Sport FRIDAY 19 MARCH 2021 15 India survive scare to level Motor racing: Jeddah to be T20 series against England F1’s fastest and longest REUTERS - AHMEDABAD BRIEF SCORES was dismissed for one. India 185 for 8 (Suryakumar 57, Yadav smashed three sixes street circuit India survived final- drama Iyer 37, Archer 4-33) beat Eng- before Dawid Malan took a low to beat England by eight runs land 177 for 8 (Stokes 46, Roy 40, catch at fine leg to send him in the fourth Inter- back. Replays, however, sug- Thakur 3-42, Pandya 2-16) by LONDON national and level the five- gested the ball might have REUTERS - eight runs match series 2-2 in Ahmedabad touched the grass. yesterday. Rishabh Pant made a breezy Indian players celebrate a during fourth T20 against Formula One unveiled its regained his composure and 30 and Shreyas Iyer contributed England in Ahmedabad, yesterday. PIC COURTESY: BCCI longest and fastest street smashed 57 to help the hosts to dismissed Jordan before fin- 37 to push India past the circuit yesterday, 185-8, their highest total of the ishing with a dot ball. 175-mark. predicting top speeds of series, after being put into bat. The previous three matches England lost Jos Buttler 322kph and wheel-to- and Jason Roy were won by the team electing early in their chase, and Malan Australia’s Warner ends wheel racing when Saudi then came up with entertaining to field but India managed to made 14 before Arabia hosts a race for the cameos but it was not enough buck that trend after losing the bowled him round his legs. first time in Jeddah in to stop India from levelling the toss. smashed the Roy fell in the next over century drought in match December. series for the second time. first ball of the match from Adil after a quickfire 40 but England Organisers said the (3-42) Rashid for a six but Archer star Stokes threatened to take against New South Wales December 5 night race in looked a bundle of nerves (4-33) foxed him with clever the game away with a blistering the Corniche area of the the eventful final over change of pace to elicit a simple 46. The all-rounder smashed REUTERS - SYDNEY Red Sea port city will be with England needing 23 runs return catch. three sixes before Thakur over a 6.175km layout, for an unassailable lead. Yadav pulled the first ball turned the game on its head, Australia opener (pictured) hit his first century in making it the sport’s After Chris Jordan took a he faced, from Archer, for a six dismissing Stokes and England 14 months to help New South Wales maintain their unbeaten second longest track after single off the first , and raced to a 28-ball in suc- record in the domestic Marsh One-Day Cup yesterday. Belgium’s Archer hit the next two for a half-century. cessive deliveries. Warner’s 108 off 115 balls powered the Blues to a three-wicket Spa-Francorchamps. four and a six, which seemed India crossed the 50-mark The teams play the deciding victory with seven balls to spare in a top-of-the-table clash against Largely using existing to rattle Thakur who followed in the seventh over before final at Tasmania in Hobart. The Blues now have a four-point lead over roads, and encircling a it with two wides. Stokes extended KL Rahul’s the same venue tomorrow Tasmania and look on track to play the final next month. lagoon, the floodlit circuit Archer took a single off the slump and Rashid before moving to Pune for a The tournament marks Warner’s return from a groin injury will feature 27 corners with next delivery, breaking his bat unleashed a googly to deceive three-match one-day series that had kept him out of action since thehe fourth test against carsc lapping at average in the process, before Thakur home captain who beginning on Tuesday. India at the Gabba in Brisbane in January.uary. speedss of 252.8kph, “It’s good to have some time in thehe aaccording to Formula middle,” Warner told reporters after hishis One’sO simulations. match-winning knock, which includedded That would put it 10 boundaries. behindb Italy’s Monza, the Markram, Mulder return to SA “For me, it’s a good hit-out to comeme out fastestf of any circuit, but here, and obviously we got another gameme aheada of Britain’s Silver- against Queensland in New South Waleses stones in terms of outright ODI squad for Pakistan series and I’m looking forward to that.” speed.s Warner’s first hundred in any formatat Formula One’s motor- REUTERS - released for the April 9 start of the since January last year was notot sports managing director competition. chanceless though, as he was droppedped RossR Brawn said the layout Opening batsman and all- That rules out , Kagiso twice on what he called a “two-pacedced wouldw create plenty of rounder Wiaan Mulder will return to South Rabada and , while there is no place wicket”. oovertaking opportunities Africa’s One-Day International squad for the first in either the ODI or T20 squads for the most The 34-year-old will be key to Aus-s- aand wheel-to-wheel time in two years ahead of a three-match home expensive overseas player in IPL history, all- tralia’s hopes of winning their maidenen racing.r series against Pakistan next month. rounder , who was purchased by the Twenty20 World Cup in India in “We don’t want Mickey Markram has not played since the World Cup for $2.25m. October-November as well as their bidbid to MouseM circuits,” he told the in England having failed to transfer his test form “The ODI squad boasts the calibre of talent retain the Ashes when England tour att thethe F1F website. into the 50-over format, while Mulder won the we have in South African cricket and I’m really end of this year. “We don’t want those last of his 10 caps in the home series against Sri excited to see how they go about the series. We old classic street circuits Lanka in March 2019. have enough experience within that squad to where you turn 90 Uncapped seamer Lizaad Williams and burley provide a good challenge to Pakistan,” convenor (degrees). We want fast, all-rounder Sisanda Magala are also included in of selectors Victor Mpitsang said in a media World Cup regional qualifiers sweeping circuits, we want the extended 22-man squad, which will be cap- release from Cricket . “The T20 squad circuits that are going to tained for the first time by . is also a good indication of our depth as a cricket postponed due to COVID-19 challenge the drivers and The matches will be played between April nation with the loss of some of the senior players they are going to love it," 2-7, and will be followed by a four-game to the IPL.” REUTERS - DUBAI he said. Twenty20 International series, though Cricket ODI squad: Temba Bavuma (captain), Quinton "We want circuits South Africa has confirmed that players con- de Kock, , , Three regional qualifying tournaments for the men’s Twenty20 where we can have wheel- tracted to sides will be , Keshav Maharaj, Aiden World Cup in Australia next year have been postponed because to-wheel racing.” Markram, David Miller, Lungi Ngidi, of the COVID-19 pandemic, the governing International Cricket The fastest street , , Council (ICC) said yesterday. circuit at the moment, for , , All three tournaments, originally to be played next month, average speeds, is Mel- Jon-Jon Smuts, , would now be played in October with the Asia A qualifiers in bourne’s Albert Park at Junior Dala, Lutho Sipamla, Wiaan Kuwait while South Africa hosts the two African events. 237.2kph. The longest is Mulder, Sisanda Magala, Kyle Ver- “The decision was taken... due to new restrictions being put Azerbaijan’s Baku at reynne, Daryn Dupavillon, Lizaad Wil- in place by several participating countries to suspend sporting 6.003km. liams Twenty20 squad: Temba activities to limit the spread of the new COVID-19 variants...” the “This is a circuit that is Bavuma (captain), Bjorn Fortuin, ICC said in a statement. “The other contributing factor was the utilising some existing Beuran Hendricks, Reeza Hendricks, extensive quarantine requirements for the visiting teams on their infrastructure but we’ve Heinrich Klaasen, George Linde, return to their respective countries.” been lucky that there are Rassie van der Dussen, Janneman The governing body also cancelled an Asian qualifier for next areas where we’ve been Malan, Sisanda Magala, Dwaine Pre- year’s Under-19 World Cup in West Indies. able to build from scratch,” torius, Tabraiz Shamsi, Lutho Sipamla, “We will continue to monitor and assess all events across our said Brawn. New South Africa captain Kyle Verreynne, Pite van Biljon, Migael pathway structures with the ICC’s priority continuing to be to “So we’ve been able to Temba Bavuma Pretorius, Lizaad Williams, Wihan protect the well-being of players, coaches, officials and fans,” ICC build some really exciting Lubbe Head of Events Chris Tetley said in a statement. parts of the circuit. “At one end, there will be a 180 degree corner with a moderate amount No queue, reduced crowds at Wimbledon this year of banking, so it will be a high G-load and high stress for the drivers,” he said. REUTERS - LONDON grounds, will be abandoned for ensure that we can leave deci- public ballot last year will have said that while the promise of The Saudi race is due this year’s tournament in favour sions on public capacity as late the opportunity to purchase a return to a more normal to be the penultimate Wimbledon’s famous ticket of online sales. The Wimbledon as we can in order to welcome tickets for the 2022 edition for existence was on the horizon, round on a record 23 race queue will not operate this year Championships were cancelled the maximum number of guests, the same day and court. The we are not there yet. calendar. and the number of fans inside last year for the first time in the and manage our ticket distri- Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) “As such, we have taken “When you have a the grounds at the grasscourt Open era due to the COVID-19 bution accordingly. is not holding a ballot for tickets some key decisions in order to high-speed street circuit it Grand Slam is likely to be pandemic but the AELTC board “Given the likelihood of this year, with an online provide us with some certainty doesn’t leave much room reduced, the All England Lawn hopes to welcome fans back in continued social distancing platform in place for ticket sales in our planning, and yet also to for error,” said Brawn. Tennis Club (AELTC) said June-July. requirements and with consid- in June and there will be no retain flexibility where we need yesterday. “At this point in time, the eration for the health and safety reselling within the grounds. it the most,” he said. The queue, which has most likely outcome for this of all the public, there will not “Both the queue and ticket The AELTC also said that THE 2021 F1 CALENDAR become part of Wimbledon year’s Championships, as an be a Queue or Ticket Resale in resale remain much-loved and any players who wish to par- folklore, with fans lining up outdoor venue, is a reduced operation for this year’s important traditions and we ticipate at the Championships 28 March – Bahrain (Sakhir) from the early hours and even number of spectators within the Championships.” look forward to their return in this year must stay at the official 18 April - Italy (Imola) camping overnight to snap up grounds,” it said in a statement. The board also said those 2022,” added the statement. hotels to minimise risk and curb 2 May - Portugal Algarve province, tickets for the showcourts and “For this reason, we want to who were successful in the AELTC chairman Ian Hewitt the spread of the virus. 9 May – Spain (Barcelona) 23 May – Monaco (Monaco) 6 June – Azerbaijan (Baku) 13 June – Canada (Montreal) 27 June – France (Le Castellet) Not winning but getting out of bubble 4 July – Austria (Spielberg) 18 July – United Kingdom (Silverstone) the only goal, says Benoit Paire 1 August – Hungary (Budapest) 29 August – Belgium (Spa) REUTERS - LONDON before Miami,” Paire told L’Equipe in an interview. 5 September – Netherlands “Tennis is not my priority at the moment. Getting out (Zandvoort) 12 September – Italy (Monza) Playing tennis is currently not the priority for Benoit of the bubble is the only goal I have at every 26 September – Russia (Sochi) Paire and the temperamental Frenchman said he was tournament.” 3 October – Singapore (Singapore) content to hop from one tournament to another, lose Paire has faced numerous sanctions for indiscre- 10 October – Japan (Suzuka) in the first round and earn some money in the process. tions through his career, including being kicked out of 24 October – USA (Austin) A win against Chile’s world number 1,165 Nicolas the 2016 Rio Olympics by the French delegation for 31 October – Mexico (Mexico City) Jarry in Cordoba, Argentina, last month is the only spending too much time away from the athletes’ village. 7 November – Brazil (Sao Paulo) victory the 31-year-old Paire, who reached a career- Paire, who has career earnings of over $8.5 million 21 November - Australia high ranking of 18th in 2016, has managed this year. in prize money, said he had stopped working with a (Melbourne*) His latest first round exit came against Greek Ste- coach. Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in action during his 5 December - Saudi Arabia (Jed- fanos Tsitsipas in 68 minutes when he lost 6-3 6-1 in “I arrive, I take some money and I go to the next second-round match against John Isner of the US at dah) the ATP 500 Mexican Open in The Fairmont Acapulco Acapulco, Mexico and Paire will next head to Miami tournament: I do my job,” he said. “If you win an ATP 12 December - Abu Dhabi

Princess, Acapulco, Mexico. Tsitsipas won 6-3, 6-2 for the ATP Masters 1000 event, starting next week. 250, you only pocket $30,000. Me, with bye (in the first (Yas Island) “I lost in the first round, it’s better, I will be able to round), I took 10,000 each time losing straight. Why get out of the bubble fairly quickly and enjoy a few days tear yourself away like crazy to earn barely more?” Sport

FRIDAYF 19 MARCH 2021 AustralianA opener Warner ends century droughtd in domestic cricket match It'sIt good to have some time in the middle. For me, it's a good hhit-out to come out here, and obviously we got another game againsta Queensland in New South Wales and I'm looking foforward to that. DavidD Warner Sport | 15 AAustralian opener NBA: Bucks 109 - 76ers 105 (OT); Nuggets 129 - Hornets 104; Grizzlies 89 - Heat 85; Mavericks 105 - Clippers 89; Cav's 117 -Celtics 110

Chelsea 49th Amir Cup: Jassim Bin Hamad fear no one Stadium to host final on May 14 in CL, says Tuchel THE PENINSULA — DOHA A view of REUTERS — LONDON Jassim Bin Al Sadd club’s home ground In the semi-finals, Al Rayyan will take on Al Duhail at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium will Hamad Chelsea manager Thomas host the final of the prestigious Stadium Abdullah Bin Khalifa Stadium, while defending champions Al Tuchel says his side should Amir Cup on May 14, the Qatar which will Sadd will clash with Al Arabi at Jassim Bin Hamad Stadium. fear no one in the Cham- FootballFootball AAssociationssociation (QFA) host the final pions League after the announced yesterday.yesterday. of Amir Cup London club secured a on May 14. The QQFAFA saidsaid tthehe datedate andand spot in the quarter-finals venuevenue ooff tthehe ttitleitle cclashlash ooff cocoun-un- for the first time since 2014 try’s most popular football tour-tour- with Wednesday’s 2-0 win namentnament wwasas fixfixeded aafterfter coconsul-nsul- over Atletico Madrid. tation with the SupremeSupreme Com-Com- Goals from Hakim mittee for Delivery Ziyech and Emerson and Le Legacygacy (SC).(SC). Palmieri helped Chelsea In tthehe sesemi-mi- complete a 3-0 aggregate finalsfinals to be win and extended their plaplayedyed on unbeaten run to 13 games May 3, Al in all competitions since RayyanRayyan will Tuchel replaced Frank tatakeke oonn Al Lampard as coach in DuDuhailhail at January. AbdullahA BBinin Holders Bayern Khalifa whilewhile Munich and Premier defendingd e f end ing League leaders Manchester City are among the sides left in the competition, with the draw to be made on Friday, but Tuchel said Chelsea deserved their championschampions Al edition of the tournament was for COVID-19 to enjoy the blockbuster, with Al Sadd place among Europe’s Sadd will clash decided earlier this month. atmosphere of eagerly-awaited clinching the title after a elite. withwith Al ArabiArabi atat Al Rayyan entered the semi- clash, like it used to be before thrilling battle with Al Arabi. “The most important JassimJassim Bin final after defeating Al the pandemic. The final also marked the thing is we deserve this,” Hamad Kharaitiyat while Al Duhail It added, that detail of ticket inauguration of the Ahmed Bin Tuchel said. StadStadium.ium. BBothoth qualified with a win over Al sales and precautionary health Ali Stadium, the fourth FIFA “They play with a thethe matchesmatches Shamal. Al Sadd knocked Al measures will be announced World Cup Qatar 2022 venue special bond and results willwill kkickick off aatt Gharafa out for a place in the later. to be officially launched. like this give you a certain 4pm.4pm. semi-final while Al Arabi The final of the 48th edition Al Sadd are the most suc- edge to achieve special TheThe semisemi-- overcame Al Sailiya in the of the Amir Cup last year – cessful side of Amir Cup, things. final line-upline-up quarter-final. Meanwhile, QFA played on Qatar National Day winning the coveted title 17 “I’m sure no one wants ofote9tof thethe 49th49th has urged fans to get vaccinated (December 18) was a times. to play against us. This will be a difficult challenge... But on we go, no need to be afraid. We take what we get.” Tuchel was delighted Ronaldo pushed for Portugal to face Azerbaijan in Turin: Reports with the way his side con- trolled the game against REUTERS — LONDON meaning returning Premier comment on Ronaldo’s pressure at the top of the Serie their season around under the leaders of Spain’s La League players would have involvement when approached. A standings ahead of the Cesare Prandelli, and victory in Liga but said there was still Cristiano Ronaldo (pictured) faced a hotel quarantine period. Meanwhile, AC Milan and upcoming international break. Florence would move Stefano room for improvement. pushed for Portugal to play next Although Portugal is now off thehe JuventusJuventus can capi-capi- InterInter announcedannounce yesterday Pioli's side six points behind “We need to improve week’s 2022 World Cup qual- red list Wednesday’s Azerbaijanan talisetalise onon tthehe thatthat two more of theirt players leaders Inter. in counterattacks, we have ifier against Azerbaijan in Turin, clash is still set to go ahead in postponementpostponement had contracted COVID-19, Pioli has been keen to reit- to be more forward with the veteran forward keen Turin. ofof InterInter Milan'sMilan's taking the numbernumbe of positive erate that qualification for next thinking, use our speed for his nation to use Juventus’ Gazzetta dello Sport andnd game with tests wiwithinthin AnAntonioto Conte's season's Champions League, and exploit spaces,” he training centre as a base, Tuttosport said Portugal’s all-ll- SassuoloSassuolo due to squadsquad to four, witwithh local health rather than a title tilt, is Milan's said. “We are looking to be according to reports in Italy. time top goalscorer also nego-o- a COVID-19COVID-19 authorities postponingpost all goal this season, but the chance more clinical and precise.” Earlier this month, Portugal tiated with Juventus for his outbreakoutbreak to playingplaying activity at the club for at least to apply pressure on Ziyech has fallen short were granted permission to compatriots to use the club’sb’s apply four days.days. their great rivals should not be of expectations since his change the location of their Continassa sports centre and fforor somesome ThatThat meanmeans their clash passed up. move to Chelsea but qualifier against Azerbaijan the team to stay at J|Hotel nextext withwith SassuoSassuolo tomorrow Champions Juventus have Tuchel was impressed by from Lisbon to Turin over coro- to the training base. Portugalgal has beenbeen cancelled, just domestic honours to fight for the Moroccan on navirus concerns, and several begin their qualification bid for openingopening the door for after exiting the Champions Wednesday. Italian newspapers suggest next year’s Qatar World Cup on thethe chasingcha pack to League at the last-16 stage for the “He suffers a bit with Ronaldo played a part in the Wednesday and will train at thehe close theth gap at the second season in a row last our style, he needs to move. Continassa base next Mondayay top.top. week, with a Cristiano Ronaldo adapt... but I am super Until a few days ago, Por- and Tuesday before facingng MilanMila face a hat-trick helping his side happy, this was reliable tugal was on Britain’s red list of Azerbaijan at the Juventusus tough trip tto Fiorentina, respond against Cagliari last from him,” Tuchel said. countries for COVID-19, Stadium. Juventus declined to who aarere despdesperate to turn weekend.

WINNERS Off He Goes wins Late Yousef Al Romaihi Cup Horse, Trainer, Jockey THE LATE YOUSEF AL ROMAIHI CUP (Far Bend) Off He Goes, Julian Colin Smart, Tomas Lukasek THE PENINSULA — DOHA in the saddle, finished THOROUGHBRED PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Class 2) (Far Bend) third. Sheikha Iman bint Meanwhile, Jassim Bin US Cliff, Gassim Ghazali, Soufiane Saadi THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 3) (Far Bend) Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Ali Al Attiyah’s US Cliff Thani’s Off He Goes, completed a double in a Bottom Bay, Zuhair Mohsen, Khalid Al Balushi LOCAL THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Far Bend) helmed by Tomas Lukasek, Thoroughbred Plate as Sky Blue, Bader Al Balushi, Soufiane Saadi clinched the Late Yousef Al Soufiane Saadi rode the THOROUGHBRED PLATE (3 Year Olds) (Class 3) (Far Romaihi Cup during the Jassim Ghazali-trained Bend) 40th Race Meeting at Al three-year-old colt to a Jimmy Sparks, Stefano Ibido, Alberto Sanna Rayyan Park yesterday. half length victory in the PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (Far Bend) The Julian Smart- 2000m Class 2 run for Hadjira De Flauzins, Ali Yousuf Al-Kubaisi, Alberto trained seven-year-old 3YOs. Sanna gelding claimed a half Also yesterday, Khalifa PUREBRED ARABIAN MAIDEN PLATE (3 YO) (Far Bend) length win in the 3200m Bin Sheail Al Kuwari’s Watnah Al Sakab, Ibrahim Saeed Al Malki, Anas Al Class 2 run to bag feature Bottom Bay won Thor- Seyabi victory. oughbred Handicap (75- THOROUGHBRED NOVICE PLATE (Class 6) (Far Bend) Alban Elie De Mieulle- 95). Khalid Al Balushi rode Pom Malpic, Ali Yousuf Al-Kubaisi, Marco Casamento trained Duke of Dundee, the Zuhair Mohsen-trained LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE (Far Bend) ridden by Ronan Thomas, 4YO gelding to a half Off He Goes withTomas Lukasek in Abida, Alban Elie De Mieulle, Soufiane Saadi was second while length win in the 2000m the saddle on way to victory yesterday. Quelindo, with Ivan Rossi Class 3 run.