WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2017 SPORTS Indian great spinner Ashwin joins Worcestershire

LONDON: Indian spinner Ravichandran for the second-tier side. The county will tional cricketer who is currently in terrif- eter for us to have at a crucial point in and has scored 2,004 Test runs at an Ashwin will play for Worcestershire for hope Ashwin, ranked number three in ic form with his game,” purred our season. “It is a really important last average of 32.85 with four centuries and the rest of their County Championship the bowler’s Test world rankings and Worcestershire’s chief executive Steve few games in the Championship and to 11 fifties, and had been an opening campaign, it was revealed yesterday. second in the all-rounder lists, propels Rhodes in a statement released by the have someone of his class is a huge batsman before turning to off-spin. The 30-year-old — who took 17 wick- them to promotion in their final four club. “He is ranked in the top three as a boost for the club.” Worcestershire presently occupy ets on the recent tour of Sri Lanka as matches. Ashwin will be the first Indian bowler in Test cricket, is a wonderful all- Ashwin has taken 286 wickets in 51 the second and last spot for promotion India completed their first three-Test player to play for Worcestershire since rounder who can bat six and scores hun- Tests, including five wickets in an to the first division, 15 points clear of series sweep on foreign soil on Monday Zaheer Khan resurrected his internation- dreds in Test cricket. innings on 26 occasions, 150 ODI wick- third-placed Northamptonshire, whilst — will replace Australian John Hastings al career after a superb season with “It is unlucky for John Hastings with ets and 52 in T20Is. Sussex and Kent are a further two as the county’s overseas player in a coup them in 2006. “Ravi is a fantastic interna- his injury but Ravi is a wonderful crick- Ashwin is also a force with the bat points adrift. — AFP Five incredible sulks

LONDON: Diego Costa’s stand-off with Tevez played up to his nickname of ‘Apache’ English champions Chelsea by refusing to warm up to potentially go on is just the latest in a long line of disputes as a substitute for Manchester City in the between players and their employers. last moments of a Champions League Here AFP Sport picks out five such infa- match in September 2011 against Bayern mous examples: Munich. Manager Roberto Mancini said Tevez, then 28, would never play for City FRENCH WORLD CUP SQUAD’S again. But a combination of his massive ‘BUSMAN’S HOLIDAY’ wages and the huge fee City were asking Probably the most spectacular and meant there were no takers. Tevez holi- humiliating spectacle experienced by a dayed in Argentina and considered retiring national side as the entire squad — cap- before eventually returning to the first tained by and including icon team in March 2012. He was to leave in — refused to get off the bus 2013 for Juventus. for a training session at the 2010 World Cup. Their fury at unpopular coach VAN HOOIJDONK LIGHTS FOREST FIRE Raymond Domenech had been provoked Dutch international striker Pierre Van by the sending home of the player nick- Hooijdonk’s goals had been instrumental in named ‘The Incredible Sulk’. Nottingham Forest returning to the had launched a foul-mouthed tirade at Premier League at the first time of asking in Domenech at half-time over his tactics in the late 1990s but he went on strike at the the first-half of the opening loss against beginning of the 1998/99 season because Mexico, and was duly punished. he was furious key players had been let go. Unsurprisingly given the venomous atmos- He then trained at his old club NAC Breda phere, went out in the first round. and demanded a move, which was reject- Evra, Anelka and others were severely disci- ed. He eventually yielded and then-manag- plined on their return whilst little has been er Dave Bassett felt compelled to play him. Olivier Ntcham with the ball heard of Domenech since. But the depth of antipathy at the club was reflected when he scored his first goal on SOCCER BLAME IT ON THE BOGARDE his return and the players congratulated Costa will have to go some to outdo Scott Gemmill for creating the chance and Dutch international Winston Bogarde in not the goalscorer. Forest were relegated causing as much trouble for Chelsea. and he left, Vitesse Arnhem buying him for Celtic looking to French Signed aged 30 and apparently without the £3.5 million. knowledge of then Blues manager Gianluca Vialli in the 2000/01 season, the ‘GODFATHER’ JUST THE latter’s successor Claudio Ranieri disliked SPUR FOR BERBATOV connection against Astana him so much that he wanted the player to Moody Bulgarian international striker leave just weeks later. Bogarde dug his Dimitar Berbatov tested the patience of the heels in and stayed for four years, despite Tottenham Hotspur hierarchy and manager : Olivier Ntcham is aiming to emulate being dropped first to the reserves and as he looked to engineer a Moussa Dembele by becoming the latest French then the youth team. He justified his multi-million pound “dream” move to import to make an impact at Celtic. Broad backs Anderson behaviour by declaring in his biography: Manchester United at the beginning of the The 21-year-old followed in the “This world is about money (he was on a 2008/09 campaign. Appropriately for a footsteps of his under-21 international team- reported £40,000 a week), so when you are player who learnt English by watching the mate as he made a £4.5 million ($5.8 million) to fire in Ashes offered those millions you take them. Few Godfather films, he awaited an offer Spurs move from Manchester City to the Scottish champions in the summer. The firm friends’ people will ever earn so many. I am one of couldn’t reject. He refused to play in the LONDON: Stuart Broad is “very confident” Anderson and Broad are already estab- fledgling careers have followed similar paths the few fortunates who do. I may be one of Premier League game with Sunderland and longstanding new-ball partner James lished as one of England’s greatest new-ball the worst buys in the history of the was threatened with demotion to the since the pair from the suburbs of met when they turned out together for the France Anderson will play a “big part” in England’s pairings, having taken a combined 720 Premiership but I don’t care.” reserves. Spurs complained to the Premier upcoming Ashes defence in Australia. wickets in 94 Tests together. League about United ‘tapping up’ the strik- under-16 side. While Dembele’s arrival in Glasgow came via Anderson recently turned 35 and there Asked about the possibility of extending TEVEZ REFUSES WALK-ON PART er but eventually sold him on September 1 are concerns a five-Test series ‘Down Under’, that figure to 1,000 wickets, Broad said: “It’d Argentinian international striker Carlos that season for £30 million. — AFP a spell at English second-tier Championship side Fulham, Ntcham started out kicking a ball about which starts in November, could be a tour be pretty special, but we’d have to see how the streets of Longjumeau — a commune in the too far for England’s all-time leading Test long the old bloke (Anderson) wants to go southern suburbs of the French capital — before wicket-taker. The Lancashire paceman has on for. “I’ve been lucky to bowl at the other turning out for Le Havre’s under-23 side. A move taken 487 wickets at 27.90 apiece in 126 end to him and I know if I hadn’t done, I Five teams to watch to English giants City materialised, but Ntcham Tests but his 43 on Australian soil have wouldn’t have as many wickets as I have failed to break his way into the first team and come at a more expensive average of 38.44, got.” Broad himself is now just five away out for this season spent the last two seasons out on loan to Italian although Anderson was a key member of from surpassing Ian Botham’s mark of 383 side Genoa. His impressive displays in the England touring side that won the Test wickets and so becoming England’s caught the eye of Hoops manager Brendan BERLIN: Five teams to keep an eye on in the LEIPZIG 2010/11 Ashes. second-most successful Test bowler. Rodgers, who persuaded him to make the move , which starts Friday. Leipzig took the rest of the Bundesliga by And Broad, speaking ahead of England’s “Obviously he (Botham) is the biggest to Glasgow — with a little help from Dembele. surprise by finishing second and earning an home three-Test series against the West player English cricket has ever had proba- “Moussa told me the club was good, it’s big BAYERN MUNICH automatic Champions League qualification in Indies, had no doubt the swing specialist bly,” said Broad. “Anyone who’s done what fun here,” Ntcham revealed. “I was 16, maybe Few expect anything other than Bayern its debut season in the top division. Leipzig, could be a central figure once again, what- he has against Australia I’ve got a lot of even before, 14, when we first played together Munich extending its Bundesliga record to six however, only had the Bundesliga to contend ever the conditions. respect for,” added the 31-year-old, whose for the French national team. We always stay straight titles. That promoted side Leipzig with last season after an early exit from the “I’m very confident,” said Broad at an father Chris, an opening batsman, starred together.” Dembele had a dream debut season in pushed the defending champions the hardest German Cup, so things will get harder for this Scotland. The striker bagged 32 goals — includ- event staged by England-West Indies series alongside Botham during England’s victori- last season says much about the gap in quali- time. ing a hat-trick against Old Firm rivals Rangers sponsors Investec on Monday. “The last cou- ous Ashes tour of Australia in 1986/87. ty between Bayern and the rest. Bayern won Leipzig has managed to hold onto its top and a trio of Champions League goals — as he ple of years he’s averaging 14 or 15 with the “He (Botham) has been an inspiration to by 15 points last season and expects to main- performers from last season. Emil Forsberg was an integral part of the Celtic side that com- ball in England, so we know how dangerous me in how to take on Australia,” said Stuart tain its dominance this season as well. and Naby Keita are still with the club and pleted an unbeaten season on the way to col- he is when the ball’s moving around like Broad, whose childhood years coincided The pressure is on Bayern coach Carlo French forward Jean-Kevin Augustin arrived lecting a domestic treble. that. “But when we go to Australia, the with a prolonged English Ashes ‘drought’. Ancelotti to do better in his second season from Paris Saint-Germain to replace David And Ntcham, who watched as his friend’s wobble seam he bowls is a great weapon to “I grew up in our era from 86/87 to 2005 after claiming “only” the league title in his Selke, who joined Hertha Berlin. Portugal impressive form saw him linked with a number have in Australia-take (Australia’s) Stuart when it was horrible watching the Ashes. first. ended Bayern’s winger Bruma was also signed from of top clubs across Europe, revealed it was the Clark as an example. “We’re certainly fortu- “That was an influence on me because it German Cup hopes, and Real Madrid elimi- Galatasaray. lure of silverware and the chance to test himself nate to have him going strong and I certain- made me very determined that if ever I got nated the team from the Champions League. Sporting director Ralf Rangnick has been in the Champions League that led him to It’s in these competitions, particularly the lat- canny with his acquisitions so far and further ly expect him to play a big part in Australia.” the chance to play against them (Australia) Parkhead. “It’s a nice feeling to be here at Celtic ter, that Ancelotti will be deemed a success or additions could not be ruled out before the There was even talk Anderson could we’d have to win.” While Broad stressed he and I want to win everything at Celtic as I have a failure. end of the month. double up as England bowling coach if the wasn’t motivated by statistical landmarks, never won a trophy before,” the 21-year-old said. “Carlo Ancelotti is under observation,” for- current incumbent, Ottis Gibson, takes over West Indies fast-bowling great Joel Garner- “I’m most looking forward to the derby and mer Bayern goalkeeper Oliver Kahn told HOFFENHEIM as head coach of South Africa. who played alongside Botham at Somerset- playing in the Champions League. Not every Kicker magazine on Monday. The Italian Hoffenheim, which faces Liverpool in a was not convinced. club gets to play in this competition, so I’m hap- coach has been boosted by the arrivals of playoff for the Champions League, out-mus- BOTHAM INSPIRATION “He’s modest when he says he isn’t think- py to have the chance to play there with Celtic.” French midfielder Corentin Tolisso for a cled more established teams like Schalke and “That was suggested really sarcastically ing as far as getting past the record but I The pressure of being Celtic’s most expensive Bundesliga-record 41.5 million euros from Bayer Leverkusen for a top-four position last by Jimmy in the changing room,” said can tell you he’s looking at it,” said Garner, signing of the summer hasn’t hindered Ntcham. Lyon and Colombia forward James Rodriguez season. Most of the credit goes to the 30- Broad. “It would be a tough one for him now the West Indies team manager. The France under-21 star has enjoyed a good from Real Madrid, while defenders Niklas year-old Julian Nagelsmann, the youngest start to his Celtic career with the midfielder because he’d have to mit to himself in the Garner, whose 259 Test wickets cost just Suele and Sebastian Rudy arrived from coach in the Bundesliga and the German soc- catching the eye as he grabbed his first goal for mornings which wouldn’t be easy! Jimmy is 20.97 apiece, added: “To get past the land- league rival Hoffenheim. cer federation’s coach of the year. Since his the club in their 1-0 win at Glasgow rivals Partick almost a bit of a bowling coach anyway mark is a good thing and it sets the stan- The new arrivals will try to make up for the appointment in February 2016, he has Thistle last Friday. with his great experience.” dard for the next person coming up.” —AFP retirements of captain Philipp Lahm and brought Hoffenheim from a relegation scrap The French playmaker’s impressive perform- Spanish playmaker Xabi Alonso. Douglas to European soccer. ance against Thistle could not have been more Costa has also departed for Juventus, while The team will have to cope without timely, with the Scottish champions preparing to new signing Serge Gnabry has been sent out defenders Niklas Suele and Sebastian Rudy, host Astana at Celtic Park on Wednesday in the on loan again. He isn’t needed as long as who were snapped up by Bayern. Germany first leg of their Champions League play-off tie. keeps scoring. striker Serge Gnabry came from the defending Ntcham admits he is desperate to help steer champions, however. Despite the changes, the Hoops past the side from Kazakhstan to BORUSSIA DORTMUND another stellar campaign is expected. book their place in the lucrative group stage of Dortmund was the last team to win back- Europe’s elite competition for a second consecu- to-back league titles in 2011 and 2012 before HAMBURGER SV tive year and says missing out is almost unthink- Bayern, but years of rebuilding make that a Hamburg, the only founding member of able. “Do Celtic belong in the Champions tall order for coach Peter Bosz in his first sea- the Bundesliga still remaining since 1963, has League? Yes, they do. If Celtic don’t go into the son. The Dutchman takes over from Thomas been flirting with relegation in recent seasons Champions League, it will be a strange feeling,” Tuchel, who reinvigorated the young side and Sunday’s German Cup loss to third-divi- the midfielder, whose friend Dembele will miss after a collapse under previous coach Juergen sion club Osnabrueck - a team that played out on Wednesday through injury, said. Klopp. Tuchel fell out with club management nearly the whole game with 10 players - sug- “I hope to play and I hope we are going to do and some players, and departed under a gests another fraught campaign. well. “It’s very important to play in the cloud after winning the German Cup. A clock in the corner of Hamburg’s stadi- Champions League but if I don’t play it’s not bad. Bosz, who worked with young players at um counts the years, days, hours, minutes The most important thing is the team.” —AFP Ajax, is expected to do the same again, but and seconds that the side has been in the his season preparations have been overshad- Bundesliga, but instead of inspiring, it seems owed by the furor over Ousmane Dembele’s to weigh on the players, amplifying the pres- potential move to Barcelona. The France for- sure as the team’s struggles continue. ward was suspended for missing training Osnabrueck’s victory brought all the old Matches on TV after Barcelona made a huge bid and his fears back to the surface, and the team is far (Local Timings) future remains unclear. Barcelona, which is from settled before Saturday’s league-opener searching for a replacement for Neymar, was at home against Augsburg, with questions SPANISH SUPER CUP expected to make another offer. over players like Nicolai Mueller, Douglas Also, striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang Santos, Walace, Aaron Hunt and Lewis Holtby. Real Madrid v Barcelona 0:00 NOTTINGHAM: This file photo taken on July 14, 2017 shows England’s Stuart Broad during has been far from committal. The loss of The only positive is that a lack of German Abu Dhabi SPORTS 1 HD either player would seriously impact on the Cup soccer allows the team concentrate play on the first day of the second Test Match between England and South Africa at Trent Abu Dhabi SPORTS 2 HD team’s prospects. exclusively on the league. —AP Bridge cricket ground in Nottingham, central England. — AFP