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Home , Hasan Ali (cricketer), Imad Wasim, Junaid Khan (cricketer), Karen Rolton, Mickey Arthur, Mohammad Hafeez

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I’ve a great chance to beat Bolt Durant powers Warriors past Cavs Canadian De Grasse says he can upstage the Golden State rally to beat Cleveland 118-113 to INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY Jamaican in the worlds in August: PAGE 22 move one victory from NBA title: PAGE 23 ARGENTINA VS BRAZIL Lanka stun by 7 Gunathilaka, Mendis were the heroes as chased down 322 runs to upset India; Champions Trophy Group B wide open AFP Champions LONDON Trophy SRI Lanka staged a superb chase to stun India and keep alive their Champions Memorable Trophy challenge as Kusal Mendis inspired a famous victory seven- victory over the holders on Thursday. Sri Lanka powered to a Needing 322 to avoid a memorable triumph at second successive Group B thanks to key defeat, Sri Lanka powered to contributions from a memorable triumph at The Mendis (89), Danushka Oval thanks to key contribu- tions from Mendis (89), Da- Gunathilaka (76) and nushka Gunathilaka (76) and captain Angelo Mathews (52). (52). Mathews admitted earlier this week that many experts expected his underdogs to be Win or bust thrashed by in-form India. for India But Sri Lanka defied the odds to win with eight balls Sri Lanka can qualify for to spare and they can qualify the semi-finals if they for the semi-finals if they beat in their final group beat Pakistan in their match in Cardiff on June 12. final group, while India “It’s one of the top wins, must beat to beat India. The bowlers did on June 11 to avoid a brilliantly to restrict India to humiliating exit. 321. It was a very chaseable target,” Mathews said. “Not many people expect- ed us to win and that took a Scoreboard lot of pressure off us. “I thought the second- SRI LANKA wicket partnership (between N. Dickwella c Jadeja b Kumar ...... 7 Gunathilaka and Mendis) D. Gunathilaka run out (Yadav) ...... 76 K. Mendis run out (Kumar) ...... 89 was vital. They set us the plat- K. Perera retired hurt ...... 47 form. A. Mathews ...... 52 “It wasn’t easy for Gu- A. Gunaratne not out ...... 34 nathilaka to walk into the side and bat like how he did.” Extras: (11lb, 5w 1nb) ...... 17 After losing by 99 runs Total: (3 wkts, 48.4 overs) ...... 322 Did not bat: D. Chandimal, T. Perera, S. Lakmal, L. against South Africa in their Malinga, N. Pradeep opener, that would be a re- Fall of wickets: 1-11 (Dickwella), ...... 2-170 markable turn around for a (Gunathilaka), ...... 3-196 (Mendis) young Sri Lanka team in the : Kumar 10-0-54-1 (1w), Yadav 9.4-0-67-0 midst of a major rebuilding (1w), Bumrah 10-0-52-0 (1nb), Pandya 7-1-51-0 project. (1w), Jadeja 6-0-52-0 (1w), Jadhav 3-0-18-0 (1w), India’s failure to secure Sri Lanka’s Kusal Mendis in action at the ICC Champions Trophy Group B match at The Oval in London on Thursday. (REUTERS) Kohli 3-0-17-0 a second consecutive win af- INDIA ter thumping arch rivals Pa- dismissed Niroshan Dick- chance off his own bowling. ka’s rising confidence, which the same fashion, easily run That added to the tension, R. Sharma c T. Perera b Malinga ...... 78 kistan was a major surprise wella for seven when the If complacency was an is- hold spiked higher after the out by Kumar’s direct hit but India were bereft of ideas. S. Dhawan c Mendis b Malinga...... 125 and they must beat South Af- opener’s edge was by sue for India’s wayward bowl- diving Rohit Sharma dropped while attempting to steal a Gunaratne came in to V. Kohli c Dickwella b Pradeep ...... 0 rica at The Oval on Sunday to Ravindra Jadeja. ers, Gunathilaka made them Gunathilaka. single. spank a pair of sixes, putting b Gunaratne ...... 7 avoid a humiliating exit. Needing what would be pay, reaching his half- When Mendis hit three Crucially, Mathews, play- Sri Lanka on the brink, and MS Dhoni c Chandimal b T. Perera ...... 63 H. Pandya c K. Perera b Lakmal ...... 9 ’s 125 a record run chase in ODIs in emphatic style with anoth- successive boundaries, their ing his first ODI since August Mathews saw them over the K. Jadhav not out ...... 25 had put India in a strong po- staged at The Oval, Gunathi- er six. partnership was up to 159 after a calf injury, came in to finish line to complete their R. Jadeja not out...... 0 sition as the holders piled up laka set about giving Sri Lan- By the time Sri Lanka and India were in danger of steady the ship with a nerve- joint highest ever ODI run Extras: (4lb, 10w) ...... 14 321 for six. ka hope. reached 108-1 in the 20th letting the match slip from less innings. chase. Total: (6 wkts, 50 overs) ...... 321 The 31-year-old hit 15 He hit Umesh Yadav for over, the holders were begin- their grasp. Assisted by the opportun- Sri Lanka can qualify for Did not bat: , Umesh Yadav, fours and one six in his 128- a sky-scraping six and, to- ning to worry. But Gunathilaka’s career- istic hitting of Kusal Perera, the semi-finals if they beat Jasprit Bumrah Fall of wickets: 1-138 (Sharma), 2-139 (Kohli), ball innings, receiving strong gether with the aggressive Jadeja, the world’s top best ODI innings came to he turned the tide back in his Pakistan in their final group 3-179 (Yuvraj), 4-261 (Dhawan), 5-278 (Pandya), support from Rohit Sharma Mendis, imposed himself well ranked ODI bowler, was an end when he was run out team’s favour. match in Cardiff on June 12, 6-307 (Dhoni) (78) and MS Dhoni (63), but enough to build a quick-fire slapped away for four by by Umesh Yadav after rashly Perera gave Sri Lanka a while India must beat South Bowling: Malinga 10-0-70-2 (1w), Lakmal 10-1- it wasn’t enough. 50 partnership. Mendis, who sailed onto fifty trying to turn a single into scare when he suffered what Africa on June 11 to avoid a 72-1 (3w), Pradeep 10-0-73-1 (6w), T. Perera 9-0- India had only themselves had a with his first six. two. appeared to be a hamstring humiliating exit. 54-1, Gunathilaka 8-0-41-0, Gunaratne 3-0-7-1 to blame after squandering chance to remove Mendis An audacious reverse Incredibly, Sri Lanka injury and had to retire hurt “It’s a must-win game for the momentum given to them with the score on 70-1, but sweep for four by Gunathila- didn’t learn from that mis- after limping through several all of us in the group,” Math- Result: Sri Lanka won by seven wickets by Bhuvneshwar Kumar, who young all-rounder dropped a ka off Jadeja showed Sri Lan- take and Mendis perished in runs. ews added.

French Open men semi-finals today Murray, Nadal eye dream final Halep, Ostapenko to meet for French Open title AFP Madrid and lose his opener in previous trip to the last four, PARIS Rome. Latvian world No.47 is the first unseeded broke Ostapenko for an early “If someone had offered me player to reach the final since 1983 2-0 lead. ANDY and Rafael Nadal can a semi-final spot before the tour- But the Latvian took the edge closer to an intriguing nament, I would have signed up AFP as the crowd sang ‘happy birth- challenge to Bacsinszky with her French Open final rich in land- for that.” PARIS day’ to her. aggression, nipping ahead at 4-3 mark moments on Friday after His form in Paris has sent “I was always playing ag- before the Swiss called for the drastically contrasting cam- out mixed messages. SIMONA Halep reached her gressive and hitting the ball trainer. Bacsinszky complained paigns in Paris. He needed four sets to get second French Open final on when I have a chance. It prob- of a problem above her right World number one Mur- past Andrey Kuznetsov and Thursday with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 ably helps me to win today.” knee after jarring her foot in the ray was the first British man in Martin Klizan in the first two win over Karolina Pliskova, tak- For 30th-seeded Bacsinszky clay and resumed play with her the Roland Garros final since rounds. Then, in what was ex- ing her to within touching dis- it was a second semi-final defeat leg heavily taped. Bunny Austin in 1937 when he pected to be a third-round am- tance of a first Grand Slam title in three years in Paris. Ostapenko faltered when she finished runner-up to Novak bush, he sailed past Juan Mar- and the world number one spot. “Of course I’m disappoint- tried to serve it out at 6-5, but Djokovic last year. tin del Potro in straight sets and Romanian third seed Halep, ed. I’m a competitor, and it re- the Latvian took the tie-break Two more victories, how- was similarly at ease against the runner-up to Maria Shara- ally annoys me not to be in the with a swinging backhand vol- ever, starting with his semi- Karen Khachanov in the last 16. pova in 2014, will face unseeded final,” said Bacsinszky, who was ley. Ostapenko, whose average final against 2015 winner Stan However, in the quarter- Latvian 20-year-old Jelena Os- beaten on her 28th birthday. forehand speed of 76 mph this Wawrinka, would make him finals, he dropped the first set tapenko, who downed Timea “I’m not ashamed to say tournament has eclipsed that of the first Briton to lift the men’s against Kei Nishikori before his Bacsinszky 7-6 (7/4), 3-6, 6-3, that she played better. She was Andy Murray (73), continued to trophy since Fred Perry 82 years greater stamina proved decisive. in Saturday’s final. braver. She had more courage. let fly with a bombardment of ago. Nadal, meanwhile, is the hot Ostapenko, the world She was more successful.” winners and errors. Nadal, who tackles Dominic favourite to collect an unprec- number 47, is the first unseeded Ostapenko fell in the first Bacsinszky pounced as Os- Thiem, the conqueror of de- edented 10th French Open and player to reach the final at Ro- round on her main draw debut tapenko’s radar misfired to break fending champion Djokovic, is 15th career major. land Garros since Mima Jaus- in Paris last year but is one win for 4-3 in the second set before bidding to become the first man The 31-year-old Spaniard, ovec in 1983. away from becoming the first the Latvian gifted it to her with to capture the same major on 10 like Wawrinka and Thiem, The Latvian, who turned player since Gustavo Kuerten in a double fault on set point. But occasions. hasn’t dropped a set at the tour- 20 on Thursday, is also the 1997 to win their maiden tour- Ostapenko’s fearless approach Murray arrived in France nament. He should also be the youngest woman to advance level title at a Slam. paid off after a series of breaks suffering from a fever, the latest fresher having spent just under to the final of a major since a Kuerten won that year’s to start the decider, the Latvian woe in a season which has seen eight hours on court through 19-year-old Caroline Wozniacki French Open -- the first of three landing the crucial blow to pull him endure an elbow injury, flu five rounds. finished runner-up at the 2009 Roland Garros titles for the Bra- 4-3 ahead before sealing victory and shingles. “I came in playing Murray has needed the best US Open. “I am really happy. zilian -- on the same day Ostap- in two hours and 25 minutes. garbage,” admitted the 30-year- part of 14 hours playing time I love to play here, I love you enko was born. Her successful all-or-noth- old of a Masters clay-court while Wawrinka has been in guys, you’re amazing. I’m just Bacsinszky, who was beaten ing approach saw her fire 50 swing which saw him exit in the action for almost 11 hours and happy with the way I celebrated in three sets by eventual cham- Jelena Ostapenko celebrates after winning her semi-final match at winners and 45 unforced errors third round in Monte Carlo and Thiem just under 10. my birthday!” said Ostapenko pion Serena Williams on her the Roland Garros 2017 French Open in Paris on Thursday. (AFP) against Bacsinszky. Friday, June 9, 2017 23 22 Friday, June 9, 2017 Sports Miller backs News in brief NZ have slight edge De Villiers to come good Australian star Warner slams CA over pay dispute video against India BIRMINGHAM David Warner has over AFP accused Cricket of trying BIRMINGHAM to wreck the team's bid to win the Champions Trophy by broadcast- The Kiwis need win and miracles to be in race for a semi-final spot AB de Villiers is "due" a big ing a new video relating to the score against Champions ongoing pay dispute. AFP Trophy title-holders India ac- A resolution to the increas- CARDIFF (UNITED KINGDOM) cording to fellow South Africa ingly bitter row looked as far away batsman David Miller after the as ever when a fresh war of words BANGLADESH and New Proteas' skipper suffered the between (CA) Zealand head into their final first golden duck of his one- and the Australian Cricketers' As- group match of this year's day international career. sociation (ACA) broke out on Wednesday. Champions Trophy desperate De Villiers's maiden first- CA's latest video release saw their lead negotiator, Kevin for victory but knowing even ball exit in 212 ODI innings Roberts, anger the ACA by contradicting their claims over the a win in Cardiff on Friday may came during South Africa's costs of running Australian cricket. not take either of them into the shock 19-run loss to Pakistan Australia face hosts in a make or break Cham- semi-finals. at Edgbaston on Wednesday pions Trophy match at Birmingham's Edgbaston ground on Both teams have a point -- a result that threw Group B Saturday, where a defeat could see them fail to qualify for the apiece in the one-day inter- wide open. semi-finals of a tournament featuring the world's top eight one- national tournament after Only the top two sides in dy international teams. they were each well beaten by each of the two pools will go England, while their respec- through to the semi-finals of tive matches with Australia a tournament featuring the Muralidaran inducted into Hall of Fame ended in rain-induced no re- world's top eight 50-over na- sults. tions. LONDON Muttiah Muralidaran, the most successful bowler in England are already into That makes Sunday's clash Tests and One Day Internationals (ODI), was inducted into the the last four and Australia will with India at the Oval poten- ICC Cricket Hall of Fame during the innings break of the India join them there if they defeat tially pivotal to a South Africa versus Sri Lanka ICC Champions Trophy match at The Oval the tournament hosts in the fi- side who beat Sri Lanka in here on Thursday. nal Group A fixture at Edgbas- their group opener. The retired Sri Lanka spin legend was awarded the honour ton on Saturday. Miller's unbeaten 75 was along with , and Karen Rolton by It all leaves Bangladesh the batting highlight of a be- fellow ICC Cricket Hall of Famers and members of the media, and needing to low par total of 219 for eight according to a statement from the International Cricket Council win in Wales and then hope against Pakistan, an innings (ICC). England put one over their New Zealand’s Kane Williamson and Martin Guptill during nets at the Sophia Gardens in Cardiff on Thurs- where de Villiers sliced left- He became the first player from Sri Lanka and the 83rd arch-rivals, assuming more day. New Zealand are scheduled to take on Bangladesh in a group league at the ICC Champions Trophy on arm spinner to overall to be formally inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame bad weather does not disrupt Friday. (REUTERS) backward point. when ICC Chief Executive David Richardson presented him with those calculations. Star batsman de Villiers, a commemorative framed cap. New Zealand should have where he was fined but not Wednesday. also nursing a hamstring prob- "It is a moment of great pride and honour to be receiv- the edge over Bangladesh banned for a dreadfully slow It all leaves Bangladesh "They have serious quality lem, has now managed just ing this award, especially from the ICC which is the ultimate when it comes to local knowl- over-rate. and New Zealand needing players. If we want to repeat four runs this tournament. any cricketer can aspire to achieve. The induction during this edge given their 87-run defeat Bangladesh's Tamim Iqbal to win in Wales and then the result again, we have to ex- But Miller is confident prestigious ICC Champions Trophy makes it even more remark- by England in Cardiff on Tues- also started the tournament hope England put one over ecute well," he added. this is just a blip for the usu- able," Muralidaran said. day. with a century, against Eng- their arch-rivals, assuming It was at Cardiff, now a ally prolific 33-year-old right- "When it's not seaming land, before making 95 against more bad weather does much-changed ground, where hander. and it's not swinging, obvious- Australia. Bangladesh caused arguably "He's the best player in Lehmann wants ODIs to be more 'liberal' ly we need to look at different For both sides the innings not disrupt those calcula- the biggest of all ODI upsets by the world so it's nice when he during rain delays measures," New Zealand pace- has tended to fall away fol- tions. beating a powerful Australia does perform 95 percent of the man Trent Boult told reporters lowing the exit of their key side in 2005. time," Miller told reporters at LONDON Australia coach wants one-day inter- at Cardiff on Thursday. batsman, with New Zealand nation when rain came to their Defeating New Zealand Edgbaston after Wednesday's national matches to continue as long as conditions are safe, "I think we all know the losing their last eight wick- rescue against Australia. would not be such a shock, surprise day/night reverse. even if not ideal, after back-to-back washouts left his team's importance of getting wick- ets for 65 against England Their most recent meet- but it would be a huge boost to "But I haven't seen him go Champions Trophy campaign in complete disarray. ets early in the innings and following Williamson's dis- ing with the Blackcaps saw the current Bangladesh's side out for nought too many times The 50-over world champions are particularly upset after putting the team under pres- missal. Bangladesh beat New Zealand standing in world cricket. in his career. He's human. their second Group A match against Bangladesh was washed sure is where you can really set "Yes, he is in great form by five wickets in a warm-up "We knew before the "There's enough good bats- out on Monday just four overs short of what could have been the game up. but we cannot focus only on match in . tournament that we had to men in the team to contribute a comfortable victory after having to split points with New "That's the challenge to- Williamson," said Bangladesh New Zealand, however, produce something special, at the same time. I don't think Zealand in their tournament opener. morrow. I'm sure we'd love captain at were without several key otherwise it wouldn't be easy it's really a huge problem at Fear of rain looms large over Saturday's do-or-die match to come hard at the top order, his pre-match press confer- players in Guptill, William- to beat teams like England all," Miller added. against Ashes rivals England as well and Lehmann said which has been playing very ence. son, plus pacemen Boult, Tim and Australia," said Mor- "We've done well over the administrators need to think more about the fans who expect well." "They have players like Southee and Adam Milne. taza. last two, two-and-a-half years a result. "I think we've just got to be more liberal to play some New Zealand captain Kane Martin Guptill who can change "We have beaten their "But we are a team that as a top six. All the batsmen we cricket. The fans want to see a result," Lehmann said. Williamson made a brilliant the game." strongest team at home (in wouldn't let go of a chance, so have can do a job. "Especially this time of year in England, you can get (wet) hundred against Australia Bangladesh were just four Bangladesh) but maybe not if one is coming up tomorrow, "AB didn't come off but weather. before following up with 87 overs away from all but certain so strong in Ireland," Tamim we will have to make sure we he's definitely due (a big score) against England - a match defeat and tournament elimi- told reporters in Cardiff on don't let it slip." on Sunday." Sarfraz hails 'home' crowd after stunning South Africa in rain-hit match AFP SCOREBOARD "I think the difference was BIRMINGHAM our bowling and fielding," said SOUTH AFRICA: 24-3; Shadab 5-0-20-0. wicketkeeper-captain Sarfraz. PAKISTAN captain Sarfraz Q. de Kock lbw b 33 "Mohammad Hafeez and H. Amla lbw b Imad Wasim 16 PAKISTAN: Ahmed said playing in front of F. du Plessis b 26 c b Morkel 9 Imad Wasim bowled really well a 'home' crowd had helped in- AB de Villiers c Mohammad Hafeez b Imad Wasim 0 c Amla b Morkel 31 and they took the pressure off spire his side to a shock 19-run D. Miller not out 75 not out 31 for us," he said. win over South Africa in the JP Duminy c Babar Azam b Hasan Ali 8 Mohammad Hafeez c Imran Tahir b Morkel 26 "We had a good bowling W. Parnell b Hasan Ali 0 not out 16 Champions Trophy at Edgbas- C. Morris c Hasan Ali b 28 Extras (lb2, w3, nb1) 6 meeting (on Tuesday)," added ton on Wednesday. K. Rabada c Hasan Ali b Junaid Khan 26 Total (3 wkts, 27 overs) 119 Sarfraz, who saw his attack Pakistan went from ze- M. Morkel not out 0 Did not bat: Sarfraz Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Mohammad rebound after India struck 72 roes to heroes in three days, Extras (lb1, w5, nb1) 7 Amir, , Hasan Ali, Junaid Khan from the final four overs of Total (8 wkts, 50 overs) 219 Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Fakhar), 2-41 (Azhar), 3-93 bouncing back from a 124-run Did not bat: Imran Tahir (Hafeez) their innings on Sunday. thrashing by arch-rivals India Fall of wickets: 1-40 (Amla), 2-60 (De Kock), 3-61 (De Bowling: Rabada 7-1-36-0 (1nb); Parnell 4-0-25-0; "We took wickets. If you to topple the world's number Villiers), 4-90 (Du Plessis), 5-118 (Duminy), 6-118 Morkel 7-1-18-3 (1w); Morris 5-1-22-0 (1w); Tahir take wickets, every good team one-ranked ODI side. (Parnell), 7-165 (Morris), 8-213 (Rabada) 4-0-16-0 (1w). feels under pressure." Bowling: Amir 10-0-50-0 (3w); Junaid 9-0-53-2 (1nb, Result: Pakistan won by 19 runs (DLS) Pakistan fans dominated 1w); Imad 8-0-20-2; Hafeez 10-0-51-1; Hasan 8-1- Man-of-the-match: Hasan Ali (PAK) Pakistan also improved a crowd of more than 16,000, with the bat after slumping to giving it the air of a home game 164 all out against India. Pakistan players celebrate after Hasan Ali (left) Babar Azam combined to remove South Africa’s JP Duminy for Sarfraz's men in Birming- Pakistan have had to play fans reason to cheer when Debutant Fakhar Zaman for 8 runs during the ICC Champions Trophy match at Edgbaston in Birmingham on Wednesday. (AP PHOTO) ham, a city with one of the most of their matches overseas spinners Imad Wasim and helped get their chase off to a largest Asian populations in since a 2009 terror attack on Mohammad Hafeez took three brisk start. backroom staff led by South formance against the Proteas fielding at all," he said. "We Britain. the Sri Lankan team bus in La- early wickets before paceman They lost two wickets but African coach was their vastly improved field- had rain the other day, so actu- "That is a feeling we miss, hore. Hasan Ali removed a trio of Babar Azam (31 not out) and had helped restore the side's ing, after a shambolic display ally we do nothing." not playing in Pakistan," said But chants of "Pakistan middle-order batsmen. Shoaib Malik (16 not out) took self-belief. against India. The result throws Group B Sarfraz. Zindabad!" ("Long live Paki- Pakistan kept the Proteas Pakistan to 119 for three off 27, "They backed us after the Sarfraz drew laughter from wide open and gives Pakistan "Maybe that was a differ- stan!") rang round Edgbaston to a modest 219 for eight in enough for victory by 19 runs defeat, they supported us very reporters when he admitted a chance of qualifying for the ence, the crowd was supporting which was turned into a sea of their 50 overs, having con- on the Duckworth-Lewis meth- well, so that's why we played a the improvement couldn't be semi-finals when they face Sri us and that's why the players green. ceded exactly 100 more against od when rain ended the match. good game." down to practice. Lanka in their final match on were boosted." Sarfraz's side gave their title-holders India. Sarfraz praised the way A feature of Pakistan's per- "I think actually we do no Monday. I’ve a great chance to beat Bolt in August: De Grasse AP 200," De Grasse said. "If I can about weather and conditions Caribbean parents. "I never Genzebe Dibaba of Ethiopia ROME execute my race and I'm in top and those types of things. But really had any track fanatics will make another attempt to shape I feel like I can do that." it's going to obviously take a growing up that I idolized." break the world record held ANDRE De Grasse isn't in- The 22-year-old De Grasse well-executed race. I have to be At the Stadio Olimpico, by her older sister, Tirunesh. terested in taking over from took silver behind Bolt in the at the top of my game and if I De Grasse's top competition Having Hellen Obiri of Kenya Usain Bolt as the world's best 200 at the Olympics in Rio de can do that I can do something should come from Olympic in the field could help matters. sprinter when the eight-time Janeiro and bronze behind Bolt special." bronze medalist Christophe Obiri clocked a world-leading Olympic champion retires lat- and Justin Gatlin in the 100. De Grasse is working on Lemaitre of France. Also in 14 minutes, 22.47 seconds er this year. Having also anchored Canada improving his starts, which the field is Filippo Tortu, an in Shanghai, three seconds He's ready now. to a bronze medal in the 4x100 also happens to be the only 18-year-old Italian making his quicker than Dibaba managed "I'm trying to win this year. relay in Rio, De Grasse became area that Bolt struggles in. Diamond League debut. in Eugene two weeks later. I feel like I have a great chance the first Canadian sprinter to "If I can have a great start "Since we have high expec- In the javelin, Thomas and that's what I want to do," win three medals in a single and try to hold the lead that tations for the kid we've set up Rohler of Germany looks to De Grasse told The Associ- Olympics. would be great," De Grasse a big-time race," meet director improve on his 93.90 in Doha, ated Press ahead of Thursday's De Grasse pushed Bolt so said. "My top-end speed is Luigi D'Onofrio said of Tortu, Qatar, last month, which was Golden Gala Pietro Mennea hard in the semifinals of the good. It's all about finding the who took silver in the 100 at the longest throw in 20 years. meet, where the Canadian will 200 in Rio that Bolt acknowl- right factors to go out there last year's junior worlds. "If Also, Caterine Ibarguen of run the 200 meters. edged it was draining and pre- and win." Usain Bolt (left) crosses the line to win the gold medal of the men’s he wants to improve he's got Colombia will hope to extend Bolt won't be running in vented him from improving his As a teen, De Grasse ran 200-metre final ahead of second-placed Canada’s Andre De Grasse to race right away against the her year-long unbeaten streak Rome, but De Grasse is looking world record a night later. one of his first races wearing (right) during the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in August. (AP PHOTO) champions." in the triple jump. Competi- forward to racing the Jamai- So what would it take to basketball shorts and bor- Another highlight of the tion could come from world can great at the world champi- beat Bolt in the 100 in August? rowed shoes. He stood up in the with Puma — the same com- that I looked up to were in the meet should be the women's indoor champion Yulimar onships in London in August. "No idea. It's anybody's blocks while others crouched. pany that sponsors Bolt. NBA like Allen Iverson and 5,000. Rojas of Venezuela, the world "I feel like I have a great game. You can't name a time," It launched his career and led "I was a basketball guy Vince Carter," said De Grasse, After coming up short in leader by more than half a chance in both events — 100 or De Grasse said. "It's always him to signing a big contract growing up so most of my guys who was born in Ontario to Eugene, Oregon, last month, metre. Sports Friday, June 9, 2017 21

News in brief Durant’s heroics power Coleman clocks 9.82sec 100m at US collegiate championships LOS ANGELES: Christian Coleman clocked a blistering 9.82sec Warriors over Cavaliers Wednesday to top the men’s 100m semi-finals at the US NCAA collegiate athletics championships in Eugene, Oregon. The 21-year-old third-year University of Tennessee student notched the fastest time in the world this year, improving on Golden State rally to beat Cleveland 118-113 , move one victory from the first perfect playoff run in league history the 9.88 clocked by Zambia’s Sydney Siame in Lusaka on April 8. Coleman, whose previous personal best was 9.95, became the ninth-fastest performer all-time in athletics’ glamour event. Only three American sprinters -- Tyson Gay, Justin Gatlin and Maurice Green -- have run faster. Coleman dominated his semi-final, run in a wind of 1.3m/sec. Kyree King was second in 10.00. Christopher Belcher and Cameron Burrell won their heats, both in 9.93sec. Coleman shattered the previous NCAA 100m mark of 9.89, set by ’s Ngonidzashe Makusha in 2011 when he ran for Florida State University.

Serbian papers lament Djokovic decline following French Open elimination BELGRADE: Serbia’s press on Thursday lamented the poor performance of national tennis hero Novak Djokovic after he crashed out of the French Open, the latest shock in a year- long slide in form. Defending champion Djokovic suffered a stunning 7-6 (7/5), 6-3, 6-0 quarter-final defeat to Austria’s Dominic Thiem in what was his earliest exit at Roland Garros in seven years. The 30-year-old Serb hinted that he may step back from the sport to regroup, just 12 months after holding all four Grand Slam titles. “This has not happened to Novak in the past 12 years,” read a headline in Blic newspaper’s online edition. The defeat was Djokovic’s first straight-sets loss at a major in four years and his first 6-0 “bagel” at a Slam since the 2005 US Open. “Djokovic outplayed like never before,” read a headline in the Politika daily, which lamented his “inglo- rious farewell to last year’s title”.

Solanke blasts England into U-20 World Cup final JEONJU: Dominic Solanke struck twice as England beat Italy 3-1 to reach the Under-20 World Cup final for the first time in their history on Thursday. Liverpool-bound Solanke cancelled out Riccardo Orsolini’s early opener when he scored in the 66th minute, before Everton’s Ademola Lookman put England 2-1 up 11 minutes later. With two minutes left, Solanke buried a glorious strike from distance to confirm England’s place in Sunday’s final against Venezuela, who edged Uruguay on penalties. Neither side has reached the final before and for England, it will be first time they have played a World Cup decider since their 1966 victory in the senior edition. Solanke and Look- man have been two of the stand-outs for England, who arrived without a victory in the tournament since 1997 -- when Michael Owen scored in a 1-0 win over Mexico.

Double hosting decision close for 2024-28 Olympics

LAUSANNE: Olympic bosses appear set to recommend that hosting rights for the 2024 and 2028 Games be awarded simultaneously, a landmark step that could hand winning bids to rival candidates Paris and Los Angeles. The International Olympic Committee’s executive commit- tee meeting in Lausanne Friday will receive reports from a working group that studied the idea. Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (left) and forward Kevin Durant celebrate during the fourth quarter against the Cleveland Cavaliers in game three of the 2017 NBA If endorsed, the proposal will go to a vote of the IOC’s Finals at Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland on Wednesday. (USA TODAY SPORTS) roughly 100 members next month for final approval. With that hurdle cleared, the IOC’s main meeting in Lima AFP 0. of firepower. So even when “Of course, you’re deflated from July, and Curry scored on drives on September 13 would then hold a double vote to award both CLEVELAND They will make the first un- you’re playing well, you’ve got losing a game that you should to the hoop to pull Golden State the 2024 and 2028 Games. beaten playoff run in NBA his- to play like A-plus-plus.” have won. But you’ve got to get within two. The plan fits the IOC’s effort to make Olympic bidding less GOLDEN State, powered by tory with a victory in game four No team in NBA playoff his- back to the drawing board. If we Durant then followed a Kyle costly, with cities often spending tens of millions of dollars only Kevin Durant’s clutch scoring on Friday at Cleveland. come out with the same fight Korver 3-pointer miss for Cleve- to come up empty handed. in the closing minutes, rallied “To find a way to win was an and intensity... we got a good land with a tension-packed to beat defending champion amazing accomplishment and Durant takes chance of winning on Friday.” 3-pointer with 45 seconds re- France train for Sweden test Cleveland 118-113 on Wednes- set us up for hopefully a great Irving and James each maining that put the Warriors day in the NBA Finals, moving night Friday where we can back charge played about 45 minutes on the ahead 114-113. one victory from the first perfect it up,” Curry said. court, leaving them fatigued “That was liberating right playoff run in league history. “We want 16 wins. It doesn’t O “He took over. You can when it mattered most. there,” Durant said. “All I was Durant scored seven of his matter how we get there. But tell he knows this is his “Kyrie and LeBron had it looking at was the bottom of 31 points in the Warriors’ game- now that we’re in this situation, moment. He’s been an going the whole game, but that’s the net and I made sure my feet ending 11-0 run, the biggest of why not take care of business amazing player in this pretty taxing to go one-on-one were behind the 3-point line.” them a 3-pointer with 45 sec- and finish the job.” league for a long time and I the whole game,” Kerr said. Irving missed an off-balance onds remaining that put Golden The Warriors set the North “Both those guys were amazing. 3-pointer and Durant and Curry State ahead to stay at 114-113. American sports playoff win think he senses this is his But that takes a lot out of you.” each made two free throws on “K.D. made some huge streak mark with their 15th con- time, his moment, his Cleveland’s J.R. Smith sank the next Golden State posses- plays down the stretch,” War- secutive triumph, moving past team... and I think he’s a 3-pointer to give the Cavaliers sions to seal Cleveland’s fate. riors coach Steve Kerr said. “He the NHL Pittsburgh Penguins’ having the time of his life a 113-107 lead, but the Warriors The win moved Durant one win took over. You can tell he knows 14-game run from the 1992 and out there,” Warriors coach scored 11 points in the final 2:20 from the title he sought when he this is his moment. He’s been 1993 Stanley Cup playoffs. Kerr said. for the fightback triumph while left Oklahoma City for the War- an amazing player in this league LeBron James scored 39 the Cavs missed their last eight riors last July, one he failed to for a long time and I think he points, grabbed 11 rebounds shots. “It’s definitely tough. It get in 2012 when his Thunder senses this is his time, his mo- and passed off nine assists while tory has ever rallied from a 3-0 hurts,” Irving said. “Did some lost to Miami and James won ment, his team... and I think Kyrie Irving added 38 points to deficit to win a series, although great things. Came down to the his first career crown with the he’s having the time of his life pace the Cavaliers, but James the Cavaliers did become the stretch, and they made some big Heat. out there.” said he has never faced a “jug- first team in NBA Finals history time plays. K.D. comes down, “It’s an exciting time. I’ve Klay Thompson scored gernaut” like the Warriors. to rally from a 3-1 hole to swipe hits a big three... I’ll probably be never been in this position, be- 30 points and Stephen Curry “It’s probably the most fire- the crown over Golden State replaying that play for a while. ing up in the finals and trying to Franc’s Kylian Mbappe (centre) with teammates at a training added 26 for the Warriors, who power I’ve played in my career,” last year. But it definitely hurts.” close it out,” Durant said. session on the eve of their World Cup 2018 qualification match seized a 3-0 lead in the best-of- James said. “I played against “We had a game that we had Durant, seeking his first ca- “But the job’s not done. against Sweden in Solna, on Thuesday. (AFP) seven series and stretched their some great teams but I don’t won that we let slip away,” Cav- reer title after joining the War- We’ve still got a lot of work left record playoff win streak to 15- think no team has had this kind aliers coach Tyronn Lue said. riors from Oklahoma City last to do.” Australia edge Saudi Arabia in vital step towards 2018 WC

Rogic wonder goal hands Socceroos group is,” he said. 2018 WC Qualifiers The Saudis responded “What we want to do now well to the setback, and jet- win to move level with KSA on points is go to Japan and knock Iran vs Uzbekistan (12 June) heeled midfielder Al Daw- them off. sari crashed through at mid- REUTERS leading Japan, who have a “If we do that we don’t Thailand vs UAE (13 June) field to slash a low shot past ADELAIDE game in hand, on 16 points. have to worry about goal dif- Iraq vs Japan keeper Mat Ryan in the 23rd The top two teams qual- ference or points.” Syria vs China PR minute after a neat one-two AUSTRALIA’S hopes of a ify automatically for Russia, Australia travel to Japan Qatar vs Korea Republic with striker Al Sahlawi. fourth successive World Cup with the third placed side go- in August before closing their The Saudis fell behind appearance remain in their ing into a playoff. campaign at home to lowly again when Leckie burned own hands after a nerve- Forward Tomi Juric Thailand. aggrieved when winger Math- up the right flank and fired a jangling 3-2 win over Saudi scored a first half brace but Bert van Marwijk’s Sau- ew Leckie went down in the pin-point cross to Juric, who Arabia in their qualifier in the Green Falcons showed di Arabia face United Arab area in the 70th minute af- nodded home his second goal Adelaide on Thursday. courage to equalise twice Emirates away before hosting ter a heavy challenge from into the left corner. A stunning left-foot strike through goals from Salem al the Blue Samurai in a block- Salman Al Faraj, but Uzbek But a long lofted through- from attacking midfielder Dawsari and Mohammed al buster finale. referee Ravshan Irmatov was ball sliced open the Austral- Tom Rogic in the 64th minute Sahlawi. Goal difference could ulti- unmoved. ian defence and Al Sahlawi proved the difference after Australia coach Ange mately prove crucial and Ju- The Socceroos were gifted latched onto a header into the the teams were locked 2-2 at Postecoglou was relieved af- ric rued sending a late, left- a perfect start by Saudi goal- area to volley the ball home. the break in front of a paro- ter his side escaped with the foot chance flying over the keeper Yasser al Mosailem, A more aggressive Aus- chial crowd at Adelaide Oval. win after a poor first half lad- bar that would have had his who slipped during his clear- tralia emerged after the break The Socceroos stay third en with defensive errors. team in line to leapfrog the ing kick and sent the ball to win control of the midfield, in Asia’s group B with two “Obviously the three Saudis into second in qualify- Aaron Mooy congratulates Tomas Rogic after scoring a goal for Aus- straight to Juric, who duly allowing Rogic to step up and games remaining but join the points were important when ing. tralia during a World Cup Asian qualifying match at the Adelaide Oval hammered it back into the launch his thundering strike second-placed Saudis and you look at how tight the The home side also felt in Adelaide on Thursday. (AFP) net in the seventh minute. from just outside the area.