TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2017 SPORTS

PREVIEW England and South Africa clash in Women’s World Cup semi-final

BRISTOL: England can book a place in ‘STEP UP’ loudest home support they’ve experi- her aggravating a shoulder injury. made 71 and 109 respectively. Raj will the Women’s World Cup final if they But it was Heather Knight enced during the World Cup. Lanning, the No.1 ranked ODI batsman, be relied upon again in the semi-final beat South Africa today as they go in who led from the front with a valuable They will, however, have to once missed two of the group stage matches and she is relishing the responsibility. search of a first major trophy in eight 62 as England defeated the West Indies again overcome new-ball duo yet still struck 328 runs. Although “I’m extremely happy,” she said. “For years. The pair meet in the first semi- at Bristol last Saturday to finish top of and , favourites to progress, Australia come a couple of us, this will be our last final at Bristol, a ground on which they the group table, having won six described as the “best opening pair in up against an India side that have World Cup, so our first aim was to enter played out a record-breaking straight games since a surprise open- the world” by South Africa captain enjoyed playing at Derby, winning all the semi-finals. “I’ve always dreamt of encounter earlier in this tournament. ing loss to India. “The best part about . four of their previous matches at the getting runs for my country-that Both sides surpassed the 300 mark our squad is that someone steps up Contenders for the most improved Midlands ground during this World hunger never dies.” side in women’s , this is South Cup. Those victories included the Australia overwhelmed India by on that occasion, going on to make 678 every single game,” said Beaumont. “Heather had a crucial knock with the Africa’s first World Cup semi-final since defeat of England and Saturday’s 186- eight in pool play last week but runs in total, the highest cumulative bat and then everyone did their bit 2000. Whoever wins this contest will run thrashing of New Zealand in what the Southern Stars, the six-time score in women’s one-day international with the ball and that’s really impor- play either reigning champions was a straight shoot out for the last Women’s World Cup champions, history. Opener top- tant. “We all need to be on form head- Australia or India in Sunday’s final at knockout spot. remain wary of Raj’s side especially as scored with 148 and will once again be ing into a semi-final.” Lord’s. Australia captain is they have yet to play in Derby this tour- the key threat for England. Beaumont Their latest victory meant England expected to return in the semi-final at RAJ RULE nament. “They’ll be familiar with the and (147) shared a 275-run could stay put to enjoy two full days of Derby on Thursday, after being rested Crucial to both successes was India conditions, so it’s pretty cut throat, we stand in a match where England beat preparation in southwest city Bristol for the concluding group win over captain , the highest run- can’t afford to be off our game,” said the Proteas by 68 runs. ahead of playing again in front of the South Africa in an attempt to prevent scorer in women’s ODI cricket, who Australia’s Nicole Bolton. —AFP

CRICKET Mendis stays firm in record S Lanka chase

COLOMBO: scored a fluent interesting position.” half-century to keep ’s hopes of Mendis, who fought off hamstring trou- chasing a record 388 alive on day four of ble in the final session of play, put together the one-off Test against Zimbabwe yester- an unbeaten 37-run stand with Mathews to day. The hosts were 170 for three at take the delicately poised Test into its final stumps, with Mendis (60) alongside day. Zimbabwe were earlier bowled out for (17) at ’s R. 377 in the second session, with Sikandar Premadasa Stadium. Sri Lanka’s highest- Raza (127) top-scoring for the visitors with ever successful run chase was against his maiden Test century. Cremer was the South Africa in 2006, when they achieved last man out for 48 off left-arm spinner their 352-run target in Colombo. , who returned figures of 6- Zimbabwe skipper Graeme Cremer dented 133 to take his match tally to 11 wickets. the hosts with his leg-spin, claiming the The Pakistan-born Raza steered the team’s important wickets of Upul Tharanga (27) middle and lower order to help his side and his opposite number Dinesh accumulate another 318 runs after being Chandimal (15). reduced to 59-5 on day three. Raza’s 144- Opener was run with Malcolm Waller (68) bowled by left-arm spinner Sean Williams was the highlight of the Zimbabwe innings for 49 as the visitors persisted with an all- after the pair resumed on the overnight spin attack in the 48 overs bowled in the score of 252-6. “Feels great to get my maid- innings so far. en Test hundred,” said all-rounder Raza, Karunaratne said Cremer-who bagged who also opened Zimbabwe’s with his maiden five- Test haul in Sri his off-spin. “All the batters put up a Lanka’s first innings-would pose the tremendous show. Brilliant effort by all the biggest threat on a fifth-day track. “We guys to get us into this position. The result have got to watch out for Cremer. He is cre- of this game now can go our way.” ating the most trouble. Zimbabwe are seeking their first-ever Test There is lot of assistance for the wrist win against Sri Lanka, who are looking for spinner,” Karunaratne told reporters. “We redemption under new Test captain have already got 170 runs on the board... Chandimal. once the ball gets softer, it gets easier. If He took over from Mathews, who SAN ANTONIO: Mexico’s Jesus Corona, center, saves a goal during a CONCACAF Gold Cup soccer match against Curacao in San Antonio, Sunday. —AP these two guys are able to hang in there for resigned after calling the one-day series one and a half hours we will get into an loss a “hard pill to swallow”. — AFP SOCCER SCOREBOARD

COLOMBO: Scoreboard at stumps on the fourth day of the one-off Test between Sri Lanka and Mexico beat Curacao 2-0 Zimbabwe in Colombo yesterday.

Zimbabwe 1st innings 356 (C. Ervine 160; R. 59 (Williams), 6-145 (Moor), 7-289 (Waller), 8-306 Herath 5-116) (Raza), 9-361 (Tiripano), 10-377 (Cremer) to win CONCACAF Group C Sri Lanka 1st innings 346 (U. Tharanga 71, D. Bowling: Lakmal 14-0-43-0; Herath 39.1-5-133-6; Chandimal 55; G. Cremer 5-125) Perera 30-2-95-3; L. Kumara 20-3-72-1 (nb1, w3); K. Zimbabwe 2nd innings (overnight 252-6; S. Raza Mendis 4-0-16-0. 97 , M. Waller 57 not out) SAN ANTONIO: A subpar effort in its previous the Gold Cup for the first time. “I told the players Corona said. “They were strong in the open field. H. Masakadza lbw b Herath 7 Sri Lanka 2nd innings (target 388 runs) match only added to the anxiety Mexico was we deserved to be here and we put Curacao on They just didn’t take advantage of those open R. Chakabva b Herath 6 D. Karunaratne b Williams 49 feeling in the CONCACAF Gold Cup. Playing the map,” Curacao coach Remko Bicentini said. spaces. That’s something we can’t allow moving T. Musakanda c Karunaratne b Herath 0 U. Tharanga c Moor b Cremer 27 without several stars and their head coach, El Tri Coming off a scoreless draw against Jamaica on forward.” Mexico held possession for 62 percent C. Ervine c Karunaratne b Perera 5 K. Mendis not out 60 leaned on emotion and determination to remain Thursday night in Denver, Mexico was able to of the match, but only had nine shots on goal S. Williams b Herath 22 D. Chandimal c Masakadza b Cremer 15 unbeaten in the 14th edition of the Gold Cup. overcome a gritty effort by Curacao to finish 2-0- compared to eight by Curacao. Sepulveda S. Raza b Herath 127 P. Moor c sub (Gunathilaka) b Kumara 40 A. Mathews not out 17 Angel Sepulveda and Edson Alvarez scored 1 in Group C. scored on a diving header in the 22nd minute M. Waller c Tharanga b Perera 68 Extras (lb2) 2 and Mexico held on to beat Curacao 2-0 on “It was a very complicated match for us,” said off a cross-field assist from Lopez. G. Cremer c Karunaratne b Herath 48 Total (3 wickets; 48 overs) 170 Sunday night at the Alamodome to win Group C defender Cesar Montes, in his debut with “My instructions were to send as many cross- D. Tiripano lbw b Perera 19 Still to bat: A. Gunaratne, N. Dickwella, D. Perera, R. and continue its bid for a fourth championship Mexico’s national team. “The reality is you have es as I could,” Lopez said. “I like looking for the C. Mpofu not out 9 Herath, S. Lakmal, L. Kumara in five years. Mexico advanced to face Honduras to respect every team. The majority of these players in the area. “On the goal, I was just look- Extras (b4, lb14, w7, nb1) 26 Fall of wickets: 1-58 (Tharanga), 2-108 in the quarterfinals Thursday night in Glendale, guys play in Europe, in Holland, and they’re a ing for the space. I got that and just sent the Total (all out; 107.1 overs) 377 (Karunaratne), 3-133 (Chandimal) Arizona. Playing without stars such as Javier tough matchup.” pass to the far post.” Fall of wickets: 1-14 (Chakabva), 2-16 Bowling: Raza 9-1-29-0; Williams 16-0-62-1; “Chicharito” Hernandez, Mexico turned to its After dominating the opening minutes, Alvarez scored in the 90th minute shortly (Musakanda), 3-17 (Masakadza), 4-23 (Ervine), 5- Cremer 19-0-67-2; Waller 4-0-10-0. younger talent and they produced in front of a Mexico escaped two early scares by Curacao’s after injury time was added. Mexico coach Juan partisan crowd of 44,232. Gino Van Kessel. With three defenders closely Carlos Osorio celebrated Alvarez’s goal from a “I was just excited to play,” said Mexico shadowing him, Van Kessel was forced to blast suite in the Alamodome while serving the third defender Raul Lopez, who assisted on the game- an attempt that sailed high over the goal. Van of a six-match suspension from FIFA for his winning goal. “I hadn’t played the first two Kessel had a clear shot on his second attempt, actions toward officials during a Confederations games. I’m really thrilled we got the win.” The but his kick from about 20 feet was deflected by Cup match. Jamaica beat El Salvador 1-0 in the defending champions had a surprisingly tough Jesus Corona. earlier match, but both advanced out of Group C match against Curacao, which was competing in “Our rival today had opportunities to score,” based on match points. —AP CAF ‘think tank’ to mull Nations Cup changes

JOHANNESBURG: New-look Africa Cup of France, where many Africans play. The advantage would be more teams exposed Nations and CAF Champions League competi- Hayatou consistently rejected suggestions to top-level competition and the disadvantage tions could emerge this week from discus- of a move to June, saying the weather then was a dilution of the qualifying competition with sions in Morocco that will include FIFA presi- too hot in northern Africa, too wet in the west virtually one in every two teams qualifying. dent Gianni Infantino. A two-day CAF sympo- and centre and too cold in the south. But his Hosting could also become more restrictive sium begins today in Rabat and officials, view was as much about not bowing to pres- as six stadiums would be needed instead of COLOMBO: Zimbabwe cricketer Hamilton Masakadza (L) catches the ball to dismiss coaches and former stars have been tasked sure from Europe as climatic conditions four, drastically reducing the number of coun- Sri Lankan cricket captain (R) as wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva with plotting the future of the popular sport because African national teams and clubs play tries who could stage the tournament. Were looks on during the fourth day of a one-off Test match between Sri Lanka and in the continent. regularly during June without adverse effects. the next finals in 2019 to be a 24-team affair, an Zimbabwe at the R Premadasa Cricket Stadium in Colombo yesterday. — AFP On Friday, a CAF executive committee meet- Ahmad appears more of a “team player” than already-behind-schedule Cameroon could be ing will precede an extraordinary general his my-way-or-the-highway predecessor, and forced to pull out, with Algeria and Morocco assembly involving the 55 member associa- what happened to eventual champions reportedly interested in taking over. tions, where changes could be adopted. Cameroon before the 2017 Nations Cup has Some officials believe the best clubs, mostly Namibia end Zimbabwe Former stars invited include Joseph-Antoine swayed his mind toward change. Liverpool from the north, should automatically qualify for Bell of Cameroon, Hossam Hassan of Egypt, defender Joel Matip was among six the 16-team Champions League group stage. 9-year unbeaten record Rabah Madjer of Algeria, Austin “Jay Jay” “Indomitable Lions” who refused to be consid- Currently, they get preliminary round byes, Okocha of Nigeria and Badou Zaki of Morocco. ered, saying their club careers were more then play a home-and-away tie, sometimes Leading national coaches Florent Ibenge of important than national duty. with unexpected consequences. JOHANNESBURG: In-form Zimbabwe sur- afer Sam Nujoma, a former revolutionary rendered a nine-year unbeaten record in and the first ruler of the southern African the Democratic Republic of Congo, Herve Five-time champions TP Mazembe of the African Nations Championship (CHAN) state. It was a remarkable achievement by Renard of Morocco and Claude le Roy of Togo FUTURE EDITIONS Democratic Republic of Congo were stunned in qualifying when losing 1-0 to rusty the “Brave Warriors” given that there has are also expected to attend. When Malagasy If European clubs had their way, the Cup of the round of 32 this year, losing on away goals Namibia in Windhoek Sunday. Since debut- been virtually no top-flight football in Ahmad Ahmad scored a shock CAF presidential Nations would be held in mid-year only every to CAPS United of Zimbabwe. It meant demo- ing in qualifiers for the biennial competi- Namibia for more than a year due to feud- triumph over long-serving Cameroonian Issa four years. They may well get their wish on tim- tion to the secondary CAF Confederation Cup tion, Zimbabwe had won 11 matches and ing officials. Hayatou last March, he vowed to thoroughly ing, but not on frequency. The Cup of Nations for the “Ravens”, reducing their first-prize earn- drawn five with their first victims being The African Nations Championship-pop- review African football. is much more than a football tournament with ing potential from $2.5 million (2.2 million Namibia. But the four-time competitors in ularly known as the CHAN-is restricted to The Morocco gathering is the fulfilment of new stadia, roads and other infrastructure euros) to $1.25 million. Ahmad favours zonal the finals now face a fight for survival at the footballers registered with a club in their that promise with the timing, frequency and among the benefits to the host nation, so the qualifying for the three age-limit Cup of National Sports Stadium in Harare next country of birth. African football body CAF number of qualifiers in the Cup of Nations likely two-year cycle is set to stay. Nations-U17, U20, U23 — to curb travel time Sunday against rivals who have never introduced the competition in 2008 to give to be among the hottest topics. Hosting the What is less certain is how many teams will and costs. This format is used for the African played at the 16-nation tournament. local stars international exposure as most biennial tournament in January and February compete in future editions with some officials Nations Championship (CHAN), a national team Hendrik Somaeb scored the only goal national squads are dominated by Europe- has long been a source of frustration for favouring an increase from 16 teams to 24, competition exclusively for footballers who early in the second half at a stadium named based players.—AFP European clubs, especially in England and bringing it in line with the Euro Championship. play in their country of birth. —AFP