SPORT Friday 3 August 2018

PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Qatar’s Tamimi Kohli smashes among top-30 149 as India in the world fight back

Al Gharafa players celebrate after scoring a goal I like to win during the previous every game. For QNB Stars League that matter, all in this file photo. sides would like to win. You can win matches if FIXTURES: ROUND 1 you play good TOMORROW football. We Al Gharafa vs Qatar SC hope to win Al Sadd Stadium Saturday’s match 5:35pm. and thus make Al Arabi vs Al Khor a strong start to Khalifa International Stadium our campaign: Al Gharafa coach 5:35pm. Gourcuff Al Sailiya vs Umm Salal Khalifa International Stadium 7:45pm. SUNDAY QSL: Al Gharafa eye win Al Kharaitiyat va Al Sadd Khalifa International Stadium We have tried to strike the right 5:35pm. balance in our against Qatar SC in opener Al Shahania vs Al Duhail squad. We are up Khalifa International Stadium against a strong 7:45pm. RIZWAN REHMAT team (Al Gharafa) games and tried out three dif- Al Rayyan vs Al Ahli in the first match. THE PENINSULA ferent combinations. All players Al Sadd Stadium But it is better to were seen in action and I am so face Al Gharafa DOHA: Former champions Al happy that they adapted well,” 7:45pm. than facing Al Gharafa will be aiming for a win Mubarak informed. in their opening QNB Stars League “We have tried to strike the Duhail at the clash against Qatar SC, new coach right balance in our squad. We are Twelve teams begin very start of the said yesterday. up against a strong team (Al their battle for the season: Qatar Al Gharafa, who won three Gharafa) in the first match. But it Falcon Shield as QNB SC coach Abdulla back-to-back titles from 2008 to is better to face Al Gharafa than Stars League kicks off on Mubarak 2010, finished last season in facing Al Duhail at the very start fourth spot behind title winners of the season,” the Qatari said. Saturday. Al Duhail, Al Sadd and Al Rayyan. “Al Gharafa had put up a “I like to win every game. For strong performance against CS Al Duhail are the that matter, all sides would like Sfaxien (Tunisian club) at the defending champions, to win. You can win matches if Salalah tournament in Oman you play good football. We hope recently. But we are confident,” followed by their to win Saturday’s match and thus Mubarak said. unprecedented run during We did a good make a strong start to our cam- Al Gharafa’s new coach Christian Gourcuff (left) and Al Shahaniya “My ambition is to put Qatar the last season. job in the pre- paign,” Gourcuff said in his official coach Jose Murcia speak during a press conferences held yesterday, SC in the top rung of the QNB season camp. media conference. ahead of the start of new QNB Stars League (QSL) season. Stars League. To be among the top We hope to build “All my players are ready to Pictures: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula four is a difficult target to achieve. Teams have strengthened on our strong take on Qatar SC,” Gourcuff For that, we must double our their squads with a host preparations and added. - who will have the services of games is not a period to assess a efforts,” said Abdulla. The Frenchman said Al Dutch star Wesley Sneijder - team’s overall level. For the first four rounds of the of new recruitments and do a good job on Gharafa have arrived prepared won’t underestimate Qatar SC, Qatar SC coach Abdulla new QNB Stars League season, the have undergone intense our return to the for the season’s opening clash to who finished last season in 10th Mubarak said his players were matches will be played at only pre-season training. QSL. We will try be played at Al Sadd Stadium spot. feeling short of match practice two venues - Al Sadd Stadium and to improve our tomorrow. “All teams are staying “The preparatory period was the Khalifa International Stadium. game after every “We had a very good training focused, particularly at the very short. One month was not Both venues are equipped with The first-four rounds will week and thus camp in the Netherlands ahead beginning of the new season. And enough for the players to gear up state-of-the-art cooling of the start of the new season,” we are no different. We are con- for the season,” Mubarak said technology. be played at the Khalifa provide a good Gourcuff said. centrating much on our game yesterday. After the first four rounds, the International and Al Sadd level of football: “And then, we played in a against Qatar SC,” Gourcuff said. “However, we could make an teams will move to their own Stadiums, making use Al Shahania tournament in Salalah, Oman. We “In the league, you can get elaborate plan for the tour- home grounds for the remainder of the state-of-the-art coach Jose want to see how we can improve bad results sometimes. My life has nament,” he added. of the rounds from September cooling technology. Murcia on our game further,” he added. always been about football, be it “We made the best use of our onward, (QSL) Gourcuff said Al Gharafa a player or coach. One or two time. We played six friendly announced last month. A battle of wits as coaches get set for new season THE PENINSULA QSL TEAM COACHES DOHA: Tactical and technical confrontations between the Al Duhail: Nabil Maaloul coaches are sure to steal the Al Sadd: spotlight in the QNB Stars League Al Rayyan: Rodolfo Arruabarrena (QNB) 2018-19 season. Al Gharafa: Christian Gourcuff Many eminent coaches are Umm Salal: Laurent Banide at the helm of clubs in this sea- Al Sailiyah: Sami Trabelsi son’s QSL as well. Al Arabi: Luka Bonacic Tunisian Nabil Maaloul, who Al Khor: coached his country’s national Al Kharaitiyat: Nassif Al Bayawi team at the recent FIFA World Cup in Russia, has replaced Al Ahli: Milan Macala Algerian at Qatar SC: Abdulla Mubarak defending champions Al Duhail. Al Ahli’s new Czech coach Milan Macala (left) and Al Rayyan’s Argentinian coach Rodolfo Arruabarrena speak a during press conferences Al Shahaniya: Jose Murcia Last season’s runners-up Al held yesterday, ahead of the start of new QNB Stars League (QSL) season. Pictures: Salim Matramkot / The Peninsula Sadd have retained Jesualdo Fer- reira. The Portuguese is a result- Rodolfo Arruabarrena. The Uygun, who played his part in 2008. He coached Al Khor at the succeeding his compatriot Nassif is the only national coach on the oriented master tactician. He is former Argentina left-back will The Cheetah’s fourth-place start of last season and had Al Bayawi, who has been named scene. He did admirably well more experienced, having been have his task cut out as The Lions finish last season, having taken trained Al Kharaitiyat earlier. as the new coach of Al with The Kings last season. in the profession since 1981 and endured a trophy-less season over the side halfway through Tunisian Sami Trabelsi Kharaitiyat, replacing Yasser Jose Murcia also has a big coached teams in , Greece even though they had reached the tournament. extended his long stay at Al Sebaei. task on his hand — to enable and besides his native the Emir’s Cup final, where they Laurent Banide returned to Sailiyah, while Croat Luka Milan Macala, who returned promoted team Al Shahaniya to Portugal. lost to Al Duhail. Umm Salal. The Frenchman is Bonacic also stayed at Al Arabi. to Al Ahli, is keen to help them impress in the top flight. He had Al Rayyan replaced Danish Al Gharafa signed Christian no stranger to The Orange For- Tunisian Adel Sellimi finish in the top half. coached them last season as great Michael Laudrup with Gourcuff in place of Turk Bulent tress, having trained them in became Al Khor coach Qatar SC’s Abdulla Mubarak well. FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 17 Wild Illusion corners Qatar Nassau Stakes glory

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GOODWOOD, WEST ESSEX: Wild Illusion landed her second top-grade victory when winning the feature race on day three of the Qatar Goodwood Festival, the £600,000 G1 Qatar Nassau Stakes. Dropping back to a mile and a quarter seemed to suit the Godolphin-owned three-year-old filly, who was taking on older rivals for the first time, and whose two most recent runs had come over a mile and a half yesterday. Wild Illusion (4/1) made all the running under William Buick before beating Urban Fox (3/1) by two lengths, with Veracious a short-head back in third. Winning trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Wild Illusion has been rock solid all season and was fourth in a Guineas (at Newmarket), second in the Oaks (at Epsom) and second in the Ribblesdale Stakes (at Royal Ascot). She was coming into the race as well as I have seen her all season, and I felt that dropping back in trip was going to be her forte. Full credit to all the team at home, and to Michel (Rakotoarisoa) who rides her every day at home and looks after her. The Aidan O’Brien-trained Rhododendron (15/8 Qatar Olympic Committee President H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani (centre) poses for a photograph with the winners of the Qatar Sussex Stakes favourite) ran poorly and finished last of the six (Gr1), won by Qatar Racing’s Lightning Spear, at Qatar Goodwood Festival on Wednesday. runners. Land Force wins Qatar Richmond Stakes Pilaster victorious in THE PENINSULA the two-furlong pole. Land Force knuckled into him, he was very game and kept down well under Moore in the closing stages responding. GOODWOOD, WEST ESSEX: Ryan Moore to fend off all challengers and score a shade “He ran a very good race in the Norfolk. Goodwood thriller recorded his third victory of the 2018 Qatar cosily by a length from Mark Johnston’s We felt six furlongs would suit him. He is a THE PENINSULA Goodwood Festival following the success Marie’s Diamond (9/2) in second. very fast horse with a marvellous attitude. in the colours of her breeder, of the well-supported Land Force (5/2) in Moore said: “Land Force is a very fast He does not need to go any further than Kirsten Rausing, beat Rux the £200,000 G2 Qatar Richmond Stakes horse and got away well. To be honest, I six.” GOODWOOD, WEST ESSEX: Power by three-quarters of a over six furlongs. was in the lead long enough.” Land Force is 20/1 with Betfair for Pilaster landed the £300,000 length, with Lady Cosette a The two-year-old son of No Nay Never “I was left there at the two, which is a next year’s Commonwealth Cup at Royal G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes, further neck behind in third. was always prominent and took the lead at bit too soon for him, but when I got stuck Ascot. surviving a stewards’ enquiry McDonald, who on the to triumph in a thrilling battle opening day of the meeting at the Goodwood Racecourse won the Chelsea Barracks yesterday. Handicap on Under The Al Mohannadi highlights success of Trained by Roger Varian Covers, was happy to have and ridden by David Egan, the another success, but was three-year-old daughter of rueing one he felt might have Nathaniel engaged in a thrilling got away - Star Rock, on Qatar’s horseracing at Goodwood battle in the closing stages of whom he finished third in the G2 event with Maid Up, today’s G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry THE PENINSULA race as was the case at Chantilly trained by Andrew Balding and Stakes. last year. In fact, we have a clear partnered by Rob Hornby. Earlier, Yorkshire-based GOODWOOD, WEST ESSEX: commitment towards Purebred Pilaster responded willingly to Scot Mark Johnston inched Issa bin Mohammed Al Arabian racing and horses as they Egan’s urgings to regain the closer to the goal of becoming Mohannadi, Chairman of Qatar We have seen represent a main part of Qatar’s lead close home and score by the most successful trainer of Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC), heritage in the equestrian world,” a short-head. winners in Britain when Com- hailed the Qatar Racing-owned the excellence of the QREC Chairman said. Pilaster raced just once as munique won the £75,000 Lightning Spear’s victory in the Qatar Racing when Speaking about the results a two-year-old, finishing Matchbook Best Value Qatar Sussex Stakes at this year’s Lightning Spear recorded by Qatar’s horses so far seventh in a Doncaster mile Exchange Handicap. renewal of the Qatar Goodwood in the Festival, Al Mohanndi said, maiden in October. The Ridden by Silvestre De Festival. He stated that winning landed the Qatar “We have seen the fantastic Cheveley Park Stud-owned Sousa, Communique beat such a Group 1 title is not easy at Sussex Stakes. Al excellence of Qatar Racing when homebred won both of her Zaman and Global Giant by one all given the importance of this Shaqab’s return has Lightning Spear landed the Qatar starts in novice events on the and a half lengths and a short race and its historical value and also been impressive Sussex Stakes.” All-Weather at Chelmsford (1m head. that it enhances the standing of “Al Shaqab’s return has also 2f) and Kempton (1m 4f) this Katie Forrest won yester- Qatar’s horseracing worldwide. with two wins so far been impressive with two wins year with Newmarket handler day’s Magnolia Cup riding Hur- Speaking during the Qatar by Watan on the first so far by Watan on the first day Varian describing her as a ricane Harry. Goodwood Festival, Al day and Medahim on and Medahim on the second “classy” filly. The winner, who is trained Mohannadi said, “Qatar Racing’s day. Watan’s win is very special Earlier, The Richard near Chiddingfold by George Issa bin Mohammed Al win is a victory for Qatar in the second day: Al as he was bred by Al Shaqab. Fahey-trained More Than This Baker, tracked Harrodian Mohannadi, Chairman of Qatar general and it serves as a moti- This very fact reflects His Excel- maintained his unbeaten Knight through the first few Racing & Equestrian Club (QREC) Mohannadi vation for other studs, such as Al lency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad record with a game success in furlongs and then eased past Shaqab, Al Shahania and Umm Al Thani’s support to Al Shaqab the Telegraph Nursery before recording a com- Qarn, to maintain their presence the title this year, but that does Arabian racing all over the world breeding operation and their Handicap. fortable success. in this race in future, especially not underestimate the value of has been successful. We have presence in the world’s top Ridden by Paul Hanagan, The Ian Williams-trained as it is one of the most coveted Qatar’s horses and our consid- another experience at the Qatar racing festivals and events. I the two-year-old son of Dutch Harrodian Knight, the mount races worldwide and the most erable attention to purebred Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, where would like also to take this Art ran on strongly on the far- of Sarah Cook who works on prestigious of the Qatar Arabian races in the Qatar-spon- the Qatar Arabian World Cup has opportunity to thank His Excel- side rail to score by a length the Daily Mirror’s sports desk, Goodwood Festival.” sored racing events as demon- become a landmark in the lency Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad and a half in the seven-furlong took second ahead of the “Winning a prestigious race strated by organising a race for world’s racing every year. Before Al Thani for his presence during contest. Camilla Swift-ridden Boots for Thoroughbreds does not purebred Arabians since the very Qatar’s sponsorship, no Arabian the first two days of the Festival Meanwhile, Jockey P J And Spurs from Scott Dixon’s mean that there is no attention first year of our partnership with races were organised during the and to His Excellency Yousef bin McDonald rode his second stable. to Purebred Arabians,” Al Goodwood. This year’s renewal Arc weekend, but Qatar, in Ali Al Khater, Qatar’s Ambas- winner at this year’s Qatar The John Quinn-trained Mohannadi said. of the Qatar International Stakes agreement with France Galop, sador to the United Kingdom. I Goodwood Festival when Lord Riddiford (6/1) captured “Particularly as QREC is com- has a top quality field, who has introduced this race, which think the large-scale Qatari landing the Markel Insurance the final race on day three of mitted to hold the Qatar Interna- between them had won 11 Group is considered the World Cup for presence is a huge gain, which British EBF Fillies’ Maiden on the Qatar Goodwood Festival, tional Stakes for Purebred Ara- ones and 23 Pattern races. Such Pure Arabians.” should be maintained, espe- the Mark Johnston-trained the Tatler Handicap over five bians as part of the festival every top quality runners confirm that “It is now run before the cially in such a high-profile Accordance. furlongs, his third successive year. It was Muraaqib who won QREC’s strategy of supporting Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe event.” The 9/2 winner, who races victory. 18 SPORT FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 Qatar’s Tamimi among top-30 in the world Marquez in commanding QNA Federations junior circuit rankings lead at halfway point (Under-19). He has also won DOHA: Qatari squash player and several other prestigious titles, AFP will still be very long with 10 races Aspire Academy graduate including the Under-19 Qatar to go, and not easy at all. Our rivals Abdulla Al Tamimi, who recently Youth Open Championship, again BRNO, CZECH REPUBLIC: As the are riding fast at every circuit.” won the Malaysia Open, climbed in 2012, and the Under-19 Dutch MotoGP season reaches its “I’ll go to Brno not thinking to the 28th position on the PSA Junior Open in July 2013. halfway point on Sunday, Marc about the advantage in the Cham- World Ranking, his highest He also finished fourth in the Marquez sits regally in first place pionship, as if we were all still at positoin so far. World Youth Championship, held seemingly as concerned with his the beginning, on zero points.” “Im delighted to reach the in Poland in July 2013. adoring fans as with his distant The Brno course is long at top-30 this month. It’s a great Throughout 2014 and 2015, pursuers. 5.4km with six left-hand corners way to kick off the new squash Al Tamimi continued to shine at The Czech MotoGP in Brno is and eight right-handers and a 74m season and I am looking forward international squash champion- the 10th of the 19 races on this change in elevation on each lap. to the rest of the year,” the player ships in Qatar and around the season’s calendar. It is also the It has not always been kind to said. world, reaching the final rounds 100th for the 25-year-old Marquez. Al Tamimi is only 23-years- of a number of different tourna- Spaniard in the sport’s elite class In 2010, while he was still old, yet most top squash players ments. These included the Guil- and he has won 40 of them. racing in the 125cc class (today are older than 30. This has led to foyle Financial PSA Classic, the This season, after winning five Moto3), he came to Brno on a players and experts believing NASH Cup, the AnyPresence of the first nine races, including streak of five straight victories and that the huge improvements in Open, the Qatar Classic Squash the last two in Assen and on the finished seventh. his performance over the last 12 Championship, amongst others. Sachsenring, the Honda rider’s Four years later, he arrived months will continue over the In 2017, his progress con- closest rivals are two Yamaha having won the first 10 races of next few years. tinued as he achieved a career- riders. the MotoGP season and finished In 2012, Al Tamimi became best world ranking of 37 after Italian veteran Valentino Rossi fourth. world No.1 in the World Squash reaching the second round of the is 46 points back and another Last year’s race may have World Squash Championships in Spaniard, Maverick Vinales, trails gone some way to wiping out Manchester. Heading into the by 56. those memories as Marquez pitted 2018 season, Al Tamimi is now After a three-week break fol- early to switch from wet tyres to hoping to improve on his current lowing the German Grand Prix, slicks and rode away from his world-ranking of 28. Marquez, the reigning champion, rivals on a drying circuit to win by understandably enters the race 13 seconds. feeling good. During his break, the Spaniard, “We’re coming off of wins at who is adored in his homeland, two very different races, one an attended a charity run in Bar- all-out battle and one more tac- celona where local newspaper MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP tical, so we arrive in Brno in a con- Mundo Deportivo asked him: “Is STANDINGS fident mood,” said the four-time it hard being Marc Marquez?” MotoGP world champion. “It’s complicated because, 1. Marc Marquez (ESP/Honda) 165 points “It was also good to enjoy a although I appreciate it a lot when 2. Valentino Rossi (ITA/Yamaha) 119 few days of vacation to recharge people stop you, ask for a picture 3. Maverick Vinales (ESP/Yamaha) 109 the batteries and prepare for the and give you encouragement, it’s Abdulla 4. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA/Ducati) 88 second half of the season, which difficult,” said Marquez. Al Tamimi Marc Marquez 5. Johann Zarco (FRA/Yamaha Tech3) 88

Action during the Arab Table Tennis rejoins Championship 2018 in Cairo, Egypt. PSG on China tour AFP lowing a foot injury in late February. The flamboyant forward then SHENZHEN: Dozens of screaming fans endured a turbulent World Cup as Brazil welcomed Brazil star Neymar (pictured) were stunned by Belgium in the quarter- yesterday as he flew in to China to rejoin finals and he was widely lampooned for Paris Saint-Germain after his disap- his play-acting. Djamel Belmadi pointing World Cup. “I didn’t want to see a ball, or to see The world’s most expensive player, any more football played,” the 26-year- wearing a canary-yellow hoodie, posed old told AFP last month in an interview, Belmadi for pictures with airport staff before his describing his World Cup noisy welcome in the disadisappointment.ppointment. Team Qatar reaches Arab Table arrivalsarrivals hall. However,However, yesterday’syesterday’s ententhusiastichusiastic named welcomewelcome indicated thatthat hhisis popupopularitylarity Tennis Championship final in CChinah ina ’s remainsremains very QNA The prestigious event sees 17 muchmuch intintact.act. Arab nations in action including CAIRO: Qatar U-21 team reached Morocco, Algeria, , Libya, new coach the final of the Arab Table Tennis Yemen, Palestine, Sudan, Iraq, Oman, Championship 2018, after defeating Bahrain, Qatar, Lebanon and hosts REUTERS Bahrain in the semi-finals in Cairo Egypt who are competing in different on Wednesday. categories. : Algeria have In the title clash which was scheduled Around 386 players are competing appointed former interna- for yesterday, Qatar were to play in five different categories of Under- tional Djamel Belmadi as their against hosts Egypt. 21, Under-18 and Under-15 years. new national coach, the FootageFootage on Neymar’sNeymar’s country’s football federation TwitterTwitter accountaccount showedshowed himhim announced yesterday. signingsigning Barcelona,Barcelona, BrazilBrazil andand PSG The former Manchester shirtsshirts beforebefore beingbeing guidedguided throughthrough thethe City midfielder will travel to ccrowdrowd by minmindersders anandd security stastaff.ff. Algiers to sign a contract Neymar’sNeymar’s arrival,arrival, aaheadhead ofof replacing Rabah Madjer, who tomorrow’s French Super Cup Woods has sights on resigned in June, the Algerian game agaagainstinst MMonacoonaco in Football Federation said. Shenzhen,Shenzhen, comes more than French-born Belmadi, 42, fivefive monthsmonths aafterfter hhisis llastast ninth title at Firestone played for Algeria between appeaappearancerance forfor PSGPSG fol-fol- AFP 2000 and 2004, including a golf courses on the entire tour,” Woods quarter-final place at the said. “It’s a very simple, straightforward 2004 African Nations Cup LOS ANGELES: Tiger Woods returns to golf course, which we don’t see very often finals. England keen to extend the scene of his most recent victory when anymore. It’s one of the reasons why I tried His club career started at he tackles the WGC Bridgestone in Akron, so hard to get in this event, is because it Paris St Germain and included Ohio, just making the elite field a does mean something special to me.” stints at Olympique Marseille, Southgate’s contract testament to the superstar’s resilience. A ninth victory at Firestone would Celta Vigo in Spain, Man- “This event has been very special to also put Woods closer to his goal of AFP chester City and be a contract conversation and he’s on me over the years. I’m excited to be back,” playing in the Ryder Cup -- as well as Southampton. holiday now, so we’ll talk when he comes said 14-time major champion Woods, serving as an assistant to US captain Jim His previous coaching LONDON: England’s Football Association back. who has climbed from 656th in the world Furyk. experience has been wants Gareth Southgate to stay on as Southgate’s current salary is under- to start the year to 50th -- barely making “You know he’s going to play well this restricted to Qatar where he manager beyond Euro 2020 but knows it stood to be £1.8m ($2.4m) a year, with the field for a tournament he has won an week,” American Justin Thomas said of has managed the national cannot compete on wages if a Premier bonuses taking it closer to the £2.5m his astonishing eight times. Woods. side as well as several clubs. League club makes an approach. predecessors Sam Allardyce and Roy That includes his victory in 2013 -- “This place is like Augusta for him. Belmadi is the seventh Southgate took England to the World Hodgson are believed to have earned. his most recent win anywhere. He could probably take two, three weeks coach of Algeria since they Cup semi-finals in Russia, boosting his The figures, however, are still much Since then, Woods has been ham- off and he’s going to get it around here reached the second round of stock within the game and ending a run less than the £4m Fabio Capello received pered by the back trouble that led to fine, because he knows how to. He’s won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, of miserable failures at major tournaments when at the helm and a fraction of the sal- spinal fusion surgery in April of last year. here as many times as I’ve won every- reflecting a turbulent last four for the national side. aries of around £15m earned by the likes “I went from just hoping to be able to where in my career. years for the side. “Gareth has been excellent -- we’d like of Jose Mourinho and Pep Guardiola in the play the tour to now that I feel that I can “I am surprised he hasn’t mentioned His first assignment will him to stay beyond 2020,” FA chief exec- Premier League. play the tour,” he said. “I certainly can that yet -- which is nice,” quipped be away against the Gambia utive Martin Glenn told reporters at Now 47, Southgate has not hidden the win again.” Thomas, who will play alongside five- next month as Algeria resume Wembley. fact he would like to return to club man- And where better to prove that than time major winner Phil Mickelson in the their bid to qualify for next “I think we’d both like that but if we agement one day, having been sacked by Firestone? first two rounds, when Woods tees it up year’s Nations Cup finals. talked about it at any length it would then Middlesbrough in 2009. “It has always been one of my favorite with Australian Jason Day. FRIDAY 3 AUGUST 2018 SPORT 19 Kohli smashes 149 as India Murray sails fight back on second day past Edmund AP at Citi Open BIRMINGHAM: Virat Kohli rode REUTERS his luck before delivering a “I feel better than I did batting exhibition in a brilliant during the grasscourt season, innings of 149 to keep India in NEW YORK: Former world which is positive,” said Murray, sight of England on a gripping number one Andy Murray took who played three matches in second day of the first Test at another big step in his late June but withdrew from Edgbaston yesterday. comeback from hip surgery by Wimbledon as it came too early The India captain made beating fellow Brit Kyle in his recovery process. England pay dearly for dropped Edmund 7-6(4) 1-6 6-4 in the “So things are still getting catches when on 21 and 51, second round of the Citi Open better and I’ve lasted fairly well blazing to his 22nd Test century on Wednesday. through two long matches here - and first in England - to end a The 31-year-old Scot on a tough surface on the body. sorry run of scores on English blasted a backhand cross-court “Hopefully I can keep soil. return winner on match point healing up from the matches In fact, his total beat the to end the two-and-a-half hour and feeling better.” combined scores in his 10 pre- contest and dispatch the fourth Also in the second round, vious innings on English soil seed. Denis Shapovalov fired his 15th from India’s five-Test tour in Top seed Alexander Zverev ace on match point to complete 2014. won 82 percent of his first a 3-6 6-1 6-4 victory over Rus- After he was the last man out serves in his rain-interrupted sia’s Daniil Medvedev. with about 30 minutes left of the match that started on Tuesday Medvedev led 4-1 in the day, Kohli was given a standing against Malek Jaziri en route to third set but 19-year-old ovation around Edgbaston, with a 6-2 6-1 win over the Tunisian. Canadian Shapovalov was able England fans also showing their Third seed David Goffin to turn it around behind his appreciation of one of cricket’s survived a scare from France’s booming left-handed serve and box-office talents. Pierre-Hugues Herbert but punishing ground strokes. Kohli opened his shoulders hung on for a 6-2 1-6 7-6(5) win Jared Donaldson had to halt late in his knock and finished while Japan’s Kei Nishikori sent the third set of his match with a total of 22 fours and a six Donald Young packing for the against Stefanos Tsitsipas to off his penultimate ball as he second year in a row, beating receive treatment on his right successfully hogged the strike to the American 6-3 6-4. hip and, after failing to convert demonstrate his excellent game Earlier on Wednesday, Nick two match points, fell 3-6 6-3 management. Kyrgios withdrew from the 7-5 to the Greek. Thanks to Kohli, India was tournament with a hip injury, There was more injury woe eventually dismissed for 274 - another setback in the Austral- for Australian Kyrgios, who had for a first-innings deficit of 13 ian’s buildup to the US Open. hurt his hip a week earlier in runs - having been 59-3, 100-5 Edmund and Murray were Atlanta. and 169-7 at various stages. on serve to start the match The fifth seed made the trip England, which started the before trading breaks to set up to Washington hoping to be fit, day by adding just two runs to a first-set tiebreaker, which only to pull out of his opening its overnight 285-9, ended it by Murray won when his match against compatriot closing on 9-1 in its second backhand return caught the line James Duckworth. innings after offspinner Ravi- in a call confirmed by video The world number 17 is chandran Ashwin bowled review. scheduled to play tournaments Alastair Cook for 0, in a virtual Edmund, who had defeated in Toronto and Cincinnati repeat of the opener’s first- Murray in straight sets in the before the US Open, which innings dismissal. second round at Eastbourne in begins on Aug. 27. The hosts led by 22 runs with June, fought back in the second Jason Kubler was awarded nine second-innings wickets set, cutting down on his errors Kyrgios’s spot in the draw but remaining heading into the third and breaking Murray twice to the lucky loser was unable to day. set up a decider. take advantage, falling 1-6 6-2 England swing bowler Sam Edmund saved two break 7-6(5) to Duckworth. Curran took three wickets in points at 4-3 to get back on Americans Frances Tiafoe eight balls before lunch - serve but nerves appeared to and Denis Kudla cruised to removing Murali Vijay (20), get to the 23-year-old as sent a straight sets wins over Poland’s Lokesh Rahul (4) and Shikhar forehand long before com- Hubert Hurkacz (6-2 6-4) and Dhawan (26) - to reduce India mitting his seventh double fault Russian 12th seed Karen to 59-3, before the tourists were to bring up match point. Khachanov (6-2 6-3) while given a testing first hour of the Next up for Murray is a French 14th seed Jeremy afternoon session against a ball third-round battle with Marius Chardy fell 6-4 6-4 to 93rd that swung around. India’s Virat Kohli in action on day two Copil. Murray won their only ranked Romanian Copil. Two more Indian batsmen of the first Test against England at previous meeting last year in The summer rain storms departed, with Ben Stokes taking Edgbaston, Birmingham, yesterday. Kohli straight sets. that have plagued the tour- the wickets of Ajinkya Rahane smashed his 22nd Test career century. Murray, who has added the nament all week returned on (15) and Dinesh Karthik (0) in China Open to his schedule in Wednesday, pushing the consecutive overs, but Kohli just October as he continues his second-round match between about survived. SCOREBOARD SL scrap plans return from hip surgery earlier second seed John Isner and He was dropped by Dawid ENGLAND 1st Innings (overnight: 285-9) V. Kohli c Broad b Rashid ...... 149 this year, after the match said fellow American Noah Rubin to Malan at first slip on 21, edged A. Cook b Ashwin ...... 13 A. Rahane c Jennings b Stokes ...... 15 to emulate IPL his body was being put through Thursday and forcing several three times short of fielders K. Jennings b Shami ...... 42 D. Karthik b Stokes ...... 0 the wringer at the hardcourt other matches to be behind the wicket, then glanced J. Root run out (Kohli) ...... 80 H. Pandya lbw b Curran ...... 22 tournament tournament. suspended. another edge through the right D. Malan lbw b Shami ...... 8 R. Ashwin b Anderson ...... 10 hand of the diving Malan when J. Bairstow b Yadav ...... 70 M. Shami c Malan b Anderson ...... 2 COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s Cricket on 51. B. Stokes c and b Ashwin ...... 21 I. Sharma lbw b Rashid ...... 5 authorities yesterday shelved Andy Murray of Great In going past 39, he’d already J. Buttler lbw b Ashwin ...... 0 U. Yadav not out ...... 1 long-delayed plans for a Britain returns a bettered his top score from the S. Curran c Karthik b Shami ...... 24 Extras (b4, lb11, nb4, w1) ...... 20 Twenty20 competition akin to backhand shot to A. Rashid lbw b Sharma ...... 13 2014 tour and soon England was Total (all out, 76 overs, 360 mins) ...... 274 the massively lucrative Indian compatriot Kyle Edmund S. Broad lbw b Ashwin ...... 1 on the defensive, spreading the Fall of wickets: 1-50, 2-54, 3-59, 4-100, 5-100, Premier League, instead J. Anderson not out ...... 2 during Day Five of the field. 6-148, 7-169, 8-182, 9-217, 10-274 announcing a local tournament Extras (b9, lb4) ...... 13 Citi Open at the Rock Kohli proceeded to dominate Bowling: Anderson 22-7-41-2; Broad 10-2-40-0 with no foreign players. Total (all out, 89.4 overs, 393 mins) .....287 Creek Tennis Center in the bowling with a variety of (3nb); Curran 17-1-74-4 (1w); Rashid 8-0-31-2; With an eye on the billions Fall of wickets: 1-26, 2-98, 3-112, 4-216, 5-223, Washington, DC. shots to the boundary. 6-224, 7-243, 8-278, 9-283, 10-287 Stokes 19-4-73-2 (1nb) of dollars and millions of viewers As he steadily ran out of Bowling: Yadav 17-2-56-1; Sharma 17-1-46-1; Ash- ENGLAND 2nd Innings drawn to the IPL, Sri Lanka partners, Kolhi managed to keep win 26-7-62-4; Shami 19.4-2-64-3; Pandya 10-1- A. Cook b Ashwin ...... 0 launched its own premier league the strike in what proved to be 46-0 K. Jennings not out ...... 5 in 2012 but the competition was a memorable 225-ball knock INDIA 1st Innings Extras (b4) ...... 4 a flop, lasting just one edition. before being caught by Stuart M. Vijay lbw b Curran ...... 20 Total (1 wkt, 3.4 overs, 12 mins) ...... 9 The new league will nurture Broad off Adil Rashid. S. Dhawan c Malan b Curran ...... 26 Fall of wickets: 1-9 emerging local talent by giving Cook’s dismissal brought KL Rahul b Curran ...... 4 Bowling: Shami 2-2-0-0; Ashwin 1.4-0-5-1; young players the opportunity about stumps, with Keaton Jen- to play alongside the island’s nings 5 not out. lunch interval for an X-ray on there was no break, but Buttler best, the official said. The four England will hope Jos Buttler his left middle finger, which he didn’t return to the field and teams will face each other twice will be able to bat today after he injured while fielding. received treatment to reduce the in the tournament, which is went to the hospital during the The X-ray yesterday showed swelling. slated to begin August 21. India’s top 10 century-makers in Test cricket BIRMINGHAM: India’s skipper Virat Kohli yesterday smashed his 22nd century in Test cricket. Kohli, 29, has joined former skipper Mohammad Azharuddin with 22 centuries for India in the longer format of the game. Here’s a list of India players with 14 or more centuries.

Batsman, Career span Tests Innings NOs Runs HS Ave 100s 50s 0s SR Tendulkar 1989-2013 200 329 33 15921 248* 53.78 51 68 14 R Dravid 1996-2012 163 284 32 13265 270 52.63 36 63 7 SM Gavaskar 1971-1987 125 214 16 10122 236* 51.12 34 45 12 V Sehwag 2001-2013 103 178 6 8503 319 49.43 23 31 16 V Kohli 2011-2018 67* 113 8 5703 243 54.31 22 16 6 M Azharuddin 1984-2000 99 147 9 6215 199 45.03 22 21 5 D Vengsarkar 1976-1992 116 185 22 6868 166 42.13 17 35 15 VVS Laxman 1996-2012 134 225 34 8781 281 45.97 17 56 14 SC Ganguly 1996-2008 113 188 17 7212 239 42.17 16 35 13 CA Pujara 2010-2018 58 97 7 4531 206* 50.34 14 17 4