26 Established 1961 Sports Wednesday, August 28, 2019 ‘Village cricketer’ Leach can’t believe he’s an Ashes hero ‘I just had to stay calm and do the job at hand’

LEEDS: put his cult hero status down to endeared him to the crowd. “It’s nice to have that, it’s looking like a “village cricketer” after his key support- probably because I look like a village cricketer out ing role enabled to steer England to a stag- there, in my glasses and with the bald head,” said Leach. gering victory in the third Ashes Test. England were 286-9, still needing 73 more runs to reach a victory tar- ‘That could be me’ get of 359 when last man Leach walked out to bat at “Maybe people think ‘that could be me’ because all Headingley on Sunday. the others look pretty professional.” Leach, whose Already something of a crowd favorite, the bespec- tailend resistance has seen him offered free glasses for tacled and balding Leach held firm as all-rounder life by series sponsors Specsavers in a response to a Stokes, who was 61 when joined in the middle suggestion on Twitter from Stokes, added: “I’m just by the left-arm spinner, blazed his way to an astound- enjoying playing for England.” The 28-year-old said his ing unbeaten 135 that saw England to a one- win careful cleaning routine was simply about removing that leveled the five-match series at 1-1. condensation as he faced up to an Australia attack led But just as ’s 149 not out in England’s cel- by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood. ebrated 1981 Test win over Australia at Headingley after “I just had to make sure they were clean every time I following-on needed the support of , and was facing up,” said Leach. “I would really regret it if ’s Ashes-clinching 158 at in they had been smudged and I’d got out, then the cam- 2005 would not have been possible without Ashley Gile eras zoom in on the glasses and they say ‘he didn’t at the other end, so too did Stokes need Leach to stay clean his glasses’. I just had to stay calm and do the job with him during what became a remarkable last-wicket at hand.” When Leach came into bat, it seemed stand of 76. England’s chances of a win had evaporated. But having Even though Stokes farmed the strike superbly, seen, albeit as a fan watching television, Stokes star in Leach — whose career average of 11 matches his posi- England’s World Cup final triumph against New tion in the order — still had to face 17 balls for Zealand with 84 not out at Lord’s six weeks earlier, an invaluable one not out. But having made 92 as night- Leach had faith even when all seemed lost. watchman in a Test against Ireland at Lord’s last month, “I was watching the World Cup final as a fan and Leach hung in for an hour. His only real scare came that showed that anything is possible,” he said. “Ben when, with two needed to win, he nearly ran himself out Stokes was at the centre of that as well. Maybe Ben LEEDS: England’s Ben Stokes (R) and England’s Jack Leach react after winning the third Ashes Test only for to fail to gather a return when Stokes has to be at the centre of all things that are pos- match between England and Australia at Headingley. — AFP Leach was yards short of his ground. sible. He was just unbelievable.” Leach would have like- Leach, however, tied the scores before Stokes struck ly been watching the Headingley match on television the winning off fast bowler . The too had not rival spinner been dropped after injured, Leach suddenly found himself unexpectedly wanted to be ready to play and not presume anything. sight of Leach carefully polishing his glasses as England a woeful display in the series opener at Edgbaston. thrust back into the Test side. “I probably thought I’d Now my opportunity has come about so I’m trying to closed on their record fourth- winning total also With World Cup-winning leg-spinner be watching at home,” he admitted. “But I make the most of it.” — AFP

1970s and early 1980s, has taken over Black tennis West Indian 7,000 during a career spanning more than 60 years. At one point he took 538 wickets in five seasons, aver- pioneer Gibson pace bowler aging one every 27 balls. “Pretty good going,” said cricket Wright pulls up Bible Wisden, referring to Wright’s honored, equality stamina. Bit finally even he has accepted stumps - at 85 that the time has come to pull up stumps fight goes on on his career. “I wish I knew the reason for my longevity, but I couldn’t tell you LONDON: Cecil Wright’s name will not what it is,” he told The Daily Mirror, who NEW YORK: Even as a new US Open statue rank alongside West Indies legends Viv estimated that he had played in over two paid tribute to the courage and perseverence Richards, Gary Sobers and Frank million games. He once attributed his of black tennis pioneer Althea Gibson, Serena Worrell, but for longevity he outranks staying power to his love of traditional and Venus Williams warned Monday that the them all. The fast bowler known affec- no frills Lancashire food such as hot pot. social and racial battles she fought remain tionately as ‘Cec’ has announced he will “To be honest I eat anything that’s going issues today. Gibson, the first black Grand Slam retire in two weeks’ time — at the ripe but I don’t drink much, just the odd tennis champion, died in 2003 at age 76 after old age of 85 Wright, who in his heyday beer,” he was quoted as saying. winning five Grand Slam singles titles, including represented Jamaica against Barbados, “And I keep fit, although these days I a historic breakthrough singles win at the 1956 NEW YORK: A statue honoring the pioneering champion Althea Gibson by artist Eric lining up against Sobers and Wes Hall, use my age as an excuse to miss train- French Championships. Goulder is seen after it’s unveiling at the 2019 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King moved to England in 1959 and launched ing.”I find keeping active helps to ease “It sends a great message to me in particu- National Tennis Center. — AFP a career as a professional in the Central aches and pains. “I don’t like to sit still lar, knowing what she went through, being truly Lancashire League for Crompton. and watch TV, I would rather have a the first pioneer, an African-American in tennis, champion, said the equality Gibson fought for say that. I would have passed her any day and After three years he decided to stay walk or potter about in the garage. just to a sport that wasn’t open to black peo- remains elusive. “I don’t think anyone really not know who it was. “But the main thing is not on in England and settled down after Wright will bring down the final curtain ple,” 23-time Slam singles champion Serena understands what it was like in those days,” she the statue. It’s what I learned from her and meeting his future wife Enid, then having on his career on Saturday September 7, Williams said. “It’s also really important to be said. “We came here for freedom and it was what I enjoyed with her.” a son. Wright, who also played with turning out for Uppermill, near Oldham, thankful and to know what she went through... unfortunate that many people were not given Richards and Joel Garner, another of the against Pennine League side No matter what color you are, you can defi- that. Because of Althea, people fighting for it, Gibson inspired King great West Indies pace attack of the late Springhead. — AFP nitely learn a lot about the opportunities she we’ve gotten a lot closer to it. “She went Gibson also helped inspire King, a 12-time helped bring to tennis.” through it so I didn’t have to. What she Grand Slam singles champion who is now 75, The four-member executive commit- At a time when racism was widespread, achieved, that statue is the beginning of what to become a historic champion for women’s tee declined to renew Arthur’s contract Gibson also won the 1957 and 1958 US Open we should be doing for Althea.” rights. “She totally inspired me,” King said. “I Misbah after failed to reach the semi- and Wimbledon titles despite often being Serena noted the battle for equality as a knew if Althea had gone through what she had final of the World Cup in England and forced to sleep in cars and barred from restau- woman and an African-American continues. gone through and changed the world, that I emerges as Wales. The PCB did not reveal whether rants. “What people have to understand is how “We’re going through a lot of that now in gen- had a chance to follow in her footsteps and anyone else had applied for the post. she persevered and what she means not just to eral,” she said. “We need people to fight for us, help change the next generations. front- for However, Pakistani media said former our sport, to all society, to everyone,” US tennis whether it is for equality, whether it is for “Althea is a very strong reminder that it’s Australian batsman Dean Jones and ex- legend Billie Jean King said. The tribute comes racism... or else change necessarily won’t come important to the living people right now that West Indies paceman as incidents involving white supremacists are as fast as we would need it to.” England’s we carry on her legacy and the legacy of Pakistan coach were among the applicants. growing in the United States. “Every genera- Angela Buxton, 85, was Gibson’s women’s equality.” King said women still have great Misbah said competition for the job tion has to continue the process and the fight doubles partner in 1956 French and strides to make in society to achieve equality KARACHI: Former Misbah-ul- would be tough. “It is interesting to see to keep freedom available, to get rid of sexism Wimbledon title runs but gave a sobering with men. “Being a woman? We’re still sec- Haq yesterday emerged as the favorite my name emerging in the media even and racism,” King said. “Right now I think we assessment of the artwork. ond-class citizens, and she’s African- to take over as Pakistan’s cricket coach before I had applied... I envisage there have a lot of racism.” “You want an honest opinion? Well, it does- American, so just go down the totem pole after was axed following will be a few more very competent and Venus Williams, a seven-time Slam singles n’t resemble her at all,” Buxton said. “Sorry to some more,” King said. —AFP a disappointing World Cup. Misbah, highly qualified people applying for one Pakistan’s most successful Test captain, of the most challenging jobs in the has stepped down from the Pakistan game,” he added. Misbah totalled 26 Cricket Board’s executive committee to wins in 56 Tests as captain, with 19 loss- Sun Yang says clear the way for his application. “I have es and 11 draws. He retired in 2017. resigned from the cricket committee and Pakistan are likely to announce their new ‘facts distorted’ have applied for the post of Pakistan’s head coach ahead of the limited-overs head coach,” said the former batsman, series against Sri Lanka starting in in doping test describing the position as a “dream”. Karachi from September 27. — AFP

the BBC he will retire before he is 40. SHANGHAI: China’s triple Olympic swim- Boxing great Pacquiao became the oldest welterwight ming champion Sun Yang yesterday world champion in history when aged 40 described as “intolerable” the speculation he won on a split decision over American surrounding him ahead of a Court of Lomachenko Keith Thurman in July. Arbitration for Sport (CAS) hearing into a Lomachenko is adamant he will not murky missed drugs test. The 27-year-old’s now eyes a be following suit. “No, I don’t want that, career is in jeopardy after he was accused of it’s too much,” he said. “I have trained smashing a blood vial with a hammer during different catch since I am four years old. I was born a an out-of-competition dope test last year. boxer. “Always, something has to end. I FINA agreed with Sun that testers failed want to hunt, I want to fish every day. to produce adequate identification or follow LONDON: Ukraine’s world lightweight Now I can’t do this as I train every day. protocol, but the World Anti-Doping champion Vasyl Lomachenko says he “My motivation, my goal, is four titles (at Agency (WADA) responded by taking the wants to enjoy hunting and fishing and lightweight). After, I don’t know what case to CAS. “Misguided public opinion has not box on into his 40s like fellow great happens. Now it’s two more belts.” distorted the facts,” Sun, a hero to millions Manny Pacquiao. The 31-year-old two- Campbell matched Lomachenko at in China but derided as a “drugs cheat” by time Olympic champion will hope to the London Olympics in 2012 with gold some of his rivals, wrote on social media. Chinese swimmer Sun Yang add the vacant WBC belt to his WBA in the bantamweight division and he will “My training and my personal life have been and WBO lightweight titles when he bid to do better than compatriot greatly disturbed by this and it’s become fights Britain’s Luke Campbell in Anthony Crolla, who was knocked out in intolerable.” Sun, a controversial character, said that he was looking forward to giving everything, otherwise I won’t be able to London on Saturday. the fourth round by the Ukrainian in was allowed to compete in the World his account of what happened during the defend myself against irresponsible accusa- Lomachenko, who enjoyed an out- April. If Lomachenko is to hold all four Championships in South Korea in July, win- now-infamous doping test. “There is some- tions.” A CAS hearing was originally sched- standing amateur career winning world title belts, he will not just need to ning two golds but also becoming a focus of thing I can’t say, I can’t make the truth pub- uled for September, but is now unlikely to Olympic gold in 2008 (featherweight) beat Campbell on Saturday but also tar- protests from other swimmers. lic,” he added on Weibo. “But fortunately be before the end of October, CAS said ear- and 2012 (lightweight) and is believed to get Ghana’s Richard Commey, who pos- Writing on the Twitter-like Weibo, Sun the surveillance cameras have recorded lier this month. — AFP have lost just one of his 396 bouts, told sesses the IBF crown. — AFP