BBASEBALLASEBALL | Page 5 CCRICKETRICKET | Page 7 Kershaw shines India look as Dodgers to dominate beat Toronto West Indies Blue Jays in fi rst Test

Thursday, August 22, 2019 FOOTBALL Dhul-Hijja 21, 1440 AH Ribery joins GULF TIMES Fiorentina for one last challenge SPORT Page 3

FOOTBALL/QNB STARS LEAGUE Sayyar double as champs Al Sadd start season in style made an early substitution in the 35th minute, taking off and bringing on Hassan al-Haydos

By Sports Reporter

efending champions Al Sadd made a crack- ing start to their QNB Stars League campaign, scoringD an emphatic 4-1 win over in the opening match of the new season at the Sheikh yes- terday. Al Sadd’s goals were scored by Abdulaziz al-Ansari (ninth minute), (74th) and Ahmed Sayyar (84th and 90th minutes), while Al Wakrah’s only goal came from Mohamed Benyettou in the 26th minute. Al Sadd were given a fright in the fi rst half which saw the teams fi nish with one goal apiece, but hit their groove late in the match to give a very in- volved Xavi his fi rst league win in . Al Sadd’s Abdulaziz al-Ansari (top) and Abdelkarim Hassan (bottom) celebrate their goals against A few months ago Xavi had Al Wakrah. inspired Al Sadd to their record 14th league title and the Span- iard was busy over the past few weeks steering his side to the quarter-fi nals of the AFC Champions League and the Sheikh Jassim Cup title, his fi rst piece of silverware as the coach. Al Sadd began the game and well and had a scoring chance in the third minute. Akram Afi f sent in a cross after a short cor- ner and the unmarked Pedro rose to head the ball, but it went just over the bar. The Wolves made the break- through in the ninth minute. Wakrah managed to equalise in half, Xavi made another change, right, with the ball evading eve- Abdulaziz al-Ansari controlled the 26th minute through Mo- sending on Ahmed Sayyar in ryone before falling to Abdelka- an aerial pass from Afi f, before hamed Benyettou, who tapped place of . rim who lashed in with his left slotting the ball past Saoud al- in past Saad al-Dosari, after Al-Haydos almost scored in foot to make it 2-1. Khater to score the opening goal Cristian Ceballos’ cross from the 55th minute, slipping the ball Ahmed Sayyar then scored of the season Al Sadd coach Xavi reacts during the right. past the onrushing keeper but twice in the space of six minutes In the 15th minute, Afi f was the match against Al Wakrah Xavi made an early substitu- Al Wakrah captain Bruno Uvini to extend Al Sadd’s lead further. sent through on goal by Gabi, yesterday. PICTURE: Noushad tion in the 35th minute, taking made a last-ditch clearance In the 84th minute, Ali Asad but he was brought down by the Thekkayil off Akram Afi f and bringing on inches away from the goal-line. dribbled past his marker and last defender Ali Malallah. The Hassan al-Haydos, who played Al Sadd fi nally got back in the squared the ball for Sayyar to fi n- referee consulted VAR before up front alongside Abdulaziz al- lead in the 74th minute, when ish off . Sayyar made it 4-1 in the sending off the Al Wakrah player. Ansari and . Abdelkarim Hassan scored. Al- 89th minute with a close range Despite being a man down, Al At the start of the second Ansari sent in a cross from the strike.

BOTTOMLINE Kenya’s Obiri to compete in both 5k and 10k in Doha Nairobi: Kenyan middle-distance champion Hellen Obiri said yes- Duhail score heart-stopping terday she will compete in both the 5k and 10k races at the IAAF World Athletics Championships in Doha next month. Obiri, 29, the current world win over Qatar Sports Club 5,000m champion, aims to become one of the rare athletes By Sports Reporter ia’s men a lifeline. to win over both distances at the Doha Msakni profi ted from same event. a lapse in concentration “Since I have a wild card for the by Qatar SC goalkeeper 5,000m in Doha, I feel it is the lmoez Ali Jassem Adel who failed right time to run both the 5k struck in sec- to cleanly collect Ed- and 10k. The humid weather has ond-half stop- milson’s shot from afar. Al Duhail players been favourable to me the three page time to Msakni made no mistake celebrate their times I have ran in the Qatari Agive Al Duhail a heart- from close to equalise. winning goal capital,” Obiri told AFP. stopping 2-1 win over Almoez then scored against Qatar “I know that this is a big task but I Qatar Sports Club in the the winning goal in the Sports Club. am going to intensify my training in the qualifying race. QNB Stars League yes- second minute of added in these remaining five weeks The Kenyan men’s team will terday. time, unleashing a pow- before we travel to Doha.” be led by 2015 World 10,000m Al Duhail trailed by erful grounder from the Obiri qualified for the 10k race bronze medallist and three-time a 60th minute goal edge of the penalty area. by coming second behind world World half marathon champion from Junior Kabananga Al Duhail take on Al bronze medallist Agnes Tirop in Geoff rey Kamworor, who won but Yousef Msakni re- Arabi next while Qatar the Kenyan trials on Wednesday. the men’s race, ahead of Rhonex stored parity in the 88th SC clash with Al Wak- Rosemary Wanjiru finished third Kipruto and Rogers Kwemoi. minute to give Rui Far- rah. Gulf Times 2 Thursday, August 22, 2019 FOOTBALL

EPL FOCUS Stadium site contamination Reds’ attacking verve new headache for Beckham’s will test validity of MLS team AFP Miami

avid Beckham’s Major League Soccer club in Miami may have hit a new stumbling block after an environmental report showed unexpected Gunners’ positive start levels of contamination at a proposed stadium site,D the Miami Herald reported. The only sides to win both Premier League games so far meet on Saturday at Anfield, The newspaper reported Monday that the analysis found arsenic contamination at more than twice the le- where Arsenal have a terrible recent record they can only improve on gal limit as well as hazardous debris in surface level soil at Melreese Country Club. The 131-acre site near Miami airport has been put forward as Inter Miami’s permanent home, with a sprawling $1 billion complex planned. The report was alarming enough that Miami City Manager Emilio Gonzalez on Tuesday ordered the closure of Melreese golf course, Miami’s only city-owned course. The Herald reported that the analysis by environmen- tal fi rm EE&G – hired by Inter Miami – found that soil samples taken in recent months showed not only elevated arsenic levels but also barium and lead above legal limits. Much of the pollution apparently came from a now defunct municipal incinerator. The Herald reported that tests by the county Department of Environmental Re- sources Management yielded “similarly grimy results, showing high concentrations of lead in the soil at the site.” It wasn’t immediately clear if the cost of additional cleanup would make plans for the stadium complex un- feasible. Inter Miami offi cials have in the past estimated the cleanup would cost in the range of $35mn. Inter Mi- ami is due to launch in 2020, with the club planning to build a stadium in time for next season in neighbouring Fort Lauderdale. Beckham’s ownership group went to court in South Florida in May and obtained permission to demolish crumbling Lockhart Stadium, home of the now-defunct Fort Lauderdale Strikers which is to be replaced with an 18,000-seat arena. The plan had been to use Lockhart for two seasons until the permanent home at Melreese Country Club is completed. Lockhart is the sixth pro- posed stadium site for the club.

MLS confi rms 28th team will be in St. Louis

Major League Soccer confirmed on Tuesday that St. Louis has been awarded an expansion franchise that Arsenal’s French striker Alexandre Lacazette (centre) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League against Burnley at the Emirates Stadium in London on August will boost North America’s top football league to 28 17, 2019. (AFP) teams. MLS Commissioner Don Garber made the announcement alongside the club’s ownership group, Paul Wilson concerned was a 5-1 drubbing on to fi ght a lot: Liverpool also play have players with the quickness of ertson. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain including Carolyn Kindle Betz, the Taylor family and The Guardian Brendan Rodgers’ watch in 2014 football.” Liverpool do not have thought and movement to take ad- is returning to the team as well and Jim Kavanaugh. when Luis Suarez, Raheem Ster- the equivalent of Ashley Barnes, in vantage of even momentary slack- Arsenal need no reminding how With Betz and six other female members of the Taylor ling and Daniel Sturridge ran riot other words, nor are they quite so ness in an opponent’s defence. explosive he can be from midfi eld, family part of the group, St. Louis becomes the first urnley should feel fl at- to such an extent the visitors barely fond of the long balls and aerial Liverpool have potential match- or perhaps they do. female majority-owned club in MLS history and one of tered. After giving their dared to cross the halfway line after combat. winners all over the pitch as well. Liverpool play Burnley next few in professional sports. usual feisty performance the fi rst half-hour. Burnley will still take that as Salah might be the poster boy week, so the superfi cial simi- The club will begin MLS play in 2022, in a new sta- at the Emirates last week- Five years ago Arsenal had gone encouraging praise, though the but there are goals in all the front larities and rather more obvious dium. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch had reported last endB and slipping to the inevitable into the fi xture as the league lead- analysis is a little short on what six and even the back line has diff erences between the sides can week that the city known for its giant Gateway Arch narrow defeat, Sokratis Papastath- ers as well, so it is unlikely they Liverpool have been doing to such proved adept at switching to at- be discussed at length at Turf would land an MLS team. opoulos suggested Arsenal’s next will feel especially emboldened impressive eff ect in the last two or tacking mode. Dyche used to be Moor. Arsenal have the small Twenty-four teams are playing in MLS this season, game against the Premier League by the knowledge that along with three years. fond of saying Sir Alex Ferguson’s matter of Tottenham at home the including first-year club FC Cincinnati. leaders may be slightly easier. Liverpool they are the only side in They are not top of the table by best teams at Manchester United same weekend, so Unai Emery’s David Beckham’s Inter Miami squad and a new team Theoretically that should see the league to have a 100% record accident. Or champions of Eu- would have a hundred diff erent players are going to get two of in Nashville, Tennessee, are set to debut in 2020 with Arsenal’s fans travelling to Anfi eld after two matches. rope, or among the unluckiest of ways to kill you. their toughest examinations of the a club in Austin, Texas, scheduled to open in 2021. on Saturday in good spirits, though Liverpool lost only one league runners-up last season in the only If you nullifi ed the threat up season in the space of a few days. Two NFL clubs have departed St. Louis, the Cardinals don’t bank on it. game last season, and though they major European league that pro- front, for example, Ryan Giggs If Sokratis is still saying Burnley leaving for Arizona in 1987 after 28 seasons and the If Liverpool are easier to defend did not score quite as many goals duced a title race worthy of the or Cristiano Ronaldo would fi nd are the most diffi cult opponents Rams, who arrived from Los Angeles in 1995, won against than Sean Dyche’s bottom- as Manchester City they scored name. What Liverpool set out to space on the wings, or Paul Sc- to play against as August moves the Super Bowl in 2000, but returned to Southern half battlers you would never guess 16 more than Arsenal and 44 more do is pressure defences into mak- holes from central midfi eld. into September then he may have California in 2016. The city is home to Major League it from Arsenal’s recent results at than Burnley. Perhaps Sokratis ing mistakes when they are with- Liverpool are somewhat simi- a point, because Arsenal could by Baseball’s Cardinals and the Stanley Cup champion Anfi eld. did not mean to be quite so com- out the ball and strike quickly on lar at the moment. While op- then be top. Blues in the National Hockey League. Last season they lost 5-1. The plimentary about Burnley in any the counter when in possession. ponents can try to keep Salah But that is looking a little too far The idea of an MLS club in St. Louis, however, seemed season before that it was 4-0 to case. The overall idea is not a mil- or Firmino quiet, there gener- ahead only two games into the sea- dim two years ago when voters denied the use of a Liverpool, the season before that Though headlines predictably lion miles from what Burnley do ally are not enough men available son. Arsenal have two big hurdles business tax to finance a new stadium. it was 3-1, and though there were a picked up on the notion that Liv- – both Klopp and Dyche demand to do the same for the midfi eld to clear is all it is safe to say at the The revamped ownership group revived prospects for couple of high-scoring draws either erpool may come as a bit of a rest, a similar work rate and level of threat from Jordan Henderson moment. the club, with MLS saying in April that St. Louis was a side of Jürgen Klopp’s appointment what the Arsenal defender actu- commitment– though with Rob- or Giorginio Wijnaldum, not to Most of their supporters will contender for an expansion franchise at a price tag of as manager the absolute standout ally said was: “Maybe it is now erto Firmino, Mo Salah and Sadio mention runs from deep by Trent probably prefer to see what hap- $200 million. horror show as far as Arsenal were easier because you don’t have Mane at the front end Liverpool Alexander-Arnold or Andy Rob- pens fi rst and do the talking later.

SPOTLIGHT Elkeson earns landmark China call-up

AFP former Arsenal man, however, is half- sisted doing so until now. Some fans and Shanghai Chinese, whereas Guangzhou Evergrande pundits, desperate to see China play at a striker Elkeson qualifi es for China having World Cup again, have backed the natu- played in the country since 2013. ralisation policy. hina named Elkeson in their Elkeson has scored more than 100 goals Others brand it short-sighted and squad yesterday for their open- in about 150 games in the Chinese Super question why a country with a popula- ing World Cup qualifi er with the League. tion of 1.4 billion cannot fi nd homegrown Brazilian poised to become the Along with Espanyol forward Wu Lei players that are good enough. fiC rst without Chinese ancestry to play for and Yennaris, Elkeson is part of a 35-man Reacting to Elkeson’s inclusion in the the country. squad named by Italian World Cup winner China squad, one sports think tank was The move has divided Chinese football Lippi for China’s game in the Maldives on unimpressed. “It’s not in line with the fans and experts, however, as coach Mar- September 10. original intention of football and the cello Lippi attempts to guide the nation Elkeson appears likely to be the start long-term development of the industry in to only their second World Cup. Lippi has of a growing trend for perennial under- China,” wrote an opinion piece by Vning long complained about a dearth of attack- achievers China, who languish 71st in the on social media. ing options and has moved to plug the gap FIFA rankings and made the World Cup The organisation also questioned how with the 30-year-old striker, who will use just once, in 2002. eff ectively the likes of Elkeson and Yen- the Chinese name Aikesen. The move to Fellow Brazilians Ricardo Goulart and naris – who is having intensive Chinese naturalise the Brazilian comes after China Fernando are both reportedly set to be lessons – will be able to communicate similarly gave a passport to London-born naturalised, along with English defender with their teammates. midfi elder Nico Yennaris. Tyias Browning, also of Evergrande. Al- “Whether they can be integrated into The Beijing Guoan player has taken the though many other nations, notably 2022 the team and whether they can fi ght with Chinese name Li Ke and made his de- World Cup hosts Qatar, call up players honour in face of diffi culties are hard to but for Lippi’s side in June this year. The born in other countries, China had re- say,” Vning added. Gulf Times Thursday, August 22, 2019 3 FOOTBALL

SPOTLIGHT FOCUS I won’t be a one-man show, One last challenge: says designated DFB chief Keller

Reuters ‘Kaiser Franck’ Ribery Berlin

he designated president of the German football associ- ation (DFB), Fritz Keller, said yesterday he will not take over international positions or run the DFB as a one- man show, after getting the backing of professional and Tamateur associations. Keller, who has been chairman of Bundesliga side Freiburg joins Fiorentina since 2010, was the only name put forward by a DFB com- mission in charge of fi nding a new head of the seven million- ‘I am very happy to be able to play high level football for another two years’ member association earlier this month. He will still need to be elected on September 27. “In the future it will not be a one-man AFP to end his career with big money show. There will be tasks on diff erent shoulders who will each Milan deals in China or the Middle East be responsible. There is no other way,” he told a news confer- and reportedly turned down an ence. “We have to work together.” off er from Los Angeles Galaxy. His predecessor Reinhard Grindel stepped down in April af- rench winger Franck “For me it was crucial that I ter coming under pressure over income he received from a DFB Ribery said he was rel- sign a contract for two years,” subsidiary and a watch he had been given by Ukrainian busi- ishing one last challenge Ribery told Sky Sports in nessman and soccer administrator Grigory Surkis. as the former Bayern Germany. Grindel, who sat on the executive boards of the European MunichF legend rubber-stamped “Another important factor is association UEFA and global soccer body FIFA, was the third a two-year deal yesterday to play to be able to have my family with consecutive DFB president to be embroiled in a scandal. for club Fiorentina. me. I am very happy to be able to His predecessors Wolfgang Niersbach and Theo Zwanziger The former French interna- play high level football for an- were indicted in Switzerland earlier this month over a payment tional left Bayern Munich as a other two years.” related to the hosting of the 2006 World Cup. The DFB is now free agent last May after 12 sea- Despite fi nishing 16th in Serie hoping Keller, who became a Freiburg vice president back in sons during which he earned the A last season Fiorentina, remain 1991, can again steady the ship. “This task was not part of my nickname ‘Kaiser Franck’ as the an historic and ambitious club. lifeplan,” Keller said. “I am and was happy with what I did in most titled Bundesliga player Ribery’s signing is the fi rst big Freiburg with my colleagues and my family business. But foot- ever with nine titles among his name for new club owner, Ital- ball is worth it. 23 club trophies. ian-American media magnate “I see my work on a national level. I do not want to be in bod- At the twilight of his career, Rocco Commisso. ies such as FIFA and UEFA. This is a 24-7 job, a full-time job.” the 36-year-old wants to con- “Tomorrow we will present Keller said DFB Vice President Rainer Koch would take over tinue playing elite football and him to the whole city, we will the international roles. “I do not want to miss being able to go to agreed a two-year deal worth open the Artemio Franchi sta- watch a local game or go eat a sausage or go watch a top match,” four million euros ($4.4 million) dium so that everyone can greet he added. Keller got the unanimous backing from all fi rst and a year plus bonuses with the him, and we expect a full stadi- second division clubs. He also got 37 of 38 votes from local and Tuscan club. um, as the champion deserves,” regional associations, with one association chief absent. “Franck Ribery is ours! Wel- said Joe Barone, Commisso’s Small-budget club Freiburg have been known for their no- come legend!” the US-owned representative in Italy. nonsense approach to the game, playing an exciting brand of club confi rmed with photos of Ribery’s experience should football while also producing scores of talented players who Ribery wearing their purple col- be an asset to the youthful and have moved on to join bigger clubs. ours and holding a Fiorentina ambitious team with emerging Keller, an entrepreneur in the fi eld of wine and gastronomy, scarf. talent including Federico Chie- has been a member of the German football league (DFL) super- After saying that he was sa, Dusan Vlahovic and Nikola visory board since 2016. “ready for a new challenge” on Milenkovic. Instagram, both Ribery and his “Franck is a leader,” Toni told wife Wahiba posted photos on Gazzetta dello Sport. social media Wednesday morn- “Those who do not know him Tottenham Hotspur plans to ing on board a private jet. may associate hims with cer- refi nance stadium debt Ribery was greeted at the air- tain behaviour. But in the locker port by Giancarlo Antognoni, room, he is friendly and he will Tottenham Hotspur Football news on Wednesday, said a 1982 World Cup winner and help young people. Club plans to refinance the bonds will have maturi- Fiorentina legend, who is part “Chiesa, for example, who about 400 million pounds ties ranging from 15 to 30 of club management. Address- is undoubtedly potentially the ($485 million) of its stadium years and will be targeted at ing hundreds of fans, the French strongest Italian and who will debt through bonds issued institutional investors in the player said that former Bayern learn with Franck the impor- via a private placement ar- United States, extending the teammate Luca Toni, who also tance of sacrifi ces. ranged by Bank of America debt’s maturity profile. played for Fiorentina, had con- “In training, Ribery guides Merrill Lynch (BAML), ac- BAML declined to comment vinced him to move to Italy. everyone. And on the pitch, he cording to a source familiar and the Soccer club was not “I’m happy, I’m here with my goes to war,” added the former with the matter. immediately reachable for family,” said Ribery. Italy striker. The holding company of comment. “I talked for a week with Ribery could play his fi rst the English Soccer club Loose central bank policy Fiorentina. I also spoke with game for Fiorentina, whose only originally took out a 400 has enabled many compa- Luca Toni. He told me that Serie A titles were back in 1956 million pound five-year loan nies to trim financing costs Fiorentina is a great club and the and 1969, on Saturday against from BAML, Goldman Sachs and extend debt maturities city is beautiful. And I also like last year’s runners-up Napoli. and HSBC in 2017 to finance as investors search for yield Italian and I speak it a bit even the construction of its new in environment of unprec- though I have to improve.” 62,062-seat stadium. edented low rates. In this file photo taken on May Last year the club confirmed In Europe, the United States ‘A LEADER’ 18, 2019 Bayern Munich’s French that the loan had increased and the UK, 30-year govern- Ribery previously played for Franck Ribery leaves to 637 million pounds as ment debt yields hit record Turkish club Galatasary and the field after a farewell costs of the project rose. lows last week, prompting French clubs Marseille, Brest and ceremony prior the Bundesliga Soccer website The Athletic, many borrowers to consider Metz. match against Eintracht which first reported the long-dated debt issuance. The veteran could have opted Frankfurt in Munich. (AFP)

SERIE A Coaching shuffl e gives Napoli hope of toppling Juve AFP Barella arriving in the San Milan Siro. FIVE THINGS TO WATCH FOR IN THE NEW SERIE A SEASON Uncertainly remains how- ever over the future of Ar- Can Conte’s Inter seriously challenge for the title? under Gian Piero Gasperini, finishing fourth, seventh s the sole survivor gentine forward Mauro Icardi With three diff erent owners and 13 coaches in the last and then third in the last campaign to qualify for the of a coaching shuf- amid reported interest from 10 years, seem to be a team perpetually Champions League for the first time. Inevitably, that fl e among the lead- Napoli. Inter last won the title in transition. The latest in the coaching hot seat is the raises the question of whether they can keep it up, ing challengers, Carlo in 2010 under Jose Mourinho, fiery Antonio Conte who led Juventus to three succes- especially as playing in Europe can place huge strains AncelottiA could have the best and open at home against sive titles between 2011 and 2014. The 50-year-old has on teams such as themselves who lack the strength in chance to end Napoli’s 30-year newly-promoted Lecce on replaced who, despite leading Inter depth of the big clubs. wait for the Serie A title. Saturday. into the Champions League in each of his two seasons Yet Antonio Conte’s arrival But even amid uncertainty in charge, could never quite produce the consistency Racism threat remains at Inter Milan has also raised over how Sarri, who could needed to challenge Juventus for the title. Conte has Italian Football has been plagued by racism and there expectations of an end to Ju- miss the Parma opener with already announced that he no longer wants Mauro was no sign of it letting up last season. In the most ventus’s long domination in pneumonia, will adapt to life Icardi, who was Inter’s top-scorer in each of the last five recent incident, Juventus trio Moise Kean (now at the season that kicks off on at Juventus, the Cristiano seasons but is often seen as a disruptive influence after Everton), Blaise Matuidi and were subject Saturday. Serie A runners-up Ronaldo-powered champions a number of off -field controversies. Inter have not been to abuse at Cagliari but, after a six-week investigation, Napoli have not held the Scu- remain favourites. shy in the transfer market, signing forwards Romelu the Italian federation (FIGC) took no action, saying the detto aloft since Argentine leg- Juventus have spent big Lukaku and Valentino Lazaro, Stefano chants were of a “an objectively limited relevance.” end Diego Maradona inspired Napoli caoch Carlo Ancelotti. with newly-signed Dutch de- Sensi and Nicolo Barella and defender Diego Godin “Racism will never be kicked out of Football while them to their only titles in 1987 fender Matthijs De Ligt and while releasing winger Ivan Perisic and midfielder decisions like this continue to take place – the Italian and 1990. sons under Massimiliano Al- The veteran coach insists he Turkey’s Merih Demiral. . It will be fascinating to see whether federation should hang their heads in shame,” said Ancelotti’s campaign be- legri. The decision by Napoli- has learned from his “transi- The midfi eld has been Conte can pull it all together at the first attempt. campaign group Kick It Out. Italy forward Mario Balo- gins in Fiorentina on Saturday, native Sarri to move north has tional” fi rst season. strengthened with PSG’s Adr- telli in February described racism in Italian Football as after Juventus, now coached hurt in his home town. “We drew back the arrow, ien Rabiot and former Arsenal Can AC Milan get it right this time? “extreme.” Balotelli has now returned to Serie A after by Maurizio Sarri, open their “For us Neapolitans, that now we are ready to fi re,” he star Aaron Ramsey. Giampao- AC Milan’s season invariably begins amid high hopes three seasons in France to play for promoted Brescia. “I quest for a ninth consecutive was a betrayal,” said captain warned. Ancelotti has bol- lo takes over at AC Milan who after a flurry of new signings and a new coach – only hope the situation has improved compared to previous title in Parma. Chinese-owned . “Now we stered in all areas with the ar- missed out on Champions for disillusion to set in by around mid-October. This years,” he said. Inter Milan have also changed have to try to beat him at all rival of defender Kostas Mano- League qualifi cation. time, Marco Giampaolo has been hired to replace old coaches with former Juventus costs.” Ancelotti embarks on las, midfi elder Elif Elmas and The only non-Italian in- club favourite Gennaro Gattuso in the hot seat. New era for Fiorentina? and Chelsea boss Conte back the second year of his three- winger . volved in this game of musical New signings have included Algeria’s African Cup Fiorentina start under new ownership after American home in Italy. Marco Giam- year contract, and wants sil- coaching benches, is Fonseca, of Nations winning midfielder Ismael Bennacer and billionaire Rocco Commisso bought the club from the paolo takes over at AC Milan verware this campaign. NEW-LOOK INTER working for the fi rst time in Portuguese striker Rafael Leao, in addition to Krzysztof Della Valle family. Having been re-established in 2002 and Paulo Fonseca at Roma. The 60-year-old has won Inter are being remodelled by Italy at Roma, who fi nished Piatek and Lucas Paqueta, who both made a quick im- after going bankrupt, Fiorentina had been controlled Sarri came close two years titles in Europe’s fi ve biggest former Italy boss Conte, who sixth last season. pact after joining in January. There is a sense, however, by the Della Valle family ever since. ago when he guided Napoli leagues. His Serie A title came won three Serie A titles in a Gian Piero Gasperini re- that Milan have spent more wisely this time and have There were plenty of top-half finishes but the team to runners-up spot, just four with AC Milan back in 2004. row with Juventus from 2012 to mains at Atalanta after lead- a better-balanced squad while Giampaolo’s career did not win a major trophy during that period and, as points behind Juventus, before He arrived in Naples boast- 2014, and the Premier League ing the unheralded northeners has risen steadily and he arrives on the back of three fans became increasingly disillusioned, they narrowly moving to Chelsea. ing three Champions League with Chelsea in 2017. to a Champions League berth consistent seasons at Sampdoria. avoided relegation last season. At 60, Sarri returns to Italy trophies from his spells with Belgian forward Romelu Lu- with a third-place fi nish just Coach Vincenzo Montella, back for a second stint, has to coach Juventus as the cham- Milan and Real Madrid, and a kaku joins from Manchester ahead of Inter on goal diff er- A bridge too far for Atalanta? been given the job of ushering in a new era for the pions look for a new direction Premier League title from his United with young midfi eld- ence. The side from Bergamo Atalanta have performed admirably in three seasons twice former champions. despite fi ve trophy-laden sea- two-year tenure at Chelsea. ers Stefano Sensi and Nicolo open against SPAL. Gulf Times 4 Thursday, August 22, 2019 SPORT

QNB STARS LEAGUE TENNIS Paire, Shapovalov reach 3rd round of Al Sailiya hope Winston-Salem Open

AFP made it past the second round of Washington an ATP event since Lyon in May and, like Paire, said he hoped a strong performance in Winston- op-seeded Benoit Paire Salem would be a springboard to better last reached the third round into the US Open. of the ATP Winston-Sa- “I’ve been struggling a little bit lem Open Tuesday, beat- during the clay and grass court ingT Prajnesh Gunneswaran 6-3, season and the hardcourt swing,” 7-5. he said. “I thought it would be France’s Paire, ranked 30th in perfect to come play Winston- the world, avenged a loss to India’s Salem, get a couple more matches Gunneswaran at Indian Wells in under my belt and get ready for season’s show March. Paire broke Gunneswaran the Open. in the penultimate game, then “So far, so good,” said Shapo- ‘We’ve a tough season as we’ll participate for the first time in the AFC Champions League’ capped the contest with his 14th valov, who next faces Serbian ace on match point to book a Miomir Kecmanovic, a 7-6 (7/5), round of 16 meeting with fellow 6-3 winner over Australian Alexei Frenchman Ugo Humbert, who Popyrin. defeated American Bjorn Fratan- South Korean Lee Duck-hee’s gelo 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. ground-breaking tournament After enjoying a fi rst-round came to an end with a 4-6, 6-0, bye, Paire was glad to get to work 6-3 loss to third-seeded Hubert in the heat and humidity of North Hurkacz of Poland. Carolina as part of his build-up Lee had become the fi rst deaf to the US Open, which starts on player to win an ATP match with Monday at Flushing Meadows in his fi rst-round win over Henri New York. Laaksonen. “Honestly, I like to play before “I’m a little bit disappointed the Slam,” he said. “I did the same right now,” Lee admitted. “I had in Lyon the week before Roland many chances that I didn’t utilise, Garros and I won the tournament but it was a great experience over- and after I made the last 16 at Ro- all.” Meanwhile, American wild- land Garros so it was good prepa- card Bernarda Pera upset Czech ration. third seed Barbora Strycova 3-6 “I’ll try to do the same — I’ll 6-2 6-1 to advance to the quarter- try to win a lot of matches here. I fi nals of the Bronx Open. think it’s important for me to play Strycova, who reached the before the US Open.” Wimbledon semi-fi nals last Second-seeded Canadian month, battled for nearly two Denis Shapovalov also advanced, hours before losing to Pera, who is beating American Tennys Sand- ranked 37 rungs below her in the gren 6-2, 6-4. WTA rankings. Sandgren, ranked 73rd in the “I was more focused on my world, was coming off a first- game and fi nding that balance round victory over three-time that is so important for me to play Grand Slam champion Andy well,” the 24-year-old said. “It’s Murray, who was playing just his fi nding the balance between be- second singles match since the ing too aggressive and being too Australian Open as he bids to re- passive. turn to peak form in the wake of “I think I was just able to fi nd career-threatening hip surgery. my balance and fi nd the rhythm Sandgren battled back from with my feet in the second set and 0-3 down in the second set — keep going in the same way in the going up a service break before third.” Shapavolov came through with a Pera saved nine of 12 break break in the fi nal game to seal the points and converted six of her Al Sailiya coach Sami Trablesi (centre) addresses the media ahead of his team’s match against Al Khor. victory. seven opportunities. The Ameri- “It was defi nitely a great win,” can saved four break points in her By Sports Reporter season’s good results. We’ve said Shapovalov, who hadn’t fi rst two service games alone. Doha worked well in preparation for the season and the fi rst game. Our goal this season is a strong aving exceeded ex- fi nish, like the one we had last India expect ‘positive’ verdict pectations last season season. We play as a fi ght- with a third place fi n- ing group and that’s one of our on Davis Cup tie against Pakistan ish, Al Sailiya will be strengths,” said Al Shahania Hhoping to further improve their coach Jose Murica Mumbai: The All India Tennis matter. standing in domestic football “Al Gharafa are a big team Association (AITA) is hopeful AITA General Secretary Hiron- when they take on Al Khor in and have made several chang- its security concerns for next moy Chatterjee said a “positive” their fi rst match of the 2019- es. They’re also keen to better month’s tie against hosts Paki- decision was expected by 2020 QNB Stars League today. their results this season and we stan will be addressed after the today. Coached by Tunisian Sami respect them. They’ve a good game’s global governing body “The committee members Trablesi, Al Sailiya racked up coach, but that doesn’t prevent referred the matter to its Davis are from diff erent parts of the 38 points last season to fi nish us from playing to win against Cup committee. world so they will set up a ap- behind champions Al Sadd and them,” said Murcia. The AITA said last week they propriate time today that suits second-placed Al Duhail, nar- Al Gharafa coach Slavisa had written to International everyone. Then they will inform rowly beating former champi- Jokanovic was also positive. Tennis Federation (ITF) asking us of their decision,” Chatterjee ons Al Rayyan to the third spot. “We’ve prepared the team them to shift the tie to a neutral told Reuters yesterday. It was their most successful well for QNB Stars League. We venue or to postpone it for a “It’s a positive, yes. If there was show in the tournament, but had worked to make the team couple of months until tensions no merit why will the commit- Trablesi feels they can do better fully ready before the kick-off simmer down between the bit- tee discuss. We have given this time. Gharafa coach Slavisa Jokanovic (R) speaks to reporters ahead of his team’s match against Al Shahania. and produce good results. I wish ter neighbours. them more than enough.” “We enter the new season we win our fi rst game, against The national body was sched- Earlier this month, Pakistan ex- with greater ambitions. The technical readiness, especially Omar Najhi said his team’s pre- for the league. Al Shahania at the Al Janoub uled to discuss its concerns on pelled India’s ambassador and start is certainly not going to be since we signed a number of season camp in Europe has done “We are facing Al Sailiya in Stadium on Thursday,’ said Monday with security advisers suspended bilateral trade and easy as all teams are back from outstanding players. Al Sailiya is them a world of good. the fi rst round in the QNB Stars Jokanovic. from the ITF over the Sept 14-15 all public transport links with the preparatory period,” Tra- a side that always shows fi ght- “I was happy with the good League. We go into the game “Qatar is a beautiful country tie scheduled in Islamabad its neighbour after New Delhi blesi said at his pre-match press ing spirit,” said Trablesi. conditions in which the team with great enthusiasm. Their and I’m happy to be here. As between arch-rivals India and removed “special status” from conference. “We expect the league com- prepared for the new season, coach Sami Trabelsi is doing for the competition, I’ve played Pakistan. its portion of the contested “We’ve signed many players, petition to be stronger this sea- which started in Doha on July 1 a great job and succeeded in football in many leagues. It’s the The call was, however, can- region of Kashmir. foreign and local, and the team son. There are many changes at and then moved to the external maintaining the stability of the ambition of every coach to win celled and instead the ITF said The nuclear-armed neighbours is developing and improving day all clubs and we’re always keen camp set up by the team in the team. Their team management and make a good team with a the Davis Cup committee, have fought two wars over by day as a collective unit. We to be in utmost readiness for all Netherlands, where we played supported the players to the special identity. comprising eight members Kashmir since gaining inde- want to display the same iden- games. many friendly matches. We fo- hilt. “I won’t compare Al Ghara- and chaired by Egypt’s Ismal pendence from colonial power tity we showed last season with “Most of our new recruits cused on the physical and tech- “However, Al Sailiya are no fa’s performance last season and El Shafei, will deliberate on the Great Britain in 1947. better levels.” weren’t key players in their nical preparations of players in strangers to Al Khor. We will this season. The team has a new Al Sailiya will be also tak- teams. But as always, I’m satis- the camp,” said Najhi. work hard to collect full points coach and new players. We’ve ing part in the AFC Champions fi ed when I’ve one or two stars “We were also keen to fi nd that will boost the morale of our some good new professional League, something which Tra- in the squad. We don’t want to harmony between the old and players,” added Najhi. players and we’re awaiting an- BADMINTON blesi is looking forward to. put ourselves under pressure by new players. In general, we were In today’s other match, Al other player. “We’ve a tough season as we’ll saying we’ll compete for the ti- satisfi ed with the work done by Shahania will take on Al Gharafa “We also have young players participate for the fi rst time in tle. We take one game at a time,” everyone during the camp, even with both teams aiming to im- with experience and we’ll focus the AFC Champions League and added Trabelsi. after returning to Doha, which prove. on achieving stability in order to Sindhu moves that requires us to be on top of Meanwhile, Al Khor coach witnessed the fi nal preparations “We want to build on last obtain positive results.” into third round BOTTOMLINE of BWF worlds

IANS wen Zhang of USA, who de- Basel feated Hsuan-Yu Wendy Chen of Australia in straight games Liu, 12, set to become youngest 21-14, 21-13. ce shuttler P V Sindhu Sindhu dominated the first got off to a winning game to take a 11-7 lead at the start in her opening break and then grab six game match in the wom- points to close it with a cross Canadian Women’s Open starter Aen’s second round of the BWF court return as Pai erred at the AFP en’s Amateur Championship to player, great personality, Cana- with some really nice and like manding week. World Championships here backline. Los Angeles earn an exemption into the fi eld dian,” Liu said Tuesday. really good LPGA players,” she “I think it’s defi nitely going yesterday. Pai came back to enter the at this week’s tournament at She met Henderson — the said. to be a challenge for me and my The two-time silver medal- break at 11-10 in the second Magna Golf Club near Toronto. defending champion — on the “Christina Kim, M.J. (Hur), mental game to be able to focus list outwitted Chinese Taipei’s game due to Sindhu’s unforced mateur golfer She’ll become the youngest driving range on Monday. and all of them. I think I really and, like, keep my mind on like Pai Yu Po 21-14, 21-15 in a con- errors, but the Olympic silver Michelle Liu hasn’t to compete in the 47-year his- “I took a picture with her,” get to learn something from each and every shot,” she said. test where she had to work hard medallist came out stronger yet hit her teens, and tory of the event, breaking the Liu said. them, and especially how warm “I know there is a lot of great for her win. after the interval and win 21- says it’s “crazy” to mark set by fellow Canadian Asked if she was fi nding her and welcoming they are to me.” players here in the fi eld. I think Sindhu, who had reached 14. Meanwhile, the Indian duo thinkA she’ll be teeing it up to- Brooke Henderson who was 14 fi rst professional tournament Although she’s enjoying the I was 95 out of the top 100 play- the finals of Indonesia Open of Jakkapudi Meghana and day in the Canadian Women’s when she made her debut in her “a bit of a crazy experience” experience of meeting play- ers, so I defi nitely say it’s going last month, looked good in the Poorvisha S Ram lost 8-21, Open. national championship in 2012. Liu said that was “a good word ers she has long admired, and to be pretty hard. second round tie after getting a 18-21 to Shiho Tanaka and Ko- Liu, 12, was the lone Canadi- “I look up to Brooke Hender- for it.” signing autographs for new “I hope for a lot and I expect bye in the opening round. haru Yonemoto of Japan in the an at the 2019 Canadian Wom- son, just because she’s a great “I would say I’ve got to play fans, Liu was expecting a de- a little bit less.” Sindhu will now take on Bei- women’s doubles competition. Gulf Times Thursday, August 22, 2019 5 SPORT

NBA Injury-hit Lakers to look at Howard and Noah AFP is currently under contract to the Los Angeles Grizzlies, but they are not expect- ed to keep him on their roster. Speights, 32, last played in the he Los Angeles Lakers will 2017-18, when he was with the Or- host workouts with vet- lando Magic. eran NBA big men Dwight Since then he emerged as a star Howard and Joakim Noah for the Guangzhou Long Lions of Tas they plan to fi ll the void left by a the Chinese Basketball Associa- knee injury to DeMarcus Cousins, tion. US media reported. The Lakers will also take a look CLIPPERS LURE LUE TO JOIN at Marreese Speights, according RIVERS’ COACHING STAFF to the Los Angeles Times, as they Tyronn Lue is joining Doc Rivers’ prepare to be without Cousins for coaching staff in a long-discussed most of the upcoming NBA season. move that ups the ante in the battle Noah, 34, proved useful for the for Los Angeles. Memphis Grizzlies last season af- Lue was reportedly close to fi - ter he was waived by the New York nalising a contract to become head Knicks. coach of the Los Angeles Lakers Noah played 42 games for Mem- and replace Luke Walton before a phis and averaged 7.1 points, 5.7 breakdown over the length of the rebounds and 2.1 assists per game. deal led Lue to walk away. Howard battled fi tness is- Having guided the Cleveland sues last season, playing just nine Cavaliers to the NBA Finals three games with the Washington Wiz- consecutive years, Lue was a top ards before having surgery to re- choice of LeBron James to lead the pair a lower back disc on Novem- Lakers. ber 29. Instead, he’ll lock arms with Howard spent an injury-marred Rivers and the new-look Clippers, season with the Lakers in 2012-13 who added stars Kawhi Leonard before leaving as a free agent. He and Paul George in the off season. Joakim Noah (left) and Dwight Howard.

MLB NFL Gruden: Brown practises with Kershaw beats Jays, certifi ed helmet

AFP in a trade in March and later Los Angeles signed him to a three-year, $50,125,000 contract. Brown, 31, caught at least akland Raiders 100 passes and exceeded passes Koufax on wideout Antonio 1,200 receiving yards in each Brown practised of the past six seasons with on Tuesday with the Steelers. anO approved helmet, putting He has appeared in 130 aside a second grievance with games with Pittsburgh from the NFL over his headwear - at 2010-18, catching 837 passes least for one morning. for 11,207 yards and 74 touch- “It’s a certifi ed helmet, so downs. Dodgers’ win list he’s all in and ready to go. That’s my understanding,” coach Jon DOLPHINS OWNER ROSS Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Joc Pederson also hit home runs for the Dodgers Gruden said during a post- STEPS DOWN FROM practice press conference. “I’m SOCIAL JUSTICE PANEL Reuters really happy to have him out Miami Dolphins owner Los Angeles here. He’s a great player.” Stephen Ross stepped down Brown reportedly fi led a from the NFL’s committee on second grievance with the social justice at the behest of .J. Pollock and Will Smith hit league on Monday in order to players, according to former home runs to jumpstart the of- use his favoured model - the Philadelphia Eagles defensive fence, and Clayton Kershaw Schutt AiR Advantage - hop- end Chris Long. moved past Sandy Koufax on the ing to get a one-year grace Long said Ross was re- Dodgers’A all-time win list as Los Angeles period. His old helmet is no moved as players determined earned a 16-3 interleague victory over the longer approved for NFL use the inaction of the committee visiting Toronto Blue Jays on Tuesday. because it is more than 10 necessitated changes. Max Muncy, Chris Taylor and Joc Ped- years old, and a newer model “The one thing I really disa- erson also hit home runs for the Dodgers, he found failed NFL testing. gree with Eric on is that the who have gone deep 30 times in their last An arbitrator will hear coalition hasn’t done any- eight games. Los Angeles improved to a Brown’s grievance tomorrow, thing,” Long said. major-league-best 49-16 at home this according to NFL Network’s “The coalition is autono- season. Ian Rapoport. Brown missed mous. We don’t work for the Kershaw (13-2) went six innings, giving practice Sunday, after which owners. In fact, we just got up three runs on six hits with three walks Raiders general manager Mike Stephen Ross to agree to be off and six strikeouts. It was his 166th career Mayock said it was time for of our working group. We can victory, moving him out of a tie with Kou- the All-Pro wideout “to be all make decisions like that.” fax and into sole possession of fi fth on the in or all out.” Long continued with de- team’s all-time list. Before Tuesday, Brown had fense of the committee’s deci- Bo Bichette hit two home runs off Ker- only one full-speed practice sion on Twitter. shaw in his fi rst matchup against the Los this preseason, in part be- “He held a fundraiser for Angeles ace, giving him seven long balls cause he was recovering from a guy who called protesting on the year. His fi rst multi-homer contest foot blisters caused by a cryo- players ‘sons of b******’ + came in his 21st career game. He also be- therapy mishap and lately be- campaigned for them to lose came the fi rst rookie to hit two home runs cause of his helmet issue. jobs. The working group is in a game against Kershaw. Gruden indicated that directly involved. You can see Brown’s feet are fi ne. “Good. how that’s a coNFLict of in- RESULTS He’s really good,” Gruden said. terest that transcends politics. “He’s shown great reten- I respect SR’s work w RISE. CCardinals 9-4 Brewers tion of what we’re doing. He Don’t get it? Can’t help.” Mets 9-2 Indians didn’t miss the off season pro- Ross, who has been out- Dodgers 16-3 Blue Jays gramme. He’s been here in wardly criticised by Dolphins meetings. Just good to have wide receiver Kenny Stills for Twins 14-4 White Sox him back. He’s in great shape; supporting Donald Trump, Athletics 6-2 Yankees he’s running hard and running released a statement through Phillies 3-2 Red Sox good routes.” the Dolphins saying he The Raiders acquired the stepped down to focus on his Pirates 4-1 Nationals seven-time Pro Bowl selection work with RISE - Ross Initia- Braves 5-1 Marlins from the Pittsburgh Steelers tive in Sports for Equality. Mariners 7-4 Rays Astros 6-3 Tigers Cubs 5-3 Giants St. Louis-based Rams fans D’backs 8-7 Rockies win class-action suit Reds 3-2 Padres Los Angeles Dodgers starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw throws against the Toronto Blue Jays during the sixth inning at Dodger Settlement of a class-action relocate to Los Angeles. Angels 5-1 Rangers Stadium. PICTURE: USA TODAY Sports lawsuit that claimed the NFL’s In 2016, St. Louis residents Rangers 3-2 Angels Rams misled fans about the James Pudlowski, Louis C to stretch the hit into a triple, but he did (65-60) began a stretch of 18 straight two runs (one earned) and fi ve hits in 6 1/3 intention to stay in St. Louis Cross III, Gail Henry and Steve reach 100 RBIs on the hit for the fi rst time games against other playoff contenders innings. He struck out seven, walked two could allow the team’s former Henry filed the suit, which Bichette’s fi rst home run of the night in his career. In the sixth, after Bichette by improving to 11-1 in their last 12 home and threw 98 pitches. Missouri-based fans to re- claimed the Rams purpose- came on Kershaw’s second pitch. Derek delivered his second home run of the games. They matched a season best by go- Matz retired 10 straight batters until the coup a 25 percent refund on fully misled fans. Those fans Fisher also hit a homer for the Blue Jays, game, Muncy hit his 32nd home run and ing fi ve games over .500. seventh, when he allowed an infi eld single tickets and merchandise. would not have bought the with his solo shot in the third inning giv- Taylor hit his ninth in his fi rst game back Conforto snapped a 2-2 tie when he to Greg Allen and a walk to pinch hitter The St. Louis Post-Dispatch tickets or merchandise had ing Toronto a 2-0 lead. It was Fisher’s fi fth from the injured list. clobbered a 1-2, two-out slider from Franmil Reyes that knocked him out. reported the details of the they known the Rams were of the season. Taylor, who had been out since mid- Shane Bieber (12-6) and hit the ball into Justin Wilson struck out Francisco Lin- settlement include purchases planning their 2016 move, The Dodgers unleashed their off ence July due to a fractured left forearm, had the Mets’ bullpen beyond the right-cen- dor and Mercado to end the seventh. Luis from April 21, 2010, to Jan they claimed in the suit. in the bottom of the third inning against three hits and drove in four runs. Pederson tre-fi eld fence. Avilan and Paul Sewald fi nished up with a 4, 2016. Refunds could be A separate suit filed by right-hander Sean Reid-Foley (2-4), de- hit his 25th homer in the eighth. Conforto’s 27th homer occurred two scoreless inning apiece. worth up to $25mn. Each of personal seat license holders livering a fi ve-run rally with two outs. Af- batters after Cleveland rookie left fi elder Jason Kipnis drove in both Cleveland the former fans who filed was also settled. Fans face a ter Pederson lined out and Kershaw struck CONFORTO, METS CRUISE Oscar Mercado dropped a fl y ball by Joe runs. He hit a solo homer with two outs the original suit will receive Friday deadline to sign up for out, Pollockstarted the off ensive outburst PAST INDIANS Panik for a two-base error. J.D. Davis also in the second inning and a game-tying $5,000, and attorney fees reimbursement settlements. with a home run, his ninth. Michael Conforto hit a tiebreaking two- hit a two-run homer for the Mets. single with no outs in the fourth that are projected to be separate The ticket and merchandise Six consecutive Dodgers batters run homer in the sixth inning, rookie Pete Amed Rosario and Panik added RBI sin- scored Yasiel Puig, who reached on a fi eld- at a value of $7mn. Judge settlement announced Mon- reached base, with Smith hitting a two- Alonso added a two-run double in the gles in the seventh to give the Mets a 6-2 ing error by third baseman Todd Frazier. Timothy Boyer granted day will cover only purchases run home run in the stretch, his 11th. Co- seventh, and the New York Mets began a lead before Alonso drove in his 96th and Bieber allowed four runs (two earned) preliminary approval of the made from the Rams, unless rey Seager added a two-run double in the pivotal nine-game homestand with a 9-2 97th runs. on four hits in six innings. He struck out settlement in St. Louis on fans have receipt of other inning, one of this three hits. victory over the Cleveland Indians on Rajai Davis added an RBI double in the seven, walked one and lost consecutive Monday. The Rams originally purchases, not to include Cody Bellinger increased the Dodg- Tuesday. eighth after being called up from Triple-A starts for the fi rst time this year. claimed “no damage” was tickets purchased on the ers’ lead to 8-2 in the fourth inning with After winning 18 of 23 games while Syracuse before the game. The Indians fell for the fi fth time in done when the team opted to secondary marketplace. a three-run double. He was out trying playing several losing teams, the Mets New York’s Steven Matz (8-7) allowed seven games. Gulf Times 6 Thursday, August 22, 2019 SPORT

FOCUS RUGBY Fit-again Vunipola eager for England ‘A bit of a jolly’: how return vs Ireland

Reuters boys play and now I just want to London get out there and help them play rugby,” Vunipola told BBC Sport. “I’m excited if I do get the Hong Kong Sevens ngland prop Mako Vuni- chance to be out there and expe- pola is yearning to make rience it all once again. You take his long-awaited come- things for granted when you are back in Saturday’s World a bit younger. I remember before CupE warm-up match against the last Rugby World Cup think- Ireland after recovering form a ing I would have loads more of hamstring injury that had side- these. This (injury) has changed lined him for three months. my mindset, realising it could all shaped world rugby Vunipola was injured in Sara- be taken away.” cens’ Champions Cup fi nal win Vunipola has struggled with over Leinster in May and the injuries of late, with an ankle End-of-season bash has inspired the World Cup Sevens and World Sevens Series 28-year-old required surgery injury ruling him out of the fi nal that ruled him out for the rest of three Six Nations matches earlier AFP the domestic season. this year, but not before a man- Hong Kong England coach Eddie Jones is of-the-match performance in a yet to announce his squad for 32-20 win over Ireland in Dublin the match in London but the ex- where he made 27 tackles. s Japan gears up to perienced Vunipola, who has 53 After Ireland’s visit, England host Asia’s fi rst Rugby international caps, is hoping to host Italy in their fi nal warm-up World Cup, they might get some minutes under his belt game on Sept. 6 before fl ying to give a nod of thanks ahead of his second World Cup. Japan. They begin their World Cup inA the direction of continental “I have been very excited the campaign against Pool C oppo- neighbours Hong Kong for help- last two weeks watching the nents Tonga on September 22. ing to make it all possible. The Hong Kong Sevens has grown from an end-of-season SPOTLIGHT bash to a globally acclaimed festival of rugby, inspiring the World Cup Sevens and World Sevens Series — and tens of Last chance saloon thousands of fans, who don out- rageous fancy dress and party till they drop in the stands. for NZ World Cup Its 43-year history has been liberally sprinkled with leg- ends such as Jonah Lomu, David hopeful Fifi ta Campese, Waisale Serevi and Zinzan Brooke. Reuters Cane and captain Kieran Read The city holds the accolade of Wellington and he appears to have settled on being the only two-time hosts the trio as his preferred starting of the Sevens World Cup (1997 combination heading into Japan. and 2005), reward for Hong aea Fifi ta is well aware With Savea’s ability to play Kong’s pivotal role in develop- he has one last chance all three loose forward positions ing the oval-ball game across to convince All Blacks and openside fl anker Matt Todd the world’s most populous con- coach Steve Hansen in contention, Fifi ta is compet- tinent. Vthat he deserves one of the few ing with Luke Jacobson, Jackson The growth of sevens resulted remaining slots up for grabs in Hemopo and perhaps even Liam in rugby’s return to the Olym- his Rugby World Cup squad, the Squire for the fi fth spot in the pics in 2016 after a 92-year ab- coach of the loose forward’s pro- squad. sence. vincial side has said. Squire was the fi rst-choice Fifi ta was one of nine players blindside fl anker for the last two ‘AN INNOVATIVE IDEA’ released to appear for their local years but, beset by injury, ruled None of that was in the wild- sides in New Zealand’s provin- himself out of contention for the est dreams of a group of club cial championship this weekend, Rugby Championship, though enthusiasts when they devised In this April 10, 2016, picture, England’s players raising the trophy after beating the United States for the Plate Final on the third day of the with Hansen giving them the Hansen has said he would be the event, according to former Hong Kong Rugby Sevens tournament. (AFP) opportunity to impress before considered if he made himself Hong Kong Rugby Football Un- naming his World Cup squad available. ion president Brian Stevenson, of Hong Kong and its location. teur sport. the game is fi fteens’. “They were hugely support- next Wednesday. While Fifi ta, like Hemopo, who has been involved from the This is probably the most inter- “They were not helpful at all,” “’OK Sir,’ I’d say. And I’d go ive and they told their unions, “He’s got a lot to play for,” could also cover lock in the start and was treasurer for the national city in Asia. And when says Stevenson. “So the way back to little Hong Kong.” ‘Come on, support these guys Wellington coach Chris Gibbes World Cup squad Gibbes said he inaugural staging in 1976. the fans came in, this was all around it was an invitational and go international’. That’s how told reporters yesterday. had not been given any instruc- “There had never been a pretty good. sevens. I don’t think any of us PROFESSIONAL EDGE it developed.” “He’s coming back full of en- tion where to play him on Friday thought about a kind of interna- “You think of the timing, 1976. expected it to take off . Well, it Stevenson believes the willing- Hong Kong now enjoys a ergy and excitement, he knows against Canterbury. tional sevens. I thought it was a Hong Kong was developing as a fi - was absolutely enormous.” ness of southern hemisphere three-day 40,000 sellout of as well as the whole country that “The All Blacks have got plans very innovative idea,” says Ste- nancial centre. Cathay Pacifi c was The success attracted the players to embrace sevens gave colour, costume and top-class there’s a lot to play for.” in place for him, our part of it is venson, HKRFU president from beginning to expand its wings. So world’s best players and even- them an edge when the game sevens in April every year with The 27-year-old Fifi ta, who to give Vaea game time and get 2001 to 2016, at the Hong Kong there’s a lot of things together that tually national teams, or at least went professional in the 1990s. plans to expand to a new, bigger started against Argentina and him ready to go,” Gibbes said. Jockey Club in Happy Valley, really made it.” some of them. “The big players, the for- stadium in 2023. came off the bench against South “Those players (All Blacks) will within kicking distance of where “The most supportive peo- wards, the Zinzan Brookes, had “It started as a bit of a jolly,” Africa last month, was not in- know that there’s a bigger plan in it all began. ‘THAT’S NOT THE GAME’ ple were defi nitely the southern become much more mobile than admits Stevenson. cluded in the matchday squad for place for all of them, and again Stevenson describes how a The seed for the Hong Kong hemisphere — Australia and in the northern hemisphere. I “But if you go back to the gen- the two Bledisloe Cup matches they’ll know what they need to capacity 3,000 crowd packed Sevens was sown when A.D.C. New Zealand,” says Stevenson. thought it actually improved esis of the whole thing, part of it against Australia. work on. Hong Kong Football Club to see “Tokkie” Smith, then chairman “They came to the party quite their game,” says Stevenson. was to develop rugby in Asia. Hansen named Ardie Savea as “I’m excited to see what he can New Zealand’s Cantabrians win of the Hong Kong RFU, attended soon. The (Pacifi c) islands — Eventually the north came to “You always had a New Zea- his blindside fl anker with Sam do out there.” against sides from Indonesia, the Scottish Rugby Union cen- Tonga, Samoa, Fiji — were basi- the party. land against Sri Lanka and a 50-0 South Korea, Australia, Tonga, Ja- tenary sevens at Murrayfi eld in cally here from the word go. “We had sides from United wipeout or something. But when pan, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Fiji. 1973. “But the countries up north, Kingdom like the Barbarians, you spoke to the Sri Lankans they “Nobody would have expect- By 1975 he had plans for an well, that was a diff erent experi- The Penguins, the Scottish Bor- were over the moon. CAS to hear Chinese swimming ed it to take off as it has. We’ve international 15-a-side tourna- ence. derers,” said Stevenson. “They “They had played against Jon- been most fortunate,” says the ment, but they were met with “I remember visiting the key was they came with the best ah Lomu. They had had that ex- champion Sun’s case in public Scot. resistance from the governing Scots, and them saying, ‘Aye players like (Scotland’s) Hast- perience. That was what it was A case in which China’s multi- samples with a hammer. The “I always felt it was the nature body of the then strictly ama- Brian, but that’s not the game, ings brothers. all about.” ple world and Olympic swim- 27-year-old has denied any ming champion Sun Yang is wrongdoing. accused of anti-doping viola- Sun competed at last month’s HORSE RACING tions will be held in public in a world championships in break from usual procedure, South Korea under the the Court of Arbitration for shadow of the WADA appeal Sport (CAS) said in a state- and three rivals snubbed him ment on Tuesday. after races, by either refusing The World Anti-Doping to shake his hand or join him Gosden and Dettori — Pulling the Agency (WADA) has appealed on the podium. to CAS against a decision by Other swimmers publicly swimming’s governing body backed the protests but Sun FINA to clear Sun of wrongdo- said he had been subjected to ing during a random drug test “insults and slander.” strings in the ‘Sport of Kings’ last September. Sun served a three-month dop- Documents leaked to the ing suspension in 2014 for tak- AFP the end of 2012 — says Enable’s by South Africa-born breeder media have revealed that Sun ing the stimulant trimetazidine, London qualities resemble those of other Bjorn Nielsen, is a vastly diff er- questioned the credentials of which he said he took to treat a sports champions. ent type to Enable, Gosden says. the testers before members heart condition. The substance “Obviously she has great “He is a real character, a push- of his entourage smashed had been banned a few months ohn Gosden and Frankie presence and is very proud,” he button type in that he only does the vials containing his blood before Sun failed the test. Dettori are probably the told AFP. what he has to do,” said Gosden. best trainer-jockey com- “She also has great physical “He is a lovely little fellow and bination since Vincent ability as well as huge mental goes against what one would Protesting US athletes receive O’BrienJ and Lester Piggott ruled ability. usually consider is your arche- 12-months probation the “Sport of Kings” 40 years “You get to notice if the horses typal top stayer.” ago and in Enable and Stradi- have mental strength when you Stradivarius, who nearly US athletes Race Imboden and Committee, wrote to both varius provide the two star at- are building them up in training, missed out on the Goodwood Gwen Berry have been placed athletes informing them of tractions at the prestigious York they show a positive and com- Cup last time out when Det- on probation for 12 months for the decision and said future Ebor meeting this week. petitive attitude. tori celebrated too early, faces a their political protests at the protests would be met with Gosden supplied Dettori with “Rather like tennis players tough task having to concede a Pan Am Games, USA Today stiff er punishments. The his 14th Group One winner of their mental strength distin- lot of weight to the three-year- reported on Tuesday. letters were obtained by USA the season as he rode Coronet guishes the great players from olds. Fencer Imboden took a knee Today Sports. to victory on Sunday, leaving the good ones. One thing is for certain and hammer thrower Berry The Committee was not him just two shy of his personal In this June 20, 2019, picture, Stradivarius is ridden by Frankie Dettori “No person or animal’s body though — win or lose, Stradivar- raised her fist when the US immediately available for record achieved back in 2001. (right) to Gold Cup victory at Royal Ascot. is fi ne-tuned unless the mind is ius will still be in cheeky form. national anthem played dur- comment when contacted by The exuberant 48-year-old in harmony with it. “He is an awfully fun horse, ing their medal ceremonies Reuters. Italian will renew his partner- Cup, Goodwood Cup and the simply a fi nal stepping stone to “Football coaches would say he has a great sense of humour,” earlier this month, violating Hirshland said the two ath- ship with Gosden’s two super- Lonsdale. Enable’s real target this season, the same thing that a player will said Gosden, who added with an agreement US athletes letes were considered to be in stars, the remarkable mare En- Gosden said with Enable only a record third win in Europe’s not perform unless their mind is a smile: “Mine by contrast gets sign before competing inter- a “a probationary period for able in the Yorkshire Oaks today having three rivals “anything most prestigious race, the Prix in the right place.” tested a bit.” nationally. the next 12 months.” and then the stayer Stradivarius can happen”, opening up the de l’Arc de Triomphe, on Octo- The Cambridge University The probation means both “This means you could face in the Group Two Lonsdale Cup possibility of her being beaten ber 6. ‘AWFULLY FUN HORSE’ economics graduate is mindful athletes will still be eligible to more serious sanctions for any tomorrow. for only the second time in 14 Gosden — who handed Det- Gosden, whose stable star has of the good fortune he has. compete at next year’s Tokyo additional breach of our code The latter could scoop a one- starts in what is expected to be tori a lifeline when his career won just over £9mn ($10.9mn), “We should cherish every Olympics. of conduct than might other- million-pound ($1.2mn) bonus her last ever appearance on a was in the doldrums after he says Enable is “special and great moment when we have these Sarah Hirshland, CEO of the wise be levied for an athlete in for the second year running in British racetrack. received a six-month ban for to be around”. type of horses, because they US Olympic and Paralympic good standing,” she wrote. landing the treble of Ascot Gold But Gosden, 68, says it is testing positive for cocaine at Stradivarius, who is owned don’t come along very often.” Gulf Times Thursday, August 22, 2019 7 CRICKET

FOCUS SCHEDULE England to play WI, Pakistan as part of Kohli’s India look Test Championship next year

AFP Cup-winners England will face Leeds, United Kingdom Australia and Ireland in three- to dominate West match series, with the last game against the latter ending the ngland will make a break England calendar at the Oval on from tradition by staging September 15. the opening Test of their Meanwhile England’s prepa- 2020 home season at the rations for next year’s Twenty20 Oval.E World Cup will continue with The England and Wales Crick- six short-form matches split be- Indies in fi rst Test et Board releases the interna- tween Australia and Pakistan. tional fi xtures for next season ECB chief executive Tom Har- Hosts will hope for Holder-inspired dominance of England earlier this year yesterday, with a packed pro- rison, announcing the sched- gramme featuring visits by the ule, said: “The ICC World Test AFP West Indies, Australia, Pakistan Championship will add signifi - North Sound, Antigua and Barbuda and Ireland. cance and context to the Test The Oval, the south London series against West Indies and headquarters of Surrey, usually Pakistan. ndia look set to extend their hosts the last Test of an English “England’s ODI contests decade-long dominance season but in 2020 it will launch against Australia, and Ireland over West Indies when the the programme instead. will see the world champions re- fi rst match of a two-Test se- After the Oval, England will turn to home soil with big crowds Iries starts at the Sir Vivian Rich- face the West Indies in Tests at expected at all venues. ards Stadium here today. Edgbaston and Lord’s. “With further interest in IT20 Having swept the T20 series England will also play three cricket, the six-matches against 3-0 and taken the ODI con- Tests against Pakistan, at Lord’s, Australia and the world number test 2-0, Virat Kohli’s India are Old Traff ord and Trent Bridge. one side Pakistan will off er a fas- bursting with confi dence going Both the West Indies and Paki- cinating guide to form ahead of into their fi rst Test match since stan series will count towards the the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup in the historic series triumph in World Test Championship table. Australia during the autumn of Australia at the start of the year. In one-day cricket World 2020.” In contrast, the West Indies have gone off the boil since dominating England in the home series in the Caribbean six Indian board grows richer with months ago and then going toe- new Paytm deal to-toe with the same opponents in the subsequent ODI series. Reuters Paytm, owned by One 97 A whitewash in the tour-end- Mumbai, India Communications, will pay ing T20 skirmish, followed by 3.27bn rupees ($45.78mn) for the removal of controversial head the 2019-23 period to the BCCI, coach Richard Pybus and a dis- ndia’s cricket board (BCCI) which is the richest national appointing World Cup campaign said yesterday it will earn 58 cricket board in the world. The has left Jason Holder’s men with Ipercent more per match for winning bid was 38mn rupees much lost ground to reclaim. the next four years as Paytm (about $532,000) for every And on the evidence of the lim- retained the title sponsorship match compared to 24mn ited-over leg of India’s visit, and rights for international and rupees that Paytm paid in 2015 especially Kohli’s irresistible form domestic matches, underlin- to win the rights then. with the bat, it will be asking a lot ing the game’s undiminished “We are excited to continue of the West Indies to get the bet- popularity in the country. our long-term association with ter of the tourists and claim a fi rst Cricketers are the highest profile BCCI and the Indian Cricket Test match victory over India for athletes and enjoy rockstar sta- Team,” Paytm Chief Executive more than 17 years. tus in the world’s second most Vijay Shekhar Sharma said in a However, if the home team populous country and Paytm’s statement. can recapture the Holder-in- bid showed the semi-final defeat “Our commitment to Indian spired dominance of England to New Zealand in the recent 50- Cricket gets stronger with achieved earlier this year, there over World Cup has not dented every season. India loves is hope that they will be able to the sport’s popularity. cricket and we at Paytm are match up to an Indian team well Digital payments company the biggest fans of it.” prepared for the longer version of the game. For India Chesteshwar Pujara, Sehwag bats for Kumble to become who reeled off three centuries in selector in future the four Tests in Australia, has already picked up from where he IANS think he is the right person (to left off Down Under in notch- India’s Cheteshwar Pujara has already notched up a century in the lone warm-up fixture against a regional representative team last weekend. New Delhi become a national selector),” ing up three fi gures in the lone Sehwag said yesterday. warm-up fi xture against a re- batsman Wriddhiman Saha in venues in the Caribbean, being fi repower to challenge India’s tain), Kraigg Brathwaite, John Kumble was the coach of the gional representative team last the dressing room. more fast bowler-friendly since vaunted batting line-up, as the Campbell, Darren Bravo, Shai ormer India cricketer Indian team between 2016 and weekend. Spinner Ravi Ashwin, ‘Man of the start of last year. English found to their cost in Hope, Shimron Hetmyer, Roston Virender Sehwag yes- 2017 before stepping down af- the Series’ when India dominated That could favour the visi- February. Chase, Shane Dowrich (wick- Fterday put his weight ter an alleged rift with captain HELPFUL CONDITIONS the home side in the Caribbean tors who have a trio in Jasprit However, the outcome of the etkeeper), Keemo Paul, Kemar behind Anil Kumble to become Virat Kohli. The spin great is It remains to be seen whether three years ago, could fi nd him- Bumrah, Mohammed Shami and fi rst Test could ultimately hinge Roach, Shannon Gabriel a national selector in future. now the chairman of the ICC selectors will include Rohit self on the sidelines with Ravindra Ishant Sharma very capable of on batting, and whether the India: Virat Kohli (captain), “When Anil Kumble became the Cricket Committee. Sharma — a fi xture at the top Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav seen as exploiting helpful conditions. West Indies can defy a deter- KL Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, captain, he came to my room Presently, MSK Prasad is the of the order in limited-over the prime contenders for the spe- Not that the West Indies will mined, world-class bowling at- Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya and said ‘go and play how you chairman of India’s senior matches — in the middle-order cialist spinner’s role. be daunted by that prospect, tack to post competitive totals. Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh play as in the next two series selection committee but ques- and whether the exciting young A change of policy in prepara- for in Kemar Roach, Shannon Pant (wicketkeeper), Ravindra you won’t be dropped’. That tions have been raised about talent of Rishabh Pant will keep tion has seen the pitch in Anti- Gabriel, Holder and all-round- TEAMS (PROBABLE) Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Jas- kind of confidence he gave... I the panel’s eff iciency. experienced wicketkeeper- gua, and indeed all Test match er Keemo Paul, they have the West Indies: Jason Holder (cap- prit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma.

SPOTLIGHT Black Caps look to exploit Sri Lanka’s Oval weakness

AFP number fi ve of the offi cial ICC Colombo, Sri Lanka rankings if they win the second Test and the series. More importantly, it will give ew Zealand will be hop- them a strong start in the World ing to add to Sri Lanka’s Test Championship. poor record at their Wicketkeeper Niroshan Dick- own Oval ground and wella was confi dent his team will Nlevel the series in the second and put on a good show. fi nal Test starting today. “We want to win against Unlike the spinner’s paradise world’s number two ranked team. at Galle and the batting haven It’s going to be a diff erent game that is the SSC, the Oval — the here and fast bowlers will come only ground in Asia where Don into play a lot,” he said. Bradman played — favours seam “It’s a big challenge. Having bowlers. won one game, we have a big re- Sri Lanka have been often sponsibility to win the series. We exposed here by quality seam need to keep making good deci- bowlers and one up in the two- sions at crunch moments,” Dick- match series, they will have New wella told journalists. Zealand’s Trent Boult and Tim Southee — and possibly Neil New Zealand (From): Kane Wagner — to contend with. Williamson (Captain), Jeet Raval, In the last 10 years, Sri Lanka Ross Taylor, Colin de Grand- have played seven games at The homme, Todd Astle, William Oval and lost fi ve, including once Somerville, Mitchell Santner, Tom to New Zealand. In that game Blundell, Tom Latham, Henry seven years ago, Southee claimed New Zealand captain Kane Williamson inspects the pitch during a Sri Lanka captain Dimuth Karunaratne bats during a practice session ahead of the second Test against New Nicholls, B.J. Watling, Trent Boult, eight wickets while Boult fi n- practice session at P. Sara Oval stadium in Colombo yesterday. (AFP) Zealand at the P. Sara Oval cricket stadium in Colombo. (AFP) Tim Southee, Ajaz Patel and Neil ished with seven. Wagner. “We have some fond memo- is always good, but it is a new Mitchell Santner. back on those chances and they fully put that middle order under was forced to remodel his action Sri Lanka (From): Dimuth ries from last time, and we man- game, a new day, and we need to The opening Test was a lot are pretty tough ones. Some- more pressure.” after it was fi rst reported in No- Karunaratne (Captain), Dinesh aged to win that,” New Zealand be switched on,” Watling added. closer than the six-wicket mar- times they stick and sometimes Sri Lanka, meanwhile, will vember last year. Chandimal, Lahiru Thirimanne, wicketkeeper BJ Watling said Left-arm quick Wagner gin suggests and the New Zea- they don’t,” Watling said. leave out off -spinner Akila Dan- Technically he is allowed to Oshada Fernando, Angelo Math- at a pre-match media briefing claimed nine wickets in New landers know that fi elding lapses “We have to give a lot of credit anjaya, whose action was report- play the second Test, but he is ews, Dhananjaya de Silva, Kusal yesterday. Zealand’s last Test match and cost them dearly after setting to Sri Lanka’s batsmen — espe- ed to be suspect for a second time likely to travel to India instead to Mendis, Kusal Perera, Niroshan “The boys like to talk about was unlucky to miss out in Galle Sri Lanka a daunting task of 268 cially that opening partnership. by match offi cials after the Galle test his action. Dilruwan Perera Dickwella, Dilruwan Perera, Lasith their wickets and there’s a few as conditions heavily favoured runs. “Hopefully in this Test we can Test. has been drafted into the squad Embuldeniya, Lakshan Sandakan, stunning catches from memory spin. He is expected to make a “No one’s trying to drop a look to make some more inroads Dananjaya, who claimed a fi ve- and is expected to play. Suranga Lakmal, Lahiru Kumara as well. Having good memories return possibly at the expense of catch or miss anything. I still look through that top order and hope- wicket haul in the opening game, Sri Lanka will move up to the and Vishwa Fernando.

Thursday, August 22, 2019 GULF TIMES CRICKET

ASHES Paine wants senior batsmen to step up and fi ll Smith void ‘David Warner hasn’t hit his straps yet and I notice people getting a bit trigger happy on that subject’

Agencies London Australia’s focus on winning Tests, not

ustralia will need a hitting helmets, says coach Langer collective effort by their batsmen to fill Reuters “What we’re not going to do is back foot and I’m sure they’ll the void left by the in- London get caught up in an emotional prepare accordingly,” said the formA Steve Smith who will miss battle of who’s going to bowl former Australia opener. the third Ashes Test against the quickest bouncers,” Langer “We know what we’re up England, skipper Tim Paine ustralia will not get told reporters at Headingley. against, and we’re really going said yesterday. drawn into a tit-for- “We’re here to win the Test to be ready for that. Smith was ruled out of the Atat battle of bouncers match, not to see how many “We have to be, otherwise we encounter at Headingley, start- against England but will be helmets we can hit. won’t win the series.” ing today, due to the eff ects of a prepared for a repeat of Jofra “I’m sure the bouncer will After winning the first Test at concussion after being hit on the Archer’s short-pitched barrage still be part of every bowler’s Edgbaston by 251 runs and then head by a bouncer from England in the remaining Ashes Tests, armoury, if it helps us get drawing the second at Lord’s, fast bowler Jofra Archer in the coach Justin Langer has said. batsmen out then we’ll use it. Australia can retain the Ashes fi rst innings of the drawn second Archer produced a sustained Otherwise we’ll keep sticking to with victory in Leeds. Test at Lord’s. period of aggressive fast bowl- the plan. Langer said the side had to play The former skipper, who ing in both of Australia’s innings “England will be the same, I’m with cool heads. smashed 92 at Lord’s, has been in in the drawn second Test at sure they’ve got plans how “You’ve got to play on skill, not superb form making 144 and 142 Lord’s, felling both Steve Smith they’ll get our batsmen out, not emotion,” Langer said. in the opening Test at Edgbaston and Marnus Labuschagne. just knock them out.” “It’s hard for young players, to help Australia seal a 251-run Smith suff ered a delayed Langer was impressed not even senior players, you can get victory for a 1-0 lead in the fi ve- concussion after being hit on only by Archer’s pace but also caught up in the atmosphere, match series. the neck and was later ruled out his economy rate in London you can get caught up in the Asked how Australia planned of the third match starting at where he conceded about two contest. to replace Smith in the third Test, Headingley in Leeds today. runs per over and finished with “But it’s not an ego game, Paine told reporters: “We do it as Australia team doctor Richard Saw (left) inspects Marnus Labuschagne’s helmet during nets ahead of the Labuschagne, who replaced match figures of 5-91. you’ve got to just keep trusting a team.” third Ashes Test against England at Headingley in Leeds, England. (Reuters) Smith as Test cricket’s first con- Langer said the side would have your skill, keep watching the Concussion substitute Marnus cussion substitution, was struck to figure out how to score runs ball like a hawk. Labuschagne fi lled in for Smith on the protective face grill of his off the Barbados-born right “That’s the challenge of mental in the second innings and made helmet on his second ball. armer. toughness, that’s the challenge a gritty 59 but Paine said it was Langer said Australia, who “Our guys play a lot of short-ball of concentration, that’s the up to all senior batsmen to ensure lead the five-match series 1-0, cricket in Australia — we tend challenge of what the cham- the pressure is not entirely on the would not alter their strategy in to play on bouncy wickets... so pion players do over the good 25-year-old. response. they’re used to playing off the players.” “There aren’t too many guys... that have averaged higher than Steve in Test cricket. Clearly they are huge shoes to fi ll and we don’t put all that pressure on Marnus,” Paine said. “Marnus comes in to play a role in our team and it’s up to everyone else, particularly our senior players, to make sure we give that little bit more output and cover Steve.” Paine said Australia expected more of the same fi ery bowling from Barbados-born fast bowler Archer in the third Test. “We copped some short pitch bowling. The guys have got plans and we’ve prepared really well for it. It’s now about going out and executing,” Paine added. “When someone’s bowling fast and the crowd’s up and about it’s exciting. It’s great for Test crick- Australia’s David Warner uses his phone in the stands during England’s nets in Leeds, England. (Reuters) et, the interest it’s sparked in the last... 10 days is great. We’re cricketer with so much tal- “David Warner hasn’t hit his a “blatant cheat” over a disputed looking forward to the challenge ent come onto the scene and it straps yet and I notice people catch on the fi nal day of the sec- again this week.” was a bit of a buzz to face him at getting a bit trigger happy on that ond Test. Lord’s,” Paine wrote in a column subject, but I am not worried,” he Root took a low catch to end PAINE PLAYS DOWN ARCHER for the Australian newspaper. wrote. Labuschagne’s innings, with re- FEAR FACTOR “He’s fast for sure, but in Aus- “We are 1-0 up in the se- plays suggesting the ball may Australian captain said the tour- tralia we’ve been brought up fac- ries and he hasn’t got out of the have bounced fi rst, although the ists will not be intimidated by ing guys of his pace. blocks. He is a match winner... he England skipper later insisted it Archer and has backed misfi r- “Every time we have a net (ses- is also the most mentally tough had carried. ing batsman David Warner to hit sion) we have Mitchell Starc, Pat cricketer I know. He is due a score “It didn’t carry. We can see form in the third Ashes Test. Cummins and James Pattinson and that is a dividend I am look- that,” Bichel told Macquarie Paine was full of praise for coming at us like we are the op- ing forward to.” Sports Radio. Archer, but said Australia’s bats- position.” “It’s ricocheted off the player men were used to facing pace and He was unconcerned about IT DID, IT DID NOT as well so it’s bobbled a little bit had a few useful speedsters of Warner’s lack of form, which has Meanwhile, former Australia to him, so therefore he’d know if Australia’s Steve Smith (left) talks to coach Justin Langer during a nets session at Headingley in Leeds, their own. seen the left-hander score only paceman Andy Bichel has la- he’s picked it up on the half vol- England, yesterday. (Reuters) “It’s fantastic to see a young 18 runs in four innings. belled England captain Joe Root ley — it’s blatant cheating.”

SPOTLIGHT England’s Roy set to play in third Test aft er passing concussion test

AFP terday: “Jason’s been monitored just yet but we fully expect him to Leeds, United Kingdom quite closely as you’d expect. go out and do that.” “He’s undergone a couple of Meanwhile Australia captain concussion tests so far and scored Tim Paine, whose Ashes-holders ngland batsman Jason really well. So as it stands, I fully are 1-0 up in the fi ve-match se- Roy has passed a concus- expect him to be fi t and ready to ries, said his side were not taking sion test after being hit go tomorrow.” Roy lightly. in the nets ahead of the Roy averages just 10 in four “Opening the batting in Test thirdE Ashes Test against Australia innings this series, having only cricket in England is diffi cult,” he at Headingley. made his Test debut earlier this said. “I know our guys are strug- The 29-year-old opener was season after starring at the top of gling a little bit as well to get the struck by a throw-down from the order in England’s victorious runs they would like. It’s inter- ex-England international Mar- World Cup winning campaign. national cricket, it’s tough,” the cus Trescothick, working with England coach Trevor Bayliss wicketkeeper added. the team in a temporary coach- said Roy may be more suited to “We’ve seen Jason Roy play ing capacity, during practice on the middle-order in Test cricket amazing innings in one-day Tuesday. but Root insisted he could be a cricket, we’ve seen David Warner Roy was assessed after taking success as an opening batsman. do the same thing in the early the blow and was able to contin- “I obviously think he should days of his career, and sometimes ue batting. But he also required a open, otherwise he’ll be batting it takes a little bit of time to get follow-up check on the eve of the at four,” said Root. used to Test cricket and the dif- match on Wednesday to deter- “I think there’s a lot of talk ferences in that. mine any delayed symptoms. about the batting order because “We’ve seen that Jason is a Roy, 29, will be assessed again of the variety of options we have. highly-skilled batsman and on before the third Test starts today. “At no stage are we trying to his day he can take a game away Meanwhile Ollie Pope, a Sur- reinvent the wheel. from you so at no point do we rey team-mate of Roy’s, has been think or treat him like we’ve got placed on standby. STRUGGLING the wood over him.” The 21-year-old Pope, who has “But we’ve got to play to our Australia’s star batsman Steve played two Tests, is now on his strengths and be quite fl exible Smith has already been ruled out way to Leeds. over the course of the series. But of the match with concussion But England captain Joe Root I feel Jason can have a real big im- suff ered when he was hit by a Jof- said he expected Roy to play, tell- pact at the start of an innings. ra Archer bouncer in the drawn ing reporters at Headingley yes- “It might not have happened second Test at Lord’s. England’s Jason Roy in action during the nets ahead of the third Ashes Test against Australia at Headingley in Leeds, England. (Reuters)