SPORT Monday 21 August 2017

PAGE | 21 PAGE | 22 PAGE | 23 Stenson seizess Brilliant Dhawan A rsenalr don’t get fair lead at leads India to share of penalties, Wyndham resounding win claims Wenger

WHAT’S INTERESTING ABOUT AL THUMAMA STADIUM Al Thumama a blend of tradition Its design is based on a traditional head covering The design of the stadium is inspired by the woven cap known in Qatar as the gahfiya. This is a part of the traditional out- fit worn by men all around the Arab world, and modernity, says Al Thawadi which has different styles, colours and names, depending on the country and the culture it belongs to. In Qatar, the um nira The Peninsula gahfiya has been, throughout the years, one of the most widespread head coverings in l Thumama Stadium the Qatari community. perfectly encapsu- lates the culture, The name comes from a local tree heritage and for- The stadium’s name comes from the ward-thinking area where it lies, which, in turn, took its natureA of the Middle East, name from al thumama tree that grows according to Hassan Al Thawadi, locally. Today, the Al Thumama area, 6km Secretary-General of the away from the centre of Doha and close to Supreme Committee for Deliv- Hamad International Airport, is considered ery and Legacy (SC). to be the southern gateway to the Qatari Speaking to the www.sc.qa capital. web site as the sixth proposed 2022 FIFA World Cup stadium Qatar’s cooling tech was born here was launched, Al Thawadi said Hassan Al Thawadi, Al Thumama Stadium is being built on symbolism associated with the Secretary-General of the the site where our bid team demonstrated gahfiya-inspired design is our cooling technology to FIFA, cooling a multifaceted. Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) mini-stadium using solar energy. This pro- “It’s a blend of our culture, totype demonstration proved to FIFA that our heritage and our commit- conditions in Qatar are perfect for the world’s ment to the future,” he said local people could be favourite football tournament. The mini-sta- explained. proud of. dium remains on site and is now a research “The gahfiya also has a very “From the very beginning and study centre. old and traditional feel to it. As we always believed that this young children, before we wore World Cup would be a catalyst, It has an all-Qatari design the full headgear, we would just and a supporter, to blossom the Al Thumama Stadium is the first FIFA wear the gahfiya itself. industry,” he continued. “Our An artist’s illustrations of Doha’s Al Thumama Stadium, designed by Qatari architect World Cup stadium to be designed solely by “So it has a connection to the vision during our bid was to Qatari nationals. Arab Engineering Bureau, past – especially when you’re always assist in developing local Ibrahim Al Jaidah in the shape of a traditional knitted ‘gahfiya’. The stadium which will host 40,000 fans in the 2022 World Cup, is set to be completed by 2020. the oldest architectural and engineering con- talking about the younger lives of talent and local industry. sulting firm in Qatar are responsible for the the older generation. There’s a “Ibrahim Jaidah is very well striking look of the venue. The team was led very emotional tie to it. known in the State of Qatar. The by Qatari architect Ibrahim M. Jaidah. “We’ve always been very Ministry of Interior Qatar build- careful to combine the past with ing is one example of that. That’s the future, even when it comes why we believed he had the tal- to our designs. This is already ent, the passion and the showcased at Al Bayt Stadium commitment for this project. in Al Khor. The gahfiya is a con- “It was essential for us to tinuation of that.” promote and shine the spotlight Work on the stadium began on such talent – and consider- in 2016, and is set to be com- ing his track record and pleted by 2020. The stadium is experience, he was well placed one of the most centrally located for us to be able to work with venues out of the eight being him, and utilise his talent in one constructed for the tournament, of our stadiums.” nestled in the busy residential Although the sixth to be con- Doha suburb of Al Thumama, firmed by the SC, Al Thumama located just 6km south of Doha’s Stadium is the first to be famous Corniche. launched digitally – through a The stadium – which will worldwide social media activa- host 40,000 fans in 2022 – tion. This is something, Al was designed by prominent Thawadi says, that is another Qatari architect Ibrahim Al positive. Jaidah, another element of the “It allows us to reach a larger project the Secretary General audience,” he explained. Record-breaking Barshim wins in ‘lucky’ Birmingham Fawad Hussain Barshim on top “It was a strong compe- The Peninsula tition which really tested me The Qatari superstar set a and that made me perform at fter winning the world new meeting record and my best. I love it here; I had title in London last world lead with a leap of the meeting record here from Aweek, Qatari superstar 2.40m to go 17 points clear 2014 and I also won in Bir- Mutaz Essa Barshim set a new of British opponent Robbie mingham last year so it is a meeting record and world Grabarz with a tally of 40 lucky place for me.” lead with a leap of 2.40m to points from six Diamond “I got so much support win the men’s high jump con- League meetings. from the fans and my fellow test at the IAAF Diamond competitors which really League in Birmingham, helped me to perform to my yesterday. cleared the 2.31m on third best,” the Qatari superstar The sparkling victory con- attempt before returning to added. solidated the Diamond League his brilliance. “I can jump as high as lead for the two-time Qatari After clearing 2.33m and possible. I don’t want to put Olympic medallist as Barshim 2.35m in the first go, the Dia- any limits on myself. 2.40m went 17 points clear of British mond League leader leaped was great today and I didn’t opponent Robbie Grabarz to a flawless 2.40m to better want to push it too much a with a tally of 40 points from his own world lead of 2.38 – risk injury so I was just six meetings. he recorded at Oslo meeting sensible.” Barshim, who won the in June – to win the Syria’s Majed Aldin world title with a jump of competition. Ghazal finished on second Mutaz Essa Barshim of Qatar competes during the men’s high 2.35m in London, started the “I knew I had that jump in spot with his best jump of the jump event of the 2017 IAAF Diamond League meet at Alexander contest calmly and cleared the me but I needed that pressure day of 2.31 while Tom Gale of Stadium in Birmingham, United Kingdom yesterday. 2.20m, 2.24m and 2.28m hur- on my shoulders,” Barshim Great Britain finished third dles with ease. He then said after his triumph. after clearing 2.24m. SPORT MONDAY 21 AUGUST 2017 21

Malaysia sorry Stenson seizes lead at Wyndham for Indonesia flag gaffe Los Angeles He has finished in the top 10 US maintain AFP just two times this year, a sec- ond at the WGC-HSBC Kuala Lumpur three-point enrik Stenson, who Championship and a seventh AFP is looking for his place finish at the Valspar Solheim Cup first win since cap- Championship. alaysia’s South- turing the British Former US Open champion east Asian lead Open last year, Simpson is playing some MGames organis- Hfired his second straight 66 to inspired golf in front of his home ers have apologised to seize a one-stroke lead at the fans. The Carolina native col- Indonesia after its flag Los Angeles Wyndham Championship on lected the first of his four USPGA was printed upside- AFP Saturday. Henrik Stenson Tour wins here five years ago. down in a souvenir The former world number of Sweden He hit his 136-yard approach magazine, prompting a ristie Kerr set a US Sol- one Stenson finished strong with hits a shot on on the par-four second hole to scathing response from heim Cup record with four birdies in his final six holes the ninth hole 15 feet then made the birdie putt the team and anger on Cher 19th career point as to reach 16-under 194 at the US during the to get to 14-under on the social media. the Americans split in Satur- PGA Tour event at Sedgefield third round of tournament. Malaysia’s Sports day’s four foursomes matches Country Club in Greensboro, the Wyndham Unlike Stenson, Simpson is Minister Khairy Jamalud- with Europe to maintain a North Carolina. Championship relying on familiarity with the din was also due to three-point lead in the Americans Kevin Na (65), at Sedgefield event. The 2011 tournament win- apologise in person to his match-play showdown. second round co-leader Webb Country Club ner is in good position to make Indonesian counterpart Kerr and Lexi Thompson Simpson (68) and Ollie Schnied- on Saturday in a Sunday charge. after the magazine was beat England’s Jodi Ewart erjans (66) were tied for second Na has been one of the most handed out to dignitar- Greensboro, Shadoff and Germany’s Caro- just one shot back at 15-under steady golfers on the Tour over ies at Saturday’s opening line Masson 5 & 3 in the first 195. North Carolina. the past few years but has been ceremony. Indonesia’s match of the morning, as the Johnson Wagner shot a five- unable to translate consistency flag has a red stripe US picked up where they left under 65 and was tied for fifth, into a win. Na is one shot back above a white stripe, but off in the wake of a sweep of two strokes adrift of Stenson. after finishing with six birdies it was printed with the Friday afternoon’s fourball Showing why he is the high- and one bogey as he tries to win white stripe on top -- matches. est-ranked player in the for the first time in over five which made it look like Paula Creamer and Aus- tournament, Sweden’s Stenson years. the flag of Poland. tin Ernst beat England’s Mel finished the way he started his Davis Love shot a three- “We would like to Reid and Dane Emily Peder- round, with string of four bird- under 67 and is three shots back sincerely apologise to the sen 5 & 3 before Europe hit ies over six holes. in a tie for sixth with Richy Wer- people of Indonesia for back with wins in the last two He had back-to-back enski (64) and Harold Varner the inadvertent error of foursomes. (66). At age 53, Love is trying to publishing the wrong flag Swede Anna Nordqvist WYNDHAM SCORES become the oldest winner in the for Indonesia,” SEA and Georgia Hall beat Stacy PGA Tour’s history, supplanting Games organisers said. Lewis and Gerina Piller 2 & 1, 194 - Henrik Stenson (SWE) 62-66-66 Sam Snead who won the 1965 Indonesia had been while Scotland’s Catriona 195 - Kevin Na 67-63-65, Ollie Schniederjans birdies on the second and third day was a double bogey on the Greater Greensboro Open at age quick to point out the Matthew and Karine Icher of 66-63-66, Webb Simpson 63-64-68 hole and No. 5 and No. 6. Sand- par-three seventh hole. 52 and 10 months. mistake, with their France notched a 2 & 1 win 196 - Johnson Wagner 67-64-65 wiched in between was a bogey He recovered on the back Love won this event two Olympic committee over Danielle Kang and 197 - Richy Werenski 67-66-64, Harold Varner on the par-four fourth. with a late charge that he kicked years ago at Sedgefield to chief, Inter Milan presi- Michelle Wie. 63-68-66, Davis Love 64-66-67 Playing for the first time at off with a birdie on No. 13. Sten- become the third oldest player dent Erick Thohir, Heading into the after- 198 - Soren Kjeldsen (DEN) 69-63-66, Shane the Wyndham, Stenson has son also birdied 14, 15 and 17 and to win a Tour event. slamming Malaysia’s noon fourball matches, the US Lowry (IRL) 67-64-67 adapted well to the fast greens. then parred 18 to finish with the A title-triumph would also “negligence”. led the Ryder Cup-style com- 199 - Rory Sabbatini (RSA) 65-68-66, Anirban It showed on the par-four sixth lead. If Stenson holds on it will give Love the record for most “I am expressing my petition 7 1/2 to 4 1/2. Kerr Lahiri (IND) 65-66-68, Hunter Mahan 65-65-69, as he drained a 17-foot slightly be his first title since claiming years between first and last deep regret on this

passed US captain Juli Inkster Ryan Armour 66-61-72 downhill putt into the center of his first major win at the 2016 Tour wins -- 30 years since fault,”he said in a for the most points in Amer- the cup. British Open at Royal Troon. He his 1997 RBC Heritage statement. ican Solheim Cup history. His biggest stumble of the tied for 11th at this year’s Open. victory. All Blacks legend Colin MLB: Dodgers down Tigers; Meads dies aged 81 Yankees edge out Red Sox Wellington face of New Zealand rugby. AFP “He was not only a great All New York Black but also a genuinely good Agencies ll Blacks legend Sir Colin New Zealand bloke,” English Meads died yesterday said. Stick with us, drian Gonzalez lined a Aaged 81 after a long bat- “He represented what it single to right that scored tle with cancer, New Zealand means to be a New Zealander. Beale pleads to A Curtis Granderson from Rugby said in a statement. He was no-nonsense, reliable, second with two outs in the sev- Meads, widely known by his hardworking, warm and very Wallabies fans enth, breaking a scoreless tie nickname “Pinetree” was generous with his time. and starting Los Angeles on its regarded as one of the greatest “I remember when I was Sydney way to a 3-0 victory over the players of the game and is in younger hearing stories about Reuters Detroit Tigers. World Rugby Hall of Fame. how he used to shear sheep all Los Angeles’ latest win Prime Minister Bill English day and go running at night.” allabies playmaker streak stands at six games with said it was a sad day not only Meads’ youngest daughter Kurtley Beale (pic- 21 wins in its last 24 games and for New Zealand rugby but for Shelley Mitchell said her father Wtured above) has 52 victories out of its last 61. the country. Meads was diag- “led a full life. He loved being pleaded with Australian Detroit has lost six straight. nosed with pancreatic cancer an All Black and he loved his rugby fans not to abandon the Ross Stripling (3-4) earned in August last year. family dearly. We will miss him team after an inept defensive the victory with two scoreless The tough lock played 133 terribly.” performance in their 54-34 relief innings. Brandon Morrow matches in total for the All Meads is survived by his defeat at the hands of New pitched the eighth and Kenley Blacks between 1957 and 1971, wife Verna, their five children, Zealand on Saturday. Jansen earned his 33rd save for Los Angeles Dodgers catcher Yasmani Grandal (right) and became recognised 14 grandchildren and seven Michael Cheika’s side had working the ninth. celebrates his home run with first baseman Adrian Gonzalez throughout the world as the great grandchildren. hoped to lift some of the Yankees 4, Red Sox 3 during the ninth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica gloom hanging over Austral- CC Sabathia came off the Park in Detroit on Saturday. ian rugby after a miserable disabled list and outpitched Super Rugby season on and Chris Sale and became the Sabathia (10-5) passed Pinch-hitter Albert Almora Jr. off the field but instead added American League’s all-time Mickey Lolich with his 2,680th scored after he had reached to it with humiliating reverse leading left-hander in strikeouts career strikeout en route to base with a single. at the hands of their in leading the New York Yan- working six innings and allow- Happ also homered and neighbours. kees to a 4-3 victory over the ing two hits. had an RBI single for the Cubs. Beale, returning for his first Boston Red Sox. Tyler Austin crashed a Angels 5, Orioles 1 test in nearly 2 years, scored a three-run homer in his first Mike Trout and Luis Val- try in second half resurgence BASEBALL SCORES career at-bat against Sale (14- buena each homered twice in but was as much to blame as 5) in the second inning and the first four innings as Los anyone in green and gold for Philadelphia 12 San Francisco 9 Todd Frazier hit his second Angeles defeated Baltimore. the eight tries they shipped in San Diego 3 Washington 1 homer in as many nights for Angels starter JC Ramirez the first 48 minutes. Milwaukee 6 Colorado 3 the Yankees. (11-10) dodged some trouble in “We kind of let ourselves Texas 17 Chicago White Sox 7 Cubs 4, Blue Jays 3 the early innings as the Orioles down in that first half,” he Cleveland 5 Kansas City 0 Javier Baez drove in the go- put runners in scoring position told reporters yesterday. Minnesota 5 Arizona 0 ahead run with a two-out in the first and third but came “We are working hard, we Cincinnati 11 Atlanta 8 single in the sixth inning and away allowing only one run. do care and we love playing NY Mets 8 Miami 1 the Chicago Cubs hung on for Indians 5, Royals 0 rugby for Australia. As a NY Yankees 4 Boston 3 a 4-3 victory over the Toronto Trevor Bauer, Bryan Shaw group, we’re going to keep Houston 3 Oakland 0 Blue Jays. and Cody Allen combined on playing rugby and try and LA Angels 5 Baltimore 1 Ian Happ scored on Baez’s a seven-hitter as Cleveland deliver the brand of rugby Seattle 7 Tampa Bay 6 single up the middle after beat skidding Kansas City. that everyone wants to see. drawing a walk and advanc- Bauer (12-8) gave up seven hits New Zealand’s team manager Colin Meads signs autographs Pittsburgh 6 St. Louis 4 “We’re just going to keep ing on a groundout. and two walks in 6-1/3 innings

LA Dodgers 3 Detroit 0

for schoolchildren as the All Blacks visit Wanderers Stadium focusing on that and hope- Anthony Rizzo’s RBI single with four strikeouts. Shaw and Chicago Cubs 4 Toronto 3 in Johannesburg, South Africa ahead of Rugby World Cup fully everybody can just stick provided an insurance run in Allen did not allow a in this May 19, 1995 file photo. by us.” the seventh inning. baserunner. 22 SPORT MONDAY 21 AUGUST 2017

Peter Handscomb Halep seeks Brilliant Dhawan leads No. 1 spot; India to resounding win Kyrgios in final Cincinnati AFP Dambulla, Sri Lanka SCOREBOARD Indian cricketer Reuters imona Halep has her third chance SRI LANKA Shikhar Dhawan of the season to claim the world ndia opening batsman N Dickwella lbw Jadhav ...... 64 (right) is number one ranking after beating D Gunathilaka c Rahulb Chahal...... 35 S congratulated Shikhar Dhawan K Mendis b Patel ...... 36 Sloane Stephens 6-2, 6-1 on Saturday to smashed an unbeaten U Tharanga c Dhawan b Jadhav ...... 13 by Virat Kohli reach the WTA and ATP Cincinnati Mas- Handscomb 132 off 90 deliveries to A Mathews (not out) ...... 36 after he scored ters finals. help his side thrash hosts C Kapugedara (run out) ...... 1 a century during The second-ranked Romanian says Aussies ISri Lanka by nine wickets in W Hasaranga c Jadhav b Patel ...... 2 the first ODI tries to become the 24th different woman the first of five one-day inter- T Perera b Bumrah ...... 0 atop the list by winning the final against L Sandakan lbw Patel ...... 5 match against nationals yesterday. L Malinga st Dhoni b Chahal ...... 8 Sri Lanka in Wimbledon champion Garbine Mugu- are ready for Sri Lanka were well- V Fernando b Bumrah ...... 0 Dambulla ruza, who ousted top-ranked Czech beaten in the recently Extras (LB-6, W-10) ...... 16 yesterday. defending champion Karolina Pliskova concluded three-Test series Total (all out in 43.2 overs) ...... 216 6-3, 6-2. Bangladesh against India, losing the first Fall of wickets: 1-74, 2-139, 3-150, 4-166, “If it’s going to happen, great, but if two matches inside four days 5-169, 6-176, 7-178, 8-187, 9-209, 10-216. not I will have more opportunities. Dhaka Bowling: Kumar 6-0-33-0; Pandya 6-0-35- and the last one in three to be 0; Bumrah 6.2-0-22-2; Chahal 10-0-60-2; Hopefully I can do it. I have the desire,” AFP whitewashed 3-0. Jadhav 5-0-26-2; Patel 10-0-34-3 Halep said. “I am so close. I really want If the home fans had INDIA that.” ustralia are ready for hoped the change in format R Sharma (run out) ...... 4 Australia’s 23rd-ranked Nick Kyr- their first Test on would bring a change in for- S Dhawan (not out) ...... 132 gios and Bulgaria’s 11th-ranked Grigor Bangladeshi soil for tune, they were left bitterly V Kholi (not out) ...... 82 Dimitrov advanced to the men’s final, A Extras (W-2) ...... 2 over a decade even if they disappointed with India Total (for 1 wkt in 28.5 overs) ...... 220 where Sunday’s winner will claim his miss a warm-up match due breezing to their 217-run tar- Fall of wickets: 1-23. first ATP Masters crown. to flooding, batsman Peter get in under 29 overs. Bowling: L Malinga 8-0-52-0; V Fernando Kyrgios eliminated Spain’s David

Handscomb said yesterday. Left-handed Dhawan, 6-0-43-0; A Mathews 2-0-9-0; T Perera 2-0- Ferrer 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/4) while Dimitrov

18-0; L Sandakan 6-0-63-0; Hasaranga 4.5-0- The visitors are slated to who scored his 11th hundred dispatched 19th-ranked American John play the warm-up at Fatullah in the 50-over format, took 35-0. Isner 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (12/10). on the outskirts of Dhaka India past their target with his “I’m obviously excited but it’s just starting on Tuesday, but the 20th boundary with captain in his approach and hit 10 another tennis match for me,” Kyrgios match remains in doubt Virat Kohli remaining fours and a six in his innings. said. “I’m going to go out there and com- because the ground is par- unbeaten on 82 from 70 Sri Lanka had appeared pete and whatever happens, happens.” tially inundated. deliveries. set to post a challenging total Dimitrov won his only meeting with The Bangladesh Cricket The duo added 197 in an after Kohli won the toss and Kyrgios in the second round at Indian Board has offered alternative unbroken second wicket part- asked the hosts to bat first. Wells in 2015. venues but the Australians are nership after India suffered Niroshan Dickwella and Halep, who hasn’t dropped a set all reluctant to change at the last the early loss of Rohit Sharma, Danushka Gunathilaka week, has already lost twice this year minute due to security who was run out for four after added 74 in their opening playing for the top ranking, falling in the concerns. dropping his bat behind the stand before the latter French Open final against Jelena Ostap- Australia have not toured crease. played a bizarre reverse enko and the Wimbledon quarterfinal Bangladesh since 2006, and Having been adjudged the sweep to leg-spinner Yuzv- against Johanna Konta, each time after the Test starting next Sunday man of the series in the tests, endra Chahal to get caught taking the first set. at Dhaka’s Sher-e Bangla Dhawan, who also hit three out at cover for 35. Halep says while she is confident her National Stadium has been sixes, continued to plunder Dickwella, who top- collapsed, losing their next bowlers, taking 3-34 while rise to the top will come, she wants to long in the making. runs off the Sri Lankan scored for the hosts with 64, nine wickets for the addition Chahal, part-time off-spinner win it for herself. They were due to play bowlers. continued the good work and of 77 runs. Kedar Jadhav and paceman “I know if I keep this level, it’s going two Tests in Bangladesh in He brought up his hun- added 65 for the second From 139-1 in the 25th Jasprit Bumrah picked up two to come. If not tomorrow, maybe next October 2015 but the tour was dred in 71 balls and got to the wicket with Kusal Mendis, over, Sri Lanka were bundled wickets apiece. weeks,” she said. “I can keep hoping for cancelled over security fears three-figure mark with three who made a fluent 36. out for 216 with 40 deliveries The second one-day that, but I don’t want to do that, actually. after a wave of attacks by fours in an over against leg- Sri Lanka looked well still remaining in their innings. international in the five- I want to win it... it’s going to be more Islamist extremists in the spinner Wanindu Hasaranga. placed to score in excess of Left-arm spinner Axar match series will be played in special and nicer for me. Muslim-majority nation. Kohli was more measured 300, but then the hosts Patel was the pick of India’s Pallekele on Thursday. “My first goal was a Grand Slam title, Cricket Australia agreed and it’s still the first goal. But now being to reschedule the series this very close, it’s maybe the most impor- year only after Bangladesh tant thing in this period.” promised intense security. West Indies’ debacle a sign of the time Serena Williams had been number Handscomb said his side one before her pregnancy break earlier had prepared for the tour and this year. Germany’s Angelique Kerber were “fine and ready to go”. Birmingham and it was easy to sympathise with the several leading players and Cricket West and Pliskova have held the spot since. “I don’t think we will be AFP Australian’s despair as his side made sev- Indies (CWI) president Whycliffe ‘Dave’ Kyrgios, 22, jumped ahead 4-1 in going into that first Test cold, eral ‘schoolboy errors’. Cameron and you have a situation where each tie-breaker, closing out the first set regardless whether the tour t says something when an ex-England This was the latest in a long line of Jason Holder’s Test squad are without with a forehand winner and the last match goes ahead or not,” he captain in Michael Vaughan voices inept Test displays outside the Caribbean the likes of Chris Gayle, Dwayne Bravo when Ferrer hit a backhand long. told reporters. I“fears” for the state of West Indies by the reigning World Twenty20 and Darren Sammy. “My record in tie-breakers is pretty Australia decided against cricket. champions. Meanwhile, the privately run Carib- good,” Kyrgios said. “I know if I serve a warm-up match during But the fact such comments have The West Indies, who dominated the bean Premier League Twenty20 well and play the right way, I’ve got a their last tour of Bangladesh been made for the best part of two dec- long format in the 1970s and 1980s, last tournament is continuing at home while fair chance.” and were caught off guard by ades, and not solely after the West Indies’ won a Test in England 17 years ago. a three-Test tour of England is in The Aussie, who seeks his fourth the hosts, narrowly scraping innings and 209-run defeat by England And since 1997, excluding matches progress. career ATP title and first since last year a win after a shock start. in the first Test at Edgbaston tells its own against perennial strugglers Bangladesh In the absence of ‘Test windows’, in Tokyo, saved the only three break The Darwin match, in story. and Zimbabwe, they have won just three where there are no competing formats points he faced in the fifth game of the Australia’s tropical north, was Britain’s inaugural day/night Test was out of 87 away Tests in total. running at the same time, top West Indies second set. seen as a conditioning exer- already a landmark clash. West Indies’ plight has not been cricketers will most likely continue to sign “In important moments, he served cise before the hot and humid It became so in another way as the helped by players being barred from Test contracts that offer them the greatest really good. Nick served amazing all the weather expected through- West Indies lost 19 wickets on Saturday, selection unless they appeared in the chance of financial security. match,” Ferrer said. out the Bangladesh series. with England cruising to victory inside entire domestic four-day competition. The current West Indies side also face Dimitrov, seeking his sixth career Handscomb said Austral- three days. But star names faced with a choice the problem of constant and unfavour- title and third of 2017, won a dramatic ia’s relative inexperience in England piled up 514 for eight between a lowly-paid tournament -- the able comparisons to their ‘golden era’ final tie-breaker on his fourth match the region could prove to be declared on the back of Alastair Cook’s economics of many West Indies territo- teams, especially in England where the point. a blessing. 243 and captain Joe Root’s 136 before the ries mean officials cannot match the likes of Clive Lloyd (Lancashire), Gordon “Patience. That’s what it is,” Dim- The second Test will start West Indies were shot out for 168 and wages on offer elsewhere in the world -- Greenidge and Malcolm Marshall (Hamp- itrov said. “I knew where he was going in Chittagong on September then 137 after following-on. or a clashing but lucrative Twenty20 shire) and Vivian Richards and Joel to serve but I couldn’t do much on the 4 and the Australians depart At one point Stuart Law, the West league, simply took the better deal. Garner (Somerset) all starred in county ball. I just remained focused and used Bangladesh on September 9. Indies’ coach, had his head in his hands Add in a bitter dispute between cricket as well. every opportunity.” Ageing legends hope to defy youngsters at World Championships

Glasgow again, but there is a lot of hard work So will this be the last World “My expectations are very high. having taken on a new coach. Lin Dan AFP to be done. There are a lot of hard Championship for Lin and Lee? With I have had two great months of prep- “I am in great shape,” said the players in the draw.” a knowing smile, they replied in uni- aration and feel even better than at 23-year-old who underwent a knee hina’s Lin Dan and Malaysian Lee Lee, who will turn 35 in October, son -- “I don’t know.” the Olympics.” operation after last year’s Chong Wei are both in the twi- is on a golden mission after being the On the woman’s side Carolina India’s fourth seed Pusarla Olympics. Clight of their careers, but they best man and never the bridegroom Marin is seeking to add a third world Sindhu (known as PV) is bent on Gilmour believes remain among the leading lights at too often -- he has won three World crown to her burgeoning medals cab- revenge having been beaten by Marin new coach Malaysian this week’s World Championships in Championship silver medals and inet. The 24-year-old added to her in the Olympic final and with two Wong Tat Men has trans- Glasgow. three Olympic silvers. lustre by winning Olympic gold in Rio bronze medals in the worlds, in 2013 formed her as a player and Dan, 34 in October, is a five time “I am very focussed, but it is last year although she sets little store and 2014, she feels it is time to move turned her into a viable con- champion, and recognised as perhaps going to be very hard,” said Lee, who in the past. up to the top step of the podium. tender for a medal. the greatest player of all time. showed he is still a force to be reck- “But this week I am forgetting “I hope I do well this week and I “He has been great,” she So can he make it number six? oned with by winning his fourth about the past,” said Marin, who has want a change of colour,” she said said. “There are very many young All-England title this season. slipped to fourth in the world with a smile. “Everything has improved players coming through, so it is a “At the Olympics, three are only rankings. “I want better than bronze.” since last year and I am so massive challenge,” admitted Dan, two Chinese players, but here there “This is a new championship. But Kirsty Gilmour, the No.16 excited to be playing in front of the seventh seed. are many more. The draw is very my goal this week is to fight for the seed, is the local Scottish hope my home crowd. It is a privilege “I would be delighted to win tough but I am going to do my best.” gold medal. and a valid outsider for a medal to be under pressure.” MONDAY 21 AUGUST 2017 SPORT 23 Friendlies: Al Gharafa, Al Khor score A rsenal don’t get fair big wins; Duhail down Markhiya 2-0 share of penalties, The Peninsula claims Wenger Al Duhail and Al Markhiya players in action during Stoke-on-Trent, United host of Qatar Stars League their pre-season friendly referee Andre Marriner which (QSL) sides have played Kingdom television replays suggested had match in Doha. Al Duhail friendly games over the AFP been correct by a matter of A won 2-0. last few days as their continue millimetres. their preparations for the rsene Wenger believes his “I watched it, it’s not offside 2017/2018 QSL season, which is side does not receive its at all,” said Wenger. “Even his set to kick-off on September 15. Afair share of penalty deci- foot was not offside but we have During their pre-season sions, a view he claimed was to swallow that. training camp Slovenia, in Qatar demonstrated in their 1-0 Pre- “We should have scored and Sports Club played against home mier League defeat at Stoke City. it’s just another detail that didn’t side NK Brežice. The Arsenal manager was go our way.” The newly promoted QSL left beaten by an early second Among many disappointing side fell to a 2-0 defeat to NK half goal from Stoke’s new Arsenal performances, German Brežice. The Kings are set to stay Spanish forward Jese, signed on international Mesut Ozil was in Slovenia till August 28th before loan this week from PSG and particularly underwhelming, returning to Qatar. whose training had been cur- with television pundits picking In Turkey, Al Gharafa picked tailed by his new-born son him out for special attention, up a impressive 6-1 friendly win requiring a medical although Wenger would not over Dolayobaspor, as Jean Fern- procedure. criticise him. anez’s new side prepares for the Austria, Al Sadd took on Al Head coach Mahmoud Jaber Al Khor picked up a 3-0 win But, while accepting that his “I think he did try,” said the new season. Shamal in their first match back rotated his side heavily for the over Dutch side Bagdad in their side had not performed well, the manager. “It is difficult to single The cheetahs ran riot against in Qatar. match, with the Egyptian coach penultimate friendly of their veteran French manager was anybody out. Personally, I don’t their opponents, scoring six goals. Jesauldo Ferriera’s side was using the tie to cast his eye of the training camp in Holland. also left fuming by two failed think he deserved it.” Importantly three summer sign- in control throughout the game, form of his squad. The Knights scored three penalty appeals -- for a hand- Wenger also confirmed that ings found the back of the net for easily dispatching with their sec- Elsewhere, fresh from their goals unanswered with Saud Al ball by Kurt Zouma and foul by Chilean striker Alexis Sanchez, their new side, with Luis Jiménez, ond division opposition. Al Sadd’s training camp in Austria, Al Duhail Khalaki, Saeed Ibrahimi and Mame Diouf. who trained with the team in Diogo Amado and Qatari youth Algerian duo of Bagdad Bounjah registered a 2-0 win over Al summer signing David Dasilva “We don’t get penalties, we London on Friday, will be avail- international Abdulmajeed Enad and Jugurtha Hamroun grabbed Markhiya, prior to the newly pro- all finding the back of the net. Al know that,” said Wenger. able for their next game, all scoring. a brace each in the game. moted side heading to their Khor will take on fellow QSL side “I can getgy the numbers you Sunday’syp visit to Liverpool, after Gharafa will return to Doha Umm Salal took part in a train- training camp in Bulgaria. The Umm Salal on August 22, after wwillill see. Look at the sta-sta- beingbeing linked with a on August 22. ing camp in the Netherlands where newest side in the QSL eased to which they will return to Qatar tistics.tistics. We had the potential move away Meanwhile, fresh from their they were narrowly defeated (1-0) victory thanks to goals from Yusef to continue their preseason hhighestighest penalties from the club.club. preseason training camp in by Dutch side Travis. El Arabi and Yusef Msakni. training. agagainstainst us at homehome But,But, in thethe bbyy a mile and the mmeantime,eantime, having llowestowest number for cconcededonceded three us.”us.” goalsgoals in thethe open-open- ToTo add to the inging weekend manager’smanager’s bad mood, victoryvictory over hehe alsoalso sawsaw a secondsecond Leicester,Leicester, Wenger Alonso brace stuns Spurs halfhalf “equaliser” by insists he is not panick-panick- recordrecord signing Alexan-Alexan- ing about his team in London dre Lacazette ruled out that area. AFP forfor offsideoffside -- a decdeci-i- sionsion by remier League cham- pions Chelsea got the boost they badly needed yesterday as a double from Marcos Arsene Wenger PAlonso gave them a 2-1 victory over last season’s runners-up Tottenham Hotspur in Antonio Conte’s 50th game in charge. The 26-year-old Spaniard struck the winner with less than Atletico defy three minutes remaining in an impressive show of character by Chelsea, after they had been Griezmann red card pinned back when substitute Michy Batshuayi headed into his own net eight minutes from time. “This was the perfect to draw with Girona response of champions,” Conte Chelsea’s Spanish defender Marcos Alonso (third right) curls a free kick over the Tottenham told Sky Sports. Madrid Despite their numerical dis- “I am very pleased with the defensive wall to score the opening goal during their English Premier League football match AFP advantage, Atletico responded will to fight for every ball and at Wembley Stadium in London yesterday. heroically to salvage an unlikely they showed me the desire of last tletico Madrid battled point as Angel Correa blasted season is still there.” the only goal, a delightful curling for a few minutes, headed Chris- As for the free-kick, I don’t back from 2-0 down after into the top corner from out- While the three points get effort in the second half. tian Eriksen’s free-kick past score those even in training let Aa red card for Antoine side the box 12 minutes from Conte’s side off the mark -- the At Wembley, Alonso opened Thibaut Courtois. alone a match normally!” added Griezmann to salvage a 2-2 time. perfect riposte to their shock the scoring with a brilliant free- Alonso, though, once again Alonso, who was the last Chelsea draw at newly-promoted Girona Jose Maria Gimenez com- opening 3-2 defeat at home to kick in the 24th minute, and rescued his team by latching onto player to score an away double to start their La Liga campaign pleted the comeback when his Burnley -- newboys Huddersfield while Tottenham pressed hard Pedro’s pass and firing past Hugo having done so at Leicester in on Saturday. header from Koke’s free-kick Town made it two wins from two for the equaliser, Conte’s side Lloris, although the Spurs keeper January. Tight security measures caught Iraizoz in no man’s land. to sit just below leaders Manches- were unfortunate not to get a sec- should have saved. The three points and the fact oversaw the first top-flight “Many at 2-0 down in the ter United on six points. ond when Willian struck the post “Unbelievable and at the end they ended the match with all 11 match in Catalonia since two first-half would have thought The Terriers, only the third in the second half. in front of our own fans. It men on the pitch -- which had terror attacks in the region left the game was over,” said promoted side to ever win their It looked as if Conte would couldn’t be better,” said Alonso, not been the case in the Commu- 14 dead and hundreds injured Atletico boss Diego Simeone. opening two games, beat New- have to read more negative head- who hopes to emulate his grand- nity Shield or their opening in Barcelona and the nearby The visitors still had their castle 1-0 with impressive lines on Monday as Batshuayi, father and father in playing for defeat by Burnley -- will be seaside town of Cambrils on own goalkeeper Jan Oblak to Australian Aaron Mooy scoring who had only been on the pitch Spain. encouraging for Conte. Thursday and the early hours of thank as the Slovenian produced Friday morning. an outstanding reflex save to Concrete road blocks were prevent Manchester City loanee mounted outside the Estadi Olarenwaju Kayode from net- Montilivi as in both attacks vans ting a last-minute winner. Guardiola wary of Everton threat had been used to mow down Atletico didn’t lose any pedestrians. ground on their likely challeng- However, a near capacity ers to once again be Spanish London “They are a top squad and attempts on goal to Everton’s six, along with long-term injury vic- 13,500 crowd weren’t dissuaded football’s third force behind Real AFP they have important players,” but they were wasteful in attack tim Ilkay Gundogan, and both from attending and thought the Madrid and Barcelona as Sevilla said Guardiola, the City and alarmingly porous in players are expected to return hosts were headed for a dream were held 1-1 at home by he Premier League title manager. defence. to action soon. start to their first ever La Liga Espanyol. credentials of Pep Guardi- “They lost an important Of the goalkeeper and four While Guardiola prioritised campaign. Clement Lenglet bundled Tola’s new-look Manchester player, (Romelu) Lukaku, but defenders who started at Good- signing full-backs over the close Christian Stuani took advan- the hosts in front from a corner City face an early-season exam- they have a good group of play- ison, only centre-backs Nicolas season, his former Barcelona tage of some slack marking at midway through the half, but ination on Monday when Ronald ers -- midfield players and Otamendi and John Stones are team-mate Koeman has appar- the heart of an Atletico defence Leo Baptistao levelled 10 min- Koeman’s ambitious Everton strikers. They are one of the best expected to be involved on ently been on a mission to cram shorn of the suspended Diego utes before half-time. visit the Etihad Stadium. teams in the Premier League, I Monday. as many number 10s into his Godin to head home twice in Sevilla also ended with 10 With around £150m ($193.1) am pretty sure of that. Guardiola has used a three- squad as possible. Sigurdsson three first-half minutes. men as Ever Banega was sent- of new players on show, City “I expect they will play the man defence in pre-season and and his fellow new signings Davy Atletico’s hopes seemed to off following an angry exchange made an assured start to the same way and attack our at Brighton, with captain Vincent Klaassen and Rooney all tend have gone when Griezmann was with the referee. campaign by winning 2-0 at defence. Kompany bringing much- to play in central attacking roles controversially dismissed 23 Earlier, Real Sociedad also promoted Brighton and Hove City’s 4-0 defeat at Goodi- needed authority at the back and and Ross Barkley also remains minutes from time. came twice from behind to beat Albion last weekend. son Park in January was the low new boys Kyle Walker and on Everton’s books for the time The French international Celta Vigo 3-2 at Balaidos. But Everton are also point of Guardiola’s maiden Danilo supplying thrust on the being. appeared to have been clipped Maxi Gomez had put Celta stronger, taking their spending campaign in England, which flanks. Rooney and Klaassen played by Gorka Iraizoz as he rounded in front early in both halves, but past £130m this week with a ended with his side 15 points City’s third new full-back, in support of Sandro Ramirez, the goalkeeper, but was instead goals from Mikel Oyarzabal, club-record £45 million move adrift of champions Chelsea in Benjamin Mendy, is not yet another new signing, as Everton booked for diving and then Juanmi and Willian Jose’s pen- for Gylfi Sigurdsson, and they third place. ready to make his debut due to won 1-0 at home to Stoke City shown a straight red card for his alty two minutes from time trounced City 4-0 when the The visitors had 71 percent a thigh injury. last weekend through Rooney’s protests towards referee Juan handed the Basques all three teams last met in January. of possession and registered 13 But he is back in training, first-half header. Martinez Manuera. points.