SPORT Saturday 2 March 2019 PAGE | 17 PAGE | 19 ‘Nearly Federer to impossible’ for face in-form Spurs to win Tsitsipas for title: Pochettino 100th title Allen corners glory with GK Casper in windy Doha

RIZWAN REHMAT THE PENINSULA

Rising Irish star Bertram Allen last night battled extremely windy conditions and a strong field to guide GK Casper to glory in the day’s feature event at the Longines Global Champions Tour (LGCT) season-opening event. GK Casper produced a fast yet slick ride to clock a winning time of 33.75 seconds in the jump-off battle against a field of 16 riders. The 23-year-old Irishman picked up €36,450 after his ride, aged 11, sailed through his routine with consummate ease at Al Shaqab Arena. A silver medallist at the LGCT Paris Grand Prix last year, Allen was thrilled with the outcome on day two of the new Secretary-General of Qatar Equestrian Federation (QEF), Badr Al Darwish, presenting the winner's LGCT season. award to Bertram Allen. “I have to give a lot of credit to my horse. It was very hard to beat Julien so I gave it every- CLASS 04: DOHA 2019 CSI5* 1.55 M - TABLE A: AGAINST THE CLOCK WITH JUMP-OFF thing. You had to catch every- RANK RIDER/HORSE PRIZE MONEY ROUND A JUMP-OFF TIME where exactly how you wanted it. If you had one place where 1 Bertram Allen/GK Casper 36,450 0.00 0.00 33.75 you had one more stride, you 2 Karel Cox/Dublin van Overis 29,160 0.00 0.00 34.07 were out,” Allen said 3 Julien Epaillard/Usual Suspect d'Auge 21,870 0.00 0.00 34.12 yesterday. 4 Alberto Zorzi/Danique 14,580 0.00 0.00 35.21 Belgium’s Karel Cox, astride 5 Gregory Wathelet/Qualido 10,206 0.00 0.00 35.64 Dublin van Overis, finsihed in 6 Christian Kukuk/Limonchello NT 8,019 0.00 0.00 35.85 second spot in a time of 34.07 7 Pieter Devos/Claire Z 5,832 0.00 0.00 36.17 seconds. The Belgian got richer by €29,160. 8 Yuri Mansur Guerios/Carlson 4,374 0.00 0.00 36.26 Irish show jumper Bertram Allen guiding GK Casper over an obstacle French star Julien Epaillard 9 Emily Moffitt/Copain du Perchet CH 4,374 0.00 0.00 36.58 on his way to win the feature event on the second day of the Longines secured the third place on 10 Scott Brash/Hello Jefferson 3,645 0.00 0.00 36.89 podium of the 1.50/1.55m class. Global Champions Tour - Doha event at the Al Shaqab Arena, yesterday. Storming ahead with his 11-year-old gelding, Epaillard Omar Al Mannai, Al Shaqab Commercial Manager watching managed a flawless routine with the action with an official. Usual Suspect d’Auge t o win €21,870 in a time of 34.12 seconds. Italy’s Alberto Zorzi (Danique, €14,580, 35.21 seconds) and Belgium’s Gregory Wathelet (Qualido €10,206, 35.64 seconds) completed the top five in the jump-off. Great Britain’s (Hello Jef- ferson, €3,645 0, 36.89 seconds) finished 10th followed by Ger- many’s Ludger Beerbaum (Chiara €3,645 0, 4 faults, 34.62 seconds) in 11th. Reigning LGCT champion The season-opening leg Great Britain’s Ben Maher (Madame X 8.00) did not make concludes today with the it to the jump-off. second Global Champions Earlier in competition three, League (GCL) round French rider Nicola Philippaerts starting at 2:30pm. yesterday powered to victory in the 1.50m class with a faultless routine with H &M Ikker. The €375,000 LGCT H & M Ikker clocked a time Grand Prix - the feature of 59.87 seconds at the state-of- event today - will start the-art Al Shaqab Arena where at 5:45pm at Al Shaqab Philippaerts - son of riding legend Ludo - won €12,550 for Arena. his convincing victory. Belgian rider Nicola Philippaerts guiding H & M Ikker over a Philippaerts last year won hurdle on his way to win the CSI5* 1.50m (Table A: Against the Grands Prix at Cascais (H&M Clock) event, yesterday. CLASS 03: DOHA 2019 CSI5* 1.50M - TABLE A: AGAINST THE CLOCK Harley vd Bisschop) and Chan- tilly (H&M Chilli Willi). RANK RIDER/HORSE PRIZE MONEY ROUND A TIME French rider Epaillard, 10-year-old mare, clocked (Argelith Squid, 86.02 seconds, 1 Nicola Philippaerts/H & M Ikker 12,550 0.00 59.87 astride Usual Suspect d’Auge, 63.60 seconds as the riding 7 penalties) was way down at 2 Julien Epaillard/Usual Suspect d'Auge 10,040 0.00 59.90 sealed the second spot in a time veteran got richer by €7,530. rank 21 followed by compatriot 3 Edwina Tops-Alexander/Veronese Teamjoy 7,530 0.00 63.60 of 59.90 seconds. Epaillard Dutch rider Kim Emmen, Faleh Al Ajami (Carport, 79.23 guided the 11-year-old gelding astride Farah, and Yuri Mansur second, 9 penalties). 4 Kim Emmen/Farah 5,020 0.00 64.91 with finesse to pick up €10,040. Guerios, in the saddle with The season-opening leg 5 Yuri Mansur Guerios/Carlson 3,514 0.00 65.22 The hugely popular Aus- Carlson, completed the top five concludes today with the second 6 Bart Bles/Expert 2,761 0.00 65.73 tralian Edwina Tops-Alexander out of 24 riders. Global Champions League (GCL) 7 Marlon Módolo Zanotelli/J-Figyelem 2,008 0.00 66.03 also made it to the podium with Farah clocked 64.91 seconds round starting at 2:30pm. 8 Shane Breen/Clyde VA 1,506 0.00 67.19 Veronese Teamjoy to collect val- as Emmen won €5,020. Carlson, The €375,000 LGCT Grand uable points on day two of the aged 11, clocked 65.22 seconds Prix - the feature event today - 9 Anna Kellnerova/Balguero 1,506 0.00 68.04 new LGCT season. as Guerios won €3,154. will start at 5:45pm at Al Shaqab 10 Jane Richard Philips/Clipper du Haut du Roy 1,255 0.00 70.30 Veronese Teamjoy, a Qatar’s Bassem Mohammed Arena. SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019 SPORT 17

Tier Two nations needed in global Haidan cruises to win with Colijn shake-up, say NZ

Qatari rider Hussain THE PENINSULA and Australia Said Haidan guiding DOHA Colijn over a hurdle REUTERS during the Small Tour Qatari rider Hussain Said WELLINGTON competition of the Haidan yesterday guided Hathab Equestrian Colijn to win in the Small Rugby heavyweights New Tour at the Al Shaqab Tour competition of the Zealand and Australia said Arena, yesterday. Hathab Equestrian Tour on yesterday that any shakeup to what was day two of the the international calendar Longines Global Champions must include chances for Tour (LGCT) season opener. developing nations to play At the Al Shaqab Arena, meaningful test matches. Colijn clocked a time of 47.86 Global rugby was in uproar seconds as Haidan won on Thursday when details of a QR2,500 for his faultless proposed ‘World League’ routine. involving 12 teams and no pro- Mohammed Said Haidan, Hathab Equestrian Tour Event Director Ali Al Rumaihi motion or relegation were astride Ziezo, secured the presenting the winner’s award to Hussain Said Haidan. published by New Zealand second spot in a time of 48.13 media. seconds. Said bagged Reports said the proposed QR2,000. Qatari female rider Lucky Lady clocked a time and Mohammed Al Ghazali competition would be limited Tamader Said Al Marri in the of 49.42 seconds in the (Maradonna 25, QR700, 49.87 to established Six Nations and saddle with Lucky Lady 1.00/1.15m class. Ghanim seconds) completed the top Rugby Championship sides grabbed the third place worth Nasser Al Qadi (Rosconnell five out of 41 riders in the fray along with the United States QR1,500. Bella, QR1,000, 49.84 seconds) after eliminations. and Japan. ‘Tier Two’ emerging European and Pacific nations, however, would be excluded from the competition for at least 12 years. New Zealand Rugby (NZR) chief executive Steve Tew denied any format had been agreed, and said the Tier Two nations needed to be included in discussions. “We certainly need a pathway for teams that don’t make the original cut,” said Tew. “We’ve made it very clear our position is promotion-rel- CLASS A: DOHA 2019 SMALL TOUR 1.00/1.15M TABLE A: AGAINST THE CLOCK egation (and) in the medium Pocition/Rider Horse Prize Money Round A Time and long-term (it) is going to 1: Hussain Said A.M Haidan Colijn QR2,500 65.00 47.86 have to be on the table. 2: Mohammed Said A.M Haidan Ziezo QR2,000 65.00 48.13 Players criticised the pro- 3: Tamader Said Al Marri Lucky Lady QR1,500 65.00 49.42 posal on Thursday, raising con- 4: Ghanim Nasser Al Qadi Rosconnell Bella QR1,000 65.00 49.84 cerns over workload, increased 5: Mohammed Al Ghazali Maradonna 25 QR700 65.00 49.87 The podium winners of the Small Tour pose for a photograph with the officials. long-haul travel and a lack of opportunities for Tier Two nations. Guardiola Bony shines in Al Arabi’s comeback urges Mahrez win; Ferreira rescues Al Khor at home to step up AFP THE PENINSULA QNB STARS LEAGUE STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 18 LONDON DOHA POSITION/CLUB MATCHES W L D GF GA GD POINTS Pep Guardiola has challenged A brilliant double by Wilfried Bony 1: Al Sadd 18 15 1 2 83 17 66 47 Riyad Mahrez to play a key role sealed an entertaining 3-2 comeback 2: Al Duhail 18 13 1 4 44 13 31 43 in Manchester City’s quadruple win for Al Arabi against Al Sailiya in 3: Al Sailiya 18 10 7 1 30 20 10 31 bid as the club’s record signing their QNB Stars League Round 18 4: Al Rayyan 18 8 4 6 25 22 3 30 struggles to live up to his £60m fixture yesterday. 5: Al Ahli 18 9 7 2 27 30 -3 29 ($79m) price tag. At the Al Ahli Stadium, Bony 6: Al Arabi 18 9 9 0 23 33 -10 27 City were far from their scored his two goals in the 12th and 7: Umm Salal 18 5 8 5 19 30 -11 20 imperious best in Wednesday’s 80th minutes while Victor Vazquez 8: Al Shahania 18 5 8 5 18 30 -12 20 narrow 1-0 win over West Ham, added one in the 78th. Al Sailiya’s 9: Al Gharafa 18 5 9 4 28 33 -5 19 but the result kept the cham- goals came from a Morteza Poura- 10: Qatar SC 18 4 10 4 16 34 -18 16 pions just one point behind liganji own goal in the 53rd minute 11: Al Khor 18 4 11 3 17 34 -17 15 Premier League leaders Liv- and Abdulkadir Ilyas in the 61st. 12: Al Kharaitiyat 18 3 15 0 15 49 -34 9 erpool ahead of their trip to The night got off to a lively start Bournemouth today. when Bony latched onto a loose ball Guardiola has stressed his in the penalty area before rounding Al Arabi’s Wilfried Bony shoots to concerns over fatigue affecting Saoud Al Khater in goal and giving score past Al Sailiya goalkeeper his squad, with last weekend’s his team an early lead. Saoud Mubarak Al Khater during League Cup final win over Bilal Saidani nearly got his side their QNB Stars League match Chelsea coming at a cost as back on level terms shortly after. played at the Al Ahli Stadium, Fernandinho and Aymeric However, his close-range effort was yesterday. Laporte both suffered injuries brilliantly intercepted by Gregory that will sideline them for Gomis in the Al Arabi goal. Al Khor’s Wagner Ferreira scores several weeks. Shortly after the restart, The Per- the winning goal against Umm The City boss attempted to egrines were level when Fahad Salal, yesterday. rotate his squad against West Yousef skipped into the box from the Ham, handing Algeria winger left and his square pass was unfor- from Wagner Ferreira in the 62nd Mahrez just his 11th league start tunately converted into his own goal minute at the Al Khor Stadium. of the season. by Morteza. Al Khor now have 15 points, while “Hypothetically, we have It did not take long for them to Umm Salal stayed on 20. 20 games left in the season -- capitalise on this again as Yousef, in On the balance of play, the victory 10 Premier League games and almost identical fashion, skipped looked to be a fair one, with Al Khor if we get to the finals of the cups past the Al Sailiya defence and creating chances from the offset. -- and if you think we are only squared the ball across the box, but Wagner’s first major effort came going to play with Bernardo and this time Ilyas was on hand to slide in the opening stages when he saw Raheem, that is not going to it home. his close-range shot being denied by happen,” Guardiola said. As the clock was ticking down, Al Basel Zaidan in the opposition goal. “They know what they Sailiya got themselves back on level The away side, however, was have to do, train hard, compete terms when Vazquez reacted quickest unfortunate not to take the lead when hard, they are going to play to a deep free-kick and headed home Yannick Sagbo’s audacious long- minutes. unmarked at the back post. range free-kick was brilliantly tipped “With some players, it will With barely enough time to catch to safety by Mohammed Al Bakri. be easy for me; but some breath, Al Arabi secured all three Midway through the second half, players can’t sustain (playing) points when Musab Keder surged Al Khor grabbed the lead when every three days. Everybody down the right before laying off the Wagner reacted quickest to a flick- has to make their contribution ball to Bony who, in composed on from Naif Al Buraiki and was able then, when I see their per- fashion, glided past his marker and to tap the ball in with his outstretched formance, I’m going to take struck his shot inside the far post. left foot at the far post. decisions. Elsewhere, yesterday, Al Khor The relief on the Al Khor faces at “I can’t live with just Sergio secured a vital victory to bring them- the final whistle demonstrated the Aguero, for example, we need selves closer to safety in the League significance of this result and they Gabriel (Jesus) to come as as they overcame Umm Salal 1-0. will look to take this positivity into quickly as possible to help us to The only goal of the game came their next fixture. do that.” 18 SPORT SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019

Barca look to land knock-out blow on Real Madrid

AFP MADRID

Ernesto Valverde believes Barcelona can inflict a hefty blow to Real Madrid’s morale by winning a second Clasico in four days today. Barca knocked Madrid out of the Copa del Rey with a 3-0 victory at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday and will go 12 points clear of their opponents in La Liga if they can repeat the result this weekend. “It is very difficult in two consecutive matches against Players form a pasageway for Barcelona’s Spanish defender Jordi Alba (second right) to pass during a training session on the eve of the Spanish league El Clasico match the same team to get the same against Real Madrid, at the Joan Gamper Sports Center in Sant Joan Despi, yesterday. RIGHT: Real Madrid’s Brazilian midfielder Casemiro (left) and forward Vinicius Junior result,” Valverde said attend a training session on the eve of the Spanish league El Clasico match. yesterday. “We want to go for the win because it would be an important blow to their morale for the remaining matches. It Liverpool and Tottenham face would also take points off Madrid, who are a direct rival to us. “We know it won’t be easy. crucial EPL derby showdowns The other day, despite the result, we saw the difficulty of playing there. AFP Liverpool’s spluttering attack turns before the trophy is lifted is “impossible” for Tottenham to “But when one team wins, LONDON after four draws in five matches, English Premier League in May. win the title after a 2-0 defeat at it is true that what they gain is including goalless stalemates City travel to Bournemouth Chelsea on Wednesday left them confidence and the team that As the Premier League title race with Manchester United and Fixtures (1500 GMT unless today knowing a victory would, nine points behind the leaders. loses wants another match as gathers pace and the fight for Bayern Munich, with suggestions stated): temporarily, put them two points That setback followed hard soon as possible to make top-four places heats up, two of they were cracking under the Today clear of Liverpool before the on the heels of an equally frus- amends. That is how both teams English football’s biggest derbies pressure of challenging for their Bournemouth vs Reds take on Everton the next trating 2-1 loss at Burnley, but are at this point.” will play a key role in the first English crown since 1990. Manchester City, Brighton day. while Pochettino concedes his Madrid, with Vinicius Junior mounting drama. But Jurgen Klopp’s side vs Huddersfield, Burnley vs Even a draw would put the team have played below their particularly dangerous down At the top, leaders Liverpool, silenced the doubters with their Crystal Palace, Manchester champions top on goal dif- potential of late, the Argentine the left, created a handful of one point ahead of Manchester biggest win in almost 12 months United vs Southampton, ference, but Guardiola, whose still believes they can muster an excellent chances on City going into this weekend, as Watford were demolished 5-0 Tottenham vs Arsenal (1230 team edged to a 1-0 win over upbeat end to the season. Wednesday before Barca make the short journey across at Anfield on Wednesday. GMT), Wolves vs Cardiff, West Ham in midweek, won’t be To do so, they desperately scored three in the second half. Stanley Park to face Merseyside Liverpool remain one point West Ham vs Newcastle surprised if either City or Liv- need to beat Arsenal, who are Asked if he had a special rivals Everton. clear of second-placed Man- (1730 GMT) erpool surrender points. only four points behind their plan to contain Vinicius, Val- Third-placed Tottenham, chester City and Reds midfielder Tomorrow “We know with 10 games to hated rivals after thrashing verde said: “We have a special slumping after successive Wijnaldum warned their rivals Everton vs Liverpool (1615 go, many things are going to Bournemouth, and then ensure plan and that is that we have to defeats, have to focus on main- to expect more of the same. GMT), Fulham vs Chelsea happen,” he said. their progress to the Champions do it together. He is unpre- taining their top-four berth when “To be fair, I always have that (1405 GMT), Watford vs “I think we are going to drop League quarter-finals in the last dictable and the other day we Arsenal arrive at Wembley for feeling that it will click. The belief Leicester (1200 GMT) points, Liverpool are going to 16, second leg against Borussia had problems. We have to be the north London derby. is always there. We just have to drop points. So we are going to Dortmund. wary of him, that is obvious.” V Liverpool back in the groove make sure that it does click,” he see, until the end.” No fear for “Everyone from the inicius’ form has made it Georginio Wijnaldum insists Liv- said. drama out of the race. But 12 Spurs Asked to survey the beginning of the season should harder for Gareth Bale to get in erpool never lost belief in their Guardiola expects title twists months later, Pep Guardiola’s wreckage of Tottenham’s fal- be satisfied with the possibility the team but Santiago Solari ability to blow away opponents This time last season City were side are locked in a nail-biting tering title challenge, Mauricio of playing against Arsenal at insisted on Friday that the after reigniting their title bid cruising towards a record- sprint to the finish line with Liv- Pochettino refused to condemn Wembley with the gap at four Welshman is still a key player ahead of their clash at Everton. breaking Premier League title erpool and the City manager his team despite their latest high- points. The pressure is on them, for Real Madrid. Questions were asked about triumph that sucked all the expects plenty more twists and stakes flop. Pochettino admits it not only us,” Pochettino said. Bale has been a substitute in seven of Madrid’s last nine games and his place in the side today is not guaranteed, after Engineers Corporate tourney from March 8 starting on the bench again in midweek. Asked about the importance THE PENINSULA Company are the participating teams. of players like Bale, Solari said: DOHA A draw ceremony was held at “They are still important, titles Oryx Rotana Hotel, in which captains are won by whole squads. Bale The Engineers Corporate Cricket of the participating corporate teams has played in every game since tournament organized by Keralaite took part. At the meeting the tour- returning from injury and he is Engineers Forum (KEF) will kick off nament draw was finalised through scoring goals. He did it in the from March 8 at the Ideal Oval, at the a draw of lots. Club World Cup and in the Old Ideal Indian School, organisers KEF Chairman Sajeet George Champions League final too.” of the event announced yesterday. gave the welcome address. There was a scattering of Galfar Al Misnad, L&T, Pow- Tournament rules was presented whistles when Bale came on in erman International, Qatar Design by Sudheesh Gopalakrishnan, team the semi-final second leg, after Consortium, Mannai Corporation, Jersey design was launched by a week in which the Welshman Castle Constructions, Omega Engi- Prakash Nair, pool draw was con- had been heavily criticised in neering, Global Auto Parts, Coastal ducted by Sreenivas T S and Rahul Officials of Keralaite Engineers Forum and team captains taking part in the Engineers Corporate the Spanish press. Qatar, Almoyyed Air-conditioning, Rajan. Kishore Nair, gave the vote of Cricket tournament pose for a picture during the draw ceremony in Doha yesterday. “I have nothing to say to the Technosteel and Gulf Warehousing thanks. fans,” Solari said. Ferrari ends F1 pre-season with fastest car and doubts

AP barriers for causes still being Hamilton said before setting Ferrari’s German driver Sebastian Vettel takes part in the tests for the new Formula One Grand Prix MONTMELO, SPAIN investigated by the team. On his time late on Friday that season at the Circuit de Catalunya in Montmelo in the outskirts of Barcelona, yesterday. Thursday, Leclerc was also left Ferrari was looking like the Ferrari can start the Formula stranded when his car stopped stronger team heading into the One season with the belief it has and started smoking. season-opening Australian a car fast enough to give “I’m not pleased for where Grand Prix in two weeks. Mercedes a title challenge. we are at the moment. I think I “This is going to be the If, that is, the Italian team can would like to be faster. We’d like toughest battle,” Hamilton said. keep it on the track. to be more reliable,” Ferrari team “Ferrari’s pace is very, very good Sebastian Vettel concluded principal Mattia Binotto said. at the moment. So the challenge the F1 pre-season yesterday with “So I think there is still much is going to be harder than ever.” the fastest time through the eight to do and the season has not Binotto was having none of that days of testing. Vettel’s lap of 1 started yet.” talk, though. minute, 16.221 seconds around Also worrying for Ferrari, “I’m happy to know that the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit defending champion Lewis Hamilton believes that we are beat team-mate Charles Leclerc’s Hamilton finally showed some faster,” Binotto said. “But I pace-setting time from the pre- speed in his Mercedes by believe that Mercedes will be vious day. clocking the second-best time at very, very strong in Australia. I But Ferrari was left with just 0.003 seconds behind Vettel. think it will be completely wrong doubts after an electrical issue Hamilton’s team-mate to think that we are faster. The brought Vettel’s car to a stop on Valtteri Bottas was next, followed fact that our car is running the side of the track, forcing it to by Renault’s Nico Hulkenberg properly is a good starting point, be hauled back to the garage. and Daniil Kvyat in his Toro but we are still not ready for Mel- That ended their last chance to Rosso. bourne and I’d say it’s a case of test the new car with two and Ferrari finished runner-up a work in progress.” Red Bull, to a session-low 29 laps because preseason. Kimi Raikkonen’s Alfa last place in 2018, concluded half hours of running left. as Mercedes won its fifth con- which hopes to also give Mer- of trouble with his gearbox. That Romeo and Kevin Magnussen’s testing with Robert Kubica at the The setback came two days secutive championship last cedes a fight, appears to have came a day after Pierre Gasly lost Haas also brought out red flags bottom of the time sheet more after Vettel veered off course and season, 84 points adrift in the even bigger concerns. control and went off the track for when they stopped on the track. than a second slower than the crashed into the protective constructors’ race. Max Verstappen was limited a second time during the Williams, which finished in nearest car. SATURDAY 2 MARCH 2019 SPORT 19

South Africa Latham, Raval hit tons as New aim to avenge Test loss in Zealand dominate Bangladesh ODI series AFP AFP New Zealand batsmen SCOREBOARD JOHANNESBURG HAMILTON, NEW ZEALAND Jeet Raval (left) and Bangladesh (I innings) ...... 234 Tom Latham shake New Zealand (I innings) The Cricket World Cup looms Centuries to Tom Latham and hands during day two J Raval c Khaled b Mahmudullah ...... 132 large for both South Africa and Jeet Raval, and the best opening of the first Test match T Latham c Mithun b Soumya ...... 161 Sri Lanka when they meet in a partnership for New Zealand in against Bangladesh K Williamson (batting) ...... 93 five-match one-day interna- nearly half-a- left Bang- at Seddon Park in R Taylor b Soumya ...... 4 tional series starting at the H Nicholls b Mehidy Hasan ...... 53 ladesh on the ropes on day two Hamilton, yesterday. Wanderers Stadium tomorrow. of the first Test yesterday. N Wagner (batting) ...... 1 While South Africa will be Extras: (LB 5, WD 1, NB 1) ...... 7 Kane Williamson, unbeaten Total: (four wkts; 118 overs) ...... 451 keen to get back to winning on 93, added to the run-fest at Fall of : 1-254, 2-333, 3-349, 4-449 form after shock losses to the Hamilton’s Seddon Park in a To bat: BJ Watling, Colin de Grandhomme, Todd Lankans in two home Tests, century stand for the fourth Astle, Tim Southee, Trent Boult both teams appear to be unde- with Henry Nicholls. Bowling: Jayed 23-4-65-0, Ebadat 21-4-77-0, cided on their best 15 players At stumps, New Zealand Khaled 22-6-84-0 (1nb), Soumya 19-1-57-2 for the World Cup in England were 451 for four, leading by 217 (1w), Mehidy 31-2-149-1, Mahmudullah 1-0-3-1, and Wales, starting in May. with six wickets in hand. Mominul Haque 1-0-11-0 South Africa have picked a Latham made 161, Raval 14-man squad packed with notched his maiden century with the two wickets of Latham and bowlers for the first three inter- 132, while Nicholls departed two Ross Taylor. nationals, indicating the overs before stumps for 53. Latham, who edged a wide matches could help decide their With the assistance of a flat delivery to second slip on the best bowling combinations for track, Latham and Raval put on second ball he faced, put that the World Cup, while Sri Lanka 254 for the first wicket -- the stroke away for 246 deliveries have a squad of 17 players, two third-highest opening part- before he poked at a wide ball more than they can take to the nership by a New Zealand pair from Soumya and a diving global event. and their best since the record Hasan over the mid-wicket fence has three centuries from his past when he cracked back-to-back Mohammad Mithun completed Both teams have moderate 387 set by and three times. four Test innings. fours off Ebadat Hossain to move the dismissal -- also at second recent records. South Africa Terry Jarvis against the West Ironically, it was Soumya Raval, frustrated by holding from 93 to 101. It took a sly slip. Taylor did not bother ques- have won 12 and lost 10 Indies 47 years ago. Sarkar -- who spilled the simple the New Zealand record for the switch from Mahmudullah to tioning his dismissal when a matches since the start of 2018, Latham punished Sri Lanka catch at second slip -- who even- most fifties (eight) without a make the elusive breakthrough. Soumya inswinger rapped on the while Sri Lanka have six wins, for dropping him before he tually claimed his wicket. century, finally got that monkey The Bangladesh skipper brought front pad plumb in line with the 13 losses and a no-result in the scored at the start of the innings. But by then, Latham had off his back in his 17th Test. himself on for one over only and stumps. same period. He occupied the crease for passed 150 for the fourth time in He held his nerve after on his fifth delivery, Raval skied Against the run of play, Sri Lanka lost all three more than six hours, scoring his career and New Zealand were passing his previous best -- 88 an attempted slog-sweep to Mehidy claimed the late wicket matches in New Zealand last freely around the ground and 333 for two. on the same ground against Khaled Ahmed at mid-wicket. of Nicholls with a ball that came month after veteran fast bowler reaching the boundary with 17 It continued a purple patch South Africa two years ago -- It was another part-time back and crashed into the Lasith Malinga was appointed fours as well as hitting Mehidy of form for the left-hander who and was able to raise his bat bowler Soumya who picked up stumps. captain. South Africa’s one-day squad includes only five of the players who appeared in the Tests and Sri Lanka have India, Australia embark on fine-tuning mission retained only seven of the vic- torious Test team - but Sri Lanka’s Test wins are sure to REUTERS reason we have included him in add spice to the series despite NEW DELHI India A series wherever pos- the change in format and likely sible.” Lokesh Rahul has been conditions. The importance of the one-day thrown a lifeline despite a slump South Africa will welcome series against Australia beginning in form and a brief suspension a return to the faster pitches of today is not lost on Virat Kohli’s he incurred for inappropriate Johannesburg and Centurion, India as they gauge their World comments on a television show. venue of the second match, Cup preparations against the The opener impressed with after losing the Test matches on reigning champions in their final scores of 50 and 47 in the the slower surfaces of Durban series before the showpiece Twenty20 matches against and Port Elizabeth, where the event. Australia. third and fourth matches will India capped their memo- “I got some time off from be played. rable tour of Australia, where international cricket, so I could Fast bowlers Lungi Ngidi they registered their first ever come back here and reflect on and uncapped Anrich Nortje, Australian team members take part in a practice session test series victory Down Under, what wasn’t going right for me,” both recovered after long-term ahead of the first ODI match against India at the Rajiv Gandhi by claiming the three-match ODI said Rahul, who remains opti- injuries, could provide a chal- series 2-1 in January. International Cricket Stadium in Hyderabad yesterday. mistic of securing a back-up role lenge to the Sri Lankan Chief selector MSK.Prasad to first choice opening pair Rohit batsmen, while veteran Dale told reporters last month that for a handful of Indian players Dinesh Karthik to be Mahendra Prasad, a former stumper Sharma and Shikhar Dhawan. Steyn will be keen to show that most of the players in the current who want to nail down their Singh Dhoni’s understudy behind himself, told ESPNcricinfo Australia play an ODI series he is still worth a World Cup India side pick themselves and places with solid performances the stumps, but needs to prove recently, describing the exciting against Pakistan in United Arab place. it was a matter of finalising a against the tourists who have his maturity against Australia to 21-year-old’s form as a “healthy Emirates later this month but The South African selectors couple of slots before the World slipped to sixth in world make the flight to England. headache”. coach Justin Langer will hope will be monitoring the fitness Cup in England and Wales. rankings. “The progression of Rishabh “What we actually felt is he the series against world number of JP Duminy, regarded as a key The five-match series against Wicketkeeper-batsman in the last one year is phe- needs a bit of maturity now, gain two India will provide answers player if South Africa are to Australia is naturally important Rishabh Pant has leapfrogged nomenal across the formats,” more experience. That is the to many questions. challenge at the World Cup.

ATP Dubai Kyrgios out-lasts Wawrinka Championships Federer to face Results from the ATP Dubai Championships yesterday to reach Acapulco semi-finals (x indicates seeding): in-form Tsitsipas Semi-finals AFP Stefanos Tsitsipas (GRE x5) ACAPULCO, MEXICO bt Gael Monfils (FRA) 4-6, 7-6 for 100th title (7/4), 7-6 (7/4) Australian Nick Kyrgios, unfazed Roger Federer (SUI x2) bt Borna AP Switzerland’s Roger by stern words from vanquished Coric (CRO x6) 6-2, 6-2 DUBAI Federer in action during Rafael Nadal, produced another his semi-final match against gritty win over Switzerland’s Mexico Open ATP and Roger Federer can Croatia’s Borna Coric in Stan Wawrinka on Thursday to WTA win the 100th title of Dubai, yesterday. reach the semi-finals of the Results from Mexico Open his career at the Mexico Open. ATP and WTA tournaments Dubai Champion- A day after his dramatic in Acapulco on Thursday (x ships today. comeback victory over 17-time denotes seed): The 20-time Grand Slam winner Nadal, Men: Quarter-finals Grand Slam Kyrgios out-lasted Wawrinka Nick Kyrgios (AUS) bt Stanislas champion will have 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), 6-4 to book a Wawrinka (SUI) 7-5, 6-7 (3/7), to beat the rising star meeting with John Isner for a of Tennis to do so. Australian player Nick Kyrgios reacts during the match against 6-4; Cameron Norrie (GBR) bt place in the final. Federer set up a title Swiss player Stan Wawrinka at the Mexico ATP 500 Open men’s Mackenzie McDonald (USA) 6-3, Third-seeded Isner defeated match against single match in Acapulco, Guerrero state, Mexico on Thursday. 6-2; Alexander Zverev (GER eighth-seeded Millman 7-6 (7/2), x2) bt Alex De Minaur (AUS x5) 20-year-old Greek 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4) in a three Stefanos Tsitsipas by 6-4, 6-4; John Isner (USA x3) hour, five minute marathon on set going with serve until Kyrgios that saw Kyrgios break for a 3-2 defeating Borna Coric bt John Millman (AUS x8) 7-6 Thursday night. seized upon a couple of loose lead he wouldn’t relinquish, 6-2, 6-2 in just 67 (7/2), 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/4) Kyrgios once again took a points from Wawrinka to gain although before it was over he minutes in the semi- Women: Quarter-finals twisting path to victory. The the break and the set 7-5. would exchange words with a finals of the ATP drama started in the very first A tense second set saw critical spectator and provoke Bianca Andreescu (CAN) bt event yesterday. getting to the final, rallying for game, when Kyrgios took an Wawrinka break Kyrgios at love Wawrinka by having the trainer Zhang Saisai (CHN) 7-6 (7/3), Federer, who is 37, is looking a 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4) win over awkward fall and badly scraped for a 5-4 lead. But Kyrgios broke on yet again. 6-1; Wang Yafan (CHN) bt to become the second man in the Gael Monfils. the knuckles of his racquet hand. back as they went to the tie- Unable to convert two match Beatriz Haddad Maia (BRA) 6-3, professional era to reach 100 Today’s match will be a As he received mid-game breaker -- Kyrgios vociferously points against Wawrinka’s serve, 6-4; Donna Vekic (CRO x3) bt tour-level tournament titles, battle of the generations - and treatment the crowd grew defending himself when the Kyrgios closed it out in an Johanna Konta (GBR x8) 6-3, joining Jimmy Connors, who a repeat of their meeting in the restive, provoking the unpre- umpire seemed to find his “let’s explosive 10th game, and 7-5; Sofia Kenin (USA x5) bt won 109. Seven of Federer’s pre- last 16 of the Australian Open in dictable Australian. go” call to Wawrinka hostile. insisted he relished it all despite Victoria Azarenka (BLR) 6-4, vious 99 wins have come in January, which was surprisingly With the problem tended to, Wawrinka won the tie- complaining of debilitating 4-6, 7-5 Dubai. won by Tsitsipas in four sets on Kyrgios closed out the game, the breaker to force a deciding set cramps. Tsitsipas had a tougher time his way to the semi-finals.