SPORT 16 FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2017 Effervescent Real strike Root gives England winning start to force faces ultimate test Champions Trophy Cardiff London Reuters Real Madrid's Portuguese forward Reuters Cristiano Ronaldo controlling the ball eal Madrid's irresisti- during the Spanish League football oe Root (pictured) shrugged ble attack slams into match against RC Celta de Vigo in off an ankle injury to hit a Juventus's seemingly Madrid in this December 6, 2014 file Jsuperb unbeaten 133 and lead immovable defence photo. England to a comfortable eight- tomorrow when the wicket victory over Bangladesh Rfree-scoring Spanish aristocrats in the opening Champions Tro- hope to become the first club to phy game at The Oval win the Champions League in yesterday. successive seasons. Alex Hales made 95 and Cardiff's iconic Millennium captain Eoin Morgan 75 not out Stadium provides a fitting venue as hosts England overhauled for a mouthwatering final full of their target of 306 with 16 balls strokes around the ground to delicious sub-plots, one of which to spare, the highest successful wild cheers from the pockets of could see Welsh wizard Gareth run-chase in the tournament's flag-waving Bangladesh fans in Bale make a triumphant return history. a lively crowd. to the valleys of his birth. The day had started badly Ben Stokes and Tamim were Others include Juve keeper for England, bidding to win their involved in a verbal altercation Gianluigi Buffon potentially first global 50-over trophy, as tempers frayed but the left- becoming the oldest player to lift when all-rounder Chris Woakes hander reached his century off the trophy or Real coach Zined- limped off due to a side strain 124 balls, including two sixes and ine Zidane, twice a Champions triumph with Real to add to the Sami Khedira and Gonzalo looking for a Champions League after bowling two overs. 11 fours. League runner-up with Juve, one he secured with Manchester Higuain once played for Real. medal. They will be spurred on Tamim Iqbal struck a fluent Tamim skied Liam Plunkett contriving to break the hearts of United in 2008. Khedira conquered Europe by facing their old club while 128 and shared a 166-run part- to wicketkeeper Jos Buttler and those who once idolised him. "The final is won by scoring with Real in 2014 but never really former Barca full back Dani nership with Mushfiqur Rahim Mushfiqur was caught in the Centre stage, as he so often goals. I have the feeling that we cut it at the Bernabeu, while Alves, will not want for motiva- to push Bangladesh to a com- deep for 79 off the next ball, is, will be Cristiano Ronaldo, are going to play a great game Higuain, despite scoring more tion as they seek to end Juve's petitive total of 305 for six. allowing England to restrict the whose lust for goals has taken Los and we are going to win." than 100 goals for the club, is still 21-year wait for the title. Jason Roy's wretched run boundary flow in the closing Blancos to within touching dis- He is not wrong about the continued when he was bril- overs and keep the Bangladesh tance of a 12th European title goals: No Champions League final liantly caught at short fine leg total down. after they took their 11th a year has ended goalless since Milan M emorable Real Madrid vs Juventus matches for one but Root and Hales Australia and New Zealand ago by beating Atletico Madrid. beat Juve on penalties in 2003. calmed England's nerves with a are the other teams in Group A Arrigo Sacchi's great Milan Yet while Ronaldo's infec- February 1962 - European Cup quarter-final, second leg: Real Madrid 0 Juventus 1 second-wicket partnership of with the top two advancing to side were the last to be crowned tious confidence will sweep Real Madrid had never lost a European tie at home until Omar Sivori latched on to a headed 159. the semi-finals. European champions for a sec- through Zidane's side, Serie A title pass from John Charles to score the only goal of the game. Hales was the chief aggres- ond year running in 1990, but winners Juventus are unbeaten Juventus missed a great chance in the last minute to score a goal that would have won the tie; sor but straight after hitting a SCOREBOARD since the competition morphed in Europe this season and are instead it finished 1-1 on aggregate and Real Madrid won the replay in Paris one week later. four and a six off consecutive BANGLADESH into the Champions League that going to their second final in balls from Sabbir Rahman he fell T Iqbal c Buttler b Plunkett ...... 128 feat has proved beyond even the three years having conceded only November 1986 - European Cup second round, second leg five runs short of his century, S Sarkar c sub (Bairstow) b Stokes ...... 28 most expensively assembled three goals. Juventus 1 Real Madrid 0 (after extra time). Real Madrid won 3-1 on penalties caught at deep mid-wicket. I Kayes c Wood b Plunkett ...... 19 teams. Only Arsenal, in 2005-06, Real Madrid took a 1-0 lead to Turin for the second leg but Juventus needed just nine minute Root, hobbling between the M Rahim c Hales b Plunkett ...... 79 Real, crowned La Liga cham- reached the final in more miserly to cancel it out with a goal from captain Antonio Cabrini. However, they could not find another wickets, manoeuvred the ball S Al Hasan c Stokes b Ball ...... 10 pions for the first time since 2012 fashion, conceding two goals and, after both teams missed their opening penalties in the shootout, the Spaniards converted around calmly and he and Mor- S Rahman c Roy b Plunkett ...... 24 last week, are the favourites after before falling at the final hurdle three in a row to go through. gan were always in control of Mahmuduallah (not out) ...... 6 M Hossain (not out) ...... 2 banging in 32 goals in 12 games against Barcelona. the chase in an unbroken part- Extras (B1, LB1, W7) ...... 9 in the competition this season. No wonder Buffon, aged 39, May 1998 - Champions League final: Juventus 0 Real Madrid 1 nership of 143. Total (for 6 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 305 Ronaldo has scored 10 of looks like he could play forever, Juventus were appearing in their third successive final, having beaten Ajax Amsterdam on pen- Root posted his 10th one- Fall of wickets: 1-56, 2-95, 3-261, 4-261, them, and two more in the final such is the strength of the defence alties in 1996 and lost to Borussia Dortmund the previous year. Once again, a single goal was day international century, off 115 5-277, 6-300. would see him move above Bar- Juve manager Massimiliano enough when Pedrag Mijatovic scrambled the ball home in the second half to end Real's 32-year deliveries, and hit one six and 11 Bowling: Woakes 2-1-4-0; Wood 10-1-58-0 celona's Lionel Messi to top this Allegri has erected and which wait for a seventh title. fours in his highest score in this (1w); Ball 10-1-82-1; Stokes 7-0-42-1 (1w); season's Champions League scor- Barcelona's Gerard Pique format of the game. Plunkett 10-0-59-4 (2w); Ali 8-1-40-0 (1w); March 2005 - Champions League quarter-final second leg Root 3-0-18-0 (2w). ing chart. described as a "mountain" after Morgan had won the toss in ENGLAND The irrepressible Portuguese their quarter-final loss. Juventus 2 Real Madrid 0 (after extra time) sunny conditions and asked J Roy c M Rahman b Mortaza ...... 1 is the only player to have scored A 2006 World Cup winner Once again trailing by a single goal, Juventus levelled the aggregate score with 15 minutes left Bangladesh to bat, but Tamim A Hales c (sub) b Rehman ...... 95 more than 100 goals in the with Italy, for whom he remains in the second leg with a goal from substitute David Trezeguet. and Soumya Sarkar carefully J Root (not out) ...... 133 competition. first-choice keeper, Juve's grand Marcelo Zalayeta scored the winner four minutes from the end of extra time to prompt an exu- added 56 for the first wicket E Morgan (not out) ...... 75 But he still appears to want old man Buffon craves a Cham- berant celebration from Juve's usually staid coach Fabio Capello. before the latter was caught on Extras (LB-2, W-2) ...... 4 more. pions League medal to add to his the cover point boundary for 28. Total (for 2 wkts in 47.2 overs) ....308 May 2015 - Champions League semi-final second leg: Real Madrid 1 Juventus 1 Fall of wickets: 1-6, 2-165. "Too much humility isn't glittering array of silverware after Imrul Kayes, on 19, was bril- Bowling: Mortaza 10-0-56-1; Hasan 8-0-62-0 good. We have to prove our char- twice suffering heartache in the Alvaro Morata scored the goal which earned the Turin side a place in the final. liantly caught by a diving Mark (1w); M Rahman 9-0-51-0; Sarkar 2-0-13-0; M

acter and who is the best," final. Trailing 2-1 from the first leg, Real went ahead on away goals when Cristiano Ronaldo con- Wood at mid on but Mushfiqur Hossain 7.2-0-47-0 (1w); R Hossain 10-0-64-0; Ronaldo said this week as he While Buffon bleeds black verted a harshly-awarded penalty midway through the first half. But Morata silenced the and Tamim gradually acceler- S Rahman 1-0-13-1. eyed a third Champions League and white stripes, team mates Bernabeu with a scuffed shot. ated the scoring rate with crisp Buffon deserves UEFA Champions League title: Xavi

The Peninsula final. I also have a very good rela- for example, with Generation project. Through Generation tionship with Dani.” Amazing, and they received me Amazing ,I have a fantastic way wo years ago, Xavi Hern- Xavi and his club Al Sadd like a national hero. I have never of helping the workers here in andez captained his won the Emir Cup at the rede- experienced anything similar in Qatar, and also people of other T beloved Barcelona side as veloped Khalifa Stadium this any country in Europe. The pas- Arab countries. The World Cup they lifted the UEFA Champions year sion and the excitement they 2022 project is incredible and I’m League trophy in Berlin against After recently winning the have for football is incredible.” proud to be a part of it.” Juventus. Ahead of this year’s Emir Cup at Khalifa International The Catalanalan midfieldermidfielder con- final, and after lifting two domes- Stadium, the first venue to be cluded by highlighting the tic trophies in Qatar with Al Sadd completed for the 2022 FIFA Juventus' goalkeeper from meaning of 20222022 FIFA WorldWorld Cup SC this year, the Spanish mid- World Cup Qatar, the Al Sadd Italy Gianluigi Buffon in Qatar to the peoplepeople ofof thethe region. fielder has made it clear that he captain said he is looking for- “The peopleople in Qatar and the action during the UEFA would like to see the Italians ward to a great contest in region are hugelyugely exciteexcitedd aaboutbout Champions League semi final emerging winners in Cardiff on Cardiff. this World Cup,Cup, the first in the 3 June to crown the remarkable “I see the chances of both second leg football match Arab world, andand it means a lotlot to career of goal-keeping legend teams in the final at 50-50, a final against Monaco in this file the people hhere.ere. I hhaveave bbeeneen to Gianluigi Buffon. is always difficult to predict and photo. Iran playing the AFC Champions “Winning the Champions there are no clear favourites. League, and it is increincredibledible hhowow League would be a crowning Juventus have been doing things addition to defence, Dani Alves The World Cup winning mid- they receivedved us, and me moment in Buffon’s career,” Xavi well for years, and they are a big is also contributing a lot in attack fielder recently completed his personally." exclusively told www.sc.qa. “I club and have not won the and creating some great goals. second season in Qatar in style, Xavi concludedncluded bbyy tatalkinglking would like to see Buffon winning Champions League for many For Real Madrid, Benzema can and added that he has been about his relationshipationship with Qatar. the Champions League. As a Bar- years now and will be eager to be decisive, so too Isco, Modric impressed by the passion for "Here in Qatar,tar, I’ve seen a totatotall celona fan, it is logical and set the record straight. Real and Cristiano Ronaldo. They football in the country and across passion for football, and thethe natural that I want Juventus to Madrid are also very strong, they have a lot of players who can all the region. willingnesss to dodo win. But I also want them to win have signed good players, I think make a difference individually. “The passion for football in things well. I hhaveave to for Buffon and Dani Alves, who we’re going to see a great final.” We will see a fantastic final.” the region took me by surprise. thank Qatarar foforr also deserves it. Dani is an “Juventus have players like Xavi visited Jordan in 2016 I knew that they love football, but giving me tthehe impressive player who has made Dybala and Higuain who can as Generation Amazing I didn’t realise to what extent opportunityy to a difference in the lead-up to the make a difference in attack, In ambassador they did. I have been to Jordan, work on thisis FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2017 SPORT 17 Ballon d'Or at stake Murray, Del Potro set up as Ronaldo bears down on Messi

Madrid French Open blockbuster AFP ristiano Ronaldo heads tomorrow's Cham- Paris pions League final against Juventus on the AFP Cbrink of realising a burning ambition of matching Lionel Messi's record of winning the orld number one Andy Murray set Ballon d'Or five times. up a French Open blockbuster "I want to catch Messi," Ronaldo confessed Wagainst Juan Martin del Potro yes- when collecting his third World Player of the Year terday, the latest chapter in what has crown back in 2015. developed into an epic rivalry. Now the Portuguese has four to his name, but Murray, the 2016 runner-up, reached the Messi still remains one step ahead with five. third round with a bruising 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, The two have dominated the award for the 6-2, 7-6 (7/3) win over Martin Klizan of past decade in the battle to not just be considered Slovakia. the best of their generation, but among the best Del Potro, playing in Paris for the first of all time. time in five years, went through to the last Yet, whilst Juventus's stubborn defence forced 32 after Nicolas Almagro retired in tears with Messi to fire blanks in a 3-0 quarter-final aggre- a knee injury. gate win for the Italians over Barcelona, Ronaldo The giant Argentine was immediately can complete another stellar season by ensuring hailed for his sportsmanship when he Britain's Andy Madrid become the first side to retain the Cham- embraced the sobbing, stricken Spaniard. pions League. Murray looks on Out on Suzanne Lenglen court, world "I am aware of the fact that what I've done in during his match number 50 Klizan smashed 57 winners but football has already left and will continue to leave 67 unforced errors as his all-or-nothing game against Slovakia's Martin Klizan a mark," Ronaldo told UEFA.com. proved in vain against top seed Murray. at the Roland Garros 2017 "I haven't broken so many records by acci- "I expected a tough match. Martin goes French Open in Paris yesterday. dent. That's not an obsession for me, but I do like for his shots, he can hit winners with that World number one Murray breaking them." forehand from anywhere on the court," said reached the third round with a Ronaldo has already added his name to more Murray. bruising 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-2, 7-6 record books during this season's Champions The Scot beat Del Potro in a marathon (7/3) win over Klizan. League. Olympic final in 2016 before Del Potro, now His hat-trick against Bayern Munich in the 30 in the world, gained his revenge with a quarter-finals made him the first man to score come-from-behind win in five sets in the more than 100 Champions League goals. Davis Cup semi-final. 2017 FRENCH OPEN And he duly added another hat-trick in the "It will be very tough. Juan Martin is play- Radwanska digs deep semi-finals against Atletico Madrid to carry Real ing a lot better than his ranking," said Murray MEN'S SINGLES: YESTERDAY'S RESULTS to the final in Cardiff this weekend. as he looked ahead to tomorrow's clash. "He has a good opportunity with the season Del Potro, no stranger to injury after a SECOND ROUND: to oust qualifier that he has had, above all in the Champions League career-long battle with wrist problems, made 22-Pablo Cuevas (Uruguay) beat Nicolas Kicker (Argentina) 6-4, this year," Predrag Mijatovic, who scored the win- the third round after Spanish opponent Alma- 6-4, 6-4 ning goal when Real last met Juventus in the gro quit in tears during the third set with a left 15-Gael Monfils (France) beat Thiago Monteiro (Brazil) 6-1, 6-4, 6-1 Van Uytvanck Champions League final in 1998. knee injury. Kevin Anderson (South Africa) beat 18-Nick Kyrgios (Australia) However, the Montenegrin believes Juventus In a moving conclusion on Court Two, Del 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2 goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon could finally end Potro sat next to a sobbing Almagro, offering Kyle Edmund (Britain) beat Renzo Olivo (Argentina) 7-5, 6-3, 6-1 Paris Messi and Ronaldo's reign if he lifts the Champi- him water while trying to console the heart- 1-Andy Murray (Britain) beat Martin Klizan (Slovakia) 6-7(3), 6-2, Reuters ons League for the first time at 39 to complete the broken 31-year-old. treble for the Italian giants. 6-2, 7-6(3) Del Potro had also gone to the Spaniard's inth seed "I think the next Ballon d'Or will come from 28-Fabio Fognini (Italy) beat Andreas Seppi (Italy) 6-4, 7-5, 6-3 aid when he had collapsed at the back of the Agnieszka the team that wins the Champions League," added court, weeping, just moments earlier. 3-Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland) beat Alexandr Dolgopolov Radwanska Mijatovic. (Ukraine) 6-4, 7-6(5), 7-5 N "I tried to find good words for him at that lived up to her Ramos more than Ronaldo has been Real's moment. I say to him, try to be calm. Try to Chung Hyeon (South Korea) beat Denis Istomin (Uzbekistan) 6-1, nickname as the hero in beating Atletico in two of the past three think about his family, his baby," said Del 7-5, 6-1 'Professor' when Champions League finals, scoring in both games Potro. Karen Khachanov (Russia) beat 13-Tomas Berdych (Czech Re- she dug deep into in Lisbon and Milan. "Sometimes the heart is first more than public) 7-5, 6-4, 6-4 her toolbox of tac- However, the Spanish international doesn't the tennis match." 8-Kei Nishikori (Japan) beat Jeremy Chardy (France) 6-3, 6-0, 7-6(5) tics to repel seem interested in depriving his teammate of a Del Potro, 28, had taken the first set 6-3 Feliciano Lopez (Spain) beat 30-David Ferrer (Spain) 7-5, 3-6, tenacious quali- fifth Ballon d'Or to tie Messi's record. before Almagro claimed the next by the same 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 fier Alison Van In contrast to Madrid's previous finals in recent score. 29-Juan Martin del Potro (Argentina) beat Nicolas Almagro Uytvanck 6-7(3), seasons, though, Ronaldo arrives in Cardiff in his They were locked at 1-1 in the third when (Spain) 6-3, 3-6, 1-1 (Almagro retired) 6-2, 6-3 in the best form of the campaign having been spared for

Almagro quit. 21-John Isner (U.S.) beat Paolo Lorenzi (Italy) 6-3, 7-6(3), 7-6(2) French Open sec- a series of league games recently. Del Potro also suffered an injury scare 7-Marin Cilic (Croatia) beat Konstantin Kravchuk (Russia) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 ond round Despite Ronaldo missing nine La Liga games himself when he pulled up, holding his left yesterday. in total, Madrid didn't miss a beat, winning every groin in the second set. The world single one to edge out Barcelona and claim a first Third seed Stan Wawrinka, the 2015 WOMEN'S SINGLES: YESTERDAY'S RESULTS number 10, in her league title in five years. champion, reached the last 32 for the 10th first tournament in If he adds to his 14 goals in his last nine games time with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/5), 7-5 win over Alex- SECOND ROUND: five weeks follow- against the meanest defence in this season's Cham- andr Dolgopolov of Ukraine. 17-Anastasija Sevastova (Latvia) beat Eugenie Bouchard (Canada) ing a foot injury, pions League, Ronaldo will likely have his name Wawrinka will face Italy's Fabio Fognini 6-3, 6-0 will now face local etched on yet another Ballon d'Or. for a place in the fourth round. Hsieh Su-Wei (Taiwan) beat Taylor Townsend (US) 6-0, 2-6, 6-3 favourite Alize Japanese eighth seed Kei Nishikori routed 9-Agnieszka Radwanska (Poland) beat Alison Van Uytvanck Cornet. France's Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-0, 7-6 (7/5) (Belgium) 6-7(3), 6-2, 6-3 The Pole said and set up a rare all-Asian clash with South Alize Cornet (France) beat 20-Barbora Strycova (Czech Republic) she had a point to Manchester United Korean Hyeon Chung. 6-4, 6-1 prove at Roland Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska in Chung, the 21-year-old world number 5-Elina Svitolina (Ukraine) beat Tsvetana Pironkova (Bulgaria) 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 Garros after her action during her second round 'losing' interest in 67, followed up his first round win over US 26-Daria Kasatkina (Russia) beat Marketa Vondrousova (Czech 2016 meltdown --

match against Belgium's Alison

27th seed Sam Querrey with a 6-1, 7-5, 6-1 Republic) 7-6(1), 6-4 when she Van Uytvanck at the Roland Garros victory against Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan. Magda Linette (Poland) beat 29-Ana Konjuh (Croatia) 6-0, 7-5 squandered a 6-2, Griezmann Anderson, ranked at 56 in the world, 3-0 lead in soggy 2017 French Open yesterday. made the most of the 18th-seeded Austral- conditions - in a Radwanska won 6-7(3/7), 6-2, 6-3 London ian's 42 unforced errors to progress to the shock fourth defeat to advance to the third round. AFP third round where he will face Britain's Kyle against Tsvetana Edmund. Pironkova. anchester United have cooled their inter- Unseeded 21-year-old Karen Khachanov "Unfinished business, "In the second set I had est in signing Atletico Madrid's French of Russia continued his impressive debut, you said it well," Radwan- to play my game and not Mforward Antoine Griezmann, according to beating Czech 13th seed Tomas Berdych, a ska told reporters when wait for her mistakes." British media reports yesterday. semi-finalist seven years ago, 7-5, 6-4, 6-4. asked about her 2016 exit. "I Radwanska, whose best Europa League winners United were reported In the women's event, crowd favourite am hoping the weather stays grand slam performance to be plotting an approach for 26-year-old Eugenie Bouchard's struggles continued with like that this time. I feel good was reaching the 2012 Griezmann. a 6-3, 6-0 loss to Latvian 17th seed Anastas- in this heat." Wimbledon final, decided But several media outlets, including the BBC ija Sevastova. Yesterday, Radwanska to change tactics and mixed and Britain's Press Association, said United were Czech second seed Karolina Pliskova and was taken by surprise in the it up as well, rushing to the instead shifting their focus towards a more con- third-seeded Simona Halep of Romania, both first set on a sun-drenched net more often and attack- ventional centre-forward, citing an internal source. firm women's title favourites after the first Court Suzanne Lenglen ing the Belgian's United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has sustained round exit of world number one Angelique when the aggressive Belgian, high-bouncing serve early a long-term knee injury and is due to be out of con- Kerber, look for places in the last 32. ranked 103 spots below her, to race through the second tract at the end of the month. Pliskova has never got beyond the sec- went 3-1 up and squandered set 6-2. The Court of Arbitration for Sport on Thurs- ond round in six previous attempts. four break points to go 4-1 The 23-year-old Van day upheld a transfer ban against Atletico over The 25-year-old Czech faces Russian up. Uytvanck, who underwent irregularities in the signing of foreign players world 86 Ekaterian Alexandrova who has Despite fighting back, the wrist surgery in December under the age of 18. It means the Madrid club will never beaten a top five rival. Pole could not handle her and has made only one WTA not be able to register new players until January Halep, the 2014 runner-up, faces German opponent's big kicking serve main draw appearance this 2018. world number 102 Tatjana Maria who is bid- and stream of drop shots and year prior to Roland Garros, Atletico were reportedly intending to sell ding to make the third round for the first time. Van Uytvanck bagged the was broken in the third Griezmann and replace him with his France team- Fifth seed Elina Svitolina, a quarter-final- tiebreak with a smash. game and the Pole never mate Alexandre Lacazette of Lyon. Spain's Nicolas Almagro (left) is ist in 2015 and recent Rome champion, made "She started very well looked back. Griezmann is close friends with United mid- the third round by beating Bulgaria's Tsve- comforted by Argentina's Juan Martin and on clay she can do a lot Radwanska won her fielder Paul Pogba and has dropped hints about tana Pironkova 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Del Potro after he gave up due to an of things," Radwanska said. match when her opponent wanting to move to Old Trafford in recent weeks. Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska, seeded injury during their men's singles second "She was mixing up a lot dumped a backhand into the In a recent French television appearance, he nine, saw off Belgian qualifier Alison Van round match at the Roland Garros 2017 of shots. She can hit the ball net after two hours and 23 said there was a "6/10" chance of him joining United Uytvanck 6-7 (3/7), 6-2, 6-3. French Open yesterday. really well. minutes. and a "7/10" chance of him staying at Atletico. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2017 Pakistan-India clash 'just another game' Birmingham AFP

akistan batsman Azhar Ali has insisted his side will treat their Cham- pions Trophy opener against title-holders PIndia in Birmingham on Sunday as "just another game". Politics in both countries means the Asian giants, argua- bly cricket's fiercest rivals, now rarely meet outside of Interna- tional Cricket Council (ICC) events. Such is the global and com- mercial appeal of the fixture, the ICC has effectively admitted to 'doctoring' the draw to make sure the teams are paired together in the group phase of major tour- naments rather than run the risk of them not meeting later on. For all the anticipation sur- rounding their latest clash, Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur (centre) speaks to the squad as they take part in a nets practice session at Azhar told reporters at Edgbas- Edgbaston cricket ground in Birmingham, central England, on Tuesday ahead of their forthcoming ICC Champions ton yesterday: "It's just another Trophy cricket match against India. Right: Indian captain Virat Kohli during warm-up match against Bangladesh game. on Monday. "I think when the game starts it looks quite normal. The play- "A game between Pakistan "We have worked on that," that Wahab Riaz, one of their ers play as per the situation and and India is always good and said the 32-year-old Azhar, most experienced pacemen, has professional players are like that Birmingham has always had a recalled for the Champions been struggling with a left knee without worrying about anything very good atmosphere," said Trophy. injury. else," he added. Azhar. "We know that the game has The left-arm quick did bowl I think when the game starts it looks Pakistan, who upset the odds A former captain of the gone quite a long way and we during training on Wednesday, quite normal. The players play as per the to draw a Test series in England Pakistan ODI side, Azhar's tally have had some good results in but not at full tilt. last year, have already been in of 1,605 runs in 45 matches at the recent past, so we will do our Nevertheless, Azhar said: situation and professional players are Birmingham for two weeks in an average of over 38 would best to match that. Obviously we "Wahab has recovered well so like that without worrying about preparation for their bid to win once have been respectable have to go a long way. We would we have no doubt that he will be the Champions Trophy, a tour- enough. love to play at the same pace," fit to play." anything else: Pakistan batsman Azhar nament featuring the world's top But in age of ever more he said. "It's international cricket and Ali eight one-day international aggressive batting and ever Swing bowling could play a you have to be 100 percent fit. teams. higher strike rates, his figures key role in deciding the destiny He has practised today so we are Birmingham boasts one of look old-fashioned -- a criticism of the Champions Trophy, par- hoping that by the time the first the largest Asian populations in that has been made of Pakistan's ticularly if conditions are match comes he will be able to Britain and a vibrant, sell-out overall approach to white-ball overcast. play," said the seasoned Pakistan crowd is expected on Sunday. cricket as it's now played. One concern for Pakistan is batsman.

Sehwag and SL skipper Moody among Battle of pacers on the cards as Mathews contenders for doubtful for India coach's job Australia take on New Zealand Trophy opener New Delhi Colombo Birmingham IANS New Zealand, Bangladesh and Australia's Mitchell AFP IANS England, the reigning World Cup Starc takes part in ormer opening bats- champions face the difficult task ri Lanka skipper a training session man Virender n eagerly-awaited clash of adjusting fast to the demands Angelo Mathews has FSehwag has thrown of two formidable pace of the 50-over version of the at Edgbaston in Ssuffered a calf injury his hat in the ring for the Abowling line-ups is on the game and to the conditions in Birmingham on and may not play in their job of the national cricket cards when Australia and New England as they try to win the Tuesday. Starc is likely first Champions Trophy team's head coach for Zealand face off in a Group A Trophy for a record third time. to spearhead team's group match tomorrow, which the BCCI had ear- clash of Champions Trophy The Australians will be play- pace attack in opening the cricket board said. lier invited applications. cricket tournament here today. ing One-Day Internationals game against New Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC) Sehwag, who was This is the first time Australia (ODI) after a significant gap, hav- Zealand. said he was "most likely to director of cricket opera- will have the option of fielding ing played four Test matches in sit out" the 50-over match tions of Indian Premier their four frontline fast bowlers India before taking part in the against South Africa at the League (IPL) side King XI in the form of Mitchell Starc, Josh Indian Premier League (IPL) Oval, in south London. Punjab, is among the six Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Twenty20 tournament. Mathews rejoined the candidates to have applied James Pattinson in the same However, given the depth in team after a five-month for the job, according to a tournament. their squad, the Australians are layoff due to a hamstring top official of the Board of New Zealand have top qual- hot contenders to top their group injury that forced him to Control for Cricket in India ity fast bowlers in Trent Boult and ease into the semi-finals. return home halfway (BCCI). and Tim Southee. Today's match With a couple of high qual- through the tour of South It is learnt that there could see batsmen from both ity pace bowling all-rounders in Africa in January. are four other Indians in teams struggling in the pace- Marcus Stoinis and John Hast- The board said Math- the fray, including current friendly English conditions. ings in their ranks, the Australia ews, who turns 30 today, coach Anil Kumble, a With the ongoing pay dis- bowling line=up could prove dif- had complained of stiff- direct entrant into the pute with their board a major ficult to handle in the swing ness and pain. A medical process by virtue of being distraction, Australia will be friendly English conditions. examination revealed a the current coach. aiming to shut out all off-field Hastings and Stoinis are strain on the muscle. Former national team issues as they aim to give their excellent lower-order batsmen "Mathews will engage manager Lalchand Rajput campaign a winning start. as well and Australia captain in supervised recovery and ex-India pacer Doda Placed in Group A alongside Steve Smith may include one of over the next few days but Ganesh have also applied. them in the playing XI on Friday will most likely sit out the Among the foreign and field three fast bowlers. first group stage match applicants are Tom The only selection dilemma handle everything else," he told and if it's cloudy it can do a lot against South Africa," SLC Moody, former Sri Lanka in an otherwise settled batting the media yesterday. more. said in a statement yester- coach and a previous line up is who amongst Glenn Although Australia have won "If it's a nice sunny day then day. He had been declared applicant for the India Maxwell and Chris Lynn will get nine out of their last 10 encoun- it's probably going to be good for fit for the 50-over show- post, and Englishman the nod to fulfil the finisher's ters against New Zealand, they batting, and if there's a bit of piece event after a Richard Pybus, who had role. cannot afford to take their rivals cloud about then perhaps the week-long high intensity previously coached Australia had a poor start to lightly. ball might be able to shift in the training camp in central Pakistan. their campaign in the last edi- With a bit of rain along with air a little bit and get a bit of Sri Lanka. The BCCI had earlier tion of the Champions Trophy in heavy cloud forecast for today, assistance off the wicket," Smith Mathews, who last stated that it was calling 2013 when they lost to England the conditions are suitable for said. played an ODI in the home upon interested candi- in their first match before crash- swing and New Zealand fast The Kiwi batting line up is in series loss to Australia in dates for the position of ing out in the group stages. bowlers Trent Boult and Tim fine form, having chased down August 2016, was upbeat head coach of the national Smith is keen to avoid a Southee could prove to be a a target of 357 runs on their way when the Sri Lankan team and that to "ensure repeat this time. He reiterated handful for the Australian to a six-wicket win over Sri squad left for London two a fair and completely the importance of focusing on batsmen. Lanka in their last warm-up weeks ago to prepare for transparent process" a the job at hand and not giving Smith, wary of the Kiwi pace match against Sri Lanka on May the tournament. nominee of the Supreme too much thought to off-field duo, urged his batsmen to be 30. But he warned: "We Court-appointed Commit- issues. cautious. Experienced opener Martin don't have time for hiccups tee of Administrators (CoA) "We are focusing on this "They've got some good new Guptill smashed an unbeaten 116 in a tournament like this." will oversee the process of tournament. These are the big ball bowlers who can swing off just 76 deliveries while Kane Sri Lanka are in Group Trent Boult will be key to selecting the best tournaments and the ones you around and if there's a bit there, Wiliamson and Corey Anderson B with India, Pakistan and candidate. Kiwis bowling attack against really want to win. So my focus we'll have to be quite watchful. scored impressive South Africa. Australia today. is on that and I'll let the CA Quite often here, you look up half-centuries. FRIDAY 2 JUNE 2017 SPORT 19

Froome Barrett, Nehe rules out Fit again Rossi needs to take on Quintana as Force in Perth main rival Wellington 'crucial' Mugello result Reuters ll Blacks coach Steve Pairs Hansen's concerns Reuters Luco di Mugello, Italy the flowing Tuscany track Movistar Yamaha MotoGP’s Italian rider Valentino Rossi in Aover injuries to his AFP with a mixture of uphill and action during the Japanese Grand Prix at the Twin Ring Motegi players were lessened a lit- hris Froome's big- downhill sections, a variety of Circuit in Motegi in this file photo. tle yesterday with flyhalf gest rival has ome favourite fast and slow turns (six left, Beauden Barrett and utility Cturned his attention Valentino Rossi nine right), and a longest back Nehe Milner-Skudder back to the Tour de has won his fit- straight measuring 1.14km. named by the Wellington France but the three-time ness race to "With the championship Hurricanes to face the West- champion does not compete at Mug- being as competitive as it is, ern Force tomorrow. regard Colombia's Nairo Hello where his younger the next rounds will be all- Barrett, the World Player Quintana as his most teammate Maverick Vinales decisive and it will be crucial of the Year, missed last dangerous threat. believes the Yamaha season to take the victory in Mugello," week's 34-20 victory over Quintana, runner-up could hinge on Sunday's said a determined Vinales who the Bulls after arriving in to the Briton in 2013 and action. will target a third pole of the South Africa suffering head- 2015, made an audacious Seven-time world MotoGP season Saturday. aches and was rested as a bid for a rare Giro d'Italia- champion Rossi is struggling Movistar-Yamaha team precaution. Tour double this season, with chest pains after a moto- director Massimo Meregalli The 26-year-old returns but after losing out to cross training accident that said fans at what is their home in the number 10 jersey for Tom Dumoulin in Italy, saw him hospitalised last GP would provide the impulse the clash in Perth, having Team Sky's Froome week. but chose his words carefully played at fullback against the believes the Movistar But the MotoGP Medical when talking about his Cheetahs in Wellington two rider may have over- Director, Dr Angel Charte, on cahrges. weeks ago. exerted himself. Thursday found Rossi to be in "It is an important week- Milner-Skudder, who "My biggest threats a suitable condition to take end for Valentino," he said has a slim chance at making come from guys who did part on home tarmac. ominously while insisting that the All Blacks squad to face not do the Giro -- Richie "My condition is improv- "Vinales is on a high". the British and Irish Lions Porte, (two-time winner) ing day by day and this allows Second-placed Dani Ped- after almost 15 months with- Alberto Contador and me to think a bit more posi- rosa won the Spainsh GP and out regular rugby, will come (last year's runner-up) tively about Mugello," said the was third at Le Mans and the off the bench against the Romain Bardet," Froome, 38-year-old, who is third in Spaniard is on a surprise run Force. who also won the Tour in the championship standings, two places ahead of his team- Hansen is expected to 2016, told Reuters in a 23 points behind pace setter mate and world champion name his squad for the Lions telephone interview on Vinales. Marc Marquez, who many feel series on June 8, the day after Wednesday. Rossi made an uncharac- will want to make a statement the tourists have played the "I think it is going to teristic error to allow Vinales this weekend. Auckland Blues. be tough for Nairo to do to snatch a stunning victory Both riders voted in favour The World Cup winner the Giro and the Tour." after a breathless battle at Le of bringing in the harder front missed virtually all of last Quintana, who was Mans two weeks ago as the tyre this weekend to better year with a shoulder injury third overall last year, younger man clinched his perform on the fast track. that required reconstructive looked nothing like the third GP win from five so far "I think the front com- MOTOGP STANDINGS surgery, then in his second ruthless climber he built this season. pound we will use from Italy game back against the Chiefs his reputation on in Italy, The 22-year-old feels the will allow me to find more 1. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 85 on March 10 broke two bones failing to make Dutch- two upcoming back-to-back where the limit is and regain points, 2. Dani Pedrosa (ESP/Honda) 68, in his foot. man Dumoulin, MotoGPs in Italy and Cat- confidence with the front," 3. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 62, 4. The Hurricanes are sec- renowned more for his alunya suit his bike and his said the world champion. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 58, 5. ond in the New Zealand time-trial speed, crack in style and may allow him to "My riding style has Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 55, 6. conference on 48 points, the mountains. take control of the always been focused on tak- Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 54, 7. Cal while the Force have 17 Although he did not campaign. ing advantage of braking," Crutchlow (GBR/Honda LCR) 40, 8. points and appear unlikely see much of the race "We have a really good said Marquez, known for Jorge Lorenzo (ESP/Ducati) 38, 9. Jonas to make the playoffs as the

because he was at a train- bike for a circuit like Mugello, spectacular risk taking that Folger (GER/Yamaha Tech3) 38, 10. Jack top-ranked Australian side ing camp in Tenerife with a really good grip, and the kind of crowd expected at Miller (AUS/Honda) 29 with the ACT Brumbies lead- "where there was no TV", we have to make the most of Mugello Sunday would ing their conference on 28 Froome said Quintana that," said Vinales in regard to welcome. points. could have been cycling within himself in Italy. "He may then be doing better on the Tour because he is a rider who is better Robles targets London worlds Police video in the second than the first grand tour," the Kenya- born 32-year-old said. Havana striving to avoid his "main "I'm motivated. The Cubans, live like Cubans," shows unsteady, Froome, however, tipped AFP enemy", injury. new generation are push- he said. former Australian team Now 30, Robles missed ing me to work, in the gym, World junior silver slurring Woods mate Porte as a major ayron Robles insists the Rio Olympics injured, on the grass, on the track," medallist at the age of 18 in contender. he has refound his and famously pulled up he said. 2004, the Guantanamo "Richie has been Dmojo after two with a thigh injury in the Robles was suspended native came to further Miami amazing this season, win- injury-hit seasons, the final of the London Games between 2013-15 by the prominence two years later AFP ning the Tour Down 2008 Olympic high hurdles in 2012, which he describes Cuban federation after con- when he equalled the Under and recently the gold medallist now aiming as the "worst memory" of flict started over what he national record of 13sec olf superstar Tiger Woods looks disoriented Tour of Romandie. I think to bag a trip to August's his career. says was his sidelining by dead set by Anier Garcia, and unsteady in police video of his Mon- this year's Tour suits world championships in Working alongside a officials, leading him into a the 2004 Olympic cham- Gday arrest on a charge of driving under the Richie really well," he London. younger generation of hur- short-lived retirement and pion in Sydney. influence, according to footage obtained and explained. Robles was back in dlers, Yordan O'Farrill and a refused request to run Then in 2008, Robles broadcast by US media on Wednesday. Porte was Froome's action in Havana last week, Roger Valentin Iribarne, again for Monaco athleathleticst clocked a world record of The video, from a dashboard camera in the lieutenant at Sky from clocking 13.66sec over the RRoblesobles maintains he has club.club. 12.87sec in Ostrava, a mark vehicle of Jupiter, Florida, police officers, shows 2012-15 before leaving 110m hhurdles,urdles, some way ooffff rerefoundfound hishis ButBut he rremainsemains ffaithfulaith that would remain in place Woods unable to tie his shoe and wobbling as he for American outfit BMC thethe 13.48sec minimum mojo.mojo. toto hhisis native isisland,land, a pplacela for four years. In the same tries to walk along a straight line in a field sobri- to become a team leader. requirerequiredd forfor selectionselection forfor hehe hashas never wantedwanted to year, he raced to Olympic ety test. Porte, however, has tthehe CubanCuban team thatthat willwill quit, unlikeunlike Portugal-Portug gold in Beijing. Woods has blamed the DUI arrest near his a tendency to suffer from travel to the British capital based triple jumjumperp The seasons since then home on an adverse reaction to prescription damaging bad days that in tthehe summesummer.r. PedroPedro PichardoPichardo aand have been more chaotic, medication. can kill off his chances in "I'm savouringsavouring each OlympicOlympic hurdles sisilverlv the hurdler having picked The police report on the incident, made pub- the grand tours but he did step, eaceachh movement, eaceachh medallistmedallist OrlandoOrlando Ortega,Orte up a string of injuries and lic on Tuesday, said Woods was "cooperative" and claim his best result in training session andand tthishis whowho competes forfor Spain.Spa experienced the harsh side "confused" when found by police, with "extremely one last year when he fin- pleasure can help me get RoblesRobles ssaidaid "t"thesehe of his federation. slow and slurred speech." ished fifth in Paris. into goodgood shapeshape andand real-real- changeschanges sshouldhould not eexistx There was also the The video seen on Wednesday backs up that Froome now relies on ise many things," said (but)(but) everyone makesmak memorable Daegu world report. Geraint Thomas to guard Robles,Robles, withwith a June 3 out-out- theirtheir own choices".choices". championships in 2011, Woods is unable to follow a light with his eyes him in the peloton and inging in MarseiMarseillelle next TheThe CuCubanban state ppays when he crossed the line when asked to do so. When officers ask if he the Welshman can be in his crosshairs.crosshairs. Robles a stipend but first but was then disqual- understands instructions to recite the alphabet, expected to be in fine ButBut tthehe thethe hurdlerhurdler hash ified for having made he says he was asked "not to sing the national shape for France after he bespectacled investinvesteded in the contact with the hand of anthem backwards." was forced to abandon athleteathlete saidsaid hhotelotel bbusinessusin Chinese rival Liu Xiang. At one point in the sobriety tests Woods asks, the Giro early following hehe remains on tthehe bbackack of "Lots of people still talk "What are we doing?" an unfortunate crash. realistic, the openingopening up to me about that," he said. The 14-time major champion was taken into Froome has had a aallll tthehe ofof tthehe coucountry,nt "But I joke about it, it's custody at 2:49 am on Monday, booked into jail low-key season to date ttimeime launching withw history." at 7:18 am and released on his own recognisance but will continue his hishis ffamilyam Robles now aims to emu- at 10:50 am. preparations for his main lodg-lod late American Allen Johnson, He was discovered by police asleep in his car targets against Spain's ingsin the "giant" alongside whom in the right lane of a road, his right turn indicator Contador and Frenchman he started his career and who blinking and the motor running. Bardet at the eight-stage maintained his world-class Both tires on the driver's side of Woods's Mer- Criterium du Dauphine form through until the age of cedes were flat at the time of his arrest, and there starting on Sunday. wherewhe 37. The Cuban said he would was damage to the front and rear bumpers. The Tour de France tourtouristsi be "only" 33 when the 2020 Woods told police he was taking several pre- starts in Duesseldorf, ststayay withwith a Tokyo Olympic come scriptions, including two painkillers. His Germany on July 1 and Cuban family.family around. But first the qualify- breathalyser test showed no sign of alcohol. ends in Paris on July 23. "We"We aim to ing time for the London Woods's arraignment in Palm Beach County makemake peoplepeople feelfeel likel worlds. court is scheduled for July 5.