TENNIS | Page 4 FOOTBALL | Page 7 Paes says Vardy 2020 will be his dilemma for last year as a Leicester as professional Reds lie in wait

Thursday, December 26, 2019 Rabia II 29, 1441 AH pace GULF TIMES sensation Naseem grows from cub to lion SPORT Page 3

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Jürgen Klopp’s side passed their latest test in Doha and appear to be growing stronger in the race

By Andy Hunter the omerta is as much under threat as The Guardian Manchester City’s hopes of winning a hat-trick of Premier League titles. Sixteen victories from 17 league games so far, 26 from the last 27 stretching ith the world conquered, back to last season’s challenge, and 49 ’s thoughts re- league games unbeaten at Anfi eld is a turn to scaling the peak stunning return from a team who do that means the world to not waver from their task. Wthem. It is a measure of their unrivalled Klopp’s demand for complete focus dominance and consistency in the Pre- on the next game is at the heart of Liv- mier League this season that their po- erpool’s extraordinary consistency. It sition at the summit strengthened de- may be dull to hear the one-game-at- spite being more than 3,000 miles away a-time cliche trotted out by the man- in Qatar. ager and repeated by his players but it Jürgen Klopp’s unbeaten leaders left works. The Club World Cup played out for the Club World Cup 10 as everyone expected – and FIFA prob- points clear of Leicester, whom they ably hoped – with the champions of visit today. They returned 10 points Europe and South America in the fi nal clear and with a game in hand on their but there was no complacency inside nearest rivals after ’ the Liverpool camp. team were beaten by Manchester City, Firmino and Alisson, for example, whose challenge has not materialised were not asked for inside information so far. Liverpool also came back with on Flamengo until after Monterrey the fi rst world title in the club’s history were overcome. Klopp watched Fla- – an achievement that proved beyond mengo’s semi-fi nal comeback against ’s team in 1981, Joe Fagan’s Al Hilal at his hotel but again, only in 1984 and Rafael Benítez’s class of when Liverpool had booked their place 2005 – and their third trophy inside in the fi nal did he study four of the Bra- seven months. zilian club’s previous matches. The Club World Cup victory will Firmino’s stoppage-time win- generate momentum for the months ner against Monterrey was the sixth ahead, claimed Andy Robertson. Rob- goal Liverpool have scored in the 90th erto Firmino, required to give a rare minute or later this season (seven if interview after being named FIFA’s his extra-time winner in the fi nal is man of the match following the fi nal he included). There is no danger of Liv- settled against Flamengo, warned: “In erpool’s relentlessness being taken for every match Liverpool are playing bet- Klopp: commitment personified. granted when their innate belief in vic- ter.” The European champions appear tory, and the composure that remains to be growing stronger, too, despite In Qatar Naby Keïta continued his Gomez’s polished display in the fi nal before retiring in advance of a fl ight have been in Doha had he been avail- in their game when trailing late at As- concerns that fatigue might catch up recent progression into the potent, cre- after a diffi cult start to the season for home at noon. The Boxing Day trip to able. Klopp’s necessary rotation has ton Villa or falling behind in the fi rst eventually. ative and industrious midfi elder that the young defender. Leicester, and the opportunity to ex- brought the occasional dip in perform- minute to Tottenham, are part of the While out in Doha Liverpool com- Liverpool have been waiting to witness tend their lead to a remarkable 13 points ance but no change in results. team’s appeal. “Staying on track is part pleted the signing of the Japan inter- regularly since his arrival in July 2018. ENRAPTURED before the halfway mark of the cam- From here it would take a monumen- of our game,” as Klopp put it last week. national Takumi Minamino, the gifted Keïta’s opener against Monterrey was It was a tournament that again left paign was on Klopp’s mind before he tal collapse for Liverpool not to add the Strength in depth told against Red Bull Salzburg playmaker acquired his third goal in three games and his the Liverpool manager enraptured by left the Khalifa International Stadium Premier League title to world and Eu- Monterrey, as it has frequently this sea- for the bargain £7.25mn release clause penetrating runs into the box provided the single-minded focus and desire of with Liverpool’s latest trophy. ropean crowns. And a fade of that mag- son, while the fi nal lived up to its billing in a deal orchestrated by the sport- an alternative threat for a Liverpool his players. There was little celebration Liverpool have continued to rack up nitude appears beyond them. Liverpool as the best Europe and South America ing director, Michael Edwards. The team often reliant on the devastating beyond the changing room, from where the wins despite missing the infl uence supporters have craved championship have to off er. “Sensational” was how 24-year-old, who offi cially becomes power of their front three. Speaking the sound of “campiones, campiones, of Fabinho in central midfi eld – boast- number 19 for almost 30 years and that Klopp described the feeling of being a Liverpool player on New Year’s Day, of which, the return to form of Firmi- campiones” infi ltrated the nearby me- ing a 100% win rate from the seven exhausting wait, combined with pain- the fi rst Liverpool manager to win the could feature in the FA Cup third- no and Mohamed Salah at the Club dia room. games the Brazilian has missed through ful memories of 2014’s dramatic slip, Club World Cup. Becoming the fi rst round derby against Everton on 5 Janu- World Cup gave Klopp another reason The team returned to the plush St injury; and, no, Aston Villa in the Cara- has fuelled a code of silence around Liverpool manager to win the league in ary. to celebrate taking part. So, too, did Joe Regis hotel for a meal in the early hours bao Cup does not count as he would what the spring of 2020 promises. But 30 years would feel even better.

CRICKET Aussies mull fi ve bowlers for Boxing Day Test AFP Paine told reporters. head into the Melbourne Melbourne “We’ve probably got two differ- clash on the back of three wins at ent teams (in mind), to be honest, so home this summer — two against Pa- we’ll make the final call tomorrow.” kistan before their 296-run thrash- Australia traditionally play only ing of in the first Test ustralia could play five spe- four frontline bowlers — three quicks at Perth, a day-night affair. cialist bowlers against New and spinner. Marnus Labuschagne has been Zealand during the second According to Cricket Australia, their star batsman, smashing his Test, Tim Paine they have only fielded five once be- third century in a row at Perth before Asaid yesterday, with the decision be- fore in the past decade — at the 2013 a second-innings 50. ing left until the last moment. Sydney Test against . In contrast , their hero The Melbourne Cricket Ground If they go down this route today, during the Ashes against England track has been lifeless during the Neser is set to line up alongside this year, has managed only 43 and past two Boxing Day Tests, making , and 16 in his last two innings, out twice it hard to take 20 , although , with to short balls from Neil Wagner. a Sheffield Shield match there this replacing the injured Josh Hazle- It followed a quiet series against month was abandoned due to a dan- wood. Pakistan and he is keen to pile on gerous pitch. Travis Head is expected to be the some runs in Melbourne. With this in mind, Paine said a fall guy, with wicketkeeper Paine “I’ve been facing a fair bit of short decision would only be made after a moving up the to six. stuff in the nets because I’m expect- late inspection. “Our batting team has been scor- ing a bit (in Melbourne),” Smith said. But one scenario could be a five- ing a lot of runs so if we were to go “It’s going to be completely dif- pronged attack, in which Queens- one more bowler, we would be com- ferent with the red ball as opposed land seamer Michael Neser likely fortable they could do the job,” said to the pink ball, particularly (com- makes his debut. Paine. pared) to the second innings in Perth “We’ll find out tomorrow. The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) head curator Matt Page rolls “The bowlers we would be bring- when it was a bit up and down with is a bit unknown... but we’ve the wicket ahead of the second cricket Test match between ing in can all bat so while we’re cracks and stuff. got a plan in place for both scenar- Australia and New Zealand starting today. taking a batter out, we’re probably “It’s going to be different, but I’m ios (with five bowlers or without),” lengthening our line-up.” looking forward to it.” Gulf Times 2 Thursday, December 26, 2019 CRICKET

INTERVIEW SPOTLIGHT Netizens pick Dhoni as ‘Captain I’ve lost control in of the Decade’ the past but I’m more mature now: Rabada RABADA IS THE UNDISPUTED FIGUREHEAD OF THE PACE ATTACK

By Daniel Gallan The Guardian

ometimes you do think of physically hurting the opposition with the ball,” says, mat- terS of factly, as he explains what der Dhoni’s captaincy. In 2011, IANS sets the greatest exponents of New Delhi he led to their fi rst ever his art apart. South Africa’s World Cup triumph since 1983 24-year-old fast bowler, who and in 2013, India dominated became the youngest player to he International the Champions Trophy in be ranked No 1 in the world two Cricket Council (ICC) England. years ago, has all the attributes decided to leave it to Many fans tweeted images necessary to be one of them. the fans of the sport of Dhoni holding the trophy to Able to consistently top Tto decide who their favourite make their feelings clear. “If he 90mph, he glides across the sur- captain of the decade has been. had been made again captain face as he charges towards the Fans on their part made it clear for time being for WC2019 we wicket, as if his body in the replies that it is M S could have won it for 3 time,” was designed for this single pur- Dhoni who takes that mantle. said one fan. pose. The veteran Indian wick- Dhoni also found some sup- “It’s not just skill that makes etkeeper had retired from port from across the . the great fast bowlers in history in 2014 and re- “MS Dhoni #Love and #re- what they are,” Rabada says as he linquished captaincy in lim- spect from Pakistan,” said a prepares for the four-Test series ited overs cricket in 2017. He fan. against England that begins on however has remained the While other mentions were Boxing Day in Centurion. “They undisputed leader of his In- a minority, it was there. Some all have that intensity that makes dian Premier League (IPL) side said that Dhoni should be the it uncomfortable for batsmen Chennai Super Kings and most best captain for ODIs, Rohit to stand up to. The aggression fans who responded rate Dhoni Sharma for T20Is and Virat is something that is naturally in as their favourite. Kohli for Tests. There was one me. It makes me a better bowler. “Fav Captain Fav WK Fav fan who tweeted an image of It helps me bowl faster for longer. player One man @msdhoni !” former New Zealand skip- I haven’t always been in control said one fan. “MS DHONI all per Brendon McCullum and of it but I’m getting better.” the way....The best ever Indian current captain Kane Wil- Rabada has had his run-ins captain and one of the best in liamson in Test whites “These with authorities since his ca- world cricket...” said another. two. Both v diff erent in their reer began as a 19-year-old in The only two ICC trophies approaches but tactically v 2014. He has been found guilty of that India have won came un- smart,” the fan said. breaching the ICC’s code of con- duct on fi ve occasions and has been suspended twice. When Australia arrived for the Stokes rejoins as ill father does better 2018 Test series that would be Kagiso Rabada during a team training session at the Supersport Park Cricket Stadium in Centurion, on December 20, 2019. (AFP) defi ned by the ball-tampering returned to went ahead, however, without scandal, Steve Smith hinted his contest against England. Of all the aforementioned, it the better of you. You need to the bowling coach. “We’re mo- practice with England Jack Leach, Ollie Pope and side would look to antagonise One of the more intriguing is Archer who has left the most use that motivation to rev you tivated to get out there and put a yesterday after the condition , who are battling Rabada. He was initially sus- subplots of the series will focus memorable mark on the minds up but you can’t think irration- tough year behind us.” of his critically ill father the flu bug that has hampered pended during the series for on the duel of the leading quicks of South African cricket fans. ally. My job is to take wickets. Rabada’s story is not solely improved, but three others the tourists since their arrival making contact with Smith after in each team and in Jofra Archer, On the opening day of the World Sometimes that means getting defi ned by what he does on the missed out as illness continue in South Africa 11 days ago. dismissing him during the sec- Rabada has a readymade adver- Cup in May Archer’s extra bite aggressive and bowling short but cricket fi eld. Being a black South to plague the tourists, 24 But an ECB spokesman said ond Test, only for it to be over- sary for the next two months. off the Oval surface beat Hashim sometimes it means having more African athlete 25 years after the hours ahead of the first none of the trio had been turned on appeal. “He’s a quality bowler, there’s Amla’s attempted pull shot for control. My record shows I know end of apartheid means his per- test against South Africa at ruled out of the first test of During the 2018 Test series no question,” he says of Eng- pace. The ball cannoned into the when to do this.” In 40 Tests, formances carry greater signifi - Centurion. the four-match series with Kagiso Rabada was suspended land’s spearhead, who was back veteran’s helmet and sent a shock Rabada has taken 183 wickets at cance. But unlike his teammates Stokes spent Tuesday at South Africa, which starts in for making contact Australia’s bowling in the nets on Monday wave that was felt on Africa’s an average of 22.5. Only Steyn, Temba Bavuma and Lungisani the bedside of father Ged, Centurion near Pretoria today. Steve Smith (left) but it was after recovering from a virus that southern tip. Cummins and Ngidi, Rabada’s journey did not who was hospitalised the But it will certainly delay overturned on appeal Photo- has hit their camp. “I get asked South Africans play their sport have a better average this decade begin in poverty. He is the son day before due to a “serious England’s team selection for graph: Mike Hutchings/Reuters about him a lot and I’m always with an overt machismo. On the with more than 100 dismissals. of a doctor and a lawyer and at- illness”. the opening test. “I look back and I acknowl- getting compared to the other top cricket fi eld the fast bowler is He has struggled this year with tended one of the most expensive “He remains in intensive care, The flu bug hit England edge I’ve lost control in the past,” fast bowlers in the world. I take the apex predator and from Al- injury and a lack of intensity and schools in the country in the af- but has responded positively particularly hard soon after Rabada says. “It’s about fi nding it as a compliment. It doesn’t lan Donald to , there pace, including at a disappoint- fl uent northern suburbs of Jo- to treatment and is now in a their arrival with pacemen that balance. I can still be that matter if it’s [Jasprit] Bumrah or has been a ceaseless line of de- ing World Cup, and that led some hannesburg. stable condition,” the England Jofra Archer and Stuart Broad aggressive bowler who intimi- [Pat] Cummins or Archer. We’ve mon quicks. This is one aspect to believe he has bowled too With Philander having an- and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) missing the two warm-up dates. But I’ve learned to pick all got egos as fast bowlers. You of the game in which they have many balls at his relatively young nounced he will be joining Steyn said in a statement. games and now racing to be my moments. It takes a sound, need to have an ego but there is traditionally had an edge over age. But new faces in the camp in international retirement at “The Stokes family wishes fit to play today. “It’s quite steady mind to maintain the bal- no jealousy. When someone does England. The addition of Archer have had a revitalising impact. the end of this series, Rabada is to thank everyone for their frustrating,” England skipper ance and I’m more mature now.” better than me it just motivates evens the contest. “It feels like a fresh start,” Ra- the undisputed fi gurehead of the support and in particular the Joe Root said on Tuesday. “We The last book Rabada read was me. I’ve always said I want to “You want to go out and return bada said of the appointments South Africa attack. Once seen as medical practitioners in South have to handle it. We’ll have to Sun Tzu’s The Art of War and he be recognised as the best in the the favour when someone hits of Mark Boucher as the coach, volatile, he enters a new stage in Africa for their care of Ged.” wait and see. We’ll make a very uses the word “battle” on several world and competition drives me your batter,” Rabada says. “But Jacques Kallis as the batting con- his career with added responsi- Christmas morning practice late call on our side.” Reuters occasions when speaking of the towards that goal.” you can’t let your emotions get sultant and Charl Langeveldt as bility on and off the field.

BOXING DAY TEST Blundell hopes to display his patience at MCG Reuters ground at the Basin Reserve with a century and Melbourne famously walked home from the match still New Zealand’s Tom Blundell Boult primed for Black Caps wearing his whites after New Zealand complet- during a training session ed an innings and 67-run victory. ahead of the second Test New Zealand are hopeful opportunity in my career, om Blundell has a simple plan for open- Since then he has only appeared in two fur- against Australia in of having pace spearhead it’s definitely something ing the innings for New Zealand in ther internationals and while he was Melbourne yesterday. (AFP) back to help that I’m looking forward to. the second Test against Australia that in the World Cup squad earlier this year, he has halt a rampant Australia in But he has worked his way starts today at the Melbourne Cricket yet to play a one-day international. the Black Caps’ first Boxing back to fitness, desperate TGround. Raval’s horrendous run of form, however, Day Test at the Melbourne to play in the Black Caps Watch the ball. Leave the wide ones. Be pa- necessitated the change at the top of the order Cricket Ground in more than first Boxing Day Test at the tient. and as the only other specialist batsman in the 30 years. The dangerous Melbourne Cricket Ground “It’s just a mindset shift, being a little more squad, Blundell was given the nod. Boult missed the first Test since 1987, with a crowd of patient outside off stump,” wicketkeeper-bats- It will be the fi rst time he has opened the in- in Perth, where his team more 75,000 expected on man Blundell told reporters earlier this week nings in his fi rst class career, where he typically crashed by 296 runs, with day one. “The last time New after he was confi rmed as a makeshift opening has batted in the middle order. a rib injury that also kept Zealand faced Australia in a replacement for the out-form Jeet Raval. His only other two test appearances were at him out of their final clash Boxing Day Test was 1987, “I’ll probably try and be the same but it’s just number eight but he has received backing from against England. before many of the current for the fi rst 30 balls you have to be a little more his senior team mates after he opened in New But he has been toiling in squad were born, with the patient outside off stump. Zealand’s warm-up match with a Victoria XI on the nets and expects to be home side holding on for “If I can last them hopefully I can bat a little Sunday and scored a half century. ready for a rare appearance a draw despite blistering more positively.” “Tom’s a quality player — he’s only played a by his country on one of bowling from legendary Despite being an aggressive, or “positive”, couple of tests but he’s got a lot of fi rst-class the best-known dates of the quick . middle-order batsman, patience has actually experience behind him,” Tom Latham told re- cricket calendar. What sort of wicket they been the hallmark of Blundell’s international porters this week of his new opening partner. “I want to really embrace it find today is the great career. Blundell, however, still recognised the signif- and appreciate that stage unknown. Only a fortnight As a wicketkeeper-batsman he has been be- icance of the occasion, with New Zealand mak- for what it is,” the left-armer ago, play was abandoned hind BJ Watling in the pecking order in the test ing their fi rst appearance in a test at the MCG told reporters of the special during a domestic Sheff ield side and only made his limited overs debut in since 1987. atmosphere that comes Shield game at the ground a in early 2017 when “It’s a pretty big occasion, but... I’m trying to with a Boxing Day Test in due to a dangerous pitch, Luke Ronchi was injured. put all that to the side and focus on what I do the 100,000-capacity arena. with erratic bounce seeing Blundell made his test debut later that year best,” he said. “This is the stage that a balls rise sharply and against West Indies as an injury replacement “It’s going to be a great day, playing in front lot of people dream of unexpectedly to pummel for Watling. of 80,000 people and this is probably going to being on so to get this the batsmen. He completed a dream debut on his home be biggest test match of my life.” Gulf Times Thursday, December 26, 2019 3 CRICKET

FOCUS SPOTLIGHT Satisfying to score ton in England-like Pace sensation conditions: Dhawan

IANS contributions. 269 is a good a New Delhi start,” he said. But Dhawan refused to get into rating the knock. “I am here is a diff erence be- happy. The knock stays at Naseem grows from tween an internation- Kotla (laughs). I am happy al player and a domes- because I was timing the ball tic one and that was nicely when I was practising in ‘I am elated that my feat on a home Tvery much evident in the way Bengaluru. I always make sure Delhi captain that I do my process and then ground and before my own people batted against the Hyderabad it was a challenging wicket so bowlers on the opening day the satisfaction is all the more. has contributed in the win’ of their Ranji Trophy game at To just bat through the day, it cub to lion the Arun Jaitley Stadium yes- feels diff erent. Hopefully I will terday. No fl ashy drives and make more runs tomorrow,” playing close to the body was he smiled. the secret for another Dhawan As an international player, special on his home ground as you sometimes tend to carry he ended the day unbeaten on the baggage of expectations 137 off 198 balls. when you represent your “Conditions were challeng- state, but not when you are a ing as the ball was doing a bit free soul like Gabbar. in the morning,” he said after “I had nothing on my mind. the day’s play. “The wicket Jo cheez aani hai woh aa jati is juicy as there was no sun- hain (What has to happen shine to bake it. It’s less now will happen). I am a very re- but nevertheless there is juice. laxed person and I don’t make Hopefully when we get the my mind heavy with extra new ball, we will be able to do thoughts. The way you guys the damage. think, I don’t think like that,” “I changed my game as he laughed. when the left-arm spinner The 34-year-old said that (Mehidy Hasan) was bowling, he will be happy if the play- I was itching to hit him. But ers benefi t from picking his looking at the overall situation, brains. I curbed my instincts as there “I try to mix and inter- wasn’t much batting left. With act with them at their level. I experience, you get an idea share my experiences. I talk what shots to play on which to the batting unit about what kind of track. I didn’t play too all can be done and Ishant many balls away from my body, Sharma similarly talks to the didn’t play the drives. bowlers. The experience that “When I was (aged) 20- we have gained in so many 21, I would play those shots. years, it’s nice to give it back But now with experience, I to the players. If guys benefi t have a look at the track and from it, it feels great. Now that know what kind of shots are we have come, the momen- required. My plan was not to tum that was needed, we got play the drive. I played one that,” he said. Dhawan feels and the edge fl ew to gully and that there are enough runs on was fortunately called no- the board and Delhi defi nitely ball. I was batting on 67. hold the upper hand after the “I tried to play box cricket, opening day’s action. that is bat close to the pad. On “269 is a good score, 350 these wickets you tend to get can happen but 300 is good Naseem Shah in action during the fourth day of the second Test against Sri Lanka at the National Cricket Stadium in Karachi. (AFP) good balls. It was more like score. Whatever we get is a England conditions. It’s good good score as there was a time AFP in a domestic match. superstar there,” said Warner. as scoring runs in these condi- when it didn’t seem like we Karachi Four days later he was on the “If Waqar can get a hold of tions helps boost confi dence,” can even score 200. On this plane to Australia for the two- them (Naseem and other young he explained. wicket even 269 is a good match Test series — a move de- bowlers) and get their lines and Asked about the other bats- score,” he pointed out. akistan’s Naseem Shah scribed as ‘throwing a cub before lengths and their engines going, men who failed to get going, Dhawan has a suggestion may be just a teenager the wolves.’ they’re going to be a force to be Dhawan said that the wicket for the youngsters - he wants but his fi ery bowling has Pakistan’s bowling coach reckoned with in the future.” was helping the bowlers. them to play more tourna- given him a top position — himself a lethal “They got good balls and ments so as to gain further ex- onP the bowling charts. fast bowler — likened Naseem to TOUGH START strategy-wise they fi ddled perience. On Monday, Naseem grabbed former Australian great paceman It was a tough baptism for Na- with deliveries outside the “In the last few matches, we 5-31 in Pakistan’s series-clinch- Dennis Lillee. seem, who hails from the small off -stump. Of course, the dropped a lot of catches and ing win over Sri Lanka in Kara- “He’s got a very strong action. town of Lower Dir, in the north- conditions were tough in the batting unit was not sorted. Of chi to become the youngest fast He reminds me of Dennis Lillee west Khyber Pakhtunkhwa morning because seam and course, I want to do well. We bowler at 16 years 307 days to actually. He’s got a very similar province. swing movement was more. should go and play pre-season achieve the feat. action,” Waqar said before the Naseem said his father was But I will still credit all those tournaments like Moin-ud- He broke the record of another fi rst Test in Brisbane. against his playing cricket. who made those 25s (Kumwar Dowla and KSCA. That proc- Pakistan Mohamed Amir who “He’s not as big as Dennis — “Those were tough days,” re- Narain Bhiduri 22 n.o., Anuj ess is needed for youngsters as also made his mark with his fi rst Dennis was a big guy — but when calls Naseem. “My father used Rawat 29, Nitish Rana 25) be- they get more exposure and it fi ve wicket haul at 17 years 257 he gets it right, he’s a handful. to say ‘why you play the sport of cause those were signifi cant helps,” he said. days against Australia in Mel- He’s very talented with his pace foreigners, instead study.” bourne 10 years ago. the key.” But cricket was at the core of Naseem’s feat has prompted Naseem made people take no- his life. the cricket world to take notice tice with his short burst of eight “There were not much facili- of the precocious ability. overs against Australia A, claim- ties in my village so I used to play Belief in his talent, Naseem ing Marcus Harris’s wicket with with tape ball. I watched Waqar says, has been the key. a sharp bouncer. and on television “I had belief in my hard work That was after he received the but I liked ’s (New and talent so when I got the news of his mother’s death back Zealand fast bowler) action. chance I tried my best,” said Na- home. “Then I moved to Lahore and seem. “I am elated that my feat But he showed steely resolve played cricket there and it was on a home ground and before my as a week later he was played in there I got more opportunities own people has contributed in the fi rst Test in Brisbane. and then I was selected for Paki- the win. Naseem Shah (left) celebrates with teammate Abid Ali after taking a He claimed dashing Austral- stan Under-16.” “I know this is just the begin- wicket during the second Test against Sri Lanka in Karachi. (AFP) ian opener David Warner twice, The rest is, as they say, history. ning and if I keep up the hard fi rst off a no-ball on 56 and then Waqar believes Naseem can go work more rewards will come my progress from a precocious tal- for sometime but it was in Octo- on 154. places with his talent. way.” ent to one of the leaders of Paki- ber this year that national selec- Warner appreciated Naseem’s “He knows what he’s doing Naseem’s landmark moment stan’s bowling attack. tors decided to throw him in the talent. and knows where to reach in capped a three-month fast track He has been in the limelight deep when he took nine wickets “He charged in, and there’s a cricket.” File photo of India’s Shikhar Dhawan in action. (IANS)

Bangladesh insist on neutral CENTURION TEST venue for Pakistan Tests Bangladesh are ready to play We only want to play T20Is in Twenty20 Internationals in Paki- Pakistan,” the BCB CEO was Proteas skipper looks for fresh start stan next month but the Test se- quoted as saying. “The stake- ries must take place in a neutral holders related to the series do Reuters played against them, they had venue, the chief executive of the not want us to play longer- Melbourne (Justin) Langer, (Ricky) Ponting, Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB), version cricket in Pakistan,” (Steve) Waugh. Then you sit in Nizamuddin Chowdhury, said. Nizamuddin said. Bangladesh our dressing room and go, ‘we Test cricket returned to Pakistan are expected to play three he overhaul of South need that, we want that’. after a decade with a two-Test Twenty20 Internationals in Africa’s coaching struc- But even with experienced series against Sri Lanka earlier Lahore before a two-test series ture has given the team heads now to guide them, South this month. against Pakistan who completed a major boost as they Africa have modest ambitions in getT ready to take on England in the short term, Du Plessis said. Rawalpindi and Karachi hosted a 1-0 series victory against Sri Pakistan’s first tests on home Lanka on Monday. a four-Test series which begins “We are at an infant stage as soil since a militant attack on PCB chairman Ehsan Mani has today, captain said. a test team and the plan is to get Sri Lanka’s team bus in Lahore hinted raising the matter with Former test captain Graeme back to No 1 but that will take in 2009. the governing International Smith was appointed director of some time. Enthused by the smooth staging Cricket Council should Bang- cricket, Mark Boucher coach and “We do need to mature, we’ve of the series, Pakistan Cricket ladesh refuse to play the tests Jacques Kallis as batting consult- got a year and a half of the world Board (PCB) has announced in Pakistan. “No one should be ant in the weeks leading up to the test championship. The plan is its team would no more play under any misapprehension as series after the side lost their last get out there and play a little bit their ‘home’ matches abroad as to where Pakistan’s home Tests fi ve tests. better every time we go out.” has been the practice with Test will take place,” Mani told report- “The last six months has felt Losing at home to Sri Lanka teams shunning the country ers on Monday. like a lot of weight on my shoul- this year and then being trounced citing safety concerns. “All of Pakistan’s matches, ders because I could see so many in India had knocked South Af- PCB’s assertion notwithstand- against Bangladesh or anyone things happening off the field that rica’s confi dence. ing, Bangladesh remain wary of else, will take place in Pakistan. weren’t right,” Du Plessis told re- Faf du Plessis speaks to the press following a team training session at the Supersport Park Cricket Sta- “We defi nitely need to start touring Pakistan for a lengthy “I still hope the BCB will reflect porters on Tuesday. dium in Centurion, on December 20, 2019. (AFP) well, there’s no doubt about it. period, Chowdhury told the on the matter and accept there “That’s never an excuse for the We’ve been training very well Daily Star newspaper. is no reason for them not to visit cricket that we are playing but for “Now you sit and ponder, ‘why tant to have people like that in an al cricket, (other) teams have got and all the things that have been “We stand firm on our ground. Pakistan.” Reuters me now it has been a breath of have these guys not been here for international dressing room and that. “I use the Australian cricket happening off the fi eld have been fresh air to have these guys back. the last 10 years?’ It’s so impor- if you look around in internation- team as an example. When we good,” Du Plessis added. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, December 26, 2019 SPORT

ALPINE SKIING Windingstad storms to fi rst win in Alta Badia parallel GS ‘My team is more than 80 percent of the reason I’m here. I would probably have quit many years ago if it wasn’t for the chemistry in our team’

AFP because the track was not ready Alta Badia, Italy at all. “This parallel format does not delight many people. orway’s Rasmus Wind- “It’s a lottery! Just look at the ingstad stormed to his podiums, the regular athletes fi rst World Cup win as usually in the fi rst places are not the favourites strug- there.” Ngled in the parallel The 25-year-old Kristoff er- night race at Alta Badia in north- sen holds the overall World Cup ern Italy on Monday. lead 67 points ahead of Austria’s Windingstad fi nished 0.41sec Vincent Kreichmayr, with Pin- ahead of Germany’s Stefan Luitz turault third 77 points behind in the fi nal under fl oodlights in the Norwegian. the Dolomites. Pintuarault said he would The 26-year-old blitzed down have to decide whether he is fi t the hill to deny Luitz a second for the World Cup combined in World Cup win after the giant next weekend, an event slalom in Beaver Creek last sea- in which he is the reigning world son. champion. Austria’s Roland Leitinger “It’s diffi cult to say, it could be took his fi rst podium fi nish in a strain but we hope that it is not third, ahead of Norway’s Leif more serious like a tear,” he said. Kristian Nestvold-Haugen, in “I’ll see in the next few days the head-to-head duel on runs how the pain develops, then we that are side by side. will decide whether or not to do “Absolutely amazing, I can’t an ultrasound. say that I’d been expecting to “But I don’t want to be too win any time soon,” said Wind- alarmist.” ingstad. The World Cup continues “My team is more than 80 with two downhills in Bormio, percent of the reason I’m here. I in the Italian Alps, including the would probably have quit many cancelled race from , years ago if it wasn’t for the on Friday and Saturday, as well chemistry in our team. as Sunday’s combined. “This year we’ve new younger guys. I’m getting to be one of the RESULTS more experienced ones, and it’s 1. Rasmus Windingstad (NOR) working out really well. 2. Stefan Luitz (GER) “You try to be as honest as 3. Roland Leitinger (AUT) possible with yourself concern- 4. Leif Kristian Nestvold-Haugen ing potential or possible goals. (NOR) “Today I just felt great. 5. Lucas Braathen (NOR) “We had parallel training a few 6. Mattias Rönngren (SWE) days ago and I was defi nitely not 7. Henrik Kristoff ersen (NOR) the fastest one. I think we have 8. Justin Murisier (SUI) something to look forward to in Norway’s Rasmus Windingstad celebrates with the team after finishing in first place at the Alta Badia Parallel Giant Slalom. (Reuters) 9. Loic Meillard (SUI) this discipline going forward.” 10. Thibaut Favrot (FRA) Windingstad’s only previous ary 2014 said he had been boost- “Of course I took confi dence ‘LOTTERY’ ing 25th. Pinturault complained rivals on the parallel “blue” run. 11. Dominik Raschner (AUT) podium fi nish was second place ed by his seventh place in Sun- from this race, but this is a com- Reigning world champion Hen- of picking up an adductor injury “I didn’t have good races but 12. Ryan Cochran-Siegle (USA) in the giant slalom at Kranjska day’s giant slalom in Alta Badia. pletely diff erent thing. Some- rik Kristoff ersen of Norway, in a race he likened to “a lottery”. the conditions were far from 13. Aleksander Aamodt Kilde Gora in Slovenia last March. “My seventh place was my times you have a good day and winner of Sunday’s giant slalom, In the fi nal standings, three easy,” continued the three-time (NOR) But the skier who made his third best result ever in Giant sometimes you don’t. “For sure fi nished seventh, with France’s quarters of the skiers on the Olympic medallist. 14. River Radamus (USA) World Cup debut back in Febru- Slalom,” he said. today I had a really good day.” a disappoint- “red” run had the edge over their “There were several injuries 15. Mathieu Faivre (FRA).

TENNIS ATHLETICS Fraser-Pryce to go for sprint Leander, 46, announces double at Tokyo Olympics

Reuters name, did not compete in the 2013 world championships and New York 200 at the 2016 Rio Olympics silver at the 2012 London Ol- to focus on the shorter event ympics, said her aim was to run 2020 will be his fi nal in which she fi nished third de- under 22 seconds for the fi rst amaican Shelly-Ann spite a toe injury. time in what will be her fourth Fraser-Pryce will run “I will be doubling up defi - and fi nal Olympics. in both the 100m and nitely,” Fraser-Pryce was quot- “I am defi nitely looking for- 200m events at the To- ed as saying by website insid- ward to running the 200 me- year as a professional kyoJ Olympics next year. ethegames. tres, especially because I be- Fraser-Pryce is a two-times “Last year I really wanted to lieve in my heart that I can run Reuters Olympic 100m champion and attempt the double but coach 21 seconds,” she added. “It’s New Delhi she won gold at this year’s had other plans so I just worked a big passion of mine so I am world championships in Doha. with that plan. He knows best.” working really hard towards The 32-year-old, who has Fraser-Pryce, who won the that.” The Tokyo Olympics ndia’s veteran tennis player Leander Paes four world 100m titles to her 200 metres gold medal at the runs from July 24 to August 9. announced yesterday that 2020 would be his “farewell year” as a professional before he hangs up his racket. IThe 46-year-old, who started his profes- sional career in 1991, has won 18 doubles and mixed doubles Grand Slam titles and a bronze medal in the singles at the 1996 Atlanta Ol- ympics. Paes won a total of 54 doubles titles in a career spanning three decades, partner- ing more than 100 players. He is also the most successful doubles player in the history of the Davis Cup with 43 victories in 56 matches. “I want to announce 2020 as my farewell year as a pro tennis player,” Paes wrote on Twitter post where he also thanked his family for their support. “I am looking forward to the 2020 tennis cal- endar where I will be playing a few select tourna- ments, travelling with my team and celebrating with all my friends and fans around the world.” “It is all of you who have inspired me to be- come me and I want to take this year to say ‘Thank you’ to you.” At the peak of his career at the turn of the century, Paes was ranked No 1 in the doubles circuit along with partner Mahesh Bhupathi, with whom he won three Grand Slam titles. The duo won 26 doubles titles as a pairing between 1997 and 2011.

Anderson ‘done with ball’ aft er failed Seahawks tryout

After a tryout with the Seattle Seahawks that other running backs: Marshawn Lynch and He then added, “Well back to the plan for didn’t result in him landing a contract, free Robert Turbin, neither of whom has ap- 2020 and super excited about changing my agent running back C J Anderson tweeted peared in an NFL game since October 2018. community with (my foundation).” that he is “done with ball.” Anderson took to Twitter later Monday to When a follower tweeted, “Total joke. All The 28-year-old appeared in two games for express his frustration with the business politics,” Anderson replied, “You don’t even the Detroit Lions in September, gaining 43 of the NFL. First, with a string of laughing know the half of It. It would be rude to all yards on 16 carries, before he was released. emojis, he tweeted, “Man oh man this is the Seattle fans what they told me and my agent. The Seahawks brought him in for a workout reason why I’m done with ball. Performance Once again that’s the Game not Football Jamaica’s Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce and Natalliah Whyte celebrate winning women’s 4x100m relay on Monday, but they instead signed two base business huh” there is a diff erence my friend. ...” gold at the World Athletics Championships at the Khalifa International Stadium in Doha, Qatar, on October 5. (Reuters) Gulf Times Thursday, December 26, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA SPOTLIGHT Nuggets give contract extension Giles III opens up to coach Malone

Reuters “I’d also like to thank the New York amazing fans in Denver who have helped make Pepsi Center one of the toughest places to he Denver Nuggets and play in the NBA once again. I about uncertain head coach Michael look forward to continuing our Malone agreed to a ultimate goal of winning NBA contract extension on Championships.” TTuesday. Menawhile Mavericks star Terms were not disclosed, but guard Luka Doncic is closing in ESPN reported the deal extends on a return, which could come as through the 2022-23 season. soon as Dallas’ Thursday home The Nuggets (21-8) currently game against the San Antonio future with Kings have the second-best record in Spurs. the Western Conference behind The 20-year-old has missed ‘It’s tough. I’m a competitor, so it’s hard, but it is what it is. It’s not my decision’ the Los Angeles Lakers (24-6). the past four games with an an- “We have been very fortunate kle injury but returned to prac- to have Coach Malone lead our tice on Tuesday. resurgence. His tireless work “I’m feeling good,” Doncic ethic and passion are clearly told reporters after practice. refl ected in the continued im- “Just taking care of it. A lot of provement of our roster,” presi- things that we have to do, and dent of basketball operations Tim we’re just taking care of it. We’ll Connelly said in a press release. see how it progresses, and we’ll “We are all extremely excited see if I play.” for him to continue to lead our Philadelphia 76ers rookie team as we try to build a champi- guard Matisse Thybulle will onship level organization.” miss two to four weeks due to a In his fi fth season with Denver, sprained right knee, according to Malone is already the fourth- multiple reports. winningest coach in franchise The team is optimistic that history at 194-163 (54.3 percent). the 2019 fi rst-round draft pick The Nuggets improved from could be cleared at the two-week 33 wins in his fi rst season in evaluation date, Yahoo Sports 2015-16 to 40 wins in 2016-17, reported. Thybulle, 22, hyperex- 46 in 2017-18 and 54 in 2018- tended the knee Saturday in the 19, making Denver the only NBA fourth quarter of Philadelphia’s team to increase its total in each 125-108 win against the visiting of the past four campaigns. Washington Wizards. He did not Last season, Denver reached play Monday in the 76ers’ 125- the second round of the NBA 109 road win against the Detroit playoff s for the fi rst time since Pistons. 2008-09. Thybulle is averaging 4.8 “None of this would be possi- points, 1.4 steals, 1.2 assists, 1.1 ble without the hard work, dedi- rebounds and 17.6 minutes in cation and trust from our players 30 games (three starts). He is as well as the entire coaching shooting 46.3 percent (31 of 67) staff ,” Malone said in the release. from 3-point range.

Sacramento Kings’ Harry Giles III (20) reacts to a foul call against a teammate during action against the Dallas Mavericks on March 21, 2019, at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. (Hector Amezcua/Sacramento Bee/TNS)

By Jason Anderson tre position in Sacramento. The Kings more of a numbers thing. We want to play training camp and the start of the season The Sacramento Bee brought in two centres over the sum- everyone, but we can’t.” after experiencing swelling and soreness mer, signing free agents Dewayne Ded- The Kings selected Giles with the in his left knee, but a league source said mon and Richaun Holmes. Dedmon was 20th pick in the 2017 NBA draft, taking the team still “loves Harry” and “will ot long ago, Harry Giles III was brought in to start next to Marvin Bagley a chance on a player who was once pro- continue to support his development,” considered a prized piece of a III while Holmes was expected to com- jected as the No 1 pick before suff ering a adding “this decision does not mean that young core that was expected pete with Giles, but that plan hasn’t series of injuries to both knees. Giles im- he could not be an important piece of the to lead the Kings back to prom- panned out. pressed in individual and team workouts team in the future.” Ninence following an excruciating 13-year Bagley broke his thumb in the sea- during his fi rst season but did not appear Walton said Giles will get his chance. playoff drought. The organisation put son opener and Dedmon was benched in any games, taking the year off to reha- “We value what he can do, and it’s a him on posters and billboards, promot- after struggling with his 3-point shot, bilitate his injuries and refi ne his game. long season,” Walton said. “He’ll get an- ing him as a big part of the team’s future. prompting coach Luke Walton to start Giles averaged 14.1 minutes in 58 games other opportunity and then he just needs Now, Giles toils in obscurity at the end Holmes and Nemanja Bjelica in the front- in 2018-19, posting per-36-minute aver- to be ready for it.” of the bench, frustrating fans who want court. Now, Holmes is fl ourishing in a ages of 17.9 points, 6.8 rebounds, 3.7 as- Fox believes Giles will be prepared. to see more after getting glimpses of the breakout season, Bjelica is providing es- sists and 1.4 steals. Fans envisioned an “He’s still working,” Fox said. “Ob- upside the team touted over his fi rst two sential spacing with his perimeter shoot- exciting future featuring Bagley and Giles viously, it’s all about opportunity, and seasons in the NBA. Giles has appeared in ing and Bagley is coming off the bench at in the frontcourt with De’Aaron Fox and when his opportunity comes, I think he’ll only seven games this season and had not centre, leaving Dedmon and Giles out of Buddy Hield in the backcourt, but doubts be ready.” played since November 27 as the Kings the rotation. Walton said Giles must keep about Giles’ fate with the franchise arose Giles continues to be a positive pres- prepared to play the Houston Rockets on working and remain patient. in October when the Kings declined to pick ence in the locker room and on the bench, Monday night at Golden 1 Center. He also “He’s going to get an opportunity and up his $3.98 million fourth-year option for supporting teammates despite his own didn’t play on Monday. it’s his job to be ready and take full ad- 2020-21. The Kings can still try to re-sign frustrations. He demurred when asked “It’s tough,” Giles told The Sacramento vantage of that,” Walton said. “Right Giles as an unrestricted free agent, but un- if he is confi dent his next opportunity Bee. “I’m a competitor, so it’s hard, but it now, we feel like our best group is tight- der the Collective Bargaining Agreement would come with the Kings. is what it is. It’s not my decision. All I can ening the rotation and keeping as much they cannot off er more than that amount “It’s not about that,” Giles said. do is work hard every day, control what shooting and spacing out there as we can. in the fi rst year of any new deal. “You’ve just got to be ready regardless of I can control, and stay as ready as I can. With Marvin coming back, we wanted to Reports surfaced suggesting the or- whether it does or not, so you just have Head coach Michael Malone of the Denver Nuggets reacts during the What else can I do?” get him in that rotation, but we’re play- ganisation was unhappy with Giles’ to keep working hard every day, stay pre- first half of the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at Talking Stick Giles is stuck in a logjam at the cen- ing eight or nine guys right now, so it’s summer work ethic. He missed most of pared and stay confi dent in yourself.” Resort Arena on Monday in Phoenix. (Getty Images/AFP)

FOCUS Waiters returns aft er suspension for Heat workout By Ira Winderman tinued insubordination.” team saying that would change Sun Sentinel The Heat, left off the NBA’s if/when he appears in a game. Christmas Day schedule, have Upon returning from his pre- Wednesday off , with a team vious suspension, Waiters issued ion Waiters was back practice scheduled for Thurs- a statement on Nov 30 that read: on the court on Tues- day, in advance of back-to-back “I would like to apologize to day with some Miami home games on Friday and Sat- my teammates, coaches, bas- Heat teammates and urday nights against the Indi- ketball staff , the fans and the membersD of the coaching staff , ana Pacers and the Philadelphia entire organization for the inci- on what technically was a day off 76ers. dent that happened on the team for the team. Waiters, previously suspend- plane. I was wrong and take re- With AmericanAirlines Arena ed for the Oct 23 season-open- sponsibility for what happened available to the roster for treat- ing victory over the Memphis and am sorry for what it put eve- ments on Christmas Eve, Wait- Grizzlies and then for 10 games ryone through. I am happy to be ers, whose six-game suspension in November for what the Heat back with my teammates and am ended with the Heat’s Monday termed as “conduct detrimental looking forward to getting back night victory over the visiting to the team,” has yet to appear in on the court playing basketball.” Utah Jazz, took advantage of a game this season. He then was not utilised by the opportunity for work on the Each of the 17 games un- coach Erik Spoelstra in the in- team’s practice court. der suspension has cost Wait- terim, before the latest suspen- Players typically work with ers $83,500 in salary, bringing sion was put into place. staff ers during such informal that total to $1.42 million in lost Amid Waiters’ absences, the sessions. wages. Those fi nes have been Heat have thrived with a wing It was Waiters’ fi rst session at appealed by the National Bas- rotation that has featured Jimmy AmericanAirlines Arena since ketball Players Association, with Butler, Kendrick Nunn, Tyler the team announced on Dec 12 a ruling possibly not to be issued Herro, Goran Dragic and Duncan that he had been suspended for a until after the season. Robinson, with Derrick Jones Jr. third time this season, for “fail- Waiters, 28, has not been reemerging in recent games and ure to adhere to team policies, made available for comment by Justise Winslow expected back violation of team rules and con- the Heat this season, with the soon from a lower-back strain. Dion Waiters during his brief return to the Miami Heat before his latest suspension. (Sun Sentinel/TNS) Gulf Times 6 Thursday, December 26, 2019 SPORT

SPOTLIGHT owner Ross needs to hold everyone accountable This fan base has suff ered through its second decade of mediocrity while Ross has spared no expense on the team

By Omar Kelly Sun Sentinel

bold plan for a brighter future should begin with Miami Dolphins owner Steve Ross de- mandingA fi ve names from every football fi gure in his organisa- tion the week after the 2020 NFL combine. Not just fi ve names from gen- eral manager Chris Grier, the man Ross put in charge of eve- rything on the football side of the organisation last year around this time following yet another 7-9 season. But fi ve names from Brian Flores, who would be be- ginning his second year as the head coach. Five names from assistant general manager Marvin Allen, Grier’s second in command, who happens to be a well-respected evaluator of college talent. Five names from Adam En- groff and Anthony Hunt, the co-directors of player person- nel, two grinders who have each spent two decades-plus working their way up this organisation. Five names from Reggie McKenzie, a former executive of the year, who joined the Dolphins front offi ce as a sen- ior personnel executive earlier this year. And fi ve from off ensive coor- dinator Chad O’Shea, defensive co-ordinator Patrick Graham, and every position coach. Anybody with anything to do with player evaluation and/or development should put some skin in the game in this organi- sation’s push for improve. Ross should demand they all turn in fi ve names of players, and (From left) Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross, coach Brian Flores and general manager Chris Grier at the team’s training facility in Davie, Florida, on February, 4, 2019. (Charles Trainor Jr./Miami Herald/TNS) if they want to throw in a fel- low coaches, scouts, even a nu- lihoods, jobs with his organi- Then name one second-tier dry, two former second-round Everyone under Grier and those bad decisions. The train- tractors he uses to build his tritionists to poach from other sation, depends on those fi ve free-agent target who will pro- picks, did. Flores should name names, and ing wheels need to come off for world-renowned billion-dollar teams, then go for it. names succeeding. vide this franchise a signifi cant After that, name a mid-round be willing to bang the table for Ross, whose team has an 89-104 projects. Name the names of any indi- Each person on this account- bang for their buck the way Ran- target who will carve out a re- them in free-agent and draft record during his 12 seasons as The Dolphins business side vidual who can help transform ability crusade should be asked dy Starks did when Bill Parcells, spectable NFL career as a starter meetings, and that should be the owner. is held to that standard, and this franchise from the mediocre to name one big-ticket free- the vice president of football like receiver Brian Hartline, tight framework this franchise works This fan base has suff ered routinely delivers. It’s time for one it has been this past dec- agent target Ross should open up operations when Ross purchased end Charles Clay and tailback from to build Miami’s founda- through its second decade the football side to carry their ade, where the Dolphins have his wallet for, and make the pace the franchise a little over a dec- Lamar Miller did. tion moving forward. of mediocrity while Ross has weight. produced a 69-90 record head- setter at their position like he’s ade ago, signed the unheralded And fi nally, predict a late- Ross should keep that list spared no expense on the team, Ross should demand that a ing into Sunday’s season fi nale so often done for elite talents defensive lineman who turned round gem who will take the on hand and check it regularly, coaches and facilities. fi ve-year plan is formulated against the New England Patri- like Brandon Marshall, Karlos into a Pro Bowl talent. league by storm the way Reshad and hold the people in charge It is time he raises the stakes for him to hold up a Lombardi ots, into a title contender Ross Dansby, Mike Wallace, Branden Next, name one top-50 tal- Jones, a fi fth-round pick in 2010, accountable for every Philip and demand top-notch per- Trophy, and the journey should has always aspired for this or- Albert and Ndamukong Suh. ent in the 2020 NFL draft who did when Miami took a chance on Wheeler signed and Charles formances from the people he’s begin with everyone having two ganisation to become. And hopefully the next free- will become a Pro Bowler for this the former University of Georgia Harris drafted because someone put in charge the same way he and a half months to fi gure out And Ross should make sure agent whales deliver more than franchise like cornerback Xavien standout whose character con- lobbied for them. It is important demands perfection from the their fi ve names, and deliver a everyone knows that their live- the past fi ve. Howard and receiver Jarvis Lan- cerns hurt his draft standing. for him to know who was behind architects and general con- plan to land those talents.

NHL NFL Fill-ins help banged-up Columbus Blue Seahawks turn to Lynch to off set Jackets overcome slew of injuries raft of injuries By Brian Hedger played for the Cleveland Mon- AFP Only six players on the Sea- The Columbus Dispatch sters in the American Hockey Los Angeles hawks’ 53-man roster were (Columbus, Ohio) League this season, including teammates with Lynch during four recalled in the past week as his fi rst stint with the team, emergency fi ll-ins. arshawn Lynch, the comprising quarterback Rus- here are times when Those fi ll-ins are contribut- newest member sell Wilson, linebackers Bobby things don’t make a ing. Kevin Stenlund has two of the Seattle Sea- Wagner and KJ Wright, wide whole lot of sense in power-play goals in fi ve games hawks, said Tues- receiver Tyler Lockett, Canadi- the National Hockey since being recalled. Nathan Mday it was great to be back after an tight end Luke Willson and TLeague. A team will get badly Gerbe put the Jackets up 2-1 in agreeing to come out of retire- running back Robert Turbin. outplayed but win. A puck shot the second period against the Is- ment and fi nish the season with “He’s highly motivated to do from an impossible angle will landers. Ryan MacInnis and Ja- his former team. everything you can do in this trickle into the net. A fourth- kob Lilja have added good min- Seattle, who are desperate game. He really is,” said Seattle liner will rattle off an off ensive utes on the fourth line. Gabriel for help on the running back coach Pete Carroll. bender, then hunch his shoul- Carlsson played two solid defen- position because of injuries, are “He knew he wasn’t done. ders and roll with it because he’s sive games while David Savard gambling that the 33-year-old He got in a situation where he just as baffl ed as everybody else. was sick. That’s not to mention can still produce touchdowns – was injured, and he had to re- Stuff such as that happens Joonas Korpisalo’s ongoing ex- even though he hasn’t played in hab and all that. every season, and each case is cellence in net or rookie de- the league in over a year. “It just didn’t fi t together unique among the NHL’s massive fenseman Vladislav Gavrikov, Asked what brought him right away. He’s not done play- vault of “X Files” occurrences. who has scored goals in back-to- back to Seattle, Lynch, who has ing and he wants to go. This is The Blue Jackets have certainly back games, including the win- shown disdain for the Ameri- his entrée and he’s going to go logged their fair amount of them Columbus Blue Jackets head coach John Tortorella can add injuries to the list of ominous circumstances ner in New York. can media in the past, declined for it.” in 19 seasons, including the past that his team is currently staring down. (Columbus Dispatch/TNS) All of the above have com- to explain his return. Seattle are frantic for help at two weeks of this season – which bined to give the Blue Jackets a “Happy holidays,” he said the running back position after may wind up being looked on as Our whole team in that locker and Josh Anderson (shoulder) should have been a death knell pulse again. They’re of instead. “Merry New Year. Y’all losing CJ Prosise with a broken one of the most historic stands room – from coaches all the way went out in the fi rst period, de- to this season. Instead, it was the woods, but they’re also not have a great day. It’s a great arm, and Chris Carson to a hip they’ve ever taken, or just a re- down – how we’re going to have fenseman Ryan Murray (lower the start of an extraordinary se- underwater anymore at 17-14-6. feeling to be back. Thank you.” injury. ally odd blip in the middle of an to respond to it.” body) left in the second and quence that took the Jackets into “We did talk a few weeks ago The Seahawks, who have al- Second-year running back otherwise tough slog. The Jackets had actually the Jackets were already miss- their holiday break Monday on a about using these couple of ready booked a playoff spot, Rashaad Penny had already “We’re underwater,” Blue earned three out of four points ing defenseman Zach Werenski stunning high note. weeks before Christmas, as far have just one game left in the been lost for the year with a Jackets coach John Tortore- in a two-game stretch against (shoulder), rookie forward Emil Despite adding Cam Atkinson, as where it could put us – in a regular season against the San torn ACL, and Travis Homer is lla said Dec. 13 in Pittsburgh, the Washington Capitals and Bemstrom (ribs) and forward Oliver Bjorkstrand and rookie good spot, at least trying to get Francisco 49ers next Sunday. the only other running back on a day after a lethargic-looking Penguins at that point, but fl ew Brandon Dubinsky (wrist), a Andrew Peeke to their mountain back in it, or are we in trouble?” The retired Lynch last suited the roster. 1-0 overtime loss to the injury- to Ottawa for the next game with cagey, faceoff winning forward of injuries, the Blue Jackets have Tortorella said. “I think they’ve up for six games with the Oak- This is the second time depleted Penguins dropped his an ominous feeling. And that’s who hasn’t played a single game collected points in eight straight handled themselves very well land Raiders during the 2018 Lynch has retired and then had team 10 points back of the Phil- when things started to get weird. yet. Six players were out, the games (6-0-2) and rattled off a here the last two or three weeks.” NFL season. His fi nal game in a change of heart – fi rst in Feb- adelphia Flyers for the second Another overtime loss ensued, Jackets’ odds to join the playoff season-high winning streak of It might not make a whole lot the NFL was in October of that ruary 2016 when he came out of wild-card spot in the Eastern not to mention a stinging hat race seemed all but over and the fi ve games – including a 3-2 vic- of sense, but that’s how the NHL season when the Raiders lost retirement to join the Raiders. Conference. trick and OT winner by former next game on the docket was a tory Monday at the New York rolls sometimes. Christmas has 27-3 to Seattle. Lynch spent six He lasted two seasons with “We’re underwater, so I’m teammate Anthony Duclair, but rematch with a Capitals bunch Islanders, one of the NHL’s top arrived in Columbus, where a seasons in Seattle from 2010 to Oakland, accumulating 1,267 anxious to see how people re- injuries were the bigger news. looking for a little payback. teams. They had fi ve players in happy bunch of banged-up Blue 2015 after being traded by the yards, ten touchdowns, and had spond, how coaches respond. Sonny Milano (upper body) Logically, that probably the lineup for that game who’ve Jackets are ready for more. Buff alo Bills. 35 receptions for 235 yards. Gulf Times Thursday, December 26, 2019 7 SPORT

FOOTBALL Qatar and Turkmenistan Vardy dilemma play out 2-2 draw in friendly for Leicester as Reds lie in wait

Action from the friendly match between the Qatar and Turkmenistan U-23 sides in Doha yesterday. The match ended in a 2-2 draw. Qatar are gearing up for the AFC U-23 Championship in Thailand in January. At bottom, coach Felix Sanchez reacts during the match.

File photo of Leicester City’s English striker Jamie Vardy celebrating a goal.

SPOTLIGHT AFP Christmas and New Year holiday pe- The German top-flight closes down while new Everton boss Carlo Ancelot- London riod. The congested schedule is again for several weeks in December and Jan- ti is in charge at home to Burnley. causing headaches for managers, with uary, with Rodgers saying the English Newcastle, managed by former Old Foxes boss Brendan Rodgers saying the break was a “let’s pretend” version. Trafford favourite Steve Bruce, will QFA’s workshop for eicester City face runaway Pre- fixture list is a “nonsense”. Liverpool will be without Alex Ox- look to complete a league double over mier League leaders Liverpool Leicester kick off against Liverpool lade-Chamberlain after the Manchester United with both sides on Boxing Day knowing their at 11pm Qatar Time today before they suffered an ankle injury against Fla- presently level on 25 points and look- referees concludes own title hopes are very much play West Ham on Saturday. mengo as Jurgen Klopp’s side, unbeat- ing to break into the top six. inL the balance. They then complete four games in 10 en in the Premier League this season, Sheffield United face Watford, still A fi tness test was held for the QNA Today’s match will see the sec- days with a trip to Newcastle on New bid to go 13 points clear and all but end bottom despite last week’s win over Doha referees participating in the ses- ond-placed Foxes, the shock 2015/16 Year’s Day, before hosting Wigan in the the title-race before by the halfway Manchester United. sion this morning at the Qatar champions, kick off 10 points adrift of FA Cup on January 4. stage. “We’re halfway through this season SC Stadium, and theoretical and Liverpool, who will arrive in the East This presents Rodgers with a prob- “If anyone wants to think things are and we knew this season was going to he referees’ workshop video tests were held in the law Midlands fresh from winning a maiden lem about how often to field Jamie over before they are over we cannot be a season of some ups and downs,” conducted by the Qatar of football. (QNA) Club World Cup title following a 1-0 Vardy, the league’s leading scorer so stop them doing that, though it is not said Manchester United manager Ole Football Association con- victory over Brazilian side Flamengo far this season, given the striker is now important to us,” said Liverpool man- Gunnar Solskjaer. Meanwhile reigning cluded on Tuesday after UMM SALAL SIGN KHALFAN in Qatar. One of the more remarkable aged 32. ager Klopp. champions Manchester City are away theT participants passed the tests. Umm Salal Sports Club statistics in English football is that it “The game is about money now. You “As a group we are pretty good at to Wolves on Friday. The workshop started last signed has signed Al Arabi is nearly 30 years since Liverpool were can’t say it’s about the welfare of play- shutting the doors all around us to keep Thursday with the participation player Fahd Khalfan on a loan last crowned domestic champions in ers,” insisted Rodgers, himself a former out the noise from outside,” the Ger- Fixtures (1500 GMT unless stated): of 36 referees. deal until the end of the current what was then the First Division. Liverpool manager who added that man added. The workshop included phys- season. But Premier League silverware is Vardy, for all he has scored 16 goals Fourth-placed Chelsea, fresh from Today: Aston Villa v Norwich, ical training and practical appli- The team currently are look- now in sight following a successful this term, had “no chance” of being a 2-0 win away to Tottenham Hotspur Bournemouth v Arsenal, Chelsea v cations for referees with the par- ing to improve their squad after 2019 that has also seen Liverpool take involved throughout the festive period. marred by allegation of racist abuse, Southampton, Crystal Palace v West ticipation of two football teams a string of losses saw them fall the Champions League and UEFA Su- This season sees the Premier League are at home to Southampton while Ham, Everton v Burnley, Leicester v during the morning period at to the bottom of the table. They per Cup trophies back to as experimenting with a ‘winter break’ Spurs will be without the suspended Liverpool (2000 GMT), Manchester the Al Markhiya SC stadium, in recently signed Morocco’s Aziz well as the Club World Cup. that will see all teams get a weekend off Son Heung-min for the visit of Bright- United v Newcastle (1730 GMT), Shef- addition to holding theoretical bin Askar as a new coach as well. One of the enduring peculiarities of in February. on after the South Korean’s red card field United v Watford, Tottenham v lectures in football law and ana- Despite that, they suff ered their the English game that has not changed, But that pales into insignificance against the Blues. Brighton (1230 GMT) lytical lectures using video dur- second loss under the leader- however, is the packed programme of compared to the Bundesliga’s long- Mikel Arteta’s reign as Arsenal man- Tomorrow: Wolves v Manchester City ing the evening period at Ezdan ship of the new coach against Al matches that take place during the established winter break. ager starts away to Bournemouth, (1945 GMT) Palace Hotel. Sailiya.

CANDID OPINION United further behind in development Arteta’s lack of experience than expected, says manager Solskjaer ‘doesn’t mean anything’ to

Reuters the British media. “We knew Manchester this season was going to be a Bournemouth’s Howe season of some ups and downs.” United have failed to win Reuters Howe, who had a short stint anchester United more than two league games in Bournemouth at Burnley before returning to have not progressed a row this season but Solskjaer Bournemouth in 2012, has al- as much as what said that they needed time to ready managed more than 500 manager Ole Gun- reach their best form. ournemouth boss Ed- matches in his career. Mnar Solskjaer had hoped for “This season will be used die Howe has played “The experience side of it as they near the halfway stage to fi nd a team for next season, down the importance — as I found when I fi rst came of the Premier League season, but hopefully we can speed this of managerial experi- into the job when I was coming but the Norwegian said his team process up by getting more re- enceB ahead of today’s Premier up against managers who had would become more consistent sults,” the 46-year-old added. League game against Arsenal, had all sorts of games — the with experience. “We want to be a team that who will play their fi rst match game is there to win, regardless Solskjaer, who took charge of can go and dominate and break under newly appointed head of how many games you’ve got United in December last year, teams down. It has taken Liv- coach Mikel Arteta. manager and would need help behind you,” Howe said. has guided the team to eighth erpool a few years to get to that Arteta, 37, was appointed but Howe, who was named “He’s taking over a fantas- in the standings after 18 games state and we need to keep on Unai Emery’s successor last Bournemouth’s permanent tic club with great players and and their tally of 25 points is building because that’s what we week and the former Arsenal manager at the age of 31 in he’ll have his own ideas and four fewer than what they had want to get to. midfi elder comes into the role 2009, begs to diff er. philosophies, built up over collected at this stage last sea- “I expect us to be more con- having spent the last three “It doesn’t mean anything,” a number of years of how he son. sistent, defi nitely more experi- years as ’s assist- Howe, 42, told reporters when wants his team to play.” The 2-0 loss to bottom- enced and learning from these ant at defending champions asked about the advantage he Bournemouth, who are placed Watford on Sunday was setbacks.” Manchester City. had over Spaniard Arteta. “It’s 14th, can move within a point their fi fth of the campaign, with United take on ninth-placed Former Arsenal boss Ar- not about me and Mikel, it’s of 11th-placed Arsenal with a the team failing to build on wins Newcastle United in the league sene Wenger had said before about the players, how we im- home victory while the Gun- over Tottenham Hotspur and earlier this month. bit further behind than what I on Thursday before visiting Arteta’s appointment that plement what we do against ners are looking for a fi rst win champions Manchester City “At the moment we’re a little was hoping for,” Solskjaer told Burnley on Saturday. he had “no experience” as a Arsenal.” in three matches.

Thursday, December 26, 2019 GULF TIMES SPORT

SPOTLIGHT All we want is a Boxing Day Test to remember In the absence of raw power, New Zealand bring precision and intelligence

By Sam Perry best indicator of what to expect. In The Guardian the past fi ve years, the average fi rst- innings score is 491. Three times has a team declared their fi rst innings. Three n cricket’s darkness lies much of weeks ago, after playing in a Shield its charm. As a player, for exam- match against NSW, Victoria cap- ple, moments of personal failure tain Peter Handscomb said: “It’s the will outstrip success consider- MCG, mate. It doesn’t deteriorate. [It] Iably. A batter might spend all week hasn’t deteriorated in 10 years.” There preparing meticulously, ‘ticking the is a reason David Warner said this week boxes’ of nets, extra throwdowns, fi t- that the plan was to “bat big and bat ness, avoidance of alcohol, early to bed once”. on Friday, only to be sent in on a wet Still, it gives us something to talk wicket and soon after adjudged leg be- about. Around Christmas tables, fore after ‘smashing it’ into the front backyards and BBQs will be conversa- pad. Hours of thorough preparation tion about pitch technology. Someone again thwarted by a bad toss and an will deign to be clued up on drop-ins, umpire with cataracts. This is just one concrete beds, Yarra Park soil, and the scenario. There are a thousand others. fact that “the MCG wicket has always There’s something of the player’s been terrible”. That same person may parable in the Boxing Day Test, too. go on to regale the enchanted audience While all the component parts appear with tales of SCG Trust skullduggery to be in place, history demands that we preventing the AFL from instituting brace for something less than the sum a drop-in pitch there. Though to be of its parts. clear, only about 12 people understand On the home front, life is good. how pitches actually work in any na- Whereas last season’s series against tion, so be wary of anyone who claims India was played with a sandpaper- expertise here unless their last name is coloured asterisk, this season Australia Page, Burdett, Parker, Lewis or Mitch- look a side on the rise. They possess the ell. best batsman in world cricket, they’ve So there are two teams capable of got a popular captain, they’ve un- good cricket, a world-class colosse- earthed a generational No 3, and their um, hordes of fans, a shiny broadcast, pace attack is now being described and everyone trying their best. But as a “cartel” – the unoffi cial zenith the memory of Mitch Starc’s double of fast-bowling verbiage. Even David bouncer through to Tim Paine during Warner is back, scoring runs having the fi rst over last year still lingers. And transcended his most famous charac- if this year’s wicket is similar, well, the ter, The Bull. Last week in Perth, after New Zealand captain Kane Williamson kicks a ball during training in Melbourne yesterday. cricket will be what it usually is: some watching rifl e the ball pleasant background noise on Boxing back at Joe Burns, Warner was picked New Zealand could scarcely be questions than anyone else has been too. Their batting group has more Test diffi cult to envisage Kane Williamson Day, an epic innings or two, and a pre- up on the stump mic saying, “I thought bringing more to the table, too. In the able to in recent memory. Only Marnus hundreds than their counterparts (65 summoning an epic for his forgotten cursor to something more exciting in you were Mr Nice Guy?”. If ever there absence of raw power, they bring pre- Labuschagne looked at ease through v 61), and they’re better spread across nation. And he would do so in front the Big Bash that evening. was a moment that underscored the cision and intelligence. While Steve the leg-theory inquiry, and the Black the top order. Having not played at of an estimated 15,000 Kiwis who will However, as any veteran club crick- world fl ipping on its head, Warner po- Smith may dine for free in the Test Caps are theoretically bolstered by the MCG since 1987 following com- be there in support. Though for all the eter will tell you: sooner or later, your licing the nice guy credentials of New team for years, New Zealand has swift- Trent Boult’s return from injury. mercially driven exclusion from Aus- conjecture over what will be on off er, day will come. So maybe, just maybe, Zealand cricketers must go close. ly presented him a more diffi cult set of With the blade they have pedigree, tralian cricket’s headline Test, it’s not the recent past typically provides the Boxing Day is due.

FOOTBALL TENNIS Lisicki weighs Chelsea want to keep faith in comeback aft er illness setback Willian against Southampton “So far, everything has been DPA Berlin going very well. Australia is AFP defi nitely too early, I still need London time to set it up.” ormer Wimbledon fi - The former world ranked nalist Sabine Lisicki is 12th, who underwent surgery illian’s performance Fworking on her come- on her knee in 2017 and suf- at the Tottenham back after injuries and illness fered a foot injury in 2018, WHotspur Stadium last have seen her drop out of the announced in September she weekend highlighted just why top 500 in the women’s tennis had been suff ering from glan- Frank Lampard is keen to see rankings. dular fever. the Brazilian’s future at Chelsea “Of course you have one or She played her last match resolved. two tournaments in your head at the end of July this year at While much of the focus this that you would like to play a small tournament in Karl- season has been trained on the at. But for me it is really a top sruhe, Germany, outstanding contribution of priority to come back fi t,” she Sitting out the Austral- the youngsters in Blues manag- told DPA in an interview. ian Open was “tough,” said er Lampard’s squad, Willian’s “I would rather wait a week Lisicki, who lost to Marion performances on the right of a or two weeks longer than start Bartoli in France in the Wim- front three have been consist- a week early.” bledon fi nal in 2013 and is now ently excellent. Lisicki, 30, feels close to a only 563rd in the world rank- The winger appeared to have return to top-fl ight tennis but ings. lost his way in recent seasons, will not travel to the Austral- She said she no thoughts of particularly last term when ian Open next month. resigning during the break. he struggled for consistency Laid low with glandular “I really missed the tennis under Maurizio Sarri and ap- fever, she said she needed to court and the playing,” she peared in danger of leaving the build up fi tness continuously said. “And the passion for my London club. without rushing to get back to sport is just too great, the fi re This campaign has been dif- former levels. is still there. ferent, though, and Lampard “We are doing it just as the I always say: get up more will hope the player can inspire doctors advised,” she said. than you fall.” a return to home form when Southampton visit Stamford Bridge on Thursday following Chelsea’s impressive 2-0 defeat of Jose Mourinho’s Spurs. Willian was certainly the stand-out performer in a dis- play Lampard admitted was probably his side’s best of the season after a worrying run of Chelsea’s Brazilian midfielder Willian in action against Tottenham Hotspur in London on December 22. form that had brought four de- feats in the previous five Pre- appearing rejuvenated under And he has strengthened his France’s squad for Euro 2020. “He’s a very important mem- mier League games, included the club’s new manager. hand in his contract negotia- Pedro has been reduced to ber of the club and of course I home losses to Bournemouth Certainly Lampard appears tions with the club as he seeks a fringe player and is also ex- want it to be done but obviously and West Ham. to have found the key to draw- a new deal that will keep him at pected to move on at the end of both sides have to be happy for There were always going to ing the best out of the 31-year- Chelsea beyond the end of this the season. that,” said Lampard when asked be frustrating periods for Lam- old whose work on the right has season. Willian, though, is a differ- last month about Willian’s fu- pard and his players in what is contributed to striker Tammy Willian’s existing deal runs ent matter and while Chelsea ture. a season of transition for for Abraham making such a sig- out at the end of the current are notoriously reluctant to Chelsea captain Cesar Chelsea, who are neverthe- nificant impact in his break- campaign, along with those offer extended deals to players Azpilicueta faces a late fit- less now fourth in the Premier through season at west London of fellow thirty-somethings over the age of 30, the Brazilian ness test following a hamstring League. club Chelsea. Pedro and Olivier Giroud. could become an exception. problem sustained at Spurs. The task of bedding in a Willian’s work ethic had been With Chelsea’s two-win- For his part, Lampard has Meanwhile the Saints, flirt- number of graduates from the questioned previously, with his dow transfer ban having been made it clear he wants the ing with the relegation zone, club’s academy against the failure to track back and sup- halved, leaving the club to bring South American to stay. could be without Shane Long backdrop of the pre-season port his full-back at times in new recruits next month, Gi- And while the manager has for the whole of the busy transfer embargo has inevitably highlighted last season. roud is likely to leave in a bid no intention of shifting his pol- Christmas programme because presented challenges. This time around, there can to find the regular football he icy of promoting young players, of a knee injury the striker suf- Willian, though, has main- be no doubt about his willing- believes will boost his chances he knows the value of experi- fered during last week’s win at tained impressively high levels, ness to put in the hard yards. of being a member of hosts ence. Aston Villa.