TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019 SPORT 17 They chant Roger, I hear Novak. Novak Djokovic says I like to transmute it in a way. after a nail-biting FOOTBALL FOOTBALL When the crowd is chanting Wimbledon final Champions League, Champions League, ‘Roger’ I hear ‘Novak’. It sounds against Swiss superstar Qualifying 1st Round: Qualifying 1st Round: HB

silly, but it is like that. ACTION Tórshavn vs HJK Helsinki Roger Federer. Shkendija vs Kalju TODAY’S Silk Way Rally: Star Qatari driver wins penultimate stage Al Attiyah on track for historic victory

THE PENINSULA Should Al Attiyah and Dakar Rally and the Silk Way ALASHAN, CHINA Rally in the same year. Baumel win the 2019 But the ever-pragmatic Glyn Qatar’s Dakar Rally star Nasser Silk Way Rally, it will be Hall, Team Principal of Toyota Al Attiyah (Qatar) and navigator the first time that a crew Gazoo Racing SA, is quick to Mathieu Baumel (France) are on wins both the Dakar caution: “We don’t like taking the brink of an historic victory, anything for granted in this sport. after winning the penultimate Rally and the Silk Way And Nasser is a true professional. stage of the 2019 Silk Way Rally, Rally in the same year. He’ll tackle tomorrow’s final between Alashan and Jiayuguan stage like any other, and only in China, yesterday. relax once he’s safely through.” The pair posted a time of With that said, the Toyota Cross-Country racing can 3hrs 52min 17sec over the Hilux crew spent nearly 140km indeed be cruel, as we saw with 290km-long special stage, of Stage 9 in second and third Bernhard ten Brink at the Dakar increasing their lead to 1hrs gear, dealing with short, sharp Rally this year. A great per- 10min 46sec over China’s Wei dunes that really punished the formance, brought to a halt when Han, in a Geely SMG Buggy. crew and the car. As ever, the the end was almost in sight. Then “It was a good stage for us Toyota Hilux again proved its again, Al Attiyah’s performance today, despite opening the road,” legendary toughness by coming in the 2019 Silk Way Rally has Qatar’ Nasser Al Attiyah and France’s Mathieu Baumel compete with their Toyota Hilux during the said Al Attiyah after parking his through unscathed; and the been nothing short of perfect. 9th stage of the Silk Way Rally 2019 from Alashan to Jiayuguan, yesterday. South African-built Toyota Hilux crew reckons a good night’s rest “Nasser has really shown his safely in the bivouac after the should put them right for the class so far, and we certainly stage. final stage. don’t doubt that he can win the to end with a bang – the final and rocky river crossings also in rally to the Chinese city of Jiay- “Most of the stage consisted Should Al Attiyah and rally,” conceded Hall. stage has a race distance of the mix. “We’ll be opening the uguan, before the crews transit of sand, which suits my driving Baumel win the 2019 Silk Way “But let’s just wait for the 255km, plus liaisons of 301km. road again tomorrow,” said Al to the city of Dunhuang for the style – and it clearly suits the Rally, it will be the first time final stage before getting Most of the stage will be run over Attiyah of the final stage. podium finish – completing a Hilux too.” that a crew wins both the excited.” The rally is scheduled gravel tracks, with some dunes The final stage will bring the mammoth event of 5,000km. Crosswind Djokovic consolidates top ranking sends

LONDON Alaphilippe, AFP Barty stays Ineos clear Novak Djokovic’s successful Novak Djokovic at number defence of his Wimbledon is now 4,500 crown ensured that the Serb one in spite at Tour remained at world number one points clear of in the latest ATP rankings second-ranked of upset AFP released yesterday. A handout picture Nadal who is just ALBI The 32-year-old collected released by 485 points ahead of AFP his fifth Wimbledon title and the All England 37-year-old Federer. PARIS Dutch rookie Wout van Aert 16th major Sunday with a Lawn Tennis and won stage 10 of the Tour de thrilling five-set win over Roger Croquet Club, Ashleigh Barty hung on to top France yesterday as Julian Federer, a match that last three yesterday shows place in the WTA rankings Alaphilippe extended his overall minutes short of five hours. 2019 Wimbledon yesterday despite crashing out lead after a blistering late He is now 4,500 points men’s singles of Wimbledon in the last 16. charge split the peloton. clear of second-ranked Rafa champion Serbia’s The French Open Yellow jersey wearer Alap- Nadal who is just 485 points Novak Djokovic champion, who was hoping to hilippe started the attack from ahead of 37-year-old Federer. posing for a become the first Australian to 20km out and defending The biggest climber is photograph with win at the All England Club champion Geraint Thomas and Roberto Bautista Agut whose his trophy at the since Evonne Goolagong his Ineos team joined in to leave ride to the semi-finals, where Champions Dinner Cawley in 1980, lost in three at least five of their rivals he lost in four sets to Djokovic, on Sunday. sets to the American Alison trailing 1min 36 adrift at the sees him rise nine places to 13, Riske. finish in the red roofed south- equalling his best ranking. The top three of Barty, eastern town of Albi on the David Goffin, who lost to Naomi Osaka and Karolina banks of the Tarn river. Djokovic in the quarters, Pliskova remains unchanged Richie Porte, Thibaut Pinot, returns to the Top 20, rising five Halep enjoys Romania’s adulation although none of them reached Jakob Fuglsang, Rigoberto Uran places to 18th. REUTERS international airport,rt, cclutchinglutching the quarter-finals. and Mikel Landa all lost time BUCHAREST her trophy and flowerswers as fansfans after overall leader Alaphilippe ATP RANKINGS shouted “Bravo, Simona!”.mona!”. WTA RANKINGS launched a devastating surge Romania’s presidency and the “I’ve been stayingng ffocusedocused oonn as a sudden headwind split the 1. Novak Djokovic (SRB) 12,415 pts Orthodox Church awarded my tactics... Serenaa is the best 1. Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 6,605 pts peloton. 2. Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,945 Wimbledon tennis champion player of all times.”” 2. Naomi Osaka (JAP) 6,257 Alaphilippe, in top spot, 3. Roger Federer (SUI) 7,460 Simona Halep (pictured) their It was Halep’s secondecond GrGrandand 3. Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 6,055 leads second placed Thomas by 4. Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,595 highest distinctions yesterday Slam title following hherer tritriumphumph 4. Simona Halep (ROU) 5,933 (+3) 1min 12sec, a second Ineos 5. Alexander Zverev (GER) 4,325 while hundreds of fans cheered at Roland Garros iinn Paris llastast 5. Kiki Bertens (NED) 5,130 (-1) rider, Egan Bernal, is at 1min 16, 6. Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 4,045 her home after she blitzed US year. 6. Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4,785 and van Aert’s team-mate opponent Serena Williams at the The presidency aawardedwarded hherer Steven Kruijswijk is another 7. Kei Nishikori (JPN) 4,040 weekend. the Star of Romaniaia whilewhile thethe 7. Elina Svitolina (UKR) 4,638 (+1) 11sec off in fourth. 8. Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,890 (+1) Halep, 27, became the first church gave her thee PatriarchalPatriarchal 8. Sloane Stephens (USA) 3,802 (+1) The 22-year-old Bernal 9. Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,785 (+1) Romanian to win a Wimbledon Cross. 9. Serena Williams (USA) 3,411 (+1) takes the best young rider’s 10. Daniil Medvedev (RUS) 2,625 (+3) singles title after stunning seven- “I always make ththee sign 10. Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3,365 (+1) white jersey. 11. Kevin Anderson (RSA) 2,500 (-3) times champion Serena Williams of the cross and believeelieve 11. Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3,356 (+1) Bernal, who proved again 12. Juan Martin Del Potro (ARG) 2,380 (-1) 6-2, 6-2 in the 56-minute match in God because nothinghing 12. Belinda Bencic (SUI) 2,963 (+1) here he can keep up with the final on Saturday. can be done withoutout burly riders who do well in

13. Roberto Bautista Agut (ESP) 2,320 (+9) “I played my chance. I did the help of God,” Haleplep 13. Angelique Kerber (GER) 2,875 (-8) crosswinds.

14. Borna Coric (CRO) 2,195 the best I could and that’s why I said last year afterer 14. Qiang Wang (CHN) 2,872 (+1) Nairo Quintana of Movistar

15. John Isner (USA) 2,040 (-3) managed to win,” a beaming winning in Paris. 15. Johanna Konta (GBR) 2,790 (+3) was all smiles too, after fin- Halep told reporters at Bucharest ishing in the mini-peloton after an exhausting long-range dash. Jumbo Visma’s Dutch stage winner van Aert claimed his Serbian press crown Djokovic ‘King of Tennis’ first Tour de France victory beating top sprinters drained by the high-speed run in. AFP record in the longest final in the Blic commented. Djokovic, con- level on five Wimbledon titles Djokovic won “against Federer On his debut Tour van Aert, BELGRADE tournament’s history on Sunday. trary to his habits, “did not show with Bjorn Borg is the first man and the public” cheering for the who did well in the spring “Novak, King of Tennis,” any emotion during the whole in 70 years to win the title after Swiss. The Politika daily paper classics and won two stages on The Serbian press yesterday read the Blic daily paper match” which lasted 4 hours recovering from two match said that “all was against the Criterium du Dauphine after proclaimed Novak Djokovic frontpage headline. and 57 minutes, it said. points down. Djokovic” during Sunday’s match. converting from cyclo-cross, is “King of Tennis” with the “heart “The fifth Crown for the The Danas daily paper said “One has to be honest and An opponent with the the latest break out star on an of a hero” after he claimed his King,” echoed the Vecernje the match offered the public “all note that Federer played impec- “record number of Wimbledon unpredictable 2019 Tour. fifth Wimbledon title beating Novosti paper. that can be seen in a perfect cably. Most of the time he was trophies, two match points, the The Tour reached it’s eight-time champion Roger “He certainly did not play tennis match... suspense, drama the better player on the court. entire public backing his rival, halfway point ahead of the first Federer. The 32-year-old his best tennis but he knew and a happy ending... for Two missed match points are the statistics practically all rest day. Serbian saved two match points how to handle the key Djokovic”. unbelievable. But, here, he favourable to the Swiss and After today’s break, the as he took his Grand Slam tally moments due to his main Newspapers stressed that missed them,” the paper said. (Djokovic) lacking his best shots second half of the race is to 16, four off Federer’s overall weapon, his mental strength,” the world number who is now For the Informer tabloid most of the time,” it said. packed with high- altitude racing. 18 SPORT TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019

Awarding six England’s runs out New Zealand’s Martin Guptill during the Super Over overthrows in to win the World Cup at Lord’s Ground on Sunday. Hosts England won the final over an for the first time since the championship began in 1975. ‘error’ by umpires, claims Taufel

REUTERS LONDON

England should have been awarded five runs instead of six in the final over of Sunday’s World Cup title clash against New Zealand after a throw from the deep struck Ben Stokes’ bat and ran away for a boundary, former umpire Simon Taufel has said. England ended their 44-year wait for a maiden 50-overs World Cup by beating New Zealand on boundaries Lucky charm after a tied Super Over. But Aus- tralian Taufel suggested that the Plunkett says umpires had made an “error of England hero Buttler says: judgement.” England’s With England needing nine runs from the last three balls of World Cup win the final over, Stokes desper- Nothing can faze me now! ately dived to complete a ‘meant to be’ second run when Martin Gup- AFP AFP till’s throw from the deep hit his LONDON happened but it’s nice to wake ball... can we get a run-out? It tournament announced by the bat and went to the boundary, up and know it did,” he said. justifies everything we have International Cricket Council LONDON prompting the umpire to signal “I don’t think anything will done for four years to get to this (ICC) on Monday, with New Zea- six runs. Jos Buttler said nothing would faze me again. I don’t think I’ll point. It’s an incredible journey. land’s cap- Liam Plunkett believes the “It’s a clear mistake. It’s an faze him again after his key role ever care about anything ever “At the end I remember that taining the side. drama of England’s World Cup error of judgment. (England) in England’s unforgettable again. I don’t really care what 10 seconds of just running England opener , win against New Zealand has should have been awarded five World Cup triumph at Lord’s. happens now in my career.” around, the atmosphere is middle-order batsman Joe Root, “changed the history of English runs, not six,” Taufel, who is Buttler was in the thick of England have risen to the something that will live with me all-rounder Stokes and pacer cricket”. part of cricket’s law-making things on Sunday as England’s top of the one-day international forever. It’s all right when you’re Jofra Archer made the team fol- The host nation tied with body, told foxsports.com.au. 44-year wait for the sport’s lowing Sunday’s victory over the New Zealand after 100 hard- MCC’s law 19.8, which deals biggest trophy ended in the most Team of the World Cup Black Caps in a thrilling final fought overs at Lord’s on with overthrows, says: “If the dramatic way imaginable where the hosts prevailed on Sunday, both sides locked on boundary results from an over- against New Zealand. 1. Jason Roy (England) 443 runs at 63.28 boundary count after a tied 241, and even a Super Over throw... runs scored shall be any He made a crucial 59 as the 2. (India) 648 runs at 81.00 Super Over. shootout could not prise them runs for penalties awarded... game was tied in a frantic finale 3. Kane Williamson (c) (NZ) 578 runs at 82.57 New Zealand’s Lockie Fer- apart. and allowance for the and then renewed his part- 4. Joe Root (England) 556 runs at 61.77 guson was the only other Kiwi Both sides hit 15 from their boundary, and runs completed nership with man-of-the-match 5. Shakib Al Hasan (BD) 606 runs at 86.57, 11 at 36.27 in the side, while Australian pace single over of sudden-death by batsmen, together with the Ben Stokes during the Super 6. B Stokes (England) 465 runs at 66.42, 7 wickets at 35.14 bowler Mitchell Starc was action but England emerged as run in progress if they had Over shootout. 7. A Carey (wk) (Australia) 375 runs at 62.50, 20 catches picked after taking the most the winners thanks to a little- already crossed at the instant Wicketkeeper Buttler hit the 8. Mitchell Starc (Australia) 27 wickets at 18.59 wickets in the tournament with known tie-breaker that tallied of the throw or act.” last of ’s six balls for 9. Jofra Archer (England) 20 wickets at 23.05 27. up the team’s boundary count The governing International four as the hosts posted 15, then 10. (NZ) 21 wickets at 19.47 The side was picked by ex- across the match. Cricket Council could not be took up his place behind the 11. Jasprit Bumrah (India) 18 wickets at 20.61 internationals Ian Bishop, Ian “What a day -- it has immediately reached for stumps. Smith and Isa Guha, along with changed the history of English comment about the decision of Buttler combined with Jason rankings since a dismal early in the middle because it’s what cricket writer Lawrence Booth, cricket,” said Plunkett, the the umpires. Roy to run out Martin Guptill off exit at the 2015 World Cup and you know -- catch a ball, smash while ICC general manager veteran of the side at 34 years Cricket website ESPN- the final ball of New Zealand’s their triumph is the culmination the stumps -- but the conse- cricket, Geoff Allardice, was the old. “Everyone got to watch cricinfo reported after Super Over, meaning that of a four-year project. quences are obviously quite a fifth member and convener of that. I hope everyone gets reviewing footage that Guptill although the scores were level, “We were laughing about lot larger.” the committee. involved and loves it like when had released the ball when England won because they had the fact that four years of work Meanwhile champions Indian opener Rohit Sharma, we won the Ashes in 2005. It Stokes and Adil Rashid had not hit more boundaries in the came down to one ball,” said England were the most repre- who top scored with 648 runs was a special day. yet crossed for the second run. match. Buttler. sented with four players in the at an average of 81 was also “We have been amazing and Taufel said leg-spinner “I can’t believe what has “Four years and then it’s one World Cup team of the included. we have changed the culture of Rashid would have been on cricket in England. I don’t strike to face the last two deliv- believe in the stars and all that eries had the second run been stuff, but it was the first time that found to be incomplete. I felt ‘this is meant to be’.” However, he had sympathy Plunkett finished the tour- for Sri Lankan umpire Kumar nament with a proud 100 Dharmasena and his South percent record -- winning all African colleague Marais seven of the games he played Erasmus, the men in the middle. and being overlooked for each “In the heat of what was of the host nation’s three going on, they thought there defeats. was a good chance the batsmen He also put together an crossed at the instant of the impressive selection of key throw,” the 48-year-old added. scalps, including South Africa’s “Obviously TV replays Hashim Amla, West Indies showed otherwise. The diffi- opener Chris Gayle and India culty you (umpires) have is superstar Virat Kohli. you’ve got to watch batsmen In the final he dismissed completing runs, then change New Zealand Kane Wil- focus and watch for the ball liamson and recorded figures being picked up, and watch for of 3-42. the release (of the throw). “The old lucky charm thing, “You also have to watch I was riding with it,” he said. “I where the batsmen are at that was just hoping the coach exact moment... it’s unfair on would think that so I’d get a England, New Zealand and the The England team during the victory event at The game. The last four years umpires involved to say it Oval in London after they won the 2019 Cricket playing for England was the decided the outcome.” World Cup final against New Zealand on Sunday. best time of my life.” Stokes sorry for outrageous fluke on day of redemption AP leg side, he set off to run two and ensure play unbeaten on 84, wasn’t finished in Bristol after a one-day international and to the public for bringing the game LONDON he kept the strike. As he sprinted back there. He came back out with England against the West Indies in September in to disrepute.” to the striker’s end, he dived and wicketkeeper Jos Buttler for the World 2017. Stokes spent a night in a prison cell Ben Stokes has been saying sorry a lot stretched his bat out in a desperate bid Cup’s first ever Super Over, required Stokes knocked unconscious a man in 2011 after being arrested for lately. His latest apology was to the to reach the crease. because the match was tied after the who, according to the England all- obstructing a police officer. He apolo- people of New Zealand for one of the The ball, thrown in by Martin Guptill, regulation 50 overs per side, and struck rounder, was verbally abusing two gay gized - but was still sent home - for most outrageous sporting flukes that struck Stokes’ outstretched bat and eight runs in the first four balls. One of men outside a club. going out drinking with a teammate until contributed to England winning the deflected 90 degrees, rolling all the way them was a boundary. He was found not guilty by a court the early hours during an England Lions Cricket World Cup at the expense of the to the boundary in front of the famous With the Super Over also tied, of affray in August last year. He was, tour of Australia in 2013. country of his birth. pavilion at Lord’s. England ultimately won using the tie- however, handed an eight-match sus- Indeed, Stokes hasn’t had much luck Stokes had already broken New It was another six for Stokes - two breaker of boundaries scored. Stokes pension by the England and Wales at the T20 worlds. In 2016, he was hit Zealand hearts by steering England out ran, as well as four for the boundary. He hit eight of England’s total of 26 and was Cricket Board and fined £30,000 for four straight sixes by Carlos of early strife in the final at Lord’s, giving held up both hands in an apologetic named man of the match. ($38,000). Brathwaite in the last over of the final his adopted nation a fighting chance of gesture to New Zealand’s players. “He’s almost superhuman,” England “I have already apologised to my against West Indies as England slumped victory heading into the last over. “I said to Kane Williamson, ‘I’ll be captain Eoin Morgan said. teammates, coaches and support staff to an improbable loss at Eden Gardens His mighty six over midwicket left apologizing for that for the rest of my It felt like a day of redemption at for the consequences of my actions in in Kolkata. Stokes was close to tears. England needing nine runs to win with life,’” said Stokes, who was born in Lord’s for Stokes, often described as the Bristol,” Stokes said in a statement “I thought, ‘I’ve just lost the World three balls left. Christchurch and moved to England bad boy of English cricket because of a issued in December. Cup,’” he said. “I couldn’t believe it.” Then it happened. when he was 12. rap sheet that recently included a court “I regret the incident ever happened All is forgiven after what he pro- Smashing the next ball deep into the Yet Stokes, who finished regulation case for his involvement in a street brawl and I apologise to England supporters duced at Lord’s on Sunday. TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019 SPORT 19

England cricket players celebrate after winning the World Cup final on Sunday. Kiwis praise team but query ‘cruel’ rules AFP WELLINGTON

Heartbroken New Zealanders expressed pride yesterday in the Black Caps’ fighting spirit after defeat to England in the Cricket World Cup final, but also bemusement at the obscure rules that cost them the match. The Black Caps lost even though scores were tied at the end of both regular play and a Super Over shootout, with England’s superior boundary count giving them victory. As Kiwi fans absorbed a second straight loss World Cup in the tournament decider, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was concentrating on the prize pot positives. “That was undeniably an incredible game. I think as a nation we all aged a year in that P The total prize pot, which Super Over,” she posted on social media. “Con- was $10m, saw winners gratulations to England. And to the Black Caps, England bag $4m. Bowlers and heart-stopping I feel nothing but pride. What a team.” But her sports minister Grant Robertson P Runners-up New Zealand questioned the tie-break method. got $2m. finale salvage rain-hit Cup “What an extraordinary game. Not sure Super Over is the right end,” he tweeted. Losing semi-finalists “Whatever, NZ you can be so, so proud of this P REUTERS even though many felt it provided the stunning century nearly snatched a team.” Australia and India got LONDON much needed balance between ball and victory against New Zealand while Former Black Cap labelled gov- $800,000 each. bat. Shakib Al Hasan lit up the tournament erning body the ICC “a joke” over the rules but A tournament that appeared predictable New Zealand especially showed with his all-round brilliance. congratulated both teams on a stunning efforts. P The 10 teams in the and at the mercy of the rains in its first how to defend small totals with their Sri Lankan pacer Lasith Malinga Former New Zealand captain Stephen tournament played against half got a fresh lease of life in the disciplined bowling complemented by conjured a bowling masterclass to stun Fleming’s one-word reaction to the result was each other in a single-league second and Sunday’s heart-stopping sharp fielding. England in his final World Cup, while “cruel”, while even the father of England’s Kiwi- format, with the top four finale was the proverbial icing on the “Sorry, but pitches have been West Indies’ Chris Gayle and Pakistan’s born match-winner Ben Stokes felt the Kiwis sides - India, Australia, cake at this year’s World Cup. garbage this tournament,” former Shoaib Malik failed to make any impact. were hard done by. A wet World Cup seemed on the England player Mark Butcher said. India’s and New Gerard Stokes, a former New Zealand rugby England and New Zealand - cards after a record four matches were Butcher was only articulating the Zealand’s Trent Boult registered hat- league international who took his son to after 45 matches qualifying either abandoned or called tricks though they would England as a boy while he pursued his career, for the two semi-finals. off with the governing Inter- find little solace in it after said honours were even. national Cricket Council (ICC) their teams’ failure to lift the “It’s a shame there has to be a loser,” he P For winning each league drawing flak for no reserve cup. told the New Zealand Herald. “They could have match, the participating day provision for the group All’s well that ends well shared the trophy but that doesn’t seem to be teams got $40,000 each. games. and the organisers could not how things are done these days.” “We put men on the have imagined a better cul- News website stuff.co.nz said New Zealand That means India and moon, so why can’t we have mination of six weeks of had been denied by the fine print. P a reserve day, when actually largely mediocre cricket. “England did not win the Cricket World Cup Australia took home a total this tournament is a long The match began with final and the Black Caps did not lose it,” an edi- of $1.8m each from their tournament?” asked an Chris Woakes starting with torial said. campaigns. amused Steve Rhodes, who a wide and ended with “But the tournament had to have a winner, has since been sacked as Martin Guptill being run out somehow. And in the end, what was perhaps Bangladesh coach. at the end of a nerve- the most dramatic ODI ever played, was The World Cup knockout wracking Super Over as decided by a curious, contentious fine-print stage was also played under England clinched the World rule.” rain threat. Cup on boundary countback. It was a theme echoed by Sam Flynn Scott New Zealand’s semi-final England’s Adil Rashid and Moeen Ali during team celebrations In between, umpteen from pop culture website The Spinofff’s cricket match against India spilled at The Oval. dramas unfolded with Ben podcast. over to reserve day and Stokes, whose “Did we lose the game? It seems like it was morning drizzle delayed the start of feeling of many who expected high- heroics earned him player-of-the- tied and then it was tied again, then there was Sunday’s final by 15 minutes. scoring games, including batsmen who match award, featuring in quite a few just some stupid rule about who wins the World did a massive favour to playfully talked about breaching the of them. Cup,” he said. the organisers by shocking eventual 500-mark. The final was broadcast free-to-air, “It should have been who took the most champions England in the group stage In the end, England’s 397-6 against while the group stage and the semi- wickets (which would have given New Zealand to throw open the race to the semi- Afghanistan in Manchester proved the finals shattered audience records. victory).” finals just when it was getting tournament’s highest total. “We are absolutely delighted that Former New Zealand bowler predictable. Eoin Morgan batted like a man pos- the World Cup 2019 has become one said it “feels unfortunate” the final was decided Eoin Morgan’s men thumped India sessed in that match, belting 17 of his of the most watched sporting events in on boundaries scored but the Black Caps had and New Zealand to revive their cam- side’s 25 sixes in a breathtaking display the world across TV and digital plat- to accept the rules. paign which culminated with their of batting pyrotechnics. forms,” ICC chief executive Manu He said the match also turned on several maiden 50-overs World Cup title. Among fellow batsmen, Rohit Sawhney said in a statement ahead of key moments, including a freak fielding South Africa crashed out early but Sharma smashed a record five centuries the final. “These quite extraordinary deflection off Stokes’ bat that raced to the England’s Ben Stokes attends stunned Australia on their way out to in a World Cup before the law of numbers demonstrate how viewership boundary and a missed opportunity for Trent a World Cup victory event at upset semi-final matchups. average caught up with the India habits are changing and the smart way Boult to catch the England batsman on the The Oval in London yesterday. The turgid nature of the pitches opener in the semi-finals. cricket has adapted to deliver what fans boundary. used in the tournament drew criticism West Indies’ Carlos Brathwaite’s today expect.” NZ fall short of World Cup glory at Lord’s

AP the most heavily criticized player in the stumps or falling short. Jason Roy was said. “We had two attemptsemmpts to separate LONDON New Zealand squad. saved from a golden by the us and still couldn’t - itt isis whatwhat The highest run-scorer in the 2015 umpire’s call. Even so, England’s it is, the rules are thereree aatt Martin Guptill slumped to his knees, World Cup was expected to explode vaunted top order was all gone by the the start and theyy tears in his eyes. with more runs but sputtered on the soft 24th over. probably never He’d just been sprinting, bat out- English pitches. And, yet, in his and New New Zealand-born Ben Stokes and thought they would stretched, and New Zealand’s first Zealand’s second consecutive World Jos Buttler brought England back with have to use them.” Cricket World Cup triumph was in his Cup final, he found himself at the center a century stand. Stokes appeared to be Williamson wass grasp. But he was run out. Three measly of some of the game’s biggest moments. caught on the boundary in the 49th over named player of the tournament,ttournament, his metres short. Guptill was sent in to open the but Trent Boult stepped on the boundary 578 runs the fourth highestghhest in thisthis WorWorldld Teammates commiserated with innings after Williamson won the toss cushion as he tried to pass off to Guptill, Cup, and the most by a ccaptainaptain in tourtour-- Guptill as England players spilled con- and made the 50-50 call to bat first. who had no hesitation indicating a six. nament history. But hhee saidsaid hehe wouldwould trasting tears of joy on Sunday at Lord’s, Batting first has been a mantra at In the last over, when England appreciate the accoladeadde later.later. celebrating victory in an incredible final this World Cup, and the bat-first team needed 9 off the last three balls, Guptill Eoin Morgan praisedissed their fifightingghting on a countback after the scores were had won all of the previous matches at prevented a boundary but his throw for ability and attitude to aalmoalmostst dderailerail ffourour tied in the regulation 50 overs and the Lord’s, but overcast conditions made an attempted run out hit Stokes’ bat and years of planning by England.EEngland. deciding Super Over. England’s bowlers rub their hands in deflected to the boundary, adding six “We got the rub off tthehe ggreenreen totoday,”day,” “We have showed heart and fight anticipation, too. runs in all to England’s total. Morgan said. “New Zealandeaaland throughoutthroughout to get to this stage, and a tie in the final... Guptill, to no surprise, lasted seven “A bit of a shame isn’t it?” Wil- the group stages werere absolutelyabsolutely out-out- it wasn’t meant to be,” captain Kane overs, out lbw on 19 to Chris Woakes. liamson said. “That’s the game we play. standing, very consistent.sttent. I thinkthink thethee Williamson (pictured right) said. But he wasted New Zealand’s umpire You can’t nitpick.” most admirable thingg is the wayway theyeyy “The guys are shattered. It’s devas- referral on a plumb call. The scores ended up tied, which played their cricket,, tot consistentlyconsistentltlly tating. Tough to swallow.” Fellow opener Henry Nicholls hit prompted a Super Over. There was no perform and competetee against thee Guptill’s World Cup mirrored New 55, the first half-century by a New hesitation sending out the big-hitting very best on differentnt stages.stages. Zealand’s. He struggled to score runs - Zealand opener in nine matches, and Guptill. And he was three meters short “They are the best,t, andand ttheyhey New Zealand and Afghanistan were the had England sweating while batting with of being the hero. do it in a fashion thathaat you’dyou’d only teams not to post a total or 300 or Williamson. But after the skipper edged A countback on boundaries hit - have no qualms inin more - and atoned with fearsome behind on 30 and Nicholls was bowled 26-17 - decided who took the trophy turning around to bowling and brilliant fielding. Guptill moments later, ’s 47 was even though New Zealand lost two your kid and was a star in the field, pulling off perhaps the only other major contribution. New fewer wickets. Williamson wasn’t fazed. saying, ‘Please the tournament’s best catch (of Steve Zealand’s 241-8 didn’t look scary for a The rules were the rules. idolize these guys, Smith vs. Australia) and best run out (of chasing team. “While the emotions are raw it’s they are very MS Dhoni vs. India in the semifinals). The Kiwi bowlers were outstanding, pretty hard to swallow when two teams admirable.’ They That still didn’t stop him from being and unlucky with edges missing the work so hard to get to this moment,” he are.” TUESDAY 16 JULY 2019 20

PAGE | 18 PAGE | 19 Stokes sorry New Zealand fall for outrageous meters short of fluke on day of Cricket World redemption Cup glory Construction work at Qatar 2022 stadiums progressing smoothly Education City Stadium AlA Bayt Stadium Capacity: 40,000 seats Capacity:C 60,000 seats

A picture posted at @roadto2022 yesterday shows Education City Stadium is nearing completion. The unique stadium design is covered with glass triangles that change their colour as the sun moves around in the sky. The landscape around the Education City Stadium is dotted with leading universities, where cutting-edge research is conducted and academics inspire their students to be at their best. This whole area, the home of Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, buzzes with invention and a determination to make the 2022 FIFA World Cup a true catalyst for social and human development. RIGHT: A recent photo of another 2022 FIFA World Cup venue - the state-of-the-art Al Bayt Stadium, which has a capacity of 60, 000 seats. Fans arriving at this arena will have never seen anything like it. A giant tent structure will cover this whole stadium in the northern city of Al Khor. The stadium will host matches right through to the 2022 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. Queen salutes champions England

AFP LONDON Captain Morgan hopes Britain’s Queen Elizabeth sent her congratulations to England’s triumph will spark World Cup winners after their incredible triumph against New Zealand yesterday. English cricket revival England won the tournament for the first time by scoring more AFP boundaries than New Zealand LONDON after both the regulation match and a rare Super Over finished England’s captain Eoin I certainly hope tied at Lord’s. Morgan hopes his side’s Celebrating the victory, the “incredible journey” to World participation levels Queen wrote: “Prince Philip and Cup glory will inspire a new go up or continue I send our warmest congratula- generation of fans in the to rise: England’s tions to the England Men’s Cricket sport’s birthplace. captain Morgan team after such a thrilling victory There have long been con- in today’s World Cup final. cerns about declining player “I also extend my commis- numbers in English cricket, Guptill run out off the last ball erations to the runners-up New with the sport hidden behind of the match going for the England’s captain Eoin Morgan holds the trophy as he poses with team-mates during a World Cup Zealand, who competed so admi- a television paywall in Britain winning run, England tri- victory event at the Oval in London, yesterday. rably in today’s contest and since England’s iconic 2005 umphed on boundary count. throughout the tournament.” Ashes series triumph. during the match -- 26 to 17. Britain’s Royal Mail postal But Sunday’s match at England had a moment of service announced it would mark Victorious England celebrate Lord’s -- the first of the 12 astonishing good fortune with both the World Cup win and Eng- World Cup finals to end in a a bonus four runs during their land’s victory at the 2017 tie and to be settled by a Super main innings when a Guptill Women’s World Cup with a series World Cup title with young fans Over contest -- was on free- throw deflected off the bat of of special stamps. to-air television. Stokes, who was diving to The Royal Mail will also dec- AFP “I certainly hope partici- make his ground. orate 15 post boxes in white with LONDON pation levels go up or continue ‘Allah with us’ a stylised gold cricket bat, ball to rise,” said Morgan, who has But the Dublin-born and bat to make the achievement England revelled in their first overseen England’s climb Morgan, asked if England had of both England teams at the host World Cup triumph yesterday, from the depths of a miserable enjoyed the famed luck of the grounds and in locations of soaking up the adulation of a first-round exit at the 2015 Irish, said: “I spoke to Adil importance to men’s captain Eoin disbelieving nation after one of World Cup. (England leg-spinner Adil Morgan and 2017 women’s the most extraordinary finishes Morgan, asked if the final Rashid), he said Allah was def- skipper Heather Knight. to a cricket match in history. would have resonated far initely with us. The paintwork will be in The host country, after 44 beyond cricket’s core “It actually epitomises our place for three months and will years of trying, finally became audience, replied: “I hope so. team, quite diverse back- be complemented by permanent world champions with a stunning Obviously today is a big day grounds and cultures.” gold plaques. In 2012, Royal Mail victory over New Zealand at of sport with Wimbledon and The 32-year-old added: painted some of its red post boxes Lord’s, triumphing on superior the Silverstone GP going on. “It was the most incredible gold to celebrate every British gold boundary count after both the “But with Sunday evening, game of cricket, with nothing medal during the London 2012 match and the additional Super people normally settle in for between the sides. Olympics and Paralympic Games. Over shootout ended with the a bit of (naturalist) David Atten- England have consciously scores level. borough or some random film tried to emulate New Zea- Hundreds of children flooded that’s on, so I hope they were land’s aggressive one-day across the outfield at the Oval -- tuned into the cricket.” style since the Black Caps England’s Jos Buttler signs his autograph for a fan during the across town from Lord’s -- to England, set 242 to win, thrashed them in a 2015 group celebrations, yesterday. help Eoin Morgan’s men cele- were dismissed for 241, with match, with Australian coach Prince Philip and I brate their historic triumph. As ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams Ashes victors but was in keeping Ben Stokes stranded on 84 not Trevor Bayliss appointed after send our warmest Later, the players were due blared out, the youngsters were with the push to sell the game to out after Mark Wood was run that World Cup. to go to a reception hosted by delighted to catch sight of a new generation. out off the last ball of regu- “The biggest risk for us congratulations to outgoing Prime Minister Theresa England stars such as Ben Stokes, “I don’t know if it’s sunk in lation play. throughout the tournament the England Men’s May at Downing Street. Jos Buttler and Jofra Archer and yet but coming down here and They then made 15 in their was not playing a positive Cricket team after Many of the young children flocked towards their new seeing what a small portion of additional Super Over, bowled brand of cricket,” said Morgan such a thrilling victory at the Oval were wearing the kit heroes. the support we’ve had feels about by Trent Boult, before New after England’s World Cup of the All Stars junior programme It was a more modest cele- it, the kids, the adults, the energy Zealand matched that in their win, which following defeats in World Cup final: run by the England and Wales bration than the open-topped they all had for what they saw own Super Over, bowled by in the 1979, 1987 and 1992 Queen Elizabeth Cricket Board and others were bus parade through the streets yesterday is amazing,” said man- Jofra Archer. But with Martin finals. dressed in their school uniforms. of London for England’s 2005 of-the-match Stokes.