sign in sign up
<<
Home , Centurion Park, Cheteshwar Pujara, Dale Steyn, Duanne Olivier, Fakhar Zaman (cricketer), ICC Cricket Hall of Fame

SPORT Thursday 27 December 2018 PAGE | 05 PAGE | 06 ‘New’ Tiger Lakmal heroics Woods is still leave Black Caps the man to reeling before watch Southee strikes Wawrinka, Berdych arrive ahead of Qatar ExxonMobil Open THE PENINSULA DOHA

Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland and Czech Tomas Berdych arrived in Doha yesterday to participate in the Qatar ExxonMobil Tennis Open 2019 which begins at the Khalifa Tennis and Squash Complex next Monday. The two star players are among the early arrivals for the ATP World Tour 250 series tour- nament which will be held until January 5, 2019. Wawrinka, a three-time Grand Slam champion and a runner-up at the 2008 tour- nament, came in from Geneva while Berdych, a finalist at the 2015 edition, flew in from Prague. The players were received at the airport by top officials of the Qatar Tennis Federation Led by Tournament Director Karim Alami. Qatar ExxonMobil Open, which has featured some of the biggest name in tennis down the years, is seen as the curtain raiser for the ATP tour. Tickets for the event are currently on sale Czech tennis player Tomas Berdych (left) is greeted by Karim Alami, Tournament Director of Qatar ExxonMobil Open, upon his arrival at the Hamad online at www.qatartennis.org or onsite at the International Airport, in Doha, yesterday. The 27th edition of the Qatar ExxonMobil Open will take place at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex City Centre, Landmark, Villaggio malls and Khalifa Complex. from December 31 to January 5, 2019. RIGHT: Alami poses for a photograph with Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka (centre) who also arrived in Doha yesterday. Man City’s title bid hit by shock

Bayern defeat as Liverpool extend lead Munich’s James REUTERS Manchester United’s French Shaqiri stabbed home Trent Alexander- Rodriguez LONDON midfielder Paul Pogba Arnold’s low cross from close range in takes part (right)scores their second the 79th minute. Fabinho made it 4-0 by Manchester City suffered their second goal against Huddersfield heading home Salah’s corner. in a training straight Premier League defeat as they Town yesterday. Meanwhile, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer session were stunned by a late strike from continued his dream start as Manchester during last Leicester City’s Ricardo Pereira in a 2-1 United caretaker manager with a 3-1 win year's winter loss yesterday. over Huddersfield on his Old Trafford camp at City were looking to bounce back debut in the dugout yesterday. from their 3-2 defeat by Crystal Palace Paul Pogba scored two superb goals the Aspire and were in front after 14 minutes when in the second half after Nemanja Matic Academy in Bernardo Silva finished with his left foot fired United ahead in the 28th minute to this January after being played through by Sergio continue United’s revival under their 3 file photo. Aguero. former striker Solskjaer, who hit the But four minutes later Leicester were ground running in Saturday’s 5-1 win at back on level terms after Marc Albrighton Cardiff City. met Jamie Vardy’s cross with his head Serbian enforcer Matic swept in a Bayern Munich from close range. rebound from two metres after visiting Ricardo unleashed an unstoppable keeper Jonas Lossl parried a glancing to hold winter shot into the top left corner beyond Victor Lindelof header from a corner to Ederson with less than 10 minutes from fire United ahead after the home side had the end. suffered an early scare. training camp Things went from bad to worse as Defender Terence Kongolo blazed Delph was shown a straight red for fol- his 10th-minute shot over the bar for in Qatar lowing through in a challenge on Ricardo, ahead of Tottenham Hotspur, who ham- Newcastle managed to hold firm Huddersfield but United never looked capping a miserable afternoon for City mered Bournemouth 5-0, and seven until halftime but within minutes of the back after taking the lead and their QNA who slipped to third in the league. ahead of champions Manchester City restart they were two down as Mohamed incessant pressure produced two sublime DOHA Elsewhere, at Anfield, Liverpool who lost 2-1 at Leicester City. Salah scored his 13th league goal of the Pogba strikes after the break. treated their fans to some Christmas Defender Jamaal Lascelles inadvert- season from the penalty spot following The France World Cup winner drilled Bayern Munich are set to start their cheer with a 4-0 thrashing of Newcastle ently teed Dejan Lovren up for the an innocuous foul on him by Paul in a fierce low shot from 13 metres in the winter training camp in Doha on United yesterday, extending their lead at opening goal, carelessly heading an Dummett. 64th minute and sealed United’s win with January 4, as part of their prepara- the top of the table. attempted clearance into the path of the Liverpool’s enormous pressure a rasping long-range effort in the 78th tions for the second part of the The win put Liverpool on 51 points Liverpool centre back, who cracked threatened to give them a third goal at before Mathias Jorgensen netted a late football season of the Bundesliga. at the halfway point in the season, six home a fine half-volley in the 11th minute. any moment, and it came when Xherdan consolation for Huddersfield. For the ninth time, Bayern Munich will hold their training camp in Doha, which will run till January 10. Qatar and Belarus settle for a 26-26 draw in friendly On January 18, Bayern Munich will start with the Bundesliga game in Hoffenheim, part of the 18th round of the league, which is currently led by the traditional rival Borussia Dortmund heading Bayern Munich with six points. It is no surprise that over the past few years, top international clubs have come to Doha, especially from Europe, during the winter break to enjoy the unique climate that Qatar has to offer at such a time of year at Aspire Zone. As usual, Bayern Munich will be a guest of Doha, which hosts the next edition of the 2022 World Cup. The star studded squad will include Thomas Muller, Manuel Neuer, Mats Hummels, Robert Lewandowski, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Thiago Alcantara and others. Qatar drew with Belarus 26-26 in their friendly handball match which was played at Al Duhail Sports Hall yesterday. The match was a part of Qatar’s preparations In July 2018, Qatar Airways for the upcoming 2019 IHF World Men’s Handball Championship, which will be held in Denmark and Germany from January 10 to 27, 2019. The two teams will became Platinum Partner with meet again in their second friendly match which will be played at the same venue tomorrow. Bayern Munich, with the airline’s logo appearing on the team’s shirts. 06 SPORT THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER 2018

South Africa’s (top) celebrates with team-mates after getting ’s Fakhar Zaman’s during day one of theit 1st Test match at SuperSport Park cricket stadium, in yesterday.

Olivier takes six to Paceman Steyn is ’s overshadow Steyn’s record leading wicket-taker

AFP REUTERS revolve around Steyn, who had second victim when he was hit SCOREBOARD CENTURION PRETORIA opener Fakhar Zaman (12) in front of the stumps by a ball PAKISTAN (I innings) caught at slip by Elgar to move that was clipping to the top of Imam-ul-Haq lbw b Rabada ...... 0 Dale Steyn became South Africa’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker Dale Steyn become South to 422 Test wickets, taking out- leg stump as Pakistan went to Fakhar Zaman c Elgar b Steyn ...... 12 when Pakistan’s Fakhar Zaman became his 422nd victim on the first Africa’s leading Test wicket- right top spot on South Africa’s lunch on 76 for four. Shan Masood b Olivier ...... 19 day of the first Test at SuperSport Park yesterday. taker and took all-time list ahead of Shaun The fast bowler ripped c De Bruyn b Olivier ...... 36 Zaman’s dismissal brought to an end more than three years of Asad Shafiq lbw b Olivier ...... 7 career-best figures as Pakistan Pollock. through the middle order after frustration during which the fast bowler missed no fewer than 27 c Du Plessis b Rabada ...... 71 were out for 181 on the He was hoisted on the the break, removing Azhar Ali Sarfraz Ahmed b Olivier ...... 0 Test matches because of injury. stroke of tea on the opening day shoulders of fast (36), Sarfraz (0) and Mohammad b Olivier ...... 1 Steyn was mobbed by his teammates after Zaman (12) edged of the first Test yesterday. partner as the Amir (1) in quick succession. lbw b Rabada ...... 4 the ball to Dean Elgar at third slip, reducing Pakistan to 17 for two The hosts ripped through healthy Boxing Day crowd at Pakistan were reduced to 111 ...... 21 after winning the toss and first. Pakistan after being asked to gave him a for eight but mounted an c De Kock b Olivier ...... 0 , the previous holder of the record, was quick to bowl by visiting Sarfraz standing ovation. excellent fightback through Extras (b7, lb2, w1) ...... 10 praise his successor, describing him during a television commentary Ahmed and openers Dean Elgar The visitors were in early Babar Azam (71 from 79 balls) Total (47 overs) ...... 181 as “an absolutely brilliant performer, an absolute champion and a Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Imam), 2-17 (Zaman), 3-54 true leader of the attack”. and will start trouble when Rabada (3-59) had as he put on 67 for the ninth (Masood), 4-62 (Shafiq), 5-86 (Azhar), 6-86 their reply hoping to drive home Imam-ul-Haq trapped lbw for wicket with Hasan Ali (21 not (Sarfraz), 7-96 (Amir), 8-111 (Yasir), 9-178 (Azam) Slightly built, with a lithe, athletic action, Steyn at his best was the advantage with rain pre- a . out) before being caught at Bowling: Steyn 13-1-66-1, Rabada 17-4-59-3 capable of bowling at 150kmh, with late away swing accounting for dicted later in the Test. After Steyn (1-66) had second slip by off (1w), Olivier 14-3-37-6, Maharaj 3-1-10-0 many of the world’s leading batsmen. When conditions did not suit Olivier, in the side for the removed Zaman with the score Rabada. SOUTH AFRICA: F. du Plessis, D. Elgar, A. express pace he developed an impressive array of cutters and became injured , on 17, Pakistan moved past 50 Olivier wrapped up the Markram, H. Amla, T. Bavuma, T. de Bruyn, Q. de a master of reverse swing with the old ball. claimed 6-37 as Pakistan before Shan Masood (19) played innings when he picked up the Kock, K. Maharaj, K. Rabada, D. Steyn, D Olivier Ironically, before a groin strain ruled him out of action midway struggled to cope with his pace the ball on to his own stumps wicket of Shaheen Afridi for through a Test in , Steyn had been remarkably durable for a fast and accuracy on a wicket off the impressive Olivier. nought to end a poor start to the of their previous Test series bowler, playing in 48 consecutive Tests from December 2009 to already showing variable Asad Shafiq (seven) never tour with the bat for the touring home and away against the November 2015, during which he took 232 wickets at an average of bounce. looked comfortable at the side. Proteas, losing 3-0 on their last 21.72 and dominated the International Cricket Council Test rankings But the headlines will crease and became Olivier’s Pakistan have won only one visit to the country in 2013. for bowlers. He spent a record 263 weeks in the top spot. Steyn took his 400th Test wicket in his 80th Test in July 2015 -- the second-fastest in the world to reach the milestone -- and it seemed Pollock’s record was about to fall. But four serious injuries delayed what had seemed imminently Lakmal heroics leave Black Caps inevitable. The groin injury in India was followed by a shoulder injury during the first Test against in December 2015 and, after a brief comeback, a more serious shoulder injury against in reeling before Southee strikes November 2016 caused him to miss 15 Tests. Just when it seemed he had made a full recovery, he suffered a freak heel injury in the first Test against India in January this year, REUTERS SCOREBOARD having bowled 12 suc- which caused him to miss the remaining Tests against India and a CHRISTCHURCH cessive overs with figures series against Australia. (I innings) of four for 18. After a slow recovery, Steyn, 35, spent time with English county rescued New J Raval c Chandimal b Lakmal ...... 6 Southee, whose Hampshire and returned to in an unproductive series in Zealand with the bat and T Latham c Mendis b Lakmal ...... 10 innings of 77 not out in his during which he took only two wickets in two Tests to be then dragged his side back K Williamson c Dickwella b Lakmal ...... 2 debut in 2008 remains his stuck level with Pollock. into the match with the R Taylor (Kumara) ...... 27 highest score, then Steyn is now 11th on his own on the all-time world list, needing ball after Sri lanka’s H Nicholls b Lakmal ...... 1 decided attack was the to match New Zealand’s on 431 to claim a place in ’s career- B Watling c Perera b Kumara ...... 46 best form of defence and the top ten. best figures had C de Grandhomme c Chameera b Kumara ...1 belted six fours and three Steyn has had success in all Test-playing countries in taking five threatened to dominate T Southee c Gunathilaka b Perera ...... 68 sixes to resurrect his side’s wickets in an innings on 26 occasions, with five ten-wicket match the first day of the second N Wagner c Mendis b Lakmal ...... 0 fortunes. hauls. Test in Christchurch A Patel c Lakmal b Kumara ...... 2 His dismissal, to a bril- yesterday. T Boult (not out) ...... 1 liant, one-handed leaping Southee counter- Extras: (B6, LB7, NB1) ...... 14 catch by Danushka Dale Steyn’s Test milestones attacked with wicketkeeper Total: (all out, 50 overs) ...... 178 Gunathilaka at short mid- AFP BJ Watling to blast 68 from Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-17, 3-22, 4-36, wicket, sparked another CENTURION 65 balls and take New 5-57, 6-64, 7-172, 8-175, 9-177, 10-178 collapse with the last three Zealand from the depths of Bowling: Lakmal 19-5-54-5, Kumara 14- wickets adding just six Milestones on Dale Steyn’s progress to become South Africa’s despair on 64 for six after 4-49-3 (1nb), Mathews 4-1-6-0, Cha- runs. leading Test wicket-taker: Lakmal had destroyed the meera 8-1-43-0, Perera 5-1-13-1 Southee then took the top order on a green wicket SRI LANKA (I innings) first three Sri lankan DECEMBER 2004: Test debut against England in Port Eliz- at Hagley Oval. D Karunaratne c Williamson b Southee 7 wickets to reduce them to abeth. A fast late-swinging to bowl shows his potential but it takes him another two years to become The 30-year-old D Gunathilaka c Raval b Southee ...... 8 21 for three inside 10 an established member of the Test team. Southee and Watling (46) D Chandimal c Watling b Southee ...... 6 overs. APRIL 2006: First five-wicket haul, 5-47 v New Zealand, combined for 108-runs as K Mendis c Watling b de Grandhomme 15 The second victim -- Centurion. New Zealand were dis- A Mathews (batting) ...... 27 Chandimal for six -- missed for 178 with moved him to 234 Test NOVEMBER 2007: First ten-wicket match haul, 10-93 v New R Silva (batting)...... 15 Lakmal finishing with five wickets and third on New Zealand, . Extras: (B 5, LB 5)...... 10 for 54. Zealand’s all-time list. JANUARY 2008: 100th wicket in 20th Test, Total: (for 4 wkts) ...... 88 First Test centurion had been (), Chittagong. Fall of wickets: 1-10, 2-20, 3-21, 4-51 Sri Lanka’s Angelo Mathews was on 27 in third on 233, although FEBRUARY 2010: Career-best innings figures, 7-51 v India, Bowling: Boult 10-5-20-0, Southee 11- Suranga with Roshen Silva (15) as Southee is still a long way . 3-29-3, de Grandhomme 6-0-19-1, Wag- Lakmal bowls the visitors were 88 for four away from ’s JUNE 2010: 200th wicket in 39th Test, Sulaiman Benn (West ner 5-0-10-0 during day at stumps, with neither 361 and Richard Hadlee’s Indies), Port-of-Spain. one of the team holding the advantage New Zealand-leading JANUARY 2013: 300th wicket in 61st Test, second Test as both seek to win the Lakmal, utilising the mark of 431 wickets. (New Zealand), Cape Town. cricket match two-match series with overcast, cool conditions After his initial spell, FEBRUARY 2013: Career-best match figures, 11-60 v against New victory in Christchurch. and green pitch, had Southee continued to be a Pakistan, Johannesburg. Zealand The first Test in Wel- reduced the hosts to 36 for threat towards the end of JULY 2015: 400th wicket in 80th Test, (Bang- at Hagley lington ended last week in four after Dinesh Chan- the day’s play as Silva and ladesh), Mirpur. DECEMBER 2018: 422nd wicket in 89th Test, Fakhar Zaman Park Oval in a damp draw after vir- dimal had won the toss Mathews played and (Pakistan), Centurion. Christchurch, tually all of the final day’s and wasted little time in missed several times but yesterday. play was washed out. choosing to field. saw their side through to The 31-year-old Lakmal went to lunch stumps. THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 07

SCOREBOARD Australia’s captain reacts after dropping a catch from India’s captain off the bowling India (I innings) of on day one of the third Test match M Agarwal c Paine b Cummins ...... 76 between Australia and India at the MCG in , H Vihari c Finch b Cummins ...... 8 Australia, yesterday. C Pujara (batting) ...... 68 V Kohli (batting) ...... 47 Extras (LB6, B10) ...... 16 Total (two wkts) ...... 215 To bat: , , , , , , Fall of wickets: 1-40, 2-123 Bowling: Starc 16-6-32-0, Hazlewood 18-6- 45-0, Cummins 19-6-40-2, Lyon 21-4-59-0, Marsh 15-3-23-0 Australia: Marcus Harris, , , , , , Tim Paine, , Pat Cum- mins, , Mitchell Starc : Aussies toil after India bat first

AFP 73,500 fans after India won an up a big score. The bigger the After two lively pitches in MELBOURNE important toss and opted to bat score the more pressure we can and Perth produced on a pitch that is expected to put on them.” results, the track in Melbourne Powerhouse Indian pair deteriorate as the match wears The four-Test series is tied was not bowler-friendly and and Virat on. 1-1 after India won the opening skipper Paine brought on spinner Kohli built on an impressive 76 He stroked 76 -- the highest clash in Adelaide by 31 runs and Nathan Lyon in only the seventh from debutant Mayank Agarwal score by an Indian on debut in Australia drew level with a over to see if he could weave to pile pain on Australia in the Australia -- and was looking 146-run victory in Perth, making some magic. crunch third Test yesterday. impregnable before Cummins Melbourne a crunch encounter. But it was Cummins who got On a docile, batsman- had him caught behind by Tim Australia’s Travis Head said the breakthrough. friendly Melbourne Cricket Paine as he gloved the last ball today’s play would be critical. Vihari had already taken a Ground wicket, India ground before tea down the legside. “It was a tough day at the nasty blow on the helmet in the their way to 215 for two at It brought Kohli to the crease office, grinding Test cricket. They 12th over, with the physio needed stumps on day one with the to a huge roar from the large batted well and we created to check he was okay. rock-like Pujara not out 68 and Indian contingent at the MCG, pressure,” he said. “We need to The right-hander continued superstar Kohli unbeaten on 47 and he set about building an make sure we come back but when he tried to avoid as the bowlers toiled in hot con- unbroken 92-run tomorrow morning and bowl the another brutal Cummins ditions for little reward. with the ever-reliable Pujara. way we did today.” Things can the ball pinged off his glove. Australia’s paceman Mitchell Starc reacts after a catch of India’s was the pick of “I’m happy, I would defi- change, momentum can change Aaron Finch took an easy catch batsman Virat Kohli was dropped off his bowling in Melbourne. the attack, taking two for 40. nitely take a 76 rather than and I don’t think we’re far away,” in the slips and he was gone for India came into the Boxing something less than that. Saying he added. eight. All-rounder Mitch Marsh non-striker for four. At the other Kohli quickly got into a Day clash with a new pair of that, I would have liked to have Agarwal, who has been in was then brought into the attack end, the patient Pujara deployed rhythm when he arrived at the inexperienced openers after the gone on and be there at the end fine domestic form, scored his only to be met with boos from a his usual blocking technique, crease, accelerating the run rate misfiring and KL of the day,” said Agarwal. first Test runs with a three section of the crowd, having picking off runs from loose balls. as he rattled off a string of Rahul were axed, suggesting a “Honestly, I thought they through the covers off Josh been recalled in place of local He rarely looked threatened boundaries, with the signs hint of panic as Kohli’s men look bowled extremely well and didn’t Hazlewood and had plundered boy . although he got an inside edge ominous for Australia going into to win their first-ever series in give us many loose balls. They 17 before the more cagey But Agarwal was unflappable on 33 that just failed to carry to day two. Australia. kept it tight and they were Hanuma Vihari, promoted to and glided to his maiden Test 50 Usman Khawaja at gully before Pujara scored a in But the exciting Agarwal rose attacking,” he added. open from number six in Perth, off 95 balls by effortlessly drilling bringing up his 21st Test 50 from Adelaide and Kohli matched the to the challenge in front of “We need to now try and post troubled the scorers. a Lyon delivery past the 152 balls. feat in Perth. Ponting inducted Warner asked me to tamper into ICC Cricket with the ball, says Bancroft

Hall of Fame AFP to be involved. A Cricket Aus- in... you hope that fitting in earns MELBOURNE tralia investigation pointed to you respect and with that, I Warner as the mastermind and guess, there came a pretty big IANS Banned Australian player Bancroft revealed more details cost for the mistake.” |MELBOURNE (pictured in an interview with former Aus- At the time, Bancroft had right) yesterday confirmed tralia wicketkeeper Adam Gil- been forging a new Australian Former Australia captain (pictured) was formally asked him to alter christ on Fox Sports. Test opening partnership with inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame yesterday. To mark the the ball during the tampering “Dave suggested to me to the more experienced Warner. occasion, Ponting received his commemorative from compatriot scandal in South Africa and said carry the action out on the ball But he made clear he did not ICC Cricket Hall of Famer Glenn McGrath during the tea break on the he went along with it “to fit in”. given the situation we were in consider himself a victim. opening day of the third Test against India here. Bancroft was seen using the game and I didn’t know any “I had a choice and I made a Ponting was named in the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame along with sandpaper to try to rough up the better,” said Bancroft, whose ban massive mistake and that is what former India captain and England woman wicketkeeper- ball in the Cape Town Test in runs out this weekend. is in my control,” said Bancroft, A scathing independent batter during the ICC Annual Conference in Dublin in March, receiving a nine-month “I didn’t know any better who admitted he often pondered review into the incident blamed July, which Ponting could not attend. ban from international and because I just wanted to fit in what would have happened if ’s “arrogant and “It’s an incredible feeling, I think for it to happen here at the domestic cricket for his part in and feel valued really. As simple he had said no, and concluded controlling” culture as partly MCG is what makes the whole thing a little bit more special. I found an incident that rocked the sport. as that. it was a no-win situation. contributing to players bending out today I am one of 25 Australians to be inducted. When you play Warner and then captain “The decision was based “I would have gone to bed the rules. one Test for Australia, you join a very elite group of players but now were exiled for a around my values, what I valued and I would have felt like I had In an interview with Gilchrist to be part of the ICC Hall of Fame, you join an even more elite group year after all three were found at the time, and I valued fitting let everybody down. I would yesterday, Smith pinpointed a of cricketers, so it’s a pretty special day today,” Ponting said after have felt like I had let the team downward slide in the team’s receiving the cap. A file photo of David Warner (right) down. I would have left like I had culture to a defeat against South “I have lots of great memories with Glenn. I went to the cricket and Cameron Bancroft during one of hurt our chances to win the Africa in in 2016 -- their academy with Glenn in about 1990, so I have known Glenn for a the Ashes Tests last year in December. game of cricket.” fifth loss in a row. long time. It’s a really cool thing that they do to have a fellow inductee Last week Smith also opened “I remember James Suth- actually hand over your cap and induct you in, so to have someone up as he begins to re-emerge erland and Pat Howard coming like Glenn do it, with whom I’m working with now and have played into public life, distancing into the (changing) rooms there with for 10 or 12 years, makes the whole thing a little bit better, he himself from the plot while and saying ‘we don’t pay you to added. admitting he failed as a captain play, we pay you to win’,” he “It’s great recognition. I thank the ICC for by turning a blind eye. said, referring to the former CA what they have done in making this possible. Asked what happened in the chief executive and high per- To be here in the MCG with 75,000 people, changing rooms at Cape Town formance manager. it makes it an awesome day.” before Bancroft attempted to “For me that was a little bit Ponting, a three-time ICC Cricket World cheat, he said: “For me in the disappointing, we don’t go out Cup winner including two times as captain, room, I walked past something there to try lose games of cricket, is the 25th Australia cricketer to be formally and had the opportunity to stop we go out there to try and win inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame. it and I didn’t do it and that was and play the best way we can.” The 44-year-old retired from interna- my leadership failure. Current CA chief Kevin tional cricket in 2012 after scoring 13,378 runs “It was the potential for Roberts said yesterday it was in 168 Tests with 41 centuries, 13,704 runs something to happen and it went time to move on. in 375 ODIs with 30 centuries and 401 runs on and happened out in the Bancroft is expected to make in 17 T20Is with two half-centuries. Ponting field,” he added. his return for the was named the ICC Player of the Year in 2006 “I had the opportunity to in the Big Bash League on and 2007 while also being named the ICC stop it at that point rather than Sunday. Test Player of the Year in 2006. say, ‘I don’t want to know any- But Smith and Warner will thing about it’.” be available from late March. THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER 2018 SPORT 05 It’s great recognition. I thank the Former Australian captain ICC for what they have done in Ricky Ponting CRICKET making this possible. To be here who was inducted into the Australia vs India: 3rd Test, in Melbourne (Day 2) in the MCG with 75,000 people, it ICC Cricket Hall of Fame South Africa vs Pakistan: 1st Test, in Centurion (Day 2) makes it an awesome day. yesterday. 2nd Test, in Christchurch (Day 2) ACTION New Zealand vs Sri Lanka: TODAY’S

       ‘New’ Tiger is still the man to watch

REUTERS LONDON

The most memorable scene in golf in 2018 was not the , .  2 : 4  4 1 conclusion to a major championship, but rather the sight of a frenzied gallery swarming over the final fairway as a familiar figure stood on the brink of a win some doubted would ever come. Tiger Woods had gone more than five years without a victory when he rolled into Atlanta for the Tour Champi- onship, the September season-ender on the PGA Tour that often ranks as one of the most boring events on the schedule. Not this time, though, thanks to the game’s transcendent 0 $ 23 4 & ! . / 0  1 +. figure. As the saying goes, Tiger doesn’t just move the needle, he is the needle. It had already been a successful year for 14-times major winner Woods, simply by being able to compete without pain again after a successful April 2017 spinal fusion that rectified a potentially career-ending back injury. Woods had already threatened to win several times, including at the final two majors, dispensing any doubts as to whether he could be competitive again after being stricken with back pain from 2014 to 2017. 53  £  $ 7 87 . 0 19 .2 8 . +  4 /1 It seemed every fan at East Lake was willing him to victory, Woods had already  !    )    ( 4# )+ £"  and when he hit his approach to threatened to win  1'!8## #!&,  $   ! the final green it was all but a several times, 2$ 4 5  # )% !$  $4# ! # done deal. As thousands of fans including at the    flooded the fairway in a scene reminiscent of British Opens of final two majors, "    "      1'&9: "# !  yesteryear, Woods almost disap- dispensing any )$"#!!. !) # $ $$# *# + !,-& *    peared into the sea of humanity, doubts as to %%  #  only a half dozen security officers 0 !$ !$ whether he could be keeping him from being mobbed.  #.  )# )% ! He was clearly moved by all competitive again +!    &&! the love, at 42 almost coming over after being stricken  2#$( ##  " £#) as a man of the people. with back pain from  )/ Well, maybe not quite an 2014 to 2017. 9:# "  $4&>(? Arnold Palmer-like man of the  . 1&< < # $N $ &'(? people, but, nonetheless, here was # £&,!# !);$  a remarkable transformation, !=-) #  /  0'   .! $+, fashioned, no doubt, by the humility that comes from dealing    4!$   ))!<#&#$  with adversity. 2#$ )## ;$ !8   ##-   The victory, Woods’ 80th on the PGA Tour, brought him within two of the all-time record held by Sam Snead, a far 0!# '<     &+  44## more attainable mark than the 18 major titles of Jack Nicklaus. # & .% # ! 4  #):! While Woods fell short in the majors, the inscrutable 4 %4##-$ ))   Brooks Koepka won two -- successfully defending his US # $$! & ' Open crown beforee adding the PGA Championship -- withwith $% "; %  4    performances that were greetedgreeted with a proverbial yawnyawn in 6$!. !%!  #!# &,! # the golf world.  ) 4!#! )   *'  # It is not so muchh thatthat fansfans dislikedislike KoepKoepkaka ))8#4#  0<  as much as they aarere generallygenerally apatheticapathetic "( )##$ about a player whoseose lacklack ofof charismacharisma andand #)       ; outward emotion mamakeke hhimim difficultdifficult ttoo connectconnect  (#   /(( !$ !$ #£0$! with.   ! )$# 0  !% Koepka was joinedined on the mamajorjor honour roll )8#  1'''#  " $ by Patrick Reed, whosehose ggiantiant chipchip on hishis sshoulderhoulder /((5 /(2$   did not prevent himm ffromrom sslippinglipping easieasilyly into thethe green jacket awardedarded to the winner of the   ' ,#  0 Masters. '& ' -  !$ !$  (& .  And 35-year-oldld FrancescoFrancesco MolinariMolinari raisedraised % *#    his game to a new llevel,evel, finallfinallyy findifindingng a short  $ $# "; !%!  ! - + game and putting stroke to match his long-long- &''$ (  $)"!  * !  ,  admired full swing,g, as hehe bbecameecame ItaItaly’sly’s ffirst-irst-     1'&@ 0     !##  ever major winnerr in tthehe BritisBritishh Open.     N   ! ' Molinari also sweptwept allall fifiveve ofof hishis matchesmatches    #£ #     "## £2 in golf’s premier teameam event, thethe RyRyderder Cup,    5 4. )  4 as Europe again provedoved invincibleinvincible in ttheirheir own " #  #5    # backyard, beating thehe Americans in Paris $%# ' .   * ( for their sixth straightaight home win  #/(2$ 4     4"6  while extending thehe US )$ !    %4)    $ 4N! away-day droughtt to 25 !% !$  ##$ #)4 )  $ )% years and counting.g. #! % %$#  $ ) ."4 Ariya Jutanugarnarn cap-cap- tured the biggestt women’s   '   event, the US Open,en, bbutut not before blowing a seven-strokeeven-stroke lead on the back nineine at ShoalShoal WORLD RANKINGS Creek in Alabama. The golf worldrld endured several losses in 2018,2018, none mormoree FIFA MEN'S ATP SINGLES RANKINGS WTA SINGLES RANKINGS MEN’S GOLF tragic than that of 19-year-old-year-old SpanishSpanish RANKINGS RANKINGS amateur Celia Barquinrquin Aro-Aro- 1 Belgium 1727 1 Novak Djokovic (SRB) 9,045 1 Simona Halep (ROU) 6921 1 Brooks Koepka 9.92 zamena, murdered wwhilehille playing alone at a 2 France 1726 2 Rafael Nadal (ESP) 7,480 2 Angelique Kerber (GER) 5875 2 Justin Rose 9.91 course in the US 3 Brazil 1676 3 Roger Federer (SUI) 6,420 3 Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) 5586 3 Dustin Johnson 8.63 state of Iowa, where 4 Croatia 1634 4 Alexander Zverev (GER) 6,385 4 Elina Svitolina (UKR) 5350 4 Justin Thomas 8.21 she had been on a 5 England 1631 5 Juan Martin del Potro (ARG) 5,300 5 Naomi Osaka (JPN) 5115 5 Bryson DeChambeau 7.08 university golf 6 Portugal 1614 scholarship. 6 Kevin Anderson (RSA) 4,710 6 Sloane Stephens (USA) 5023 6 Jon Rahm 6.71 7 Uruguay 1609 The sport also 7 Marin Cilic (CRO) 4,250 7 Petra Kvitova (CZE) 4630 7 Francesco Molinari 6.20 mourned the 8 Switzerland 1599 8 Dominic Thiem (AUT) 4,095 8 Karolina Pliskova (CZE) 4465 8 Rory McIlroy 6.18 passing of five-times 9 Spain 1591 9 Nishikori (JPN) 3,590 9 Kiki Bertens (NED) 4335 9 Rickie Fowler 5.69 British Open winnerr 10 Denmark 1589 Peter Thomson (88),8), 10 John Isner (USA) 3,155 10 Daria Kasatkina (RUS) 3415 10 Tony Finau 5.68 11 Argentina 1582 double major winnerr HubertHubert 12 Colombia 1575 11 Karen Khachanov (RUS) 2,835 11 Anastasija Sevastova (LAT) 3240 11 Xander Schauffele 5.63 Green (71), 13-times PGAPGA Tour winner Bruce Lietzkeke ((67)67) and 13 Chile 1565 12 Borna Coric (CRO) 2,480 12 Elise Mertens (BEL) 3165 12 Tommy Fleetwood 5.55 13 Fabio Fognini (ITA) 2,315 13 Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) 3145 13 Tiger Woods 5.48 Australian Jarrod LLyle,yle, who 14 Sweden 1560 battled leukaemia forr more than 14 Netherlands 1560 14 Kyle Edmund (GBR) 2,150 14 Julia Goerges (GER) 3055 14 Jason Day 5.48 half his life before succumbingccumbing to 93 Qatar 1258 15 Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE) 2,095 15 Ashleigh Barty (AUS) 2985 15 Patrick Reed 5.14 the disease at the agee of 36. Tiger Woods