THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2017 SPORTS

CRICKET West Indies eager to embarrass England again

LONDON: revealed this week England Joe Root, the West characters that are inside that dressing tional but England’s obsession were wrong to drop him at Leeds, so that Sachin Tendulkar had sent him a Indies won by five . room-he doesn’t even know me and I with the Ashes has now reached a point both sides could yet be unchanged. text message saying the West Indies’ vic- Shai Hope became the first batsman played with him at Essex,” the former where almost all other Test fixtures are England still have doubts about their tory over England in the second Test at in history to score hundreds in both Australia batsman added. “Not a lot of regarded as ‘warm-ups’ for clashes with problem top-order batting positions Headingley was “a success the entire innings of a match at Headingley, put- these players play T20 cricket anyway. I the old enemy rather than important in with number three Tom Westley under world needed.” So what the India hero ting his side in a strong position with think it was great we sent a big humble themselves. most scrutiny after a run of single-figure will say if fellow batting great Lara’s 147 before following up his maiden Test pie to go and chomp on in the com- This has been all the more true of the scores. “That extra pressure will find out Caribbean successors follow up their century with a match-clinching 118 not mentary box.” current series, with the Lord’s match a bit more about people’s character and win in Leeds by clinching a three-match out in the second innings. Even after the England, for all that they kept saying England’s last Test before they begin the things like that so it should be an excit- series in a decider at Lord’s starting fourth day of a match of fluctuating for- in public how much they respected a defense of the Ashes in Brisbane in ing week,” said England spearhead Thursday is anyone’s guess. tunes, ex-England captain Nasser struggling West Indies side, did some- November. There was talk that had James Anderson. Having gone - Having dusted down the ‘obituaries’ Hussain-a former Essex team-mate of thing bordering on the disrespectful at England gone 2-0 up in the series, they less on the last day in Leeds, Anderson after the series opener at Edgbaston- West Indies coach Stuart Law-said the Headingley by dropping in-form seamer would have given a Test debut to leg- arrives at Lord’s still three away from understandable after England won the tourists were flagging because the phys- Toby Roland-Jones, whose three Tests spinner Mason Crane at Lord’s, again a becoming the first England bowler to inaugural day/night Test in Britain inside ical demands of a Test match were this season have yielded 14 wickets-and move made with the Ashes in mind. But take 500 Test wickets. “To be honest, I three days by the margin of an innings greater than that of Twenty20 cricket. bringing in for his first Test that looks less likely now, with the West do try to put it to the back of my mind,” and 209 runs-few pundits gave Jason of the home campaign after injury, Indies bidding for a first Test series vic- Anderson said. “We desperately need to Holder’s novice West Indies side any ‘Humble pie’ seemingly to get some overs under his tory in England in nearly 20 years. win this Test match to win the series so chance of a revival in Leeds. Yet despite “People make assumptions all the belt ahead of the upcoming Ashes tour Recalling Roland-Jones on his I’m going to be focused completely on being set over 300 to win in the fourth time,” said Law at Lord’s on Tuesday. of Australia. Anglo-Australian matches Middlesex home ground would almost doing my job for the team when we get innings following a declaration by “But he (Hussain) doesn’t know the may be the foundation stone of interna- be an admission by the selectors they out there.”— AFP

Fantasy Plays: Lessons learned from the NFL preseason games

NEW YORK: There’s an old saying in the Fantasy-wise, the only player likely to be NFL: Preseason games may not count but drafted as a starter from the Jets is Bilal they do matter. That holds true for fantasy Powell. The Bills aren’t that far behind the football, as well. Watching the exhibition Jets but do have LeSean McCoy and games, especially the second halves, can be Jordan Matthews as draft-worthy, but painful, but there’s always something to Buffalo seems willing to deal anyone who learn. Here are the top things from this pre- is not nailed down as the team is trying to season that stood out. collect future draft picks. The Dolphins have multiple injuries to their linebacker DON’T DRAFT EARLY corps and lost their starting quarterback The later you can set your draft, the bet- for the season. New England will easily ter. We all want as much information as we win this division and could upset fantasy can possibly get, so you really would like to owners should it have home-field advan- wait until after rosters are initially set. Yes, tage clinched by Week 14 or 15 - the setting a draft date is one of the hardest Patriots might start resting players. things to do each season - getting 12 people to agree on anything is quite a chore. But if ROOKIE RUSHERS you can wait, then you don’t have to worry This could be the year of the rookie run- about finding replacements right away for ning back. The position is weak in fantasy players like Ryan Tannehill, Cam Meredith, football. After Johnson and Bell, there are Julian Edelman and Spencer Ware, as their questions about most others and simply types of season-ending injuries during the not enough players to go around. What will preseason happen every year. certainly help this season is the additions of rookies Leonard Fournette, Christian ELLIOTT, BUST OR BOOM McCaffrey, Joe Mixon, Kareem Hunt and Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott Dalvin Cook. They are being drafted as low- could be the biggest boom-or-bust player end RB1s to midrange RB2s, starters no this season. At the moment, we probably matter what type of league you’re playing should say bust or boom. Elliott’s six-game in. Think about that. Five of the first 15-20 suspension over a domestic violence case RBs off the board are unproven. They could was upheld Tuesday, but he’ll play in the either make or break your team. season opener because of the timing of the arbitrator’s decision. US District Judge QB IS DEEP Amos Mazzant said he would rule on Quarterback is extremely deep. Whether Elliott’s request for a temporary restraining you play in a 10- or 12-team league, it’s just NEW YORK: Venus Williams, of the United States, returns a shot to Petra Kvitova, of Czech Republic, during the quarterfinals ofthe US Open ten- order by Friday. Back when we thought too easy to say wait until Round 9 or later nis tournament on Tuesday, Sept 5, 2017. —AP Elliott would only get a maximum of two before drafting a QB. Sure, you won’t get games, he was still universally thought of Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees or Tom Brady, as the third overall pick behind fellow but you will still do quite well with Kirk Venus overpowers Kvitova backs David Johnson and Le’Veon Bell, but Cousins, Jameis Winston or Marcus Mariota now he is being drafted all over the place - and this strategy will allow you to load up in any one of the first four rounds. on your WRs and RBs. In most years, we will He’s a gamble, but will he pay off? I don’t see the top QBs and bottom ones only sep- The oldest semi-finalist in US Open history think so. Why spend a high pick on a player arated by a few points, so you can spend who is unlikely to return full value? You that early draft capital at other positions. NEW YORK: Seven-time Grand Slam champion Sunday’s final. “To play in one of the most Sevastova, who matched her best major run may be thinking even if Elliott does serve Venus Williams became the oldest semi-finalist famous courts in the world at night and to get from last year at New York by ousting Maria the full six-game suspension, you will get INDY RISKY in US Open history at age 37 on Tuesday by through, it feels fantastic,” said Anderson. Sharapova to reach the last eight, led 3-1 in the him for your fantasy playoffs, where he can Make no mistake about it, without defeating two-time Wimbledon champion third set before Stephens rallied. “I just told lead you to a championship. Not so fast. Andrew Luck the Colts are in a world of Petra Kvitova 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/2). US ninth seed ‘I’M NOT A ROBOT. SORRY.’ myself to keep fighting and stay consistent,” During weeks 14-16 (the fantasy playoffs in trouble. With Luck, this team could possi- Williams, seeking her third US Open crown, Carreno Busta, the first player in any Grand Stephens said. “I knew if I just stick with it and a majority of leagues), the Cowboys will bly compete for a playoff spot, but without advanced to a Thursday matchup against 83rd- Slam to face four qualifiers, cruised into his first stayed in every point I’d have my opportunity play at the New York Giants, at Oakland, him the only thing they will be competing ranked compatriot Sloane Stephens for a spot Slam semi-final by ousting Argentine 29th seed and I did.” In the tie-breaker, Stephens took four and at home versus Seattle. That’s not for is a top draft pick in 2018. The defense in Saturday’s final. “I’m so fortunate to have Diego Schartzman 6-4, 6-4, 6-2. “Incredible,” of the last five points, three on Sevastova errors exactly a recipe for success. Let someone is poor, the running game is average at won that match. It came down to the wire,” Carreno Busta said. “It’s something that I always before hitting a down-the-line backhand win- else take that risk. best and the offensive line has significant Williams said. “I try to tell myself enjoy the com- dreamed about but something I never thought ner ensured her win to reach the top 35 in next holes. Luck is out for Week 1 and it’s really petition, enjoy the battle and I think I was able was going to arrive here. It’s a great feeling.” week’s rankings. Sevastova admitted nerves PATS IN AFC EAST anyone’s guess as to when he will return. to do that.” With Anderson standing 6ft 8in (2.02m) and got to her in the tie-breaker, saying, “It’s nor- Will the Patriots have more wins than He hasn’t practiced yet. What makes any- In the men’s event, South Africa’s Kevin Querrey 6ft 6in (1.97m), it was the tallest mal. You play for semi-finals of US Open. I’m not the rest of the AFC East combined? Even one think he will be back to his Pro Bowl Anderson reached a Grand Slam semi-final for matchup ever so late in any Slam. a robot. Sorry.”— AFP with the loss of Edelman, the Pats are self as soon as he returns, or that he can the first time where he will face Spain’s Pablo cream of the crop in their division, if not stay healthy behind that line? Be very wary Carreno Busta who will also be appearing in his the entire AFC. The Jets are mailing in the of drafting TY Hilton, Donte Moncrief or maiden last-four at a major. Stephens, who season and playing for the future. Frank Gore.—AP missed 11 months with a left foot injury before Repentant Fognini fears returning at Wimbledon, matched her best Grand Slam showing by outlasting Latvian 16th seed Anastasija Sevastova 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4). an Australian Open ban “This is just incredible,” Stephens said. “When I MILAN: Hot-headed Italian tennis star Fabio But he fears he could now face a ban from started my comeback at Wimbledon I could Fognini said he would accept an Australian the first Grand Slam of next season in never have dreamed of coming back and having Open ban after being kicked out of the US Melbourne. “Should (the Grand Slam Board) these results. It’s indescribable.” Open for a sexist tirade at a female umpire. decide to ban me from the next Australian Stephens has won 13 of her past 15 matches The 30-year-old insulted Swedish umpire Open, I will accept the decision, because and matched her 2013 Australian Open semi- Louise Engzell after his first-round singles actions have consequences, and I need to final run for best Slam effort. Williams, who defeat against fellow Italian Stefano pay for what I did,” Fognini told Italian Sky improved to 2-4 all-time against the Czech 13th seed, will return to the world top five for the Travaglia. Fognini, the world number 26, Sports TV. “I am aware of the severity of my first time since January 2011, a span that saw who is married to 2015 US Open champion mistake, I take full responsibility for it. A deci- her diagnosed with the energy-sapping disease Flavia Pennetta, had already been fined sion will be made, and I’ll move on, I’ll turn Sjogren’s Syndrome. Williams, the oldest Slam $24,000 (20,100 euros) for the incident. the page, with this stain on my shoulder that semi-finalist since Martina Navratilova at will never go away.” Wimbledon in 1994, won the 2000 and 2001 US Fognini has a controversial history of on- crowns. She was runner-up this year at court behavior and was handed a record fine Wimbledon and the Australian Open and could of $27,500 at Wimbledon in 2014. But he reach three Slam finals in a year for the first time insisted his Flushing Meadows meltdown would be his last. “There won’t be a next OXBORO: Jacoby Brissett #7 of the New England Patriots runs the ball in to the end since 2002. Kvitova battled back from a five- time,” he said. “I know what came out of my zone as Ryan Murphy #36 of the New York Giants defends in the second half during a month absence after a knife-wielding home preseason game in Foxboro, Massachusetts. —AFP intruder injured her left hand last December. mouth, I can’t take it back, but I know I won’t “I’m glad I’m still able to compete on the do it again.” “I know this is a character fault of high level against the top players which I hope mine. I’m already working with a mental will give me some confidence to continue to trainer, and I thought that we were on the Injured Murray likely play well, to know that it’s still there some- right track, so I can’t really explain this slip- where,” Kvitova said. If Americans Madison Keys up.”I have nothing against women, I have and CoCo Vanderweghe win Wednesday, they been called sexist, which I am not. I am a to miss rest of season will produce the first all-American US Open family man, I have a wife, a mother, a sister: I semi-finals since 1981. “That would be huge,” have always loved women, I have always LONDON: Britain’s Andy Murray said yes- two events to finish the season in Vienna Williams said. “I’d love that.” “This is amazing,” respected them, and therefore I am very sor- terday he is unlikely to play again this and Paris due to my hip injury which has Stephens said. “I hope there are four Americans ry for what I said.” season due to a nagging hip injury that been bothering me the last few months,” in the semi-finals.” Legends Roger Federer and Fognini said Pennetta, with whom he has forced him to pull out of the US Open. the three-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal each practiced ahead of a three-month-old son Federico, had been Murray, recently nudged off the top of said on his Facebook page. Wednesday quarter-finals in which wins by each very supportive. “Flavia is sorry for the player the world rankings by Spain’s Rafael “Having consulted with a number of would set up their first US Open meeting in an Fabio, because she knows how hard I work Nadal, has been struggling with the leading hip specialists over the last week, epic Friday men’s semi-final. and how much I sacrifice for my career,” he injury since a five-set French Open semi- along with my own team, we have decid- The other half-bracket, however, will offer a Italy’s Fabio Fognini reacts during his final continued. “But she knows I am not like that final loss to Switzerland’s Stan Wawrinka ed that this is the best decision for my first-time Slam finalist. South African 28th seed game against Germany’s Yannick in everyday life, and that’s what’s important. in June. long-term future,” the world number two Anderson downed 17th-seeded American Sam Hanfmann at the Swiss Open ATP 250 ten- “When Federico grows up I’ll tell him that I The 30-year-old Scot played at said. “Although this has been a frustrating Querrey 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (9/11), 6-3, 7-6 (9/7) to nis tournament in Gstaad. Hot-headed was disqualified because I behaved badly on book a berth in Friday’s semi-finals. Anderson, Wimbledon in July but lost in the quar- year on court for many reasons, I’m confi- Italian tennis star Fabio Fognini said he court. I wasn’t a good example for kids, for the first South African in any Slam semi-finalist ter-finals to American Sam Querrey. dent after this extended period of rest and would accept an Australian Open ban after those who may see me as an idol, since I am “Unfortunately, I won’t be able to com- rehabilitation that I will be able to reach since Wayne Ferreira at the 2003 Australian being kicked out of the US Open for a sex- Open, will meet Spanish 12th seed Carreno the best-ranked Italian player, and this hurts pete in the upcoming events in Beijing my best level again and be competing for ist tirade at a female umpire. — AFP even more.”—AFP and Shanghai, and most likely, the final Grand Slam titles next season.—AFP Busta, who has not dropped a set, for a place in