SPORT 16 FRIDAY 7 JULY 2017

Uzbekistan and Kyrgyztan players pose with a special banner before their match at the International Football Tournament for U-23 teams at the Aspire Academy.

Players float message of peace

The Peninsula The rare gesture from two A number of top football Busquets, paid a visit to Aspire visiting teams was witnessed names like Barcelona legend Academy which was jointly n a telling message for world at one of the football pitches at In a touching gesture, visiting Xavi Hernandez, the De Boer organised by the Academy and peace, football players of Aspire Academy where the Uzbekistan and Kyrgyztan teams pose brothers and Spanish goal- Mall of . IUzbekistan and Kyrgyztan event is being held. behind a banner urging regional keeper Iker Casillas have urged The Spanish stars were the posed behind a banner urging The banner read "KEEP the protesting countries to first to see the progress of the regional leaders keep politics POLITICS AWAY FROM leaders to keep politics out of sport. end their siege against Qatar. new Football Performance and out of sport. FOOTBALL". The blockade against Science extension at Aspire The two teams were pho- The sporting gesture came Qatar has lasted more than a Academy while a video of Alba tographed with the special as the Gulf crisis lingers on the month. signing autograph on the pic- banner before their match at region. Federation (QFA) so So Anabi World body FIFA has Earlier on Wednesday, ture of the Emir H H Sheikh the International Football The tournament has been prepares for this month's Asian explicitly banned political Barcelona stars Gerard Pique, Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, Tournament for U-23 teams. organised by Qatar Football Cup qualifiers. interference from football. Jordi Alba and Sergio was posted on Twitter as well.

Qatar jump nine spots in latest FIFA rankings LATEST FIFA RANKINGS 1. (+2 places) 2. Brazil (-1) The Peninsula United Arab Emirates (75) and China 3. Argentina (-1) (77) are above Qatar. 4. Portugal (+4) atar, after a key 2018 FIFA World Syria, ranked 94th in the world, are 5. (+4) Cup qualifying win against Asia below Qatar in Asian pecking order. 6. Poland (+4) Qpowerhouse Korea Republic last Qatar Football Association (QFA) 7. Chile (-3) month, have jumped nine spots in lat- three days ago announced that Felix 8. Colombia (-3) est rankings. Sanchez will take over as the interim 9. (-3) Coached by Jorge Fossati, Qatar coach of the national side that will play 10. Belgium (-3) beat Korea 3-2 at Jassim Bin Hamad Syria and China in their last two 2018 Stadium to climb up the FIFA compu- FIFA World Cup qualifying matches at Top Asian countries on ter. Also known as Al Anabi, Qatar are the end of August and early FIFA computer ranked 79 in the world while they are September. (world ranking before ninth top side in Asia. Meanwhile, Germany leapfrogged country's name) Fossati resigned from his post but Brazil and Argentina to move back atop 23. Iran (+7) saw his team make a massive leap in the FIFA rankings thanks to the team 45. (+3) the FIFA rankings. winning the Confederations Cup last 46. Japan (-1) Qatar were ranked 88 when the week. FIFA rankings were last released by the The world champions beat Chile 1-0 51. Korea Republic (-8) world body. in the Russia-based tournament a year 61. Saudi Arabia (-8) Iran are the top side in Asia though out from the 2018 World Cup to ensure 65. Uzbekistan (-3) the Persian side is ranked 23 in the a first return to the top of the rankings 75. United Arab Emirates (0) world. in more than two years. 77. China RP (+5) Other Asian teams Australia (45), Brazil fall to second and Argentina 79. Qatar (+9) Japan (46), Korea Republic (51), Saudi third, just ahead of European champi- 82. Syria (-5) Qatar players training under the watchful eyes of coach Jorge Fossati in this file photo. Arabia (61), Uzbekistan (65), the ons Portugal. TOUR DE FRANCE Tour de France: Tearful Kittel wins sixth stage S TAGE 6 RESULTS (TOP 15) Troyes, France Germany's Greipel and only one behind the 1. Marcel Kittel (Germany / Quick-Step) 5:05:34" AFP celebrates as he crosses the German record of 12 taken by 2. Arnaud Demare (France / FDJ) ST finish line ahead of Germany's Erik Zabel, who won six consec- 3. Andre Greipel (Germany / Lotto) Marcel Kittel won his second Andre Greipel (left) and utive green jerseys from 4. Alexander Kristoff (Norway / Katusha) stage of this year's Tour de Norway's Alexander Kristoff 1996-2001 -- itself a record. 5. (France / Cofidis) France yesterday, sprinting to (right) at the end of the sixth After Wednesday's fireworks 6. Dylan Groenewegen (Netherlands / LottoNL) victory in the sixth stage before stage of the 104th Tour de on the climb to La Planche des again breaking down in tears. Belles Filles, the overall race 7. Michael Matthews (Australia / Sunweb) France between Vesoul and The burly German, who favourites had a quiet day in the 8. Daniel McLay (Britain / Fortuneo) Troyes yesterday. 9. Ruediger Selig (Germany / BORA) now has 11 Tour stage wins in saddle, with Geraint Thomas total, had also won the second remaining second at 12sec from 10. John Degenkolb (Germany / Trek) stage on Sunday, before the his British compatriot and Sky 11. Dion Smith (New Zealand / Wanty) tears started to flow that time team leader Froome, with stage 12. Adrien Petit (France / Direct Energie) as well. five winner Fabio Aru third at 13. Edvald Boasson Hagen (Norway / Dimension Data) Frenchman Arnaud Demare 14sec. 14. Marco Haller (Austria / Katusha) was second with Andre Greipel In fact the biggest drama 15. Rick Zabel (Germany / Katusha) of Germany third on the 216km they had was earlier in the day CLASSIFICATION AFTER STAGE 6 sixth stage as reigning champion when a parasol blew across the (TOP 10) Chris Froome retained his race road right in front of the pelo- 1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 23:44:33" lead. ton, causing several riders to But unlike the previous two take evasive action, although 2. Geraint Thomas (Britain / Team Sky) +12" stages that ended in bunch fortunately they were not going 3. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana) +14" sprints, this time there was no full throttle at that point. 4. Daniel Martin (Ireland / Quick-Step) +25" crash. dash to the line thankfully field to breeze past all challeng- I found it with 250 metres left." Demare, winner of Tues- 5. Richie Porte (Australia / BMC Racing) +39" As the Court of Arbitration passed off without incident. ers and win. That show of force suggested day's fourth stage, may have 6. (Britain / Orica) +43" for Sport rejected an appeal by And Kittel, as he had done "I took the right wheel and Kittel, 29, is back to form he been beaten into second but he 7. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R) +47" world champion Peter Sagan on Sunday, proved too strong for then attacked with 250 metres showed in 2013 and 2014 when had the consolation of taking 8. Alberto Contador ( / Trek) +52" against his disqualification for his rivals, reaching a maximum to go," explained Kittel. he won four Tour stages in each enough points to hold onto the 9. (Colombia / Movistar) +54" elbowing into speed of 71.17kph at one stage, "I knew in finale if I had year. sprinters' green points jersey, 10. Rafal Majka (Poland / BORA) +1:01" the metal safety railings, and out according to official Tour data, good legs, in the final kilometre His victory took him level on although Kittel closed his lead of the Tour, on Tuesday, this as he surged from well down the I would be able to find a gap, and stage wins with compatriot to 27 points. FRIDAY 7 JULY 2017 SPORT 17

Del Potro's Federer and Djokovic march clash halted after woman on as Pliskova crashes out taken ill London Reuters WIMBLEDON Djokovic London RESULTS AFP oger Federer turned brushes aside on the style on Cen- MEN'S SINGLES (2ND uan Martin del Potro's Wimble- tre Court after a ROUND) comparison to don second round clash with rocky start to beat ' (SUI x3) beat Dusan JErnests Gulbis was held up by Serbian Dusan Lajovic () 7-6(0), 6-3, 6-2 Tiger Woods 25 minutes after a spectator was RLajovic 7-6(0), 6-3, 6-2 in the 'Grigor Dimitrov (BUL x13) bt Mar- taken ill in the stands yesterday. Wimbledon second round yes- cos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-3, 6-2, 6-1 London With searing temperatures hit- terday while Novak Djokovic ' Dudi Sela (ISR) bt John Isner (USA Reuters ting 30 degrees on Court Three, a also booked his place in the next x23) 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 woman appeared to suffer the round. 'Mischa Zverev (GER x27) bt Mikhail ovak Djokovic said effects of prolonged exposure to The Swiss, trying to win an Kukushkin (KAZ) 6-1, 6-2, 2-6, 3-6, 6-4 yesterday that he was the sun midway through the sec- eighth title, dropped his open- puzzled by John ond set. 'Dominic Thiem (AUT x8) bt Gilles N ing service game and had to McEnroe's comments com- Spectators held umbrellas over Simon (FRA) 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-4 battle hard in the first set before paring the reasons for his the woman while ambulance staff ' outclassing his opponent 7-0 in David Ferrer (ESP) bt Steve Dar- slump in form to personal came to treat her before a stretcher the tie-break. cis (BEL) 3-0 - retired problems of the sort experi- eventually arrived. With dark clouds looming ' Gael Monfils (FRA x15) bt Kyle enced by golfer Tiger Woods. Former US Open champion Del overhead Federer looked in a Edmund (GBR) 7-6 (7/1), 6-4, 6-4 The Serbian player, a Potro passed a water bottle into hurry to get the job done and 'Adrian Mannarino (FRA) bt Yuichi former world number one, the crowd to be given to the broke early in the second set to Sugita (JPN) 6-1, 5-7, 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 6-2 said he did not know what woman while he and Gulbis waited assume complete control. ' (LAT) bt Juan Martín McEnroe was basing his for play to resume. The third set was one-way Del Potro (ARG x29) 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) remarks on but added that Argentine 29th seed Del Potro, traffic and Federer sealed vic- 'Novak Djokovic (SRB x2) bt Adam he respected the former a former Wimbledon semi-final- tory with his ninth ace of the Pavlásek (CZE) 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 champion's opinion. ist, had lost the first set 6-4 against match to set up a third-round McEnroe said this week Gulbis and was trailing 3-2 in the clash against German serve- WOMEN'S SINGLES (2ND that Djokovic "had some off- second before the delay. and-volleyer Mischa Zverev. Switzerland's Roger ROUND) court issues with the family", Djokovic raced into the adding: "That's going to Federer returns 'Sorana Cirstea (ROM) bt Bethanie third round yesterday, but has throw you. If you're dis- against Serbia's Dusan Mattek-Sands (USA) 4-6, 7-6 (7/4) yet to be given a real workout. tracted you're not the same Mattek-Sands Lajovic during their The three-time champion - retired player." was in relentless form as he men's singles second ' Garbiñe Muguruza (ESP x14) bt The three-time Wimble- trounced Wimbledon debutant round match of the Yanina Wickmayer (BEL) 6-2, 6-4 don champion likened the suffers horrific Adam Pavlasek 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 in 2017 Wimbledon 'Agnieszka Radwanska (POL x9) bt problems of Djokovic -- who little more than 90 minutes. It Championships Christina McHale (USA) 5-7, 7-6 (9/7), 6-3 has surrendered two grand was Djokovic's first full match yesterday. Federer 'Polona Hercog (SLO) bt Varvara slam titles this year and knee injury at the tournament after his first- won 7-6, 6-3, 6-2. Lepchenko (USA) 6-7 (2/7), 6-2, 6-2 slipped to fourth in the world round opponent retired hurt 'Svetlana Kuznetsova (RUS x7) bt -- to those of Woods, whose London with the Serb leading 6-3, 2-0. Ekaterina Makarova (RUS) 6-0, 7-5 marriage collapsed after he AFP Djokovic was unstoppable Wimbledon pre-tournament She also had a shot at ' Magdaléna Rybáriková (SVK) bt admitted to adultery. against Pavlasek on a swelter- favourites Karolina Pliskova becoming the world number Karolína Plísková (CZE x3) 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 "The person that comes merica's Bethanie Mattek- ing Court One. He pinned his was dumped out in round two one if her rivals had made 'Lesya Tsurenko (UKR) bt Viktor- to mind immediately with Sands suffered a horror Czech opponent behind the yesterday, with Slovakia's early exits. ija Golubic (SUI) 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 Novak is golfer Tiger Aknee injury at Wimbledon baseline with unerring ground- Magdalena Rybarikova beat- But the 25-year-old Woods," McEnroe, 58, told yesterday which left her scream- 'Petra Martic (CRO) bt Denisa Aller- strokes off both wings, moving ing her 3-6, 7-5, 6-2 on Centre looked lacklustre at times and the BBC. "He had the issues ing and crying in pain in the tová (CZE) 6-1, 6-4 him from side to side in the 30 Court. lacked accuracy against expe- with his wife, he seemed to middle of the court. ' Celsius heat and forcing error Czech third seed Pliskova rienced campaigner Zarina Diyas (KAZ) bt Arina Rodi- go completely off the rails The 32-year-old collapsed to after error. came into the tournament on Rybarikova, whose never- onova (AUS) 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) and has never been even the ground after damaging her Pavlasek was playing his the back of a grasscourt title say-die attitude was summed 'Alison Riske (USA) bt Kristina Mlad- close to the same player." right knee as she approached the childhood hero and the in Eastbourne but had never up by a net-side masterclass enovic (FRA x12) 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 Djokovic, whose wife net in the first game of the decid- 22-year-old, ranked 136, reached the third round at the in the final game of the match 'Coco Vandeweghe (USA x24) bt Jelena is pregnant with their ing set against Romania's Sorana appeared overawed by the All England Club. that had the crowd gasping. Tatjana Malek (GER) 6-4, 6-2 second child, was asked by Cirstea on Court 17. occasion. He rarely tested the journalists about the Amer- "Please help me, please, 12-time ican's comments after his please," screamed the 32-year-old champion. Wimbledon second-round in scenes so distressing that tele- Djokovic will next play victory against Adam Pav- vision cameras panned away from Latvian Ernests Gulbis, who lasek yesterday. the stricken player. beat Argentina's Juan Martín del "I really don't take it in a Mattek-Sands's husband Jus- Potro 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). negative way anyhow. It's tin tried to console his wife as Frenchman Gael Monfils fine. He has his right to say medics arrived, while Cirstea was halted the British charge with a the things he wants to say. I distraught and in tears. comfortable straight-sets victory don't necessarily need to After lying prone on the over home hope Kyle Edmund agree with that. But it's his ground for around 20 minutes, to reach the third round.. right," the 30-year-old told Mattek-Sands was eventually On a stifling Centre Court Serbia's Novak Djokovic dives in a news conference. "I don't stretchered away. the 15th seed was pushed an attempt to return to Czech know where was the basis, hard in the first set before Republic's Adam Pavlasek during and he was just maybe mak- 50th-ranked Edmund wilted ing a comparison. I'm not their men's singles second round in the heat and Monfils really sure." Tomic and match on the fourth day of the moved through 7-6(1), 6-4, 6-4. "He's very well known Monfils will face French- 2017 Wimbledon Championships for his, you know, kind of man Adrian Mannarino next yesterday. The three-time bold comments and not Medvedev as he bids to make the fourth champion trounced Wimbledon really caring too much about round for the first time. debutant Pavlasek 6-2, 6-2, 6-1 being politically correct but Meanwhile, in the wom- to reach the third round. saying whatever is on his handed fines en's draw, one of the mind," Djokovic added. London Reuters

ustralian Bernard Tomic has Konta can become number one: Davenport been fined $15,000 after post- A match comments saying he had been "bored" during his first London "To see her on Wednesday Konta's relentless focusocus when watch- round exit from Wimbledon and had Reuters just being a mental rock out ing her practise. faked injury. there under some really diffi- "Watch the disciplinecipline sshehe bbrings,rings, The International Fed- ormer Wimbledon cham- cult circumstances was in a watch the intensityy she brings," sshehe eration also handed Russian Daniil pion Lindsay Davenport way inspiring," Davenport said. "It is hard to see success won'twon't Medvedev three fines, totalling F(pictured) believes Brit- said, adding that in the past come for her, it is impossiblempossible to know.know."" $14,500, after he threw coins at an ain's Johanna Konta can go on Konta had buckled under Davenport saidd it wouwouldld bebe inter- umpire following his defeat on to become the world's number pressure. esting to see Kontaa at everyevery levellevel in allall Wednesday. one player, saying it was "hard "We have seen other play- the majors to judge whether she was able Tomic's comments about being not to see success" for the sev- ers just crumble under the to maintain the auraa ooff WeWednesdaydnesday ""becausebecause bored at Wimbledon received a bar- enth-ranked player. pressure of their own country it was awfully impressive".ressive". rage of criticism. Davenport, herself a and she stood up, she never The American ssaidaid sshehe sesensednsed iinn KoKontanta Medvedev's fines focused on his former world number one, panicked, she never blinked, the same level of dedicationdedication thatthat herher com- second round loss on Wednesday who won three grand slam titles she never had that look I've seen patriot and defendingng men's champion to Ruben Bemelmans. including Wimbledon in 1999, said Konta before of looking over with almost scared Andy Murray showed.wed. After shaking hands with his proved in her three-set Centre Court vic- eyes, that was gone. "I get the sense wwithith her, conqueror, Medvedev grabbed his tory on Wednesday against Donna Vekic "You get a sense that is something she like you do with AAndyndy wallet and pulled out some coins that she had the steel needed to get to the has worked incredibly hard on, the disci- Murray, that everythinghing before hurling them toward the foot top. pline to be focused on each point in the she can do to get bet-et- of the umpire's chair. "I think yesterday's match was a great routine she has talked about and it proved ter, she is doing. Thatat "In the heat of the moment, I did example of that. I always look at players itself in one of her biggest moments here," could be mentally,y, a bad thing. I apologise for this," the and look at their weaknesses and if those she said. physically, recovery,ry, 21-year-old Russian told later. Johanna Konta are improved upon. Davenport said that she had noticed on the court." 18 SPORT FRIDAY 7 JULY 2017

Afghanistan Root shines on captaincy debut set for 'huge honour' of as England take control at Lord's Lord's debut

London Reuters Australia A AFP

ew England players call fghanistan is ready rode his for the "huge hon- luck to make a bat- off SA tour Aour" of making tling unbeaten 184 their landmark Lord's and lift the hosts to Sydney debut, officials said N a commanding 357 for five on AFP ahead of next week's the opening day of the first Test match, after a fairytale against South Africa at Lord's he Australian - rise catapulted them into yesterday. ers' Association said the elite club of Test Root, dropped twice, and Tyesterday that players nations last month. Ben Stokes (56) shared a fifth- would boycott this month's The young side will partnership of 114 to dig Australia A tour to South be taking on the Maryle- England out of a deep hole after Africa over a pay dispute. bone Cricket Club (MCC), they had stumbled to 82 for four The union said players led by former New Zea- at lunch having won the toss in were not obliged and were land skipper Brendon excellent conditions. unavailable to tour South McCullum, in what offi- The skipper reached his 12th Africa for the Australia A team cials hope will be an Test century by sweeping spin- without an agreed pay deal "historic" 50-overs ner Keshav Maharaj for three, or new Memorandum of match at the so-called raising his bat to all corners of a Understanding, after their "home of cricket" on July sun-kissed home of cricket as a existing contracts with 11. England captain Joe Root packed crowd rose to applaud Cricket Australia expired on "Our national team celebrates after reaching his him. June 30 following months of will be playing with the Root emulated the feat of the century during the first day of the bitter wrangling. MCC team, full of world last three England test captains, first Test against South Africa at "It is with great frustra- cricket greats, and it will Alastair Cook, Kevin Pietersen Lord's Cricket Ground in London, tion that with no progress be a huge honour and and Andrew Strauss, in scoring yesterday. towards resolving the current experience for the team, dispute, Australia A players as we will be playing for SCOREBOARD confirm they will not tour the first time there," a hundred in his first game in scratchy 20 before he was Stokes got to his half-cen- South Africa," ACA said in a Farid Hotak, senior England (I innings): charge but his day had not trapped lbw by Morne Morkel tury shortly before tea but he fell statement. media relations officer at A Cook c de Kock b Philander ...... 3 started well. and fell lbw to soon after the interval, nicking "This decision is made in the Cricket K Jennings lbw Philander ...... 8 G Ballance lbw Morkel ...... 20 South Africa fast bowler Ver- Philander for 10. a bouncer from Rabada through support of more than 200 Board, said in a state- J Root (batting) ...... 184 non Philander dismissed Root and Stokes batted to De Kock. male and female players who ment yesterday. J Bairstow lbw Philander ...... 10 openers Alastair Cook (three) watchfully in the afternoon ses- After passing his century, are now unemployed." The Afghan side B Stokes c de Kock b Rabada ...... 56 and Keaton Jennings (eight), sion, accumulating runs with Root lit up the ground with crisp The players, selected for includes Indian Premier M Ali (batting) ...... 61 forcing Root to stride out to the careful placement. punches through mid-wicket the Australia A tour starting on League (IPL) stars Extras (LB-2, NB-13) ...... 15 middle with his team reeling at Stokes did advance down the and square drives but he had July 12, had been training this and Total (for 5 wkts) ...... 357 17 for two. wicket to lift Maharaj over long- another reprieve on 149 when week hoping for an end to the teenage leg-spinner Fall of : 1-14, 2-17, 3-49, 4-76, 5-190. Bowling: Morkel 16-1-64-1 (6nb); Philander 16- The 26-year-old struggled on for six but the firebrand he was off a no-ball impasse before their scheduled , who took 17 2-46-3 (5nb); Rabada 23-4-94-1 (1nb); Maharaj to find his usual fluency against all-rounder also enjoyed a from Maharaj. departure on Friday. wickets in his debut this 22-1-107-0 (1nb); De Bruyn 5-1-30-0; Bavuma a disciplined South Africa pace stroke of luck when he was He struck 26 fours and one "By making this call, the year. Nabi was previously 5-0-14-0. attack and, on 16, he was bowled by a Morkel no-ball. six, sharing an unbroken part- Australia A players have sac- on the MCC Young Crick- South Africa: (capt), Heino Kuhn, dropped at gully off Kagiso Root reached 50 off 89 balls nership of 167 with Moeen Ali, rificed their own ambitions eters scheme. Hashim Amla, JP Duminy, Temba Bavuma, The- Rabada shortly after offering a and slowly began to find his who finished on 61 , as for the collective -- an incred- Other players include

unis de Bruyn, (wkt), Vernon much more difficult chance to usual sweet timing as the South runs flowed in the evening sun- ibly selfless act that shows captain Asghar Stanikzai,

Philander, Keshav Maharaj, , Morne Morkel. fine leg. African bowlers tired in the shine with England on top at the their strength and overall Noor Ali Zadran, Javed Gary Ballance made a warm conditions. start of the four-Test series. commitment to the group." Ahmadi, , Samiullah Shenwari, , SCOREBOARD Shafaq, , , Dawlat Dickwella, Gunathilaka hand SL big win Zadran, H Masakadza c Pradeep b Hasaranga .....111 S Mire lbw Pradeep...... 13 and Farid Malik. Hambantota stand as the batting duo survived T Musakanda c Tharanga b Gunaratne ....48 Both Afghanistan and AFP a dropped catch each as fielding C Ervine lbw Hasaranga ...... 16 Ireland were confirmed as lapses also hurt the visitors. S Williams b Gunaratne ...... 43 full members at an Inter- peners "The bowlers came back M Waller lbw Malinga ...... 17 national Cricket Council and Danushka Gunathi- pretty well after the start that they S Raza (not out) ...... 25 (ICC) meeting during its P Moor c K Mendis b Sandakan ...... 24 Olaka hit sublime centuries (Zimbabwe) got. Hamilton played G Cremer (run out) ...... 0 annual conference in Lon- to help humble Zimba- brilliantly, credit should go to him C Mumba (not out) ...... 2 don late June and will be bwe by eight wickets in the third as well but the bowlers did well Extras (LB-2, NB-1, W-8) ...... 11 eligible to play five-day one-day international in Ham- to keep them to 310," said Total (for 8 wkts in 50 overs) ...... 310 , widely bantota yesterday. Mathews. Fall of wickets: 1-39, 2-166, 3-191, 4-206, regarded as the sport's Chasing 311 for victory, the Mathews also praised Tha- 5-256, 6-263, 7-293, 8-293. supreme format. hosts rode on a 229-run opening ranga, who is unbeaten in the Bowling: L Malinga 9-0-71-1 (nb-1, w-2); N Walking onto the Pradeep 6-1-28-1 (w-1); D Chameera 7-0-34- stand between Dickwella (102) series so far, for being "an abso- 0; L Sandakan 10-0-73-1 (w-3); W Hasaranga pitch at Lord's will cap a and Gunathilaka (116) to canter lute team man" after he once 7-0-44-2 (w-1); A Gunaratne 10-1-53-2; D Gu- dizzying rise for cricket- home in 47.2 overs and earn a 2-1 again dropped down the order nathilaka 1-0-5 – 0. mad Afghanistan. lead in the five-match series. to allow Dickwella and Gunath- SRI LANKA Many Afghans' first The left-handed batting duo ilaka open the innings. N Dickwella c Williams b Waller ...... 102 contact with the game got their maiden ODI hundreds Earlier, Masakadza put on a D Gunathilaka b Williams ...... 116 only took place during to overshadow Zimbabwe opener crucial 127-run partnership for (not out) ...... 28 the 1980s and 1990s, in (not out) ...... 44 Hamilton Masakadza's sparkling the second wicket with Tarisai Pakistani refugee camps Sri Lankan cricketer (left) is congratulated Extras (B-4, LB-2, W-16) ...... 22 111 in the visitors' 310-8 after Musakanda (48) before Sri Total (for 2 wkts in 47.2 overs) ....312 sheltering millions who being put into bat first. by team-mate Niroshan Dickwella after scoring a century during Lankan bowlers struck back to Fall of wickets: 1-229, 2-237. fled the Soviet invasion. While wicketkeeper-batsman the third ODI against Zimbabwe in Hambantota, yesterday. check Zimbabwe's surge. Bowling: C Mumba 6.2-0-36-0 (w-2); T Ch- But it has become hugely Dickwella hit 14 boundaries dur- Masakadza's 98-ball knock, atara 6-0-47-0 (w-3); S Raza 10-0-55-0 (w-1); popular in the country

ing his stay, Gunathilaka smashed skipper Angelo Mathews said. the pavilion and left-arm ortho- laced with 15 fours and a six, had G Cremer 7-0-54-0 (w-1); S Williams 8-0-63-1 since the Taliban were

(w-3); M Waller 8-0-32-1 (w-2); S Mire 2-0-19 15 fours and a six to flay the Zim- "The way Dickwella and dox Sean Williams cleaned up Zimbabwe eyeing 350-plus at one toppled in a US-led inva- – 0. babwe attack at the Mahinda Gunathilaka batted, we could Gunathilaka, who received the point before a middle-order col- sion in 2001. Rajapaksa International Cricket have chased 350 on that wicket," man of the match award, in an lapse pulled them back. Recent successes, Stadium. he said of his team that hunted otherwise disappointing show by Sean Williams contributed Zimbabwe cross the 300-run particularly in last year's "It was a fantastic effort by the down a 300-plus run target for the Zimbabwe bowlers. with a gutsy 43 while cameos mark. ICC World , boys. After losing the first game, we the first time on home soil. Upul Tharanga (44) and Kusal from wicketkeeper-batsman The action now shifts to have further raised the had our backs against the wall and Off-spinner Malcolm Waller Mendis (28) then steered the team (24) and Sikandar the fourth ODI tomorrow at country's profile. we came back well," Sri Lanka got Dickwella trudging back to home with an unbeaten 75-run Raza (25 not out) helped the same venue. Russian athletics federation urges dopers to return Olympic medals

Moscow international rules of fair play and revealed evidence of state- return their medals at least men's 4x400 metre relay team at retesting of samples from Bei- Reuters the return of Olympic emblems sponsored doping in the sport. twice in the past, said their fail- the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The jing and London. is one of the conditions for the Russia's track and field stars, ure to do so could compromise whole relay team was disquali- In recent months the IAAF ussia's athletics federation rehabilitation of Russian athlet- with the exception of one ath- its efforts to regain membership fied after the retesting of samples has cleared a total of 24 Russian yesterday urged athletes ics on the international stage," the lete based in the United States, in the International Association from one of its members, Denis athletes, including 2015 world Rwho were disqualified federation said in a statement on missed out on last summer's Rio of Athletics Federations (IAAF). Alekseyev, showed traces of the champion hurdler Sergey from the Beijing and London its website. Olympics and the majority of The federation added that banned steroid turinabol. Shubenkov, to compete as neu- Olympics for doping to return Russia's athletics federation them are set to miss the World four athletes had returned their The federation had said in trals after they demonstrated their medals to the International was suspended in 2015 after a Championships in London. awards so far. One of them is February that 23 medals, includ- they are training in an environ- Olympic Committee (IOC). bombshell report by the World The federation, which has sprinter Anton Kokorin, who won ing 11 earned in relay events, ment that meets its anti-doping "The adherence to Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) publicly called on athletes to bronze as part of the Russian had to be returned after the requirements. FRIDAY 7 JULY 2017 SPORT 19 Lions and Rooney linked with All Black braced for return to Everton epic decider London would also lighten United's AFP English legend may annual wage bill by £13m. Auckland leave United: Reports Both Rooney and United Reuters ngland and Manches- The Daily Mail says favour a permanent deal rather ter United's record than a loan, although Everton ll of the frozen toes, Everton are hopeful of goalscorer Wayne may balk at the wages demands, mud in the eyes and 'thrashing out a deal' Rooney could be set for according to the reports. Rooney skinned knees suffered while The Guardian A a return to Everton, the is not expected to demand a per- as a child that developed into Eclub where he made his name, noted that with one manent first team place but is thousands of collisions and according to the British media. year remaining on his keen to play more often than he months of rehabilitation from The 31-year-old who flour- contract, United may did at United where he made just career-threatening injuries ished at Everton -- bursting onto demand a transfer fee 26 appearances last term. comes down to one game for the scene as a teenager and scor- but not a sizeable one According to The Times, British and Irish Lions cap- ing 15 goals in 67 appearances for the player who Rooney's move to Everton is tain Sam Warburton. -- has become a peripheral fig- joined the club in especially attractive to United as A series-deciding test Wayne Rooney ure at Manchester United since 2004 for £27m. it could be part of a deal to bring match between the Lions and could be set Jose Mourinho took over last year. Belgian international striker the All Blacks at Eden Park for a return to Rooney, who also lost his Romelu Lukaku in the other tomorrow that kicks off at Everton, say place in the England squad, has are hopeful of 'thrashing out a direction and steal him from 0735 GMT. reports. stated the only other Premier deal' while The Guardian noted under champions Chelsea's noses. "We do appreciate it is the League side he would consider that with one year remaining on Lukaku, who was sold by biggest game we have played joining is Everton and with appar- his contract, United may demand Mourinho when he was at Chel- in," Warburton said ently interest fading from China a transfer fee but not a sizeable sea, is thought to have been one yesterday. either a return to Merseyside or one for the player who joined the of Antonio Conte's top transfer "But that's what every a move to the United States club in 2004 for £27m (30.7m targets in the close season as they sacrifice you have made since looked to be his best options. euros, $35m). expect Spanish international you were a young kid and The Daily Mail says Everton The paper also said the deal striker Diego Costa to leave. decided to be a rugby player is all about, moments like this. "All the guys are really excited about it and getting prepared for the big game." United agree £75m fee for Everton striker Lukaku The magnitude of the 'big game' has not been lost on the Manchester "But he has been the club's with Las Palmas and was pivotal visitors' unchanged side, who Reuters number one target." in their return to the elite in 2015 were involved in what coach There had been much spec- -- signed a four-year contract. Warren Gatland described as anchester United have ulation that the Belgian Las Palmas retained their a "tetchy" training session agreed a £75m ($97m) international would return to place in the top flight last season yesterday with "words M deal for Everton striker Chelsea, which he joined in 2011. finishing 14th with Mesa scoring exchanged" between Romelu Lukaku, a source close Last season Lukaku became once in 35 appearances. players. to the negotiations said the first Everton player since Bob "The midfielder has penned The All Blacks, after all, yesterday. Latchford to score 25 goals in a four-year contract with the have lost just one series -- in The move, which is not con- two consecutive seasons in all Swans after completing his med- 1971 -- to the British com- nected to any talks of a Wayne competitions. ical this morning (Thursday)," bined team since they first Rooney deal in the opposite The Belgian was named in read a statement on the club started touring New Zealand direction, is expected to be for- the PFA Team of the Year for the website. in 1888. mally announced within the next first time, and was also included "He met his new team-mates They last lost successive 36 hours. in the six player shortlists for the at Fairwood (training ground) on tests against anyone at home Lukaku had been United's PFA Player of the Year and PFA Wednesday, while he will train in 1998 and have not been number one target for next sea- Young Player of the Year awards. for the first time on Monday after beaten at Eden Park in 23 son, the source said. Meanwhile, Spanish mid- returning from Spain." years. United will not now be pur- fielder Roque Mesa signed for Mesa's arrival will offset the Coupled with that, the All suing any interest in Real English Premier League side loss of South Korean interna- Blacks get angry after a This file photo taken on November 27, 2016 shows Everton's Madrid's Alvaro Morata. Swansea from Las Palmas for a tional midfielder Ki Sung-Yueng, defeat. Very angry. Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku chasing the ball during the "Chelsea's interest in Lukaku reported £11m (12.5m euros, who is to miss the beginning of "I am definitely expecting allowed United to fly under the $14.2m) yesterday. The 28-year- the Premier League season with English Premier League match against Southampton at St a reaction, similar to the one radar on this," the source said. old -- who spent seven years a knee injury. Mary's Stadium in Southampton. we had in the second test after the first test defeat," Warburton said. "We have got all week to try and get ready Sevilla skipper for that."The All Blacks con- German star Podolski arrives with vincingly beat up the Lions in the collision areas to win the Iborra signs for first game 30-15 at Eden Park two weeks ago. Leicester City promise to boost Japan game Warburton's side levelled the series with a 24-21 win London last week after they wore AFP Tokyo been linked with Beijing down the All Blacks, who had AFP Guoan. It also represents been reduced to 14 men in the evilla captain Vicente Iborra something of a coup for the 25th minute when Sonny Bill became 2016 Premier erman World Cup win- J-League, which used to attract Williams was sent off for a SLeague champions Leices- ner Lukas Podolski luminaries such as Brazil's Zico dangerous shoulder charge. ter City's second signing of the Gyesterday vowed to bol- and England's Gary Lineker The four-week suspen- close season after inking a four- ster enthusiasm for Japanese when it began in 1993 but has sion Williams received year deal yesterday. football after arriving to join struggled to attract marquee created a major backline The 29-year-old defensive Vissel Kobe, bucking a trend players in recent years. Hiro- shake-up for the world cham- midfielder enjoyed a hugely suc- of big-name players moving shi Mikitani, the online pions with coach Steve cessful four-year spell at Sevilla, to cash-rich China. shopping magnate who owns Hansen naming Ngani Lau- lifting the Europa League trophy "I know the J-League is the Vissel, said he hopes Podolski's mape to start his first test on three occasions. strongest in Asia and I am transfer to the team would after he came off the bench Leicester know Iborra well determined to enliven (the prompt more world-class for his debut last week. as he played against them in both league) with my team," Podol- players to come to Japan. legs of their Champions League ski told a news conference "Today is a new, memora- LIONS VS ALL BLACKS tie last season which the English shortly after he arrived in ble day of departure for the side went on to win. Kobe, near Osaka, to join the J-League," Mikitani told the When: July 8, 7:35 p.m. local (0735 "Iborra becomes Leicester city's J-League club. news conference. GMT) City's second signing of the sum- The 32-year-old forward, "I hope, with the transfer Where: Eden Park, Auckland (Ca- mer, following the addition of who had played for Turkey's of Podolski, more and more pacity 50,000) Harry Maguire from Hull City last world super stars will come to OVERALL RECORD month and will link up with his the J-League." Played: 40 new team-mates ahead of a pre- The Poland-born left- season training camp in Austria footer was named 2006 World New Zealand wins: 30 next week," Leicester said in a We have to go Cup young player of the tour- Lions wins: 7 statement on their website. nament ahead of Lionel Messi Draws: 3 Iborra, who began his career hard, train hard German football player Lukas Podolski (right) poses for and Cristiano Ronaldo. PREVIOUS MEETINGS IN AUCK- with unfashionable Levante and fight on the photographers with Hiroshi Mikitani, chairman of Japanese Podolski, who has been LAND before being snapped up by pitch 90 minutes club Vissel Kobe during a press conference in Kobe, Japan troubled by niggling injuries, 2017 NZ won 30-15 Sevilla in 2013, said he was look- yesterday. announced his international 2005 NZ won 38-19 ing forward to the new and try to get retirement last year after scor- challenge. Galatasaray since 2015, said it Kobe did not give details ing 49 goals in 130 1993 NZ won 30-13 "I'm very happy to be here three points is "a big change" for him to of the deal, although Podolski appearances for the world 1983 NZ won 38-6 with Leicester City and I'm look- every game, play in Asia for the first time. is understood to have signed champions. 1977 NZ won 10-9 ing forward to experiencing the German veteran But the veteran of three a multi-year contract worth an Podolski said he was also 1971 Match drawn 14-14 Premier League with my new World Cups and the scorer of annual $5.3m. looking forward to savouring 1966 NZ won 24-11 team-mates next season," said tells new team 49 goals for Germany said he Podolski's decision to opt immediately the prized local Iborra. did not feel any pressure. for Japan came as a surprise delicacy. 1959 Lions won 9-6 "Everything about this club "We have to go hard, train with many big-name football- "Kobe beef is famous and 1950 NZ won 8-3

seems good and it's been great hard and fight on the pitch 90 ers making megabucks moves so I really want to eat it after 1930 NZ won 15-10 to meet my new team-mates" minutes and try to get three to China in the twilight of their the news conference," he said 1908 NZ won 29-0 points every game," he said. careers and he had initially with a smile.