Kyle Jamieson scalps six as New Zealand scale Test rankings summit page 14 THURSday, JANUARY 7, 2021 Attiyah claims stage four too, closes in on overall lead

Nasser Al Attiyah and his co-driver Matthieu Baumel after the third stage finish on Tuesday.

Qatar’s Nasser Al Attiyah of Toyota Gazoo Racing during stage four of Dakar Rally 2021 from Wadi Ad Dawasir to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. (Pics: Redbullcontentpool)

Agencies Peterhansel is having to dig re- rose to third, 26 minutes back. Riyadh ally deep to defend his lead. Sainz was fourth, 33 minutes “We’re not marking one back, and Sebastien Loeb was Nasser Al Attiyah on another, it’s just one relent- sixth, 46 minutes down. Wednesday showed glimpses less attack after another, and Skyler Howes of the US of being a three-time champi- in the end we finished in the became the motorbike overall on as the Qatari fended off his same time! leader after stage two winner rivals to take his third straight “Apart from a small navi- Joan Barreda and defending Dakar Rally stage win in a row gation error near the finish, I champion Ricky Brabec went -- 813-kms long and the long- don’t think I can push much off course 40 kilometers in. est on the 2021 edition. harder. To stay in contention, Howes came into the pic- Attiyah took his fourth win we need to go all out. So far, so ture after the stage’s midpoint (including prologue) since the good, as we aren’t making too and finished fourth. start in Jeddah, but by such a many mistakes. “Today the dunes flowed slim margin (11 seconds) over “In the old times, 50% of all really well and I felt comfort- Peterhansel that their duel at contenders would be knocked able there,” Howes said. the top of the general stand- out of the race by driving mis- “Then we got out into the Mini’s driver Stephane Peterhansel and his co-driver Edouard Boulanger ings remained essentially takes or technical issues, but open desert on the really fast A fan takes a selfie with Nasser Al Attiyah of Toyota Gazoo Racing of France, the overall leaders, change a tyre as they compete during unchanged. it’s become far less common, sandy tracks and I felt right Team at Wadi Ad-Dawasir, Saudi Arabia. Stage 3 of the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday. Attiyah termed his and so you just have to hold on,” at home. I told myself if I was is French co-driver Matthieu said Peterhansel. feeling good, then I’d let it Fourth Stage Results Baumel’s effort as one were Sebastien Loeb also made ride.” they quickly were back on capital out of the road to Ri- Two-time winner Toby From Wadi ad-Dawashir to Riyadh: Auto track. “We quickly got back on yadh by claiming fourth place Price of Australia outdueled track,” said Attiyah. in both the special and the Kevin Benavides of Argentina POS. No DRIVE-TEAM MARK-MODEL TIME VARIATION PENALTY The three-time Dakar overall, while Mathieu Ser- to win the stage. 1 301 (QAT) NASSER AL ATTIYAH (FRA) MATTHIEU BAUMEL TOYOTA GAZOO RACING 02H 35’ 59’’ champion dominated the radori ran into trouble and In the quad category, day’s special from A to Z to finished seventh, 51 minutes Manuel Andujar claimed his 2 302 (FRA) STÉPHANE PETERHANSEL (FRA) EDOUARD BOULANGER X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM 02H 36’ 10’’ + 00H 00’ 11’’ claim his third stage win this back, and Yazeed Al Rajhi maiden Dakar stage win as year, but he only clawed back plummeted down the general fellow Argentinian and 2019 3 332 (ZAF) HENK LATEGAN (ZAF) BRETT CUMMINGS TOYOTA GAZOO RACING 02H 37’ 29’’ + 00H 01’ 30’’ 11 minutes from Peterhansel, standings. champion Nicolas Cavigliasso 4 300 (ESP) CARLOS SAINZ (ESP) LUCAS CRUZ X-RAID MINI JCW TEAM 02H 38’ 55’’ + 00H 02’ 56’’ who still leads the general Attiyah lead ahead of took command of the general classification by four minutes. teammate Henk Lategan of standings. 5 307 (POL) JAKUB PRZYGONSKI (DEU) TIMO GOTTSCHALK ORLEN TEAM/OVERDRIVE 02H 41’ 04’’ + 00H 05’ 05’’ “It wasn’t an easy stage. South Africa by 2 1/2 minutes. Aron Domzala won stage 4 We lost a minute to an error, 15:18 Defending champion in the lightweight vehicle cat- 6 310 (ARE) SHEIKH KHALID AL QASSIMI (FRA) XAVIER PANSERI ABU DHABI RACING 02H 43’ 21’’ + 00H 07’ 22’’ but we were hardly the only Carlos Sainz faltered near the egory without threatening the ones to make a mistake and end after starting 17th as a re- overall leader of his teammate 7 305 (FRA) SEBASTIEN LOEB (MCO) DANIEL ELENA BAHRAIN RAID XTREME 02H 43’ 35’’ + 00H 07’ 36’’ 05’00 we quickly got back on track. sult of Tuesday’s blunder. at Can-Am, Francisco “Cha- 8 317 (RUS) VLADIMIR VASILYEV (RUS) DMITRO TSYRO X-RAID TEAM 02H 46’ 44’’ + 00H 10’ 45’’ Opening up a gap is difficult, Sainz produced a spectac- leco” Lopez. but today it was good to have ular surge to inch within 31’ Finally, the Dmitry Sot- 9 339 (ZAF) BRIAN BARAGWANATH (ZAF) TAYE PERRY CENTURY RACING 02H 47’ 30’’ + 00H 11’ 31’’ my teammate Henk Lategan of the lead with about 10 km nikov festival continued in right behind me. to go. However, the Spaniard the truck category while 10 309 (ARG) ORLANDO TERRANOVA (ARG) BERNARDO GRAUE X-RAID TEAM 02H 47’ 53’’ + 00H 11’ 54’’ 00H 01’ 00’’ 01’ 00’’ “That’s exactly what I failed to maintain Attiyah’s Czech Martin Macík capital- Moto need, a fast driver who can pace and finished fifth, just ised on Siarhei Viazovich’s help me out,” explained under three minutes behind setback to move up to second 1. 1. Joan Barreda Bort (ESP-HONDA) 02h46’50”, 2. Daniel Sanders (AUS-KTM) 2h52’59”, 3. Luciano Benavides (ARG-ROCKSTAR) Attiyah. the Qatari. place, 26 minutes behind the 2h53’12”, 4. Ross Branch (BWA-YAMAHA) 2h53’47”, 5. Xavier De Soultrait (FRA-HUSQVARNA) 2h54’09”. With Attiyah on his heels, Mathieu Serradori of France leading Kamaz. Jabeur powers past Pavlyuchenkova in Abu Dhabi

WTA and 29 minutes to outlast 38th- ing on the court, so hopefully I game and handing Pavlyuchen- Abu Dhabi (UAE) ranked Pavlyuchenkova. can continue playing this way kova a chance to recover. The clash, as expected, and even better.” Former Top 15 player Pav- In a battle between two players was not easy, as Jabeur had “I have to give credit also to lyuchenkova used all of her separated by only seven spots to dodge two set points at 5-4 my serve,” Jabeur continued. experience to make the most in the WTA singles rankings, in the opening frame before “I’ve been practicing a lot of of the match’s extension, and No.15 seed Ons Jabeur of Tu- moving to victory. However, serves in the pre-season, and after a hold for 5-3, the Russian nisia got the better of Russia’s Jabeur ended the match with I’m trying to go full power, even found her way to triple break Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 31 winners as she continued if sometimes it doesn’t go.” point in the next game, giving claiming a 7-6(3), 6-3 win to her run of recent success which In the second round, herself three chances to pull the move into the second round at currently has her at a career- Jabeur, who became the first second set back on serve. the Abu Dhabi WTA Women’s high singles ranking. Arab woman to reach a Grand However, with her back Tennis Open on Wednesday. “(Pavlyuchenkova) plays Slam singles quarterfinal at last Tunisian Ons Jabeur during her opening round match against the wall, Jabeur used all “To be honest, it was a good amazing, and if you go a lit- year’s Australian Open, will face of the Abu Dhabi WTA Open against Russian Anastasia of her variety of shot to play her one for me,” Jabeur told the tle bit back and not dominate, either Wang Yafan of China or a Pavlyuchenkova on Wednesday. best when she needed to. press, after her victory. “It was of course she will hit the ball qualifier to be determined. The Tunisian started with a a tough match, not an easy first good, and she wants to take An early exchange of breaks dropshot winner, then fired two round or first match, but I went control,” said Jabeur. “So the did little to separate the players Russian was nearly rewarded A love hold by Jabeur for tional backhand dropshot for fine forehands to draw back to there with the spirit like, I’m point of the whole match was in the first set as they reached for her persistence in the next 6-6 put her in great stead as a winner. deuce. Now on a roll, Jabeur not afraid, I’m just going to go for me to take control more, to parity at 3-3. A number of game, blasting a backhand win- the players moved into a deci- The momentum swung cracked her fourth ace to con- in and give it all.” mix it up a little bit.” closely contested games fol- ner to reach double set point sive first-set tiebreak, with the Jabeur’s way entirely in the sec- jure up her first match point, World No.31 Jabeur had “It was fun, to be honest,” lowed, with Pavlyuchenkova at 5-4. Jabeur, though, broke Tunisian drawing errors from ond set, as the Tunisian found which she converted after a won their lone previous meet- the Tunisian added. “I loved having to save three break open rallies with blistering Pavlyuchenkova to claim a every pocket of the court to leap deep backhand forced a final ing in three sets at Dubai in that my dropshot was really points at 3-3 and a whopping groundstrokes of her own to quick 4-1 lead. Jabeur extended to a 5-1 lead. Jabeur, however, error from the Russian. 2017, but this time around, the good today. I loved that I made five break points at 4-4 to re- erase the Russian’s chances, her advantage in the breaker was unable to close out the win Tunisian got the job done in a few nice shots. I’m feeling main on serve. gritting out a hold for 5-5 to to 6-2, and she converted her at her first opportunity, double (‘I aimed high and it’s straight sets, needing one hour good, I’m feeling fit and amaz- Nevertheless, the powerful keep the set alive. second set point with an excep- faulting to drop serve in that paying off’ PG 15) Sports Thursday, January 7, 2021 13 Every player will dream of winning the World Cup in Qatar, says Cafu

he FIFA World Cup Qa- tar 2022 is less than two Tyears away, and with every milestone reached, ex- citement continues to build in the country and across the region. Football’s showpiece event means many things to many people, especially those who have lifted the coveted trophy. And one player who has special memories of the tournament is former Brazil Cafu. The 50-year-old won the World Cup on two occasions during a storied career that included trophy-laden spells with Sao Paulo, Milan and Roma. The former defender is also Brazil’s most capped player with 142 international Former Brazil captain and Global Ambassador for the Supreme Committee for & Legacy (left) at one of Qatar’s World Cup venues. (Right) Cafu during his playing days as Brazil skipper. appearances. As a Global Ambassador the Middle East and Arab Having been a part repurpose parts of stadiums perfect weather conditions For those that love watch- This will undoubtedly give for the Supreme Committee world for the first time? of so many World Cups, after the final whistle to sup- that Qatar is known for at that ing football, whether it’s on TV players more time to train, rest for Delivery & Legacy, Cafu The World Cup is a tourna- what legacy will Qatar port sporting infrastructure in time of year, we are set to see or in person, Qatar 2022 will be and be better prepared for what believes Qatar 2022 will de- ment for the entire world and 2022 have on the region developing countries. some exciting football on the a dream come true. Four group matters most – the football! liver the kind of memories he so every country has the right and beyond? pitch. There will be no excuses stage matches a day, all played was fortunate enough to expe- to bid and play host to it. For This organisers behind Qatar 2022 will take for the biggest stars to shine. at stadiums that are close to Of all the tournaments rience as a player in previous passionate fans across the re- this edition of the World Cup place in November and This will also be the most each other, means that you can you have played in dur- tournaments. gion, this must be very exciting. have made sure that its legacy December. How will the compact World Cup in mod- potentially attend two matches ing your career, why is the Having the tournament in your will be felt around the world. timing of this tournament ern history, with all the sta- in one day. That’s something World Cup so important to As the most-capped neighborhood will offer mil- Their commitment to sustain- impact the quality of play? diums in close proximity and that hasn’t happened in the you? player in Brazil’s his- lions the chance to attend it for ability is something that will The timing of the tourna- teams able to stay in one place modern era of the World Cup. It is what every player tory and a winner of the the very first time. And know- have a positive impact on the ment means that many players throughout the tournament. For the teams that are par- dreams of – to be a world FIFA World Cup in 1994 ing what Qatar is planning in environment and set the bar will be in peak fitness, because ticipating, they will make the champion. You play with and and 2002, how important terms of infrastructure and fan for how mega sporting events they won’t be joining their na- How will that be dif- most out of being able to stay against the best players in the do you think it is for this experience, this World Cup will should be organised in the tional teams after a long club ferent from other World in one team base and avoid any world. It’s where you want to tournament to come to be exciting for everyone. future. This includes plans to season. Combined with the Cups? long travel between matches. be as a player. (SC)

QNB STARS LEAGUE Al Sadd wary of Al Sailiya threat

Tribune News Network Doha

QNB Stars League leaders Al Sadd would be wary of Al Saili- ya’s threat, when the two sides clash at the Jassim bin Hamad Tottenham Hotspur’s South Korean striker Son Heung-Min (right) cele- Stadium on Thursday evening. brates with English defender Eric Dier after he scored his team’s second The Wolves have 32 points, goal during the English League Cup semi final first leg match against eight more than second-placed Brentford at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Tuesday. (AFP) team and reigning champions Al Duhail. Al Sadd had extended their Tottenham down 10-man brilliant unbeaten run into the second leg of the tourna- Brentford 2-0 for ment with a 5-0 victory over Al Sailiya coach Sami Trabelsi speaks to one his players during the Al Kharaitiyat last week. But it team’s training session on Wednesday. won’t be that easy against Sail- League Cup final spot iya. The Peregrines are only team – and they have been “We must continue like players in the team, but for this far,” he said placed eighth with 15 points playing well not only this sea- this. We have 10 matches left. reason we have a larger group “They have had the most but can be quite handy on their son but for a long time. It is a We must work hard so that to replace the injured ones. We stable season so far. They have DPA referee (VAR) decided Toney day. Sami Trabelsi’s men have team that has quality foreign we do not lose any points. My miss good players, but we have the best offensive line and the London was marginally offside with his already beaten three big teams and local players with lots of team is ready to win all the so many others to do well and best line of defence. Al Sadd knee cap when he got up off the this season – Al Rayyan, Al experience. Therefore, it will matches we get to play and our help the team win,” said Xavi. include many distinguished Tottenham Hotspur will floor to knock in the ball that was Duhail and Al Gharafa. be difficult to get the three goal is to regain the league ti- Meanwhile, Trabelsi said players at the local, Asian and play for a fifth League Cup tro- headed into his path. Al Sadd coach Xavi Her- points,” he added. tle. We are in the best position his players are on a high af- international levels. We know phy in April after they knocked “First and foremost, I must nandez said he knows that Sail- Xavi said it’s important in the points table, so we are ter pulling off a 2-0 win over that a difficult match awaits us out 10-man Championship side say I’m very proud of my team,” iya will be a difficult opponent. for Al Sadd not to lose points happy, but we have to main- Al Rayyan last week and are against a strong team, but let Brentford in Tuesday’s semi- said Brentford boss Thomas “It is important to prepare well ahead of their match against tain this level,” Xavi added. enthusiastic about playing us not forget that there is noth- final with a 2-0 home win. Cur- Frank. before matches. My players Al Duhail. “We realize that a Al Sadd will be without Al Sadd. “We play against Al ing impossible in football. We rent holders Manchester City “The first VAR decision, we should know that Al Sailiya difficult match awaits us, but injured Tarek Salman, while Sadd with great enthusiasm. always have the ambition and or Manchester United will join were inches from equalizing. won against Al Rayyan, Al we are going through a good Boualem Khoukhi and Akram We are determined to have a determination to do well when Tottenham in the final after It was an open game, we had a Duhail and Al Gharafa, which period and we are at the top Afif have tested positive for solid game against Al Sadd. we enter a match. We aspire to they complete their semi-final top attitude, we were brave and means that this match will of the points table. We have to coronavirus. “We are waiting Yes, it will be a difficult match. win and get the three points, on Wednesday. an equalizer wouldn’t have been be difficult especially against keep playing like we have done for the return of Akram (Afif), Al Sadd, as we know, are de- but getting a point against Al The final has been resched- a totally unfair result against a the backdrop of the good per- in the recent past. We have (Boualem) Khoukhi, Hosam scribed as one of the best teams Sadd would not be a bad result. uled from February 28 to April world-class team.” formances by Al Sailiya,” the an eight-point lead over Al Kamal, in addition to the in- in Asia. Playing against a big We must be realistic. Al Sailiya 25, with the hope that Wembley The Brentford Bees, based in Spaniard said yesterday. Duhail who are second in the jury of Tarek Salman, but this club like Al Sadd is not easy always takes on the big teams Stadium will be allowed to ac- London, lost striker Josh Dasilva “Al Sailiya players are in standings. We have to take ad- is not an excuse. We have to and the match in itself will be with a different approach. We commodate fans, depending on to a red card in the 84th minute good form and their coach vantage of this before playing win because we feel that we very difficult. Everyone knows have injury issues with play- England’s coronavirus guide- after he injured Tottenham mid- Sami Trabelsi has a lot of ex- against Al Duhail in the follow- are in good form. Of course, who Al Sadd are and that they ers but we are used to that,” he lines at the time. fielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg perience. He has a very good ing week,” he said. we are talking about important have not lost a single match so added. “It will probably be at an by scraping his studs down the empty Wembley. But I’m still Norwegian’s leg. very happy,” said Spurs manager His manager Frank thought Jose Mourinho. “We now have the incident was uncharacteris- this final in our pockets for three tic of Dasilva and thought it was Inter stunned at Sampdoria, fail to clinch top Serie A spot months, but we have to forget completely accidental. “The way it and focus on everything else you have to look at it, if you look DPA ing to play an uphill game. in Gosens made it 3-0 against coming up. at Dasilva, he’s never had a red Rome “I think we produced good Parma; the Bergamo moved “We have the FA Cup, the card before,” Frank explained. football and created chances, level on points with fifth-place Premier League, and the Europa “I’ve never seen him go physical Inter Milan lost 2-1 at mid- but we missed them and now Napoli, who lost 2-1 at home League. But when it arrives we into a tackle, he didn’t do it on table Sampdoria on Wednes- we are here trying to explain to 10-man newcomers Spezia. have to be ready to go there and purpose and I think he caught day and stayed one point be- why it happened. We started in The Neapolitans took a fight for the trophy.” him.” hind leaders AC Milan, who control and threatened Samp, second-half lead from substi- Moussa Sissoko’s header Despite defeat, Brentford hope to extend their lead when but they were more clever than tute Andrea Petagna but saw gave Spurs the half-time lead af- have been on an incredible run they host champions Juventus us. We deserved more, but we M’Bala Nzola level from the ter 12 minutes when the French disposing of Premier League in a late classic. return home with a defeat.” spot and Tommaso Pobega, midfieldercoasted into Brent- teams after they knocked out Inter winger Alexis Third-place Roma won 3-1 at also a substitute, score the ford’s box unmarked to easily di- Fulham, West Bromwich Albion Sanchez had a penalty saved bottom side Crotone as Borja guests’ winner after the dis- rect Sergio Reguilon’s cross into and Newcastle to meet Spurs, and saw Ashley Young fire the Mayoral produced an easy de- missal of Ardian Ismajli. the net. where they came up short. rebound against the post be- flection and a majestic drive Champions Juve are sev- Son Heung-Min then raced Tottenham meanwhile will fore Samp’s Lorenzo Tonelli before Henrikh Mkhitaryan enth a further point down. through in the 70th minute to aim to win their first trophy nodded against the bar at the converted a penalty. Lazio won 2-1 against vis- hammer in the second goal and since 2008 at Wembley where other end. The Rome Giallorossi are iting Fiorentina with home ensure Spurs would go to Wem- they lifted the last of their four Former Inter player Anto- now three points behind their captain Ciro Immobile scoring bley and Brentford’s astonishing League Cups. Victory would nio Candreva converted from Sampdoria’s Senegalese forward Keita Balde (centre) celebrates after scor- next weekend’s opponents his 11th league goal. Udinese run came to an end. Brentford also bring a fifth League Cup to the spot on 23 minutes and ing during the Serie A match vs Inter Milan in Genoa on Wednesday. (AFP) Inter and four above fourth- drew 2-2 with Bologna, who thought they had levelled the Mourinho with a third differ- Keita Balde, also an ex Neraz- place Sassuolo, who edged had Mattias Svanberg on tar- score eight minutes before Son’s ent team after three wins with zurro, on 38 turned in a low minutes after Romelu Lukaku ized us,” Inter coach Antonio Genoa 2-1. get for a temporary 2-1 lead goal when Ivan Toney finished Chelsea and a 2017 triumph cross from Mikkel Damsgaard. came off the bench to then have Conte said. “It was a strange Atalanta had their Colom- before being dismissed with off a simple header into an emp- with Manchester United, who Stefan de Vrij’s header a header saved by Emil Audero. game. We went from a missed bia pair Luis Muriel and Du- a second caution early in the ty net after a goal line scramble. he could come up against in this pulled one back on 65, two “The result really penal- goal to two under (down), hav- van Zapata strike before Rob- second half. However, the video assistant spring’s showpiece. 14 Thursday, January 7, 2021 Sports

Australia-India battle 3rd Test at SYDNEY GROUND from today Rohit ready to open as Aussies brace up

Agencies far in this series. Sydney Rohit averages over 92 while opening the batting in Australia and India will go Tests, although all his five again in Sydney from Thurs- Tests as opener have been at day, 7 January – Monday, 11 home, and India will hope he January, 10.30am local time, can see them through the new 11.30pm (-1) GMT, in what ball and set things up for the promises to be a thrilling rest of the batsmen. next installment in an entic- India have also named an- ing Test series. other debutant pacer for the This may well be the most Sydney Test. Navdeep Saini crucial match of the series. The is set to make his Test debut side that wins this Test will en- after being named in the XI as sure they won’t lose the series, a replacement for the injured and with a significant break Umesh Yadav, and India fans since India won the Boxing Day will hope he can cope as well Test in Melbourne, both teams as Mohammed Siraj did on his have had a chance to rest up debut in Melbourne. and recalibrate their plans. On the face of it, Australia What they said: will be confident of taking the Tim Paine (Australia cap- lead in the series. Ahead of tain): “It’s boiling away, there’s the Test, Justin Langer, their some stuff starting to happen, coach, said David Warner a bit of chat starting to hap- was “very, very, very likely pen. I think this Test is going to play” while they are also to be fascinating not just from a expected to slot Will Pucov- cricket point of view, but I think ski into their XI, most likely there’s a bit of tension starting as an opener, which would to boil under the surface.” mean Matthew Wade would Ajinkya Rahane (India shift down the order. captain): “As a batsman, Meanwhile, India are set Jadeja has improved a lot, and to welcome back their own that’s a massive thing from the high-flying opener. Rohitteam’s perspective ... when Sharma has been named in you know your No.7 can con- Officials moves portrait of India’s former captain and legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar during a training session at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on Wednesday, ahead of the the XI in place of Mayank tribute with the bat, you know third cricket Test match against Australia. (AFP) Agarwal, who has struggled so a good score can be achieved.” Jamieson takes six as Kiwis scale Test rankings summit New Zealand’s rise to No.1: Greatest hits

ere’s a look at some of ICC TEST Team Rankings historic series win in another Hthe remarkable victories # Team Rating Southern Hemisphere coun- New Zealand achieved en try – Australia – only the route to becoming the No.1 1 New Zealand 118 previous year, and they were Test side for the first time in 2 Australia 116 ranked No.1 on the MRF history. New Zealand are en- 3 India 114 Tyres ICC Test Rankings. joying a golden period in their New Zealand, on the other cricketing history. After hav- 4 England 106 hand, had suffered a hum- ing made to two successive 5 South Africa 96 bling 3-0 loss in Australia ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 6 Sri Lanka 86 only weeks ago. finals, they have now climbed 7 Pakistan 82 But they were back at to the top of the ICC Test their best in no time. They Team Rankings for the first 8 West Indies 77 handed India a crush- time ever. Their Test team has 9 Afghanistan 57 ing 10- win in the been a truly dominant force in 10 Bangladesh 55 first game of the series and recent years, achieving note- dished up more of the same worthy victories both over- in Christchurch. After Kyle seas and at home. We take a 58. The new-ball pair bowled Jamieson, playing his maid- look at some of their finest unchanged for the 20.4 overs en series, claimed 5/45 to wins in the current rankings that England’s innings lasted, help bowl India out for 242, cycle, starting 1 May 2017. with Boult claiming six and the hosts themselves fell for Southee taking the other four. 235. But Boult and Southee (From left to right) Tom Blundell, captain Kane Williamson, Trent Boult and Kyle Jamieson celebrate their series win on day four of the Four-run win v Pakistan, Then, as if batting under shared seven be- second Test against Pakistan at the Hagley Oval in Christchurch on Wednesday. (AFP) Abu Dhabi, November 2018 different conditions altogeth- tween them to run through After being bundled for er, New Zealand posted 427/8 the Indian order in their sec- Agencies after lunch. However, once 153 in the first innings, before declaring. Kane Wil- ond innings, bowling them Christchurch again, Jamieson proved too New Zealand fought back liamson and Henry Nicholls out for 124. New Zealand hot for the Pakistan batsmen to bowl Pakistan out for scored hundreds to head the had little trouble chasing the Hosts New Zealand began to handle, the tall pacer this 227 before setting them a efforts with the bat. In a col- target down as openers Tom 2021 in the best possible man- time finding the edge of So- moderately challenging tar- lective bowling effort, New Latham and Tom Blundell ner, bowling out Pakistan for hail to break the stand. When get of 175, thanks mainly to Zealand then bowled England made fifties. They took the 186 in their second innings of Azhar followed suit four overs fifties from Henry Nicholls out for 320 in the second in- series 2-0. the second Test to seal an in- later – Jamieson had him and BJ Watling. nings to secure a massive win. nings and 176-run victory – a caught behind – the writing Pakistan’s chase got off to 123-run win v Pakistan, result that pushed them to the was on the wall for Pakistan. a bumpy start as they were Innings-and-65-run win v Abu Dhabi, December 2018 summit of the MRF Tyres ICC The Pakistan batsmen then reduced to 48/3 by New Zea- Sri Lanka, Colombo, August 2019 New Zealand suffered Test Team Rankings for the put on mini-partnerships, only land’s spinners, but Azhar After Trent Boult and defeat by an innings and 16 very first time. delaying what increasingly Ali and Asad Shafiq steadied Tim Southee used the gentle runs in the second Test at Pakistan resumed on the seemed inevitable. Jamie- the proceedings with an 82- swing on offer to take seven Dubai after their miracu- fourth morning at 8/1, after son had his fifth wicket of the run stand. However, things wickets between them and lous four-run win in Abu New Zealand had posted a innings – and 10th in the took a turn when Neil Wag- bowl the hosts out for 244, Dhabi in the opening Test. mammoth lead 362, but were New Zealand’s captain Kane Williamson (L) is presented with the ANZ match – when his inswinger ner had Shafiq caught behind Tom Latham and BJ Watling Back at the same venue for up against it, with Kyle Jamie- test series trophy by former New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum from well outside off left cap- for 45 in the middle of an in- scored centuries to put New the third Test, the Kiwis put son continuing his meteoric after their series win against Pakistan at Hagley Oval in Christchurch tain Mohammad Rizwan’s tense and long spell in the Zealand in a truly dominant in a much-improved perfor- rise in , taking on Wednesday. (AFP) stumps in a Gulf heat. After Babar Azam position. Overall the team’s mance. After making 274 another five-wicket-haul to mess. When he was run out for 13, Ajaz Patel handling of spin was com- they conceded a 74-run lead dismantle the visitors, to end hadn’t nicked it and opt- had Ashraf nick- then ran through the lower mendable. to Pakistan. with match figures of 11/117. ed for a review, only for ing one, Paki- order. He dismissed Azhar They declared at 431/6 However, Kane William- There was resistance from replays to suggest the on- stan’s resistance to wrap up the game, secur- and the bowlers then joined son and Henry Nicholls hit Azhar Ali (37), Abid Ali (26) field umpire had made was all but over. ing a five-for as New Zealand hands to make light work of centuries in New Zealand’s and later (28) the right call. Zafar Gohar, claimed a narrow win. the hosts, bundling them for second innings before declar- and Zafar Gohar (37), but If New Zealand the debutant, re- 122 in another impressive ing at 353/7, setting Pakistan the batsmen couldn’t stitch thought that would trig- sisted well there- Innings-and-49-run win v win for the Kiwis in foreign a target of 280 with over two together partnerships big ger a slide, they were mis- after, but captain England, Auckland, March 2018 conditions. sessions remaining. A draw enough to demotivate New taken. Abid and Azhar Kane William- New Zealand would’ve seemed like the most prob- Zealand, and that proved to be put on 29 for the third son got into been keen to put on a perfor- Seven-wicket win v India, able outcome at that stage, but their undoing. wicket, the partnership the act with the mance in their maiden day/ Christchurch, February-March Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel and It didn’t take long on the taking up as many as 80 ball at the other night Test on home soil, and 2020 William Somerville took three fourth morning for New Zea- deliveries before Abid end, dismissing they delivered a sensational In the weeks leading up to wickets apiece to bowl Paki- land to break through, Trent was seen off by Jamie- Shaheen Afridi show. Trent Boult and Tim the series, India were consid- stan out for 156. The win also Boult working over night- son, thanks to a stunning Azhar continued battling, (7). When Go- Southee exploited the swing ered by some as favourites. marked New Zealand’s first se- watchman Mohammad Ab- catch by substitute fielder Will with Sohail in support, and har then holed out off Boult, on offer with the pink ball There was good reasoning for ries win against Pakistan away bas, who was convinced he Young at point. the duo added a further 33 history was sealed. to bundle out the visitors for this as India had claimed a from home in 45 years! (ICC) Sports Thursday, January 7, 2021 15

New year, new victory for Al Shaqab ‘I aimed high, really high, Racing with Al Mashrab in France and it’s paying off’: Jabeur eyes trophies in 2021 With a breakthrough 2020 season and her hardest-working pre-season both behind her, top Tunisian Ons Jabeur hopes to keep her momentum going as she aims for WTA singles titles and her highest ranking yet in 2021.

ns Jabeur hopes her player I’m playing against,” breakthrough 2020 she stated. “I’m practicing a lot season is only a step- of fitness, as I said before, and ping stone to greater also tactics. I try to improve my successes in 2021, forehand and backhand and andO the Tunisian No.1 broke use them to really be able to down her toughest pre-sea- put pressure on the player. Al Shaqab Racing’s homebred Al Mashrab on way to winning the Prix de Louvie-Juzon, a Class 3 conditions son work yet and her revised The postponed 2020 race, at Pau in France on Monday. (Pic: Robert Poulin) goals in advance of her first Olympics in Tokyo is still at match of the year at the Abu the forefront of the Tunisian’s Dhabi WTA Women’s Tennis mind during what she hopes Open. will be an incredible 2021. “The goal for this year, I “I love the Olympics, I Djokovic and Nadal to Spanish want to go for titles, enough love to represent my coun- of quarterfinals!” Jabeur try,” declared Jabeur, who league laughed, as she sat down participated in the event in play again at ATP Cup with the international media 2012 and 2016. “It’s one of ahead of the tournament. the important tournaments DPA Former Becker, Ivanisevic leaders “I want to be in the Top for me, so I’m sure I’ll have Berlin coach Brett dies 10,” the 26-year-old con- to schedule really well, and Australian Bob Brett, who Atletico tinued, as she envisioned Now, thank God, I know how to do it. I’ve seen I will have to see what will World number one Novak coached tennis stars includ- her hopes for the upcoming happen.” Djokovic leads an elite field for ing Boris Becker and Goran season, including a maiden the results. I set up some goals, and I aimed high, Jabeur’s growing tri- next month’s ATP Cup in Aus- Ivanisevic, died on Tuesday at stunned in WTA singles title. really high, and it’s paying off. I feel like I have to umphs have garnered her tralia, the men’s tennis body age 67 of cancer, German offi- “I know I have the level, increased recognition and has said. cial Dirk Hordorff confirmed, cup loss I can be in this ranking. For give it all, I have to go very far in my career. sponsorships in her home- Djokovic leads the team citing a message from Brett’s me, I set up my goals like this, Ons Jabeur land. “It is amazing to be for title holders Serbia at the daughters. DPA and I know that I can achieve recognized at home,” she February 1-5 tournament Brett, whose death was also Barcelona them. I know that I’ve put in amazing for me, such an son training to the next level stated. “Honestly, that moti- in Melbourne, with 13-time reported by the ATP Tour, en- the hard work to have these amazing start of the year,” before the start of this sea- vates me more to work hard- French Open winner Rafael joyed his most successful spell Primera Division leaders titles, to be able to win more Jabeur stated. “When I start- son. “Being able to finish in er, to show that I deserve this Nadal of Spain, US Open during a 1987-1991 tenure with Atletico Madrid crashed out of and more, so let’s see.” ed the preparation for 2019, mid-October was just enough kind of sponsorship. Hope- champion Dominic Thiem of Germany’s Becker, winning 18 the Spanish Cup second round Jabeur’s 2020, replete to get ready for last year, I to recover and enjoy myself fully I can do better this year.” Austria and Russia’s ATP Fi- titles including Wimbledon to third division Cornella on with milestones, provides was like a different person, a before going on court and Whatever happens, nals champion Daniil Medve- and the US Open in 1989 and Wednesday, paying the price evidence that her path is different player on the court, putting in the hard work,” the Jabeur is going to do every- dev other top attractions. the 1991 Australian Open af- for coach Diego Simeone heav- moving in the right direction. which helped me to be No.31 top Tunisian stated. thing in her power in 2021 as Djokovic’s Serbia beat Na- ter which Becker rose the the ily rotating his team. Last January, Jabeur blazed this year. I think I gained a “It was different from she battles for even greater dal’s Spain for the title in last number one ranking. Outsiders Cornella took a trail at the first major event lot of good experience from 2019 because I feel like I’m a accomplishments. year’s debut of the event in He helped South African the lead through Adrian Jime- of the season, becoming the 2020, and that will help me different player, I feel like I’m “Before, I wanted to be which the 12 teams play in three Johan Kriek win the 1981 Aus- nez in just seven minutes and first Arab woman to reach a to be a much better player on practicing much harder than at the top level, but I didn’t groups before the knock-out tralian Open, and later led held out for an upset victory. Grand Slam singles quarterfi- the court for 2021.” before, I’m improving as a know how to manage that,” stages. “The players are looking Ivanisevic to three Wimbledon Ricardo Sanchez being red nal with a run to the last eight “I feel like I am more player,” said Jabeur. “Even she stated. forward to stepping up and rep- finals.H e also coached fellow- carded midway through the at the Australian Open. ready, players know me I’ve noticed the amount of “Now, thank God, I know resenting their countries again, Croatians Marin Cilic and second half completed a mis- Four additional quar- more, they know what I’m work on the court with fit- how to do it. I’ve seen the re- and the field, including defend- Mario Ancic as youngsters, erable evening for visiting terfinals and a fourth-round capable of, and I know what ness was much more than sults. I set up some goals, and ing champions Serbia and final- and worked with players in- Atletico. showing at Roland Garros, I’m capable of, which will last year, and I’m proud that I aimed high, really high, and ists Spain, is strong,” tourna- cluding a young Kei Nishikori Luis Suarez was among where she was the junior sin- help me even more to achieve I’ve been healthy and I’ve it’s paying off. ment director Tom Larner said. in Japan. those rested by Simeone with gles champion in 2011, added what I want,” Jabeur contin- been finishing all the good “I feel like I have to give The ATP Cup is played “Extremely saddened by Atletico, defeated only once to her collection of solid re- ued. “I’m going to use the ex- practices. I feel much better it all, I have to go very far alongside two regular tourna- the passing of Bob Brett,” Ser- in 15 league games, chasing a sults, and she moved into the perience I gained from 2020 and fit on the court.” in my career. Like I said ments in Melbourne is tune- ena Williams coach Patrick first Spanish title since 2014. Top 50 for the first time in her to really have a great season Jabeur attempted to hone before, I have professional ups for the Australian Open Mouratoglou tweted. “One Atletico also made an career. Jabeur eventually fin- in 2021.” her unorthodox mix of power goals and personal ones, so I which start three weeks later of the best coaches I have early exit in the competi- ished the season at a career- The atypical 2020 off- and finesse to even finer suc- always try to remember why than usual on February 8 ow- met. Rest In Peace.” Hordorff tion last season, losing in high ranking of World No.31. season gave Jabeur the cess during the off-season. I’m here, and try to go as far ing to the coronavirus pan- tweeted: “One of the great- the first round to lower “To be honest, 2020 was chance to ramp her off-sea- “I always like to surprise the as I want to.” (WTA) demic and strict Australian est ATP Tour coaches left this league Cultural Leonesa quarantine rules. world too early. RIP Bob.” after extra-time.

NBA Irving leads Nets to win against Jazz as Durant out

TCA/DPA “But how will we combat of his caliber. Brown ensured last week. New York his loss? We’re going to have to few, if any, of his looks were Some of the misses were play with pace, move the ball, open. bad - LeBron James air-balled When Kyrie Irving is good, try to make each other better, Mike Conley shot 3 of 10 two jumpers. he’s really good. defensively, we’ve got to be from the field, Bojan Bogda- Others were impactful - And when he’s great, you locked in,” Nash explained. novic shot 2 of 7, spark plug Anthony Davis had a dagger 3 get a performance like he “As much as I’d like for us Jordan Clarkson scored 12 that rimmed out. put on against the Utah Jazz to be mistake-less and be per- points on 13 shots, and Gobert And most, it seemed, were in Brooklyn’s 130-96 win on fect defensively, the reality is finished with 10 points, 11 re- the result of an offense that Tuesday night. that we’ve just got to fight and bounds, three assists and two was just a tick out of rhythm. Irving stood out against try our best to compete and blocks, but shot only 3 of 10 Passes came either a sec- the stout Jazz defense, run- get as many 50-50 balls and from the field. ond too early or a second too ning up 29 points on 12-of-19 rebounds and do all the little Tuesday night belonged to late, open shooters hesitated shooting from the field. He things against a talented team Irving, and without Durant, for just a blink and nothing made his first nine shots, out- when you’re missing your big the Nets are going to need went too smoothly for too scoring the Jazz himself 18-7 gun.” The Nets replaced Du- more nights like this from long. early in the first quarter. rant’s impact and production their star guard. Playing without Alex Ca- It was as if Irving saw Ste- by committee, with Nash run- They’re also going to need ruso (COVID-19 protocols) phen Curry’s 62-point game ning with his most creative to start Allen, and maybe and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope on Monday and - at least for starting lineup to date: He Brown, too. (ankle), the Lakers didn’t have a quarter, said: “Hold my surrounded Irving with two- Brooklyn’s roster is deep head trainer Nina Hsieh, who drink.” The Nets needed this way playmaker Bruce Brown, and capable of pulling upsets, also missed the game due to kind of performance from sharpshooter Taurean Prince, just like we saw against the Jazz. the league’s health and safety their star guard if they were veteran forward Jeff Green, protocols. going to stand a chance against and star center Jarrett Allen, Out-of-sync Lakers beat All of it seemed to keep the the Jazz. who got the nod over DeAndre Grizzlies thanks to Lakers from being whole, from Brooklyn was already spi- Jordan. James, Davis being their best. raling after Spencer Dinwid- Allen put a stamp on his Kyrie Irving #11 of the Brooklyn Nets shoots against the Utah Jazz during their game at Barclays Center in After the Lakers won on Still, led by James and Da- die’s ACL injury rendered him campaign to regain his stand- New York City on Tuesday night. (Getty Images/AFP) Sunday in Memphis, Tennes- vis in the fourth, the Lakers out an indefinite period of time. ing as a starting center with see, LeBron James said they hung on with James swishing The Nets’ roster issues his most dominant game of lead into the final period. In Landry Shamet. He also used guarding the Westchester na- needed to be a team that could home a couple of tough jump- compounded on Monday, the early season: 19 points, those three quarters, he made Tyler Johnson as backup point tive the full 94-foot [28-meter] win all facets of the game. But ers and swatting away a late- when they learned Kevin Du- 18 rebounds, three steals and five of his seven 3s, dished guard early in minutes Irving length of the floor. in the rematch against the game Memphis shot attempt. rant would be out a week after two blocks. He thoroughly five assists and recorded three didn’t play. The Nets outscored the Grizzlies on Tuesday, there James and Davis scored 26 coming in contact with some- outplayed Jazz center Rudy steals. The move helped bal- Jazz by 22 in the minutes Ir- weren’t any diamonds. each, with 19 of James’ points one who tested positive for Gobert, a two-time Defensive No amount of artificial fan ance Brooklyn’s rotation and ving played and 20 in the min- Mostly, it was just bricks. coming in the second half. the coronavirus, requiring a Player of the Year who recent- noise could recreate the energy Brown, a two-year starter in utes both Brown and Allen The Lakers and the Griz- James added 11 rebounds and seven-day quarantine that cost ly signed a five-year deal worth Nets fans would have brought Detroit, helped alleviate a spent on the floor. zlies clanked shot after shot - seven assists. Davis grabbed the Nets’ star four games. north of 200 million dollars. to Barclays Center had they large chunk of the ball-han- For Brooklyn, the win is that’s if they hit the rim at all - 10 rebounds to go with four Nets head coach Steve One two separate occa- been allowed in the arena. dling duties while Irving was a sign of things headed in the in a game with little separation assists, three steals and three Nash explained before the sions, Allen posterized Gobert. Tuesday night’s win repre- on the floor. right direction. until late in the fourth quarter, blocks. game that there is no such One of those poster dunks sents the biggest strategic vic- In his first set of meaningful The Nets defense rendered when their stars took over and The Grizzlies had eight thing as replacing Durant, who came via a behind-the-back tory for Nash. The Nets coach minutes this season, the former the Jazz largely inefficient the put Memphis away, 94-92. players who scored at least has averaged about 28 points, bounce pass from Irving, brought usual starters Jordan, Piston logged six points, six re- majority of the game. Mitchell The Lakers’ win keeps seven points, led by Dillon seven rebounds, five assists, a whose sensational night ended Joe Harris and Timothe Lu- bounds and five assists, while scored 31 points on 10-of-22 them undefeated on the road, Brooks’ 16. steal and a block per game so after the third quarter, when wawu-Cabarrot off the bench serving as the primary defender shooting, but that kind of per- all four wins coming in San The Lakers host San Anto- far this season. the Nets carried a 25-point alongside Caris LeVert and on Donovan Mitchell, often formance is expected of a star Antonio and Memphis the nio in Los Angeles on Thursday.