerc won Ferrari’s home race with us, I think he did an excep- “Charles is one of the most re- the Finn go past otherwise. winner Charles Leclerc on Sunday from pole position, with Hamilton tional job today,” Hamilton told spectful drivers,” he added. “This is “I knew that he was much, much had the Mercedes driver not been putting him under plenty of pres- reporters after the race when asked today the fi rst time I’ve really come quicker and had a shot to poten- fi ghting for his sixth world cham- sure until his Mercedes’s tyres had about the incident. wheel to wheel with him as such tially win the race,” he said. “I think pionship. no life left in them. “If we get a moment together we and when you arrive at a new driver that’s the most important point for “I wouldn’t have moved. We Hamilton ended up third, but might chat for a second and just re- you learn how they approach dif- the team. would have collided,” the Briton with a precious extra point for fast- verse roles and make sure he’s cool ferent scenarios. “So in hindsight I didn’t have Lewis Hamilton (L) with Charles Leclerc after the qualifying said of an incident where he was est lap. with it if I’m in that position and “Maybe I’ll position the car dif- to do that (let him overtake),” he session at the Autodromo Nazionale circuit in Monza on squeezed off track and forced to cut Leclerc, who has won the last that happens. ferently next time, maybe I’ll do a smiled. September 7.

FOCUS Haas F1 team parts company with title sponsor Rich Energy

Monza: Haas F1 and title spon- parties. The title sponsorship sor Rich Energy have parted had been in doubt for some company after 14 races togeth- time, with Rich Energy posting er, the US-owned Formula One on Twitter in July that they had team announced yesterday. terminated the contract. Leclerc is now A Haas spokesman said the Shareholders later said in a cars would retain the black and statement issued by the team gold livery for the rest of the that those comments were season but without the energy unauthorised and the ‘rogue drink company’s branding. actions’ of one individual. “Haas F1 Team and Rich Energy Haas, the only US-owned entry have amicably agreed to end in Formula One, are ninth of their partnership together in 10 teams after Sunday’s Italian Ferrari’s ‘forgiven’ the FIA Formula One world Grand Prix with Danish driver championship with immedi- Kevin Magnussen and French- ate eff ect,” the team said in a man Romain Grosjean. The 21-year-old’s victory at the statement. In May, Rich Energy lost a It said Rich Energy needed a court case brought against it in Italian GP triggered scenes of intense revised global strategy due to Britain by Whyte Bikes for copy- emotion at Ferrari’s home race a ‘corporate restructuring proc- right infringement of it’s stags ess’ and a termination of the head logo, which was removed favourite agreement was best for both from the F1 cars.

Reuters to shenanigans in Saturday’s Monza qualifying. Leclerc had taken pole on RUGBY the basis of his first fast lap ebastian Vettel was in the final shootout, with the supposed to be the final minutes descending into man to follow in farce with no driver willing to ‘Dealing with S Michael Schumacher’s take the lead and allow others footsteps at Ferrari but the to slipstream. heir apparent to the master of Within Ferrari, sources said, typhoons part Maranello is looking more and it had been agreed that Leclerc more like Charles Leclerc. would give Vettel the neces- The 21-year-old Mon- sary tow but that never hap- of World Cup egasque’s victory at the Italian pened and the German was not Grand Prix on Sunday trig- impressed. In the race, Leclerc gered scenes of intense emo- also showed he was willing to experience’ tion at Ferrari’s home race and push the rules to the limit — catapulted Leclerc ahead of triggering a black and white Reuters no more concerns,” said Hansen. Vettel in the standings. warning flag, the equivalent of Kashiwa “Part of our planning is un- The newspaper headline a yellow card in soccer, when derstanding what we are coming writers left no doubt about the he squeezed Mercedes’s Lewis into. We are well aware of what prevailing sentiment yester- Hamilton off the track. yphoons are just one we could get.” day. “The racing was very hard, of the many challenges Despite the delay, hundreds of “Reclerc” declared the front maybe over the line — and world champions New All Blacks fans waited outside the page of the daily Gazetta dello Lewis I think was instrumental Zealand will have to con- hotel to greet their heroes, with Sport, playing on the Mon- in not making it an incident,” Ttend with at the upcoming Rugby children performing a haka and a egasque’s surname with the commented Mercedes team World Cup, head coach Steven choir singing local and New Zea- Italian word for king and an- boss Toto Wolff. Hansen said after his team’s ar- land songs. nouncing the coronation of the “But at the end of the day, rival in Japan was disrupted by The players appeared a little team’s ‘little prince’. what do you do? You give a the aftermath of typhoon Faxai. overwhelmed by the experience Vettel, a four times world leading Ferrari in Monza a The storm, one of the strong- after their long journey. champion who endured a bleak five-second penalty? Out of est to hit eastern Japan in recent “A fantastic welcome, mind- afternoon at Monza and was the question... because then years, struck shortly before dawn blowing really,” said Hansen, lapped by his teammate after we need a police escort out of yesterday, killing one woman, who also exchanged gifts with collecting a 10 second stop/go here.” damaging buildings and severely Kashiwa’s mayor. penalty for dangerous driv- Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc celebrates his victory with Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto and Leclerc, like the Schumach- disrupting transport. “Seeing the kids and the en- ing, was highlighted as a man teammates in Monza on Sunday. er of old, was aggressive and More than 160 fl ights were joyment on their faces was really in crisis. single-minded after seizing cancelled, causing chaos at both exciting.” The victory at Monza was to-back wins in Belgium and the way through the campaign — he can be fearless but also his chance and starting from of Tokyo’s major airports. Favourites New Zealand come Leclerc’s second in a row, fol- Italy, Formula One’s two fast- the youngster is ahead of Vet- selfish and ruthless when it pole position. With the world’s top rugby into the tournament looking to lowing on from his break- est tracks, was Schumacher tel on points, poles, podiums suits his purposes. Unlike the German, he ad- teams arriving this week ahead make history as the only team through in Belgium the previ- in his debut season with the and wins. Team boss Mattia Binotto dressed the crowd afterwards of the World Cup that begins on to win three consecutive World ous weekend, but the first by a team in 1996. Leclerc, too, is Leclerc also showed in alluded to this when he con- in fluent Italian. The crowd Sept. 20, New Zealand, England Cups. Ferrari driver since 2010. in his first season with Ferrari, Monza that — like most great gratulated him over the team had no need for forgiveness, and Australia were all caught up They begin their campaign Tellingly perhaps, the last a team celebrating their 90th drivers including seven times radio at the finish by saying they already had their favour- in the post-typhoon disorder. against South Africa on Sept. 21. Ferrari driver to take back- anniversary, and two thirds of world champion Schumacher ‘you are forgiven’, referring ite. Australia had to delay their ar- “You are expected to win all rival by a whole day, while Eng- the time so you have to make a land were left stranded at Tokyo’s choice whether you sink or you BOTTOMLINE Narita airport for fi ve hours. stand up,” Hansen said. New Zealand were more for- “For us, it is about getting ex- tunate, managing to get to their cited about trying to do some- hotel in Kashiwa, north of Tokyo, thing that nobody else has ever Vettel in danger zone for ban aft er Monza mistakes after a two hour delay. done before and we are the only Coach Steve Hansen shrugged team at this tournament that can Reuters cari before compounding his anything. off any concerns about future do it. Monza unforced error by returning to “Obviously on my side I’m storms disrupting the tourna- “So, it is an unique challenge the track clumsily and with- not happy. I can’t be happy ment, which takes place during to us and if we really embrace out making sure the road was with my day today.” Japan’s notorious typhoon sea- that, like I said before, and have errari’s Sebastian clear. Vettel has not won a race for son. fun doing it then that helps you Vettel has entered the Canadian Lance Stroll, in more than a year, his last being “They are all things we know deal with all the pressure that danger zone for a race the Racing Point, was unable at the Belgian Grand Prix in about and we have planned for so comes with it.” Fban after falling foul to avoid a glancing contact and August 2018. of Formula One stewards on a went spinning off , returning He also spun at Monza nightmare Italian Grand Prix in an equally alarming fashion last year after starting on the Ex-All Black Robinson to take Sunday for the German. and almost colliding with Toro front row and then collid- The four-times world Rosso’s Pierre Gasly. ing with Mercedes rival Lewis over as NZ Rugby chief champion was handed three Vettel was also handed a 10 Hamilton on the opening lap. penalty points for dangerous second stop/go penalty, drop- He fought back from 18th to Wellington: New Zealand science at Britain’s Cambridge driving in his team’s home ping him to the back of the fourth on that occasion. Rugby named former All Blacks University. “I have a clear vision race, taking his tally to nine. fi eld. His temperament has been centre Mark Robinson as its new to continue to grow the great Any driver who amasses 12 To add salt in the wounds, increasingly questioned, how- chief executive yesterday, saying work already established under points in a 12 month period he was then lapped by race ever, over the past year with he will work with outgoing boss Steve’s watch,” he said. is banned for one race auto- winning teammate Charles some pundits accusing him of Steve Tew at the upcoming “(I) recognise the significant re- matically, and Vettel has three Leclerc and fi nished 13th — his cracking under pressure and Rugby World Cup in Japan. sponsibility we have in ensuring more grands prix to go before second blank in fi ve races. making mistakes unworthy of Robinson, the first former All our game continues to flourish he starts to shed any of those “I made a mistake and lost a multiple champion. Black to hold the governing at all levels.” NZR said Robinson accrued to date. the car,” he told reporters. Asked by Sky Sports tel- body’s top job, played nine Tests would formally take over in Jan- Three points is the maxi- “After that, the race was a bit evision whether he was falling for New Zealand from 2000- uary but the transition will begin mum the stewards can hand diff erent. out of love with the sport, the 2002 in an international career immediately as he accompanies out, with that penalty re- “Coming back (on track), I 32-year-old replied: “No, not that was plagued by injury. Tew to the World Cup, where served for the most serious knew there would be a gap but really, I haven’t. The 45-year-old also won two the All Blacks are chasing a third incidents. I struggled a little bit to get “Of course I still love what Super Rugby titles with the straight title. Tew announced his There was little doubt Vet- out... I think I was stuck on I do, but surely when you’re Canterbury Crusaders, but cut departure in June after 12 years tel’s misdemeanour was of the grass and lost a bit of mo- not doing well what you know short his professional career to at the helm, saying it was time that magnitude, with the mentum there and that took a you can do well, you can’t be study philosophy and political for “new blood”. German spinning off at As- little bit longer. I couldn’t see happy.” Gulf Times Tuesday, September 10, 2019 5 SPORT

NFL MLB Astros erupt for 21 runs against Mariners Pats stomp Steelers, as Cole cruises

Reuters Aledmys Diaz, Tucker, Alva- Houston rez and Maldonado doubled off Hernandez during the on- slaught, with Alvarez plat- he Houston Astros ing Altuve and Alex Bregman Chiefs beat Jags hammered the visit- with his double to right while ing Seattle Mariners Diaz, Tucker and Maldonado for 21 runs on 22 hits, notched an RBI apiece. andT Gerrit Cole set a single- Hernandez departed after season standard for strikeouts Maldonado plated Tucker, in a 21-1 rout on Sunday after- but the Astros kept piling on noon to complete a four-game against reliever Erik Swanson, series sweep. including a George Springer despite losing Hill Houston scored four in the three-run homer, his 31st. second inning, nine in the Houston sent 14 batters to ‘The defence played great and gave us a lot of opportunities’ third, two in the fi fth, one in the plate during the nine-run the sixth and fi ve in the sev- third. The Astros capped the AFP enth for the runaway win. afternoon with a club-record Los Angeles Cole (16-5) extended his 11 doubles, three from Alvarez winning streak to 12 by sur- (4-for-6, six RBIs). Springer rendering one run on one hit added four RBIs. om Brady passed for three touch- with a season-high downs and 341 yards as the New 15 strikeouts over RESULTS England Patriots began the de- eight dominant in- fence of their Super Bowl title nings. His strikeout Astros 21-1 Mariners Twith a 33-3 rout of Pittsburgh in a bruising of Seattle right Padres 2-1 Rockies opening Sunday of the NFL season. fi elder Keon Broxton Dodgers 5-0 Giants The 42-year-old Brady completed 24 of in the sixth inning 36 passes and improved to 6-0 at home was his 11th of the Yankees 10-5 Red Sox against the Steelers. game and 277th on Marlins 9-0 Royals He threw two touchdown passes to the season, eclipsing Athletics 3-1 Tigers Phillip Dorsett and one to Josh Gordon. the 276 strikeouts he White Sox 5-1 Angels Stephen Gostkowski added four fi eld recorded in 2018, his goals. fi rst season with the Brewers 8-5 Cubs “The defence played great and gave us Astros. Indians 5-2 Twins a lot of opportunities,” said Brady. “We Cole extended Cardinals 2-0 Pirates made some big plays on the pass game.” his franchise record The Patriots, who held a pregame cer- of double-digit Reds 4-3 D’backs emony to celebrate their championship, strikeout perform- Phillies 10-7 Mets started quickly leading 7-0 after the fi rst ances to 17 this sea- Rays 8-3 Blue Jays quarter and 20-0 at halftime. son, including fi ve Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberg- in succession. He Rangers 10-4 Orioles er was 27 of 47 for 276 passing yards, and became the sec- Nationals 9-4 Braves an interception. ond pitcher in his- The win comes just days before the Pa- tory with at least 14 strikeouts triots add Antonio Brown to their lineup. in three consecutive starts MYERS’ SINGLE PUSHES New England reportedly has guaranteed (Pedro Martinez, 1999). He PADRES PAST ROCKIES the wide receiver $9 million this season. threw 96 pitches on his 29th Wil Myers singled home Man- Brown, a four-time All-Pro and one of birthday. ny Machado with one out in the league’s most dynamic pass catchers, The Astros improved to the bottom of the 10th inning is not eligible to be signed offi cially until 16-1 against Seattle this sea- to lift the San Diego Padres to Monday. son, a mark that includes a a 2-1 win against the visiting 10-0 record at home. Houston Colorado Rockies on Sunday RESULTS is 16-4 over its last 20 games afternoon. and matched its franchise Machado drew a one-out Patriots 33-3 Pittsburgh record with its 55th home walk in the 10th from right- Buff alo 17-16 Jets victory this season. The As- handed reliever Jesus Tinoco. Baltimore 59-10 Miami tros are 27-4 over their last 31 Left-hander Sam Howard games at Minute Maid Park. came on and walked the only Kansas City 40-26 Jacksonville Mariners veteran right- hitter he faced, Eric Hosmer. Tennessee 43-13 Cleveland hander Felix Hernandez (1- Myers then greeted right- Philadelphia 32-27 Washington 6) was partially undone by a hander Yency Almonte, the fi elding error from shortstop eighth Colorado pitcher, with a Minnesota 28-12 Atlanta Dee Gordon that allowed Kyle line-drive RBI single to centre. Rams 30-27 Carolina Tucker and Abraham Toro to Tinoco (0-2) took the loss. Chargers 30-24 Indianapolis score and Martin Maldonado Craig Stammen (8-7), the Cincinnati 20-21 Seattle to reach base with two outs in fi fth pitcher deployed by the the second. On his ensuring Padres, struck out two in the Detroit 27-27 Arizona pitch to Jake Marisnick, Hern- top of the 10th inning. It was Dallas 35-17 Giants andez surrendered a 432-foot just the third win in 10 extra- San Francisco 31-17 Tampa Bay blast to left that allowed Hou- inning games this season for ston to extend its lead to 4-0. San Diego. The Padres took Hernandez did not retire two out of three in the series. Brady said he hopes the Patriots can any of the seven batters he Colorado has now lost 11 of its fi nd a receiver role for Brown. “It is about faced in the third. Jose Altuve, last 13 games and 15 of 17. getting him up to speed,” Brady said. “He is a great player and we are excited to have him. I played against him for a long time. “We will try to incorporate him into the lineup the best way we can.” Elsewhere, reigning Most Valuable New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady passes the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first-half at Gillette Stadium. Player Patrick Mahomes threw for 378 PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports yards and three touchdowns to lead the Kansas City Chiefs to a 40-26 victory over Monday. “It was unfortunate,” Marrone Panthers running back Christian McCaf- yards, and two touchdowns. In Philadel- the Jacksonville Jaguars. said. “You’d really like to see how the game frey as he rushed toward the right sideline. phia, the Eagles rallied for a 32-27 victory Sammy Watkins grabbed nine passes would’ve worked itself out with Nick.” McCaff rey tried to hurdle over Weddle over NFC East rivals Washington, battling for a career-high 198 yards and three In his absence, rookie sixth-round pick and ended up catching him with a knee to back from defi cits of 17-0 and 20-7 with touchdowns, taking over as the top tar- Gardner Minshew threw for 275 yards and the right side of his helmet. three straight second-half touchdowns get for Chiefs quarterback Mahomes after two touchdowns in an outstanding de- and a fi eld goal on four possessions. Tyreek Hill departed with a shoulder in- but that still wasn’t enough. “I was really RAVENS SOAR There were a couple of other big come- jury days after he inked a three-year, $54 proud of him for stepping up,” Foles said Early division clashes saw the Baltimore backs, including for the Buff alo Bills, who million (48.9 million euros) deal last week. after the game, talking to reporters with Ravens run riot in a 59-10 victory over the rallied from a 16-0 defi cit to beat the New Hill was later transported to hospital his arm in a sling. “And I’m going to be Dolphins in Miami, where Ravens quar- York Jets 17-16 at MetLife Stadium in East with what Chiefs head trainer Rick Bur- here to help him any way possible.” terback Lamar Jackson threw for a career- Rutherford, New Jersey. kholder called a “sternoclavicular joint Los Angeles Rams safety Eric Weddle high 324 passing yards and a club-record Kyler Murray and the Arizona Cardinals injury which is where your clavicle comes suff ered a frightening head laceration in fi ve passing touchdowns. He connected nearly fi nished an improbable comeback into your sternum”. his team’s 30-27 win over the Panthers in on 17 of 20 passes for a club-record 85 on the rookie’s debut, rallying from an The news was possibly worse for the Carolina. percent completion rate. 18-point defi cit in the fourth quarter to tie Jaguars, who lost quarterback Nick Foles Weddle was carted off the field in the The high-fl ying Ravens off ense saw the 24-24 at the end of the fourth quarter. to a broken left clavicle less than a quar- fi rst half to have treatment for the bloody tight end Mark Andrews record eight The Cardinals had two chances to win ter into his debut. Jaguars coach Doug wound and a concussion evaluation. catches for 108 yards – both career highs. in overtime and so did the Lions, but all Houston Astros starting pitcher Gerrit Cole delivers a pitch Marrone said there was no timetable for With less than six minutes left in the Rookie wide receiver Marquise “Holly- they could do was trade fi eld goals and against the Seattle Mariners during the second inning at Minute Foles’s return after surgery expected on second half, Weddle attempted to tackle wood” Brown reeled in four catches for 147 settle for a 27-27 tie. Maid Park. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports

FOCUS Cowboys owner: QB Prescott contract ‘imminent’ Reuters $2.1mn in 2019, the fi nal year of a Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and per- year extensions prior to the start of New York rookie contract that paid him an av- formed as the Cowboys checked off the season. They are scheduled to erage of less than $700,000 annually. a long line of players who also repre- make around $32mn per season. He lit up the New York Giants in sent the core of the team, Jones said. Prescott, selected 135th in the same owboys quarterback Dak Week 1, averaging 12.7 yards per at- Since April, the list of those netting draft, could best those numbers. Prescott could have a new tempt with a perfect 158.3 passer rat- big dollars to stay in Dallas includes The Atlanta Falcons fear fi rst- contract before Dallas kicks ing. Prescott hit 25 of 32 passes for Elliott, right tackle La’el Collins, round off ensive lineman Chris Lind- off its Week 2 game at Wash- 405 yards and four touchdowns on linebacker Jaylon Smith and defen- strom fractured his foot in Sunday’s Cington. Sunday. But he wants to let his play sive end DeMarcus Lawrence. season-opening loss at the Minne- Owner Jerry Jones said on Sunday do the talking when it comes to his Off ensive guard Zack Martin sota Vikings, FOX Sports’ Jay Glazer night that a deal with Prescott is “im- contract. “I have people that handle signed an $84mn extension in June reported. Lindstrom, the 14th overall minent.” Jones, however, wouldn’t that,” Prescott said. 2018. Prescott reportedly demanded pick in the 2019 draft out of Boston defi ne the term with a timeframe. “My focus is on this team, on the a deal worth more than $35mn an- College, started at right guard in his “It would probably be fair to say it’ll football game. I think as long as I can nually, which would exceed the deal NFL debut. be done on an imminent basis. Im- continue to do that, this team will the Seattle Seahawks gave to Russell He will have further tests on Mon- minent,” Jones said. “Without being do things like we did tonight. That’s Wilson earlier this year. day and the Falcons are “holding out real clear, bright lined. It’s not done. been all my focus for the past three Philadelphia Eagles quarterback hope,” per the report. Lindstrom, 22, What’s imminent? Well, days. Days. months.” Carson Wentz and Jared Goff of the signed a four-year, $14.7mn rookie Or something like that.” Prescott reported to camp as run- Los Angeles Rams, the top two picks contract that included an $8.7mn Prescott is scheduled to make ning back Ezekiel Elliott held out in in the 2016 NFL Draft, signed four- signing bonus. Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Gulf Times 6 Tuesday, September 10, 2019 SPORT

BASKETBALL FOCUS Age-defying Scola Greece fury aft er propels Argentina towards WC glory AFP and I’m going to make good plays Shanghai and help my team win.” However much he tries to avoid it, talk about his age and Antetokounmpo uis Scola is 39, his hair has how much longer he can plod more than a few streaks of on for is never far away. Scola, grey and at the Basketball who spent the last two seasons World Cup in China he in Chinese basketball, is featur- Lhas shared the court with rivals ing in a record-equalling fi fth half his age. World Cup. Last week he reached But Argentina’s evergreen another milestone when his he- captain is playing a big part in the roics against Nigeria moved him exits World Cup country’s bid to win the world up to second on the FIBA World crown for the fi rst time since the Cup all-time scoring list, trailing inaugural edition in 1950. only the legendary Brazilian Os- He was named player of the car Schmidt. If that was a proud Reigning two-time champions US beat Brazil 89-73 to set up a quarters with France game in Sunday’s 91-65 victory moment, there is the growing over Poland, drilling 21 points to prospect that Argentina could be propel Argentina into a quarter- in for a shout of at least a medal, fi nal showdown with title-con- although Serbia will present a tenders Serbia today. The for- mighty challenge despite losing ward was also named best player to Spain on Sunday. against Nigeria for registering a That same day, Scola shared double-double, scoring 23 points the court with the youngest play- and 10 rebounds. er in the tournament, Poland’s The last member of Argenti- 18-year-old Aleksander “Olek” na’s so-called “Golden Genera- Balcerowski. Scola had said that tion” who won the Olympics in what happens at the World Cup 2004, Scola has won every ma- will dictate if he would carry on jor trophy in international bas- for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. ketball, except the World Cup. Doing so would have a nice “What age are you talking about, symmetry because he is the only I’m 28, right?” he joked after Ar- remaining member of the Ar- gentina swatted aside Venezuela gentina team that stunned the in the second round. USA on the way to Olympic gold Speaking in an unmistakably at Athens 2004. He was also in American accent, a product of the team which won silver at the spending a decade in the NBA up 2002 World Cup. until 2017, Scola added: “I under- Asked what it was like to now stand everybody talking about be the grandfather of a team my age, but my brain does not whose average age is 27, younger function that way. I am not going than most other rosters at the to the court and thinking, oh my World Cup, Scola replied: “This god, I’m older than these guys, is not like a tour or a goodbye or, oh my god, these guys are fi ve, week. This is a world champion- 10, 15 years younger than me. To ship and we are trying to go all me, it’s natural. I just think that the way to the medals. We don’t I’m a player, I am a good player do maths with the ages.”

Greece’s Giannis Antetokounmpo (centre) goes for the basket as Czech Republic’s Vojtech Hruban (left), Patrik Auda (second left) and Jaromir Bohacik attempt to block during the World Cup Basketball Group K second round match in Shenzhen yesterday. (AFP)

AFP back to narrow the defi cit once more, up a quarter-fi nal with France. Yester- conference. In a thrilling encounter be- Shenzhen, China then came the loss of the 24-year-old day’s results also mean that the United tween two already qualifi ed teams, Aus- Antetokounmpo. He was seen remon- States and Argentina qualifi ed for next tralia made it fi ve wins out of fi ve by bat- strating with the offi cials after Greece’s year’s Olympic Games in Japan as the two tling past France. Australia will be strong reece are calling for the offi cials fate was sealed, but overall the reigning top-ranked teams from the Americas in favourites when they play the Czech Re- who oversaw their fi nal game at MVP was not on the top of his game at the the 32-nation tournament in China. public in the quarters. the Basketball World Cup to be World Cup. They joined Australia, who earlier Australia, who reached the 2016 Ol- banned after NBA MVP Gian- Antetokounmpo had 12 points, nine booked their berth by advancing into the ympics last four, appear set to at least Gnis Antetokounmpo and his team exited rebounds and four assists before his af- second group stage as Oceania’s best- emulate the achievement after they gar- the tournament amid rancour yesterday. ternoon — and Greece’s tournament — placed team with New Zealand dropping nished another impressive performance. Greece’s coach said that their star man came to an early end. “He came every day into the 17-32nd place playoff s. The top The lead changed hands throughout with had been the victim of a lack of “respect” to fi ght on the court, of course he did not two teams from Europe will also qualify both teams trigger-happy from three- from referees after being fouled out in an get the respect he wants and I mean about as well as one each from Africa and Asia. point range before Matthew Dellavedova 84-77 victory over the Czech Republic. the two fouls he received today, the third Gregg Popovich’s young team were al- and Mitch Creek sank a free throw each The Milwaukee Bucks standout picked and the fi fth (both off ensive fouls),” said ready assured of a place in the last eight in the fi nal few seconds to seal Australia’s up a fi fth foul midway through the fourth Greece coach Thanasis Skourtopoulos. in China but they still made it fi ve wins in win as France threw away their last pos- quarter and even though Greece won, “You cannot call these kinds of fouls on a row to top Group K. Tomorrow’s clash session. it was not by the 12 or more points they this kind of player. That’s fi nished be- with France, beaten 100-98 by Australia, San Antonio Spurs playmaker Patty needed. A team spokesman confi rmed cause I don’t like to talk about the referees will be a tougher proposition. Mills shone with 30 points for Australia, that the Greeks were writing to govern- too much.” But having struggled to defeat Turkey Joe Ingles added 23 and Aaron Baynes ing body FIBA seeking a ban for the three It is not the fi rst controversy involving in overtime in the fi rst round, this Team chipped in with 21 as the Boomers’ iron- referees in charge. referees at this World Cup. FIBA on Sun- USA missing its megastars seems to be clad backbone carried them again. “Also (a ban) for those who nominate day removed from the competition match warming to the task of taking home three Orlando Magic guard Evan Fournier the referees and also watch the video offi cials who made an error in the dy- World Cup crowns in a row. “We picked nailed a game-high 31 points for France and announce the results,” the spokes- ing seconds of Lithuania’s tournament- it up defensively in the second half and and Nando De Colo added 26 but the man said in a text message. Greece, chas- ending loss to France, but the result was that’s what changed it for us,” said Popo- French will rue spilling a 70-61 lead in the ing the big win they needed to reach the allowed to stand. The crucial mistake oc- vich. Myles Turner of the Indiana Pac- third quarter when they appeared to be in quarter-fi nals in China, were up by 10 curred with the French leading 76-75 at ers led the US with 16 points and eight the driving seat. points with just over eight minutes left. the time. Reigning two-time champions rebounds. Brazil saw their coach Aco In other two quarter-fi nals today Ser- Argentina’s Luis Scola (left) goes to the basket as Venezuela’s Nestor They reached the magic 12-point lead, the United States are building a head of Petrovic ejected in the fi rst half and they bia take on Argentina and Spain will start Colmenares reacts during the Basketball World Cup Group I second only for the Czechs to immediately hit steam and dismissed Brazil 89-73 to set refused to attend the post-match press as strong favourites against Poland. round game in Foshan, China. (AFP)

CYCLING Roglic tightens Vuelta grip, Fuglsang triumphs in stage 16 DEC) 42, 5. Gianluca Brambilla (ITA/ Reuters it. I’m super happy to have this win.” victory in the Tour of Britain’s third TRE) 1:12, 6. Thomas De Gendt (BEL/ Barcelona Riders attacked from the start in a stage between Berwick and Newcastle constant battle for the break at the start LOT) 2:09, 7. Mikel Bizkarra (ESP/EUS) yesterday. of the 144.4km route between Pravia 2:15, 8. Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier (ERI/ The Dutch Jumbo-Visma rider rimoz Roglic tightened his grip and Alto de la Cubilla. Roglic and his DIM) 2:21 9. Philippe Gilbert (BEL/DEC) crossed the line comfortably ahead of on the Vuelta a Espana, while rivals were several minutes behind the 2:32, 10. Geoff rey Bouchard (FRA/AG2R) compatriot Mathieu van der Poel of Jakob Fuglsang earned a solo breakaway group, with the Slovenian same time. Corendon-Circus, Davide Cimolai, an triumph in stage 16 yesterday. reacting to several attacks from Miguel Italian with Israeli cycling academy, PJumbo-Visma rider Roglic extended Angel Lopez and Tadej Pogacar. General Classification: 1. Primoz and Jumbo-Visma leadout man Mike his lead in the overall standings to two Movistar rider Valverde struggled Roglic (SLO/JUM) 62hrs 17min 52sec, 2. Teunissen, following the 500-metre minutes 48 seconds after his closest ri- and Pogacar gained on him, with the Alejandro Valverde (ESP/MOV) at 2min uphill drag. val, Spain’s Alejandro Valverde, lost 23 Slovenian now 54 seconds behind in the 48 sec, 3. Tadej Pogacar (SLO/UAE) 3:42, Groenewegen also took the fi rst stage seconds on the Slovenian in the spec- Spaniard in the general classifi cation. 4. Miguel Angel Lopez (COL/AST) 3:59, between Glasgow and Kirkcudbright. tacular Asturian mountains. Stage 17 takes place on Wednesday after 5. Rafal Majka (POL/BOR) 7:40, 6. Nairo Matteo Trentin, an Italian with Astana rider Fuglsang fi nished in a rest day, with the 219.6km between Quintana (COL/MOV) 7:43, 7. Nicolas Mitchelton Scott placed fi fth to retain four hours, one minute, 22 seconds Aranda del Duero and Guadalajara the Edet (FRA/COF) 10:27, 8. Wilco Kelder- the overall leader’s green jersey. Cimo- for his fi rst Grand Tour stage win. The longest stage of the Vuelta. man (NED/SUN) 10:34, 9. Carl Fredrik lai is seven seconds behind, with Van Danish rider’s chances in the Tour de Team Astana rider Denmark’s Jakob Diemer Fuglsang celebrates after winning Hagen (NOR/LOT) 10:40, 10. Hermann Der Poel third, 11 seconds off the front. France were ruined by two crashes with the 16th stage of the 2019 La Vuelta cycling Tour of Spain, a 144,4km race from VUELTA A ESPANA Pernsteiner (AUT/BAH) 12:05 Team Ineos’ Ben Swift is the leading Astana saying he was in the form of Pravia to the Alto de la Cubilla in Lena yesterday. (AFP) 16TH STAGE RESULTS British rider in seventh place, 17 sec- his career. Fuglsang emerged from the onds down on the leader. 1. Jakob Fuglsang (DEN/AST) 4hr 01min 21-rider breakaway to leave his oppo- onds behind Fuglsang, after fi nishing inck-QuickStep Briton James Knox. “It GROENEWEGEN WINS TOUR Today’s fourth stage runs from 22sec, 2. Tao Geoghegan Hart (GBR/ nents behind and claim a lone triumph. third in Stage 15 on Sunday. feels great,” said Fuglsang. “It was one OF BRITAIN’S THIRD STAGE Gateshead to fi nish at Beast Banks in British Team Ineos cyclist Tao Ge- Another Astana rider, Luis Leon of my goals to come here but it’s one INEOS) at 22sec, 3. Luis Leon Sanchez Dylan Groenewegen turned on the Kendal and will feature nearly 3,000 oghegan Hart came in second, 22 sec- Sanchez, took third ahead of Deceun- thing to have a goal and another to fulfi l (ESP/AST) 40, 4. James Knox (GBR/ power in an uphill sprint fi nish to clinch metres of climbing. Gulf Times Tuesday, September 10, 2019 7 SPORT

ANOC WORLD BEACH GAMES QATAR 2019 Katara to witness soccer action as teams dribble on the beach By Sports Reporter Spain, Mexico and Solomon Is- year at the Copacabana Beach, located outside the pitch and the counterpart. Doha lands make up Group B. Iran, its ‘spiritual home’, in Rio de imaginary central point of this Free kicks are awarded for Paraguay, Senegal and Ukraine Janeiro, Brazil with France de- imaginary line is the exact posi- various fouls. All free kicks are are in Group C and Russia, Japan, feating Portugal 1-0 in a pen- tion for the kick-off and certain direct free kicks which has to ut of the 14 sports that Uruguay and El Salvador will alty shootout, following a 3-3 free kicks. The pitch must be a be taken by the player who was will be featuring at play in Group D. In the women’s draw after extra-time, to emerge minimum of 35m (37m max) in fouled, unless awarded for delib- the inaugural edition event, Spain, Brazil, Cape Verde champions. length and minimum of 26m erate handling. The laws specify of the ANOC World and Mexico contest Group A, As per the game’s rule, a match (28m max) in width. The pen- that all players apart from the BeachO Games Qatar 2019 from while Britain, Russia, the US and is played by two teams, each alty area is the area on the pitch opposing goalkeeper must clear October 12 to 16, soccer, the king Paraguay are in Group B. consisting of not more than fi ve between the goal line and an im- a zone between the kicker and of sports, promises to be one of According to the regulations players, one of whom is the goal- aginary parallel line at 9m from the goal. Because of this and the the major attractions at the Ka- of the tournament, the top two keeper and a match lasts a total the goal line and marked by two small playing area, all free kicks tara Beach in Doha. teams from each group will go of 36 minutes divided into three yellow fl ags placed next to each represent a good opportunity to In all, a total of 24 male and into the quarter-fi nals in the equal periods of 12 minutes, un- touch line outside the pitch. score. Penalties are awarded for female teams, will be competing men’s event while the top two less otherwise mutually agreed The ball is spherical and made fouls within the penalty area. for fame and glory at the Games. from each group goes into semis between the referee and the two of leather or another suitable The beach soccer event of the The men’s event will witness for women. They then compete teams. Unlike conventional soc- material and has a circumfer- competition kicks off on October the participation of 192 athletes for medals according to the sys- cer, up to a maximum of seven ence of not less than 68cm and 11 and will last for six days with from 16 nations while 80 players tem of the playoff s. substitutes may be used in any not more than 70cm. It weighs the fi nals played on October 16. from eight nations will be in- Historically, the fi rst offi cial brought about through the par- erage to large audiences in over match played in an offi cial com- no more than 440g and no less More than 1,300 athletes from volved in the women’s event. beach soccer tournament was ticipation of famous players in- 170 countries worldwide since petition organised under the aus- than 400g at the start of the around 90 countries are expect- At the draw ceremony held created in Rio de Janeiro in 1950 cluding Eric Cantona, legendary its inauguration. pices of FIFA, the confederations match and has a pressure of be- ed at the ANOC World Beach on August 27, four men’s groups to unite neighbourhood small Spanish strikers Michel and Julio FIFA became the global gov- or the member associations. tween 0.4 and 0.6 atmospheres Games Qatar 2019 with action were drawn with Brazil, Switzer- tourneys that has been played Salinas and Brazilian stars such erning body of the sport in 2005 The fi eld of play is divided into at sea level. Fouls in beach soccer split between the Katara, Aspire land, United Arab Emirates and since 1940. as Romário, Júnior and Zico, has and the fi rst FIFA Beach Soccer two halves by an imaginary half- are penalised with a free kick or a and Al Gharafa beach venues in Morocco in Group A while Italy, The surge in popularity, helped to expand television cov- World Cup was held in the same way line marked by two red fl ags penalty kick like its conventional Doha.

CRICKET COMMENT Shastri focused on building Team ‘We urned it’ – Aussie India’s bench

IANS space for another fi ve years to New Delhi go, you need to do it.” The former Indian captain said that getting youngsters ndia coach Ravi Shastri ready for the 2020 World T20 pride restored in said that building bench and the run in the World Test strength so as to handle Championship will be key. the upcoming transition “The path should be that Iphase will be key in his second knowing well you have got term at the helm of aff airs. 12 months to go for the T20 With the T20 World Cup World Cup and you have coming up and the ongoing about 18-20 months to go for World Test Championship, the World Test Champion- Ashes triumph captain Virat Kohli has spoken ship,” said Shastri. of the importance of manag- “Getting youth in dur- ‘With coach Justin Langer, and the planning of team staff that stretches back two ing the players, especially the ing that transition period by pacers, and their workload keeping an eye on the youth years, the Australian team under Paine has gone beyond just restoring that pride’ which means more good op- is important so that they can tions will be needed that can mix with the experience and AFP fi ll spots in the absence of the give us a really solid side.” Sydney Smith is ‘best player I’ve seen’, says Australia captain Paine fi rst choice players. Shastri also said that the “The vision is to keep the upcoming Test series against consistency level going,” South Africa – India’s sec- ustralia’s cricketers Shastri said. ond in the World Test Cham- have restored national “It will be a team in tran- pionship – will be a battle pride by retaining the sition and one has to keep an for pride. “We are playing coveted Ashes trophy eye out for the youth and also at home (against South Af- followingA a reputation-shatter- keep an eye on developing the rica) and it is the World Test ing cheating scandal, accord- bench strength as far as bat- Championship – so now there ing to the country’s media who ting and bowling goes across is even more reason on why bragged: “We urned it.” all three formats. We should, you have to play the way you Eighteen months ago, Aus- at the same time, be never should,” he said. tralian cricket hit rock bottom losing sight of the fact that “There are now points to be when then-captain Steve Smith, you play to win. Never losing accumulated. We are the No.1 his deputy David Warner and that angle but yet at the same team in the world and we have opener Cameron Bancroft were time, investing in youth. been for the last three years, involved in a brazen attempt to “You might get the odd so there is pride at stake as alter the ball with sandpaper in a game or the odd series in well. So, we want to keep that Cape Town Test. which you might lose in the consistency going and ensur- It rattled the game, sparking a quest of investing but that is ing that we are placed nicely clean-out of executive ranks at what you have to do to earn in the table for when the time Cricket Australia, long bans for success. If you have to build a comes for them to decide who the three guilty players and the good side and keep it in good plays in the fi nal.” resignation of then-coach Dar- ren Lehmann. Justin Langer was appointed SPOTLIGHT to help restore faith in Australian cricket and bring cultural change to a team that was infamous for its abrasive attitude. Muzumdar named The team struggled to adjust, but under the leadership of “ac- cidental captain” Tim Paine and South Africa batting with greats Ricky Ponting and Steve Waugh recruited as men- tors, they have come out the coach for India Tests other side. “With coach Justin Langer, IANS coaching career,” he added. and the planning of team staff Johannesburg “Amol is a perfect fi t for us,” that stretches back two years, said CSA Acting Director of the Australian team under Paine Cricket Corrie van Zyl. has gone beyond just restoring ricket South Africa “He brings an intimate that pride,” said the Sydney Daily Australia’s captain Tim Paine (left) and Australia’s Steve Smith celebrate their victory at Old Traff ord in Manchester. (AFP) (CSA) yesterday ap- knowledge of Indian playing Telegraph. pointed Amol Muz- conditions and the challenges “They have become winners Australia captain Tim Paine ers Australia retain the Ashes middle. I have come back fresh after returning from a 12-month umdar as the interim our batsmen are likely to face. in their own right, and everyone battingC coach for the upcom- He also assisted us at the spin hailed Steve Smith as the best regardless of the result in the from a year out, but relaxed and ball-tampering ban. loves a winner.” player he has ever seen after the final match of the series. chilled out. I want to be the one “We’ve got the best fast bowler ing three-Test series against bowling camp we held re- The Australian newspaper star batsman picked up the man- Smith scored 211 and 82 in the in the middle doing my job for in the world (Pat Cummins) and India starting October 2. cently in India and thus has said the team were “almost puri- of-the match award following game to take his tally for the the team as I don’t particularly the best Test batsman in the Muzumdar had an out- already built up a good work- fi ed by their victory”. victory in the fourth Test against series to an astonishing 671 runs enjoy watching cricket.” world,” he told Sky Sports. standing fi rst-class career ing relationship with Aiden “After the sorrows and set- England on Sunday. at an average innings of 134.2, in- Paine said: “Steve is the best “I thought Virat Kohli was the that lasted 20 years in which Markram, Temba Bavuma and backs of the last 18 months, the The home side, set a huge cluding three hundreds, despite player I have ever seen. He best batsman I’ve ever seen be- he amassed over 11,000 runs, Zubayr Hamza,” he added. country’s cricket has something second-innings target of 383 to missing England’s one-wicket showed that again in this Test cause of the way he plays in all including 30 centuries. Before the three-Test se- to celebrate at last,” it added. win, were bowled out for 197, win in the third Test at Heading- match. He knows the game so forms, but Steve Smith... That’s He also holds a high per- ries, which will kick start After Sunday’s 185-run vic- putting Australia 2-1 up in the ley with concussion. well and reads it so well.” another level. formance coaching certifi - South Africa’s campaign in tory at Old Traff ord to retain the five-Test series ahead of next “I’m not sure I have ever played Australia coach Justin Langer “He’s a great problem-solver. His cates from the BCCI, Cricket the ICC World Test Champi- Ashes urn, an emotional Paine week’s finale at the Oval. better,” Smith told Sky Sports. also hailed Smith, who tops the hunger for the game, I’ve never Australia as well as the UK onship, the Proteas will play praised the character of his play- The result means current hold- “I have enjoyed my time in the global Test batting rankings seen anything like it.” through Lancashire and three T20Is against India on ers. Yorkshire. September 15, 18 and 22. “I couldn’t be more proud of His previous coaching ap- the way our group have handled ban showed how badly he had captain Ricky Ponting said on of his generation, told Sky Sports. That England took the game pointment included being the everything thrown at them,” he been missed. The Sydney Morn- Sunday that the tourists’ “re- “Everyone is talking about what into the fi nal hour of Sunday’s batting coach of Rajasthan said. “We haven’t had a lot of ing Herald said it will always be lentless” bowlers deserve as impact he has had, but the whole last day before being dismissed Royals in the Indian Premier success and not a lot of happy remembered as “Smith’s Ashes”. much credit for retaining the bowling department has been for 197, having been none for League (IPL), coaching the times. But we are beginning to “Despite missing one-and-a- Ashes as Steve Smith. The absolutely outstanding. Look at two after Cummins took two India U-19 and U-23 sides at get them and that is awesome.” half Tests, he has made enough world’s top-ranked Test bats- the diff erence in the bowling at- wickets in two balls, said much the National Cricket Academy Fox Sports screamed “We runs for three batsmen and more man, Smith has been in superb tacks in this game. about their resolve. But Hussain, (NCA) and being the batting urned it” in its main headline, than twice as many as any other form this Ashes with 671 runs, “(Mitchell) Starc, (Pat) Cum- the last England captain to fail coach of the Netherlands. while broadcaster Channel Nine on either side,” it noted, while including three hundreds, at an mins, (Josh) Hazlewood and to win an Ashes series on home “Cricket has always been said the “ghosts of Leeds” had former skipper Mark Taylor said average of 134.20. (Nathan) Lyon, match that up soil in 2001, said the hosts could and will continue to be my been buried, referring to their “there’s no superlatives left” to But Ponting – twice a losing with the England attack. There have no complaints given they calling,” said Muzumdar in an agonising third Test loss at describe his exploits. Smith has Ashes series captain in England were more holes in that England had lost the opener by 251 runs offi cial CSA statement. Headingley. scored an astonishing 671 runs in 2005 and 2009 – insisted the attack than the Australia one. and then only drawn level thanks “Having spent 25 years on Retaining the Ashes was built at an average innings of 134.2, bowlers’ eff orts should not be “They were relentless in eve- to Ben Stokes’s stunning century the pitch as a player, I intend on the back of the incredible including three hundreds, ahead ignored. “I think they (Australia) rything they did.” that secured a one-wicket win in to spend the next 25 tapping batting prowess of Smith, whose of the fi fth and fi nal Test starting should have had a bigger lead, not Meanwhile, ex-England skip- the third Test at Headingley. and grooming talent on the return for the series after serv- later this week at the Oval. just on the back of Steve Smith,” per Nasser Hussain said Austral- “There has been progress,” cricket fi eld. I am very excited ing his one-year ball-tampering Meanwhile Former Australia Ponting, one of the best batsmen ia deserved to keep the Ashes. said Hussain. about this new chapter in my

Tuesday, September 10, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

FOCUS England to assess Stokes’s bowling fi tness AFP ing on his Surrey home ground, Taunts from Manchester crowd just ‘white noise’ for Lyon London or Chris Woakes. Both Curran and Woakes missed out at Old Traff ord. The Manchester crowd did told reporters on Sunday after their win and appeared inconsol- ngland will assess star If England coach Trevor Bay- everything to remind Nathan Australia retained the Ashes able before captain Tim Paine all-rounder Ben Stokes’ liss, in what will be his last Test Lyon of his fumbled run-out in by beating England at Old literally picked him up off the fi tness to bowl in this before he leaves his post, and the dying moments of England’s Traff ord to take a 2-1 lead in the turf. week’s fi fth Test with captain Joe Root bring in one of frenetic Ashes test win at Head- series. Lyon said he was devastated. AustraliaE at the Oval as they look the pair, it would likely mean one ingley but for the Australian “When you’re a professional “I wear my heart on my sleeve, for a consolation win after failing of the struggling batsmen – Ja- off -spinner it was just “white sportsman, your job is to come and playing cricket for Australia to regain the Ashes. son Roy, Jonny Bairstow or Jos noise” after the first couple of out and bowl well, and compete means everything for me,” said Stokes was included in an un- Buttler – making way. overs. against whoever you’re playing. Lyon, who bowled on in changed 13-man England squad England have been without Lyon missed an easy run-out I didn’t really feel it or hear it at Manchester despite suff ering announced yesterday following a James Anderson, their all-time chance to dismiss England the back end (of the match), so it an injury to his bowling hand 185-run defeat in the fourth Test leading wicket-taker, for most number 11 batsman Jack Leach doesn’t worry me. during England’s first innings. on Sunday that ensured Austral- of this series after the 37-year- as the hosts completed a famous “We’re sitting up there and we’re “It’s not about personal success, ia would keep hold of the Ashes old paceman broke down with one-wicket win in the third test going to have a couple of beers but I’ve had some family issues at 2-1 up with one to play in the a calf injury having bowled just to level the series at 1-1. tonight and celebrate because over the past – my uncle’s quite fi ve-Test series. Durham paceman Stokes, lible England batting line-up four overs during Australia’s The off -spinner was taunted the urn is coming home. I’m not sick – so you realise quite quickly Given the tight turnaround to England’s vice-captain, did not this series, scoring 115 not out in 251-run win in the fi rst Test at during the fourth test in Man- sure what the 9,000 people in it’s just a game. It does impact a Test starting on Thursday, the bowl in Australia’s second in- the drawn second Test at Lord’s Edgbaston. chester by the vociferous home that stand are doing tonight.” a lot of people, but mistakes lack of any changes is not alto- nings at Old Traff ord following before his stunning unbeaten 135 crowd, who ironically cheered Lyon had Headingley hero Ben happen. gether surprising. a right shoulder injury sustained secured a dramatic one-wicket ENGLAND SQUAD him every time he came on to Stokes plumb lbw after the “I didn’t mean to drop the run- It may well be, however, that during his 11th over in the tour- win in the third Test at Headin- FOR 5TH TEST: bowl. missed run-out chance but out or anything like that, but I national selector Ed Smith and ists’ fi rst innings. gley. Rory Burns, Joe Denly, Joe Lyon said he enjoyed the “good Australia had used up their re- had him plumb (lbw) next ball. his panel do make alterations for If Stokes is unfi t to bowl at England, if Stokes was select- Root, Jason Roy, Ben Stokes, banter”. views to challenge the umpire’s That’s just the game of cricket, the upcoming tour of New Zea- the Oval in south London, he is ed purely as a batsman, would Jonny Bairstow, Jos Buttler, “To be honest with you, you hear not out verdict. you’ve got to pick yourself up land, with promising batsmen expected to play as a special- bring in a bowling all-rounder Craig Overton, Jofra Archer, it for the first over or two then The 31-year-old laid on the and it’s just the way you bounce Dominic Sibley and Zak Crawley ist batsman. Stokes has been a from within the squad in either Jack Leach, Stuart Broad, Chris it just becomes white noise,” he ground as England completed back.” among those pushing for places. shining light amid an often fal- Sam Curran, who would be play- Woakes, Sam Curran.

ONE-OFF TEST SECURITY ISSUE 10 Sri Lankan Afghanistan equal players opt out of Australia record with Pakistan tour

AFP Colombo thrashing of Bangladesh en Sri Lankan players, including T20 skip- ‘They deserve this victory. After playing for 20 years, we can’t say it’s a build-up process’ per Lasith Malinga and former captains Angelo MathewsT and Thisara Perera, have pulled out of an upcom- ing tour of Pakistan citing se- curity concerns, offi cials said yesterday. Following a militant attack on the Sri Lankan team bus during a Test match in Lahore in March 2009, a majority of international teams have refused to tour the South Asian country. The Sri Lanka Cricket board said in a statement that players in a preliminary squad were briefed on security arrangements for the six-match limited over series, and given the freedom to decide if they wanted to travel. Following the briefi ng, ten players “chose to stay away” from the series of three One-Day Internationals and three T20 games, scheduled to begin on September 27 in Karachi, it said. The other seven who opted out were Niroshan Dickwella, Kusal Perera, Dhananjaya de Silva, Akila Dananjaya, Suranga Lakmal, Dinesh Chandimal and Dimuth Karunaratne. The tour was seen as another step towards reviving interna- tional cricket in Pakistan after years of isolation. Batsman Danushka Gunathi- laka said he believed security would be adequate. “From what they told us, I think there will be very tight se- curity,” Gunathilaka said. The Sri Lankans returned to Pakistan for a Twenty20 inter- national in Lahore in October 2017 when Perera led the team. This time, he has decided to stay away. Sri Lanka are also to play two Afghanistan players pose with the trophy after defeating Bangladesh in the one-off Test at Zohur Ahmed Chowdhury Stadium in Chittagong yesterday. (AFP) Test matches against Pakistan, but the dates and the venue are AFP fellow newcomers Ireland. Bangladesh Play resumed again at 4:20pm and yet to be announced. Chittagong, Bangladesh SCORECARD skipper Shakib was full of praise for Afghanistan were given 18.3 overs to Sri Lanka’s Sports Minister Rashid’s side. bowl out Bangladesh, which was chas- Harin Fernando has rejected AFGHANISTAN 1st innings 342 M. Hasan lbw b Rashid 12 “They deserve this victory. After ing a target of 398 runs. playing the longer versions of ashid Khan claimed 6-49 as playing for 20 years, we can’t say it’s a Left-arm chinaman Zahir Khan dis- the game in Pakistan and sug- BANGLADESH 1st innings 205 T. Islam lbw b Rashid 0 Afghanistan thrashed Bangla- build-up process,” he said. missed overnight batsman Shakib Al gested the Tests be played in the desh by 224 runs in Chittagong AFGHANISTAN 2nd innings 260 N. Hasan not out 1 “It’s been a while since we played our Hasan in the fi rst ball after the resump- United Arab Emirates, where Pa- yesterday, equalling Australia’s BANGLADESH 2nd innings (136-6 Extras (b4, lb2) 6 last Test match, but Afghanistan kept tion, dealing a serious blow to the home kistan have played many of their longstandingR record as the quickest na- the pressure on us, credit goes to their side. home series. overnight) Total (all out; 61.4 overs) 173 tion to chalk up two victories in Test L. Das lbw b Zahir 9 hard work.” Afsar Zazai took a sharp catch behind cricket. Fall of wickets: 1-30 (Liton), 2-52 the stump to remove Shakib for 44 and The Afghans defi ed rain and fading S. Islam lbw b Nabi 41 (Mosaddek), 3-78 (Mushfiqur), 4-82 SPORTING FAIRY TALE then Rashid did the rest. light to take the one-off Test, a historic M. Hossain c Asghar b Zahir 12 (Mominul), 5-106 (Shadman), 6-125 Afghanistan have become a growing Rashid trapped Mehidy Hasan dead in (Mahmudullah), 7-143 (Shakib), 8-166 win for the war-torn country that only M. Rahim lbw b Rashid 23 force in the sport in recent years, gain- front for 12 and dismissed Taijul Islam in earned full member status of the Inter- (Mehidy), 9-166 (Taijul), 10-173 ing one-day international status in the next over for a duck to leave the last national Cricket Council in 2017. M. Haque lbw b Rashid 3 (Soumya) 2009 and reaching two 50-over World wicket pair of Soumya Sarkar and Nay- Rashid grabbed three of the remain- S. Al Hasan c Zazai b Zahir 44 Bowlers: Yamin 4-1-14-0, Nabi 20-5-39-1, Cups including the recent tournament eem Hasan to survive 7.3 overs. ing four wickets as Afghanistan took M. c Zadran b Rashid 7 Rashid 21.4-6-49-6, Zahir 15-0-59-3. in England. Afghanistan made 342 runs in the 17.2 overs on the fi fth day to bowl out They have also been part of four fi rst innings, owing to 102 runs of Rah- S. Sarkar c Zadran b Rashid 15 Result: Afghanistan won by 224 runs. Bangladesh for 173 in the second innings Twenty20 World Cups. mat Shah, the fi rst-ever Test century after the hosts resumed with 136-6. Play in Bangladesh’s port city of for the country, before they bowled out Soumya Sarkar was the last man and fi nished with 11 wickets. many of the Afghan players cutting Chittagong started on the fi fth day at Bangladesh for 205 runs to gain a mas- dismissed when he fl icked man of the “We are new to this format, so credit their cricketing teeth in refugee camps 1:00pm local time after rain wiped out sive 137-run lead. match Rashid to Ibrahim Zadran at goes to the coaching staff for their sup- in Pakistan. the fi rst session. Afghanistan rode on teenage debu- short leg with 20 balls left in the game. port. Everyone applied themselves and The squad played their fi rst Test last But rain returned in abundance after tant Ibrahim Zadran’s 87 to score 260 “We won this game against a side like stuck to their plans.” year, losing to cricketing giants India the visitors bowled just 2.1 overs with- runs in the second innings, setting a Bangladesh,” said Rashid, who made his Cricket has become the national but claimed their fi rst-ever victory in out being able to infl ict any damage on daunting target of nearly 400 runs for Sri Lankan Twenty20 skipper debut as the youngest-ever Test captain sport of war-torn Afghanistan, with Test cricket in March when they beat the home side. Bangladesh. Lasith Malinga.