THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 2016 SPORTS Khawaja into Australia squad as Warner takes paternity leave

SYDNEY: Top order batsman Usman miss matches two and three in Brisbane and selector Rod Marsh said in a news release. Indies in Perth nearly three years ago. but when I do get it hopefully I can take it Khawaja was brought into the Australia Melbourne. Khawaja, who recently made a “This call-up is a reward for that form and The 29-year-old hopes he can make the and be more than just a test cricketer. squad for the next two one-day internation- successful return to test in the home it is great to have someone of his quality to opportunity count if he does get one. “The “At this moment I’m really happy with als against India yesterday after opener series against New Zealand and West Indies, step into the squad in David’s absence. hunger is to play as many forms of the game how I’m hitting the white ball.” The second David Warner was granted paternity leave. will replace his fellow left-hander, whose “We wish both David and Candice well as possible,” he told reporters at Sydney air- match against India takes place in Brisbane Warner scored five runs in Australia’s wife Candice is expecting their second child. and look forward to welcoming David back port. “I’ve made it clear that I’ve always want- on Friday with the teams meeting at the innings as the hosts registered a five- “Usman has been in fantastic form this into the squad when circumstances allow.” ed to play one-dayers. Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday victory in the opening clash of the five- season and was unlucky to miss out on a Khawaja has played only three one-day “But sometimes it’s about timing. If I’m before the series concludes with fixtures in match series in Perth on Tuesday but will place in our squad ... in the first place,” chief internationals, the last coming against West going to get my opportunity, I don’t know, Canberra and Sydney. — Reuters England in position to capitalize on S Africa

JOHANNESBURG: The biggest issue for England said, is that the opener has “a bit of a bug.” He heading into the third test against South Africa practiced on Wednesday, albeit alone so he didn’t appears to be a virus that has put opening bats- infect the rest of the team, Cook said. Should he man Alex Hales’ participation in doubt. Compare not be fit, Gary Ballance would likely come in for that to the top-ranked Proteas, who are in the England. Other than that, England is content with midst of one of their most unsettled periods in its progress in the series, where it was the domi- recent times. nant force in Durban and for the first half of the Off a first series loss to India in 11 years, drawn second test in Cape Town. Hashim Amla suddenly resigned as South Africa England also may be in a better position to midway through this England series, and take advantage of the bouncy, quick, fast-bowler interim skipper AB de Villiers said yesterday he’s friendly pitches in Johannesburg and Centurion not sure if he wants the job permanently. “I’m still despite sounds from the South African camp that very committed (to the team),” De Villiers said. “To those conditions offer the home team a way back the job (of captain), I’m not sure.” As well as his into the series. doubts over taking the captaincy long-term, De With the return to fitness of James Anderson Villiers also said there was “a little bit of truth” in in Cape Town, England’s fast attack is at reports that he had been considering retirement full strength with Anderson, Stuart Broad and after the series. “The two test matches, for now, is Steven Finn, and the added backup of allrounder all I’m focusing on,” he said. In charge for the Ben Stokes. remainder of the four-match contest, De Villiers’ “If the ball does fly through and seams around challenge will be to ensure the uncertainty sur- we have got a pretty good seam attack ... I am rounding ’s No. 1 team and its best very comfortable with this team playing in any player doesn’t affect a young squad ahead of the conditions,” Cook said. South Africa is again with- decisive final two games against England. out the injured Dale Steyn and is not the fast- The third test starts today at the Wanderers in bowling force it used to be. Steyn will miss a sec- Johannesburg. England leads 1-0 following a ond straight match with a right shoulder prob- strong win in the series opener in Durban. A vic- lem. Morne Morkel will lead the attack in the tory in Johannesburg or in the final game in third test, while his three reinforcements will be Centurion, both pitches with reputations for chosen from a pretty inexperienced group: delivering results, would land England its first Kagiso Rabada has played just four tests, Chris series win over South Africa in more than a Morris (one test), (six tests) and decade. Significantly, it would only be England’s Hardus Viljoen is uncapped. second win in South Africa since the country South Africa may take a gamble on Viljoen, a returned from the sporting isolation of the muscular fast bowler who has energy and sheer apartheid years. It would also topple South Africa pace and who plays his domestic cricket at the from the No. 1 ranking - a ranking that appears a Wanderers. His enthusiasm could give a much- little shaky anyway. “It would be a great achieve- needed lift to an apparently unhappy South ment for this side to come here and beat South African team and its jaded stand-in captain. Africa away from home, and we’re in a position to “In the last two or three years I’ve been CHICAGO: Andrew Shaw #65 of the Chicago Blackhawks tries to get off a shot against Pekka Rinne #35 of the Nashville Predators as Shea Weber do that,” England captain Alastair Cook said. “The searching for the right answers to play a little bit #6 defends at the United Center on Tuesday in Chicago, Illinois. The Blackhawks defeated the Predators 3-2. — AFP opportunity is there and it’s just whether we’re less cricket in one way or another, to keep myself good enough to take it. fresh and to keep enjoying the game,” De Villiers “It’s an exciting time to play on what are prob- said. “I’ve found myself on the pitch in the past Blackhawks beat Predators ably two result in these next two games. few years, every now and then, not enjoying We need to win one to win the series. That is a myself as much as I should be and that raises con- great situation to be in.” The news on Hales, Cook cerns within myself.” — AP for eighth straight win

CHICAGO: Andrew Shaw scored two goals and Chicago held on for a 3-2 win over Nashville on NHL results/standings Tuesday. Brent Seabrook also scored for the Blackhawks. Marian Hossa added two assists as Chicago extended its season-long winning Chicago 3, Nashville 2; Colorado 0, Tampa Bay 4; Arizona 4, Edmonton 3 (OT); St. Louis 5, New streak to eight games. Mike Ribeiro and Filip Jersey 2; Minnesota 2, Buffalo 3; Winnipeg 1, San Jose 4; NY Islanders 5, Columbus 2; Carolina 3, Forsberg scored for the Predators, who lost their Pittsburgh 2 (OT). fourth consecutive game. Eastern Conference Western Conference Atlantic Division Central Division ISLANDERS 5, BLUE JACKETS 2 PL W L OT GF GA PTS Dallas 44 29 11 4 149 116 62 Brock Nelson collected his first NHL hat-trick Florida 43 26 12 5 118 92 57 Chicago 45 28 13 4 129 106 60 and the New York Islanders snapped out of a Detroit 43 22 14 7 107 112 51 St. Louis 46 25 14 7 116 114 57 two-game offensive slump with a 5-2 win over Montreal 43 23 17 3 122 107 49 Minnesota 43 22 13 8 113 102 52 the Columbus Blue Jackets at Barclays Center. Tampa Bay 43 22 17 4 111 102 48 Nashville 43 19 17 7 109 118 45 Ryan Strome scored the game’s first goal and Boston 41 21 15 5 124 110 47 Colorado 44 21 20 3 125 127 45 Brian Strait scored in the third period for the Ottawa 43 20 17 6 119 131 46 Winnipeg 43 19 21 3 112 125 41 Islanders, who only managed 20 shots on goal in Toronto 40 16 17 7 104 112 39 a 4-0 loss to Philadelphia on Saturday. Thomas Buffalo 43 17 22 4 100 117 38 Pacific Division Greiss recorded 18 saves as the Islanders moved Metropolitan Division Los Angeles 42 27 12 3 112 92 57 into a tie for second place in the Metropolitan Washington 42 32 7 3 139 90 67 Arizona 42 22 16 4 120 128 48 Division with the New York Rangers heading into NY Rangers 42 23 14 5 123 110 51 San Jose 41 21 18 2 118 113 44 Thursday’s game between the longtime rivals at NY Islanders 43 23 15 5 119 109 51 Vancouver 43 17 16 10 105 120 44 Barclays Center. New Jersey 44 21 18 5 99 107 47 Anaheim 41 17 17 7 78 99 41 MELBOURNE: This file photo taken on December 17, 2011 shows Melbourne Stars Pittsburgh 42 20 16 6 99 103 46 Calgary 41 19 20 2 109 129 40 English batsman Luke Wright (L) hitting out at a from COYOTES 4, OILERS 3 (OT) Carolina 44 19 18 7 105 120 45 Edmonton 44 17 23 4 108 131 38 bowler Fidel Edwards (R) during their T20 Big Bash cricket match at the Melbourne Max Domi had his first career hat-trick and Philadelphia 40 18 15 7 91 108 43 Note: Overtime losses (OT) worth 1 pt and not Cricket Ground (MCG). Australia’s domestic Twenty20 Big Bash League has hit the big Oliver Ekman-Larsson scored a power-play goal Columbus 44 15 25 4 111 144 34 included in loss column (L). time this year, with enormous crowds, controversy and quality cricket propelling it with 8.9 seconds remaining in overtime in into the mainstream in a threat to the traditional Test format. — AFP Arizona’s victory over Edmonton at Gila River Arena. Ekman-Larsson, who scored from the left SHARKS 4, JETS 1 BLUES 5, DEVILS 2 point, has six game-winning goals this season San Jose’s two third-period goals propelled it Patrik Berglund scored two power-play goals to S Lanka skipper pledges for the Coyotes, who overcame a two-goal past Winnipeg. lead St Louis over New Jersey. The Blues posted deficit in the third period to win their fourth Joe Pavelski and Joel Ward scored late to seal their first regulation victory since Dec 22, a span of action over ‘misconduct’ straight. Ekman-Larsson also had three the win after Chris Tierney and Joe Thornton 10 games. Ty Rattie, Scottie Upshall and David assists.Leon Draisaitl, Benoit Pouliot had a goal scored first-period goals for the Sharks. Nikolaj Backes also scored for the Blues. The Devils got COLOMBO: Sri Lanka skipper Angelo begun into the allegations that players and an assist for the Oilers, and Jordan Eberle Ehlers scored the Jets lone goal. goals from Bobby Farnham and Lee Stempniak. Mathews yesterday promised “no mercy” attended parties until 3 or 4am, and of ten- had three assists. Justin Schultz also scored for for any team mates found guilty of miscon- sion within the team and with interim Edmonton. SABRES 3, WILD 2 HURRICANES 3, PENGUINS 2 (OT) duct during a disastrous tour of New coach Jerome Jayaratne. Buffalo used a trio of first-period goals to spur Jeff Skinner scored a power-play goal with Zealand after the sports minister raised “I can’t deny or accept that these things LIGHTNING 4, AVALANCHE 0 a victory over Minnesota. Jamie McGinn, Rasmus 1:58 remaining in overtime as Carolina defeated allegations of drunken behaviour and happened,” Mathews told reporters at a Ben Bishop stopped 21 shots for his second Ristolainen and Brian Gionta all scored in the Pittsburgh at PNC Arena. Eric Staal and Kris squabbling. post-tournament press conference in shutout of the season, Steven Stamkos had opening stanza, as the Sabres built a lead they Versteeg scored earlier for the Hurricanes, who Dayasiri Jayasekera told AFP he had Colombo. “But, I can promise that there will two goals and Tampa Bay beat Colorado. would not relinquish. matched their season-high mark with a three- seen photos of national players at all-night be no mercy for any member found guilty Ondrej Palat and Tyler Johnson also had goals. Buffalo snapped a six-game losing streak on game winning streak. Cam Ward made 22 saves drinking parties just before crucial matches of misconduct.” He said the team could Vladislav Namestnikov and Victor Hedman had Sunday in Winnipeg, and has now won two in a for Carolina, which is 6-7 in overtime games. Kris against hosts New Zealand who achieved a have done better and admitted the New two assists each for the Lightning. Stamkos row. Ryan Suter scored shorthanded for Letang and Chris Kunitz had goals for the virtual clean sweep in the just-ended tour. Zealand tour was “demoralising”. notched his fifth multi-goal game of the sea- Minnesota and added an assist when Thomas Penguins while Marc-Andre Fleury stopped 18 Mathews, 28, said an official probe had Sri Lankan spectators heckled the son and 54th of his career. Vanek got a goal late. shots. — Reuters national team as it lost the final Twenty20 match while social media sites showed footage of player Tillakaratne Dilshan Australia’s Big Bash hits the heights engaging in an angry exchange with a spectator who asked him to retire. SYDNEY: Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League has stand the Big Bash is complementing and living in a Sydney Morning Herald reported on Monday that “As players, we don’t play to lose and finally hit the big time, with enormous crowds, symbiotic relationship with international cricket,” he the Big Bash had burst into the top 10 most attend- you get hurt when spectators say things quality cricket and a dash of controversy putting it said. Federation of International Cricketers’ ed sports leagues in the world alongside the NFL, like this,” Mathews said. “Fans are also hurt firmly in the public eye-in what could be a threat to Associations chief Tony Irish is less sure, fearing Test English Premier League and fellow T20 tourna- when we lose and you have to look at it the traditional Test format. Midway through the cricket could slowly die unless action is taken as ment, the Indian Premier League. To keep Test from both ways.” fifth season of the five-week domestic tournament, more stars opt for the lucrative, shorter format. cricket relevant and interesting in the face of T20’s Sri Lanka went to New Zealand as interest has never been greater, with a whopping Already several high-profile players have pre- rise, a host of former greats, led by Shane Warne defending champions of the shortest form 80,883 people packing the Melbourne Cricket ferred turning out in domestic T20 competitions- and Greg Chappell, have advocated four-day Tests of the game, but slipped to third position Ground for a recent clash between the Renegades where commercial interests, and hence wages, are and abolition of the coin toss. this month behind the West Indies and and the Stars. A Sydney derby this weekend rapidly growing-rather than for their country. “I would make it four-day Test cricket, 100 overs Australia after a resounding defeat in the between the Thunder and the Sixers is also expect- The once-formidable West Indies are one of the a day,” said Warne recently. Twenty20 matches. ed to be a heaving 42,000 sell-out. biggest losers with , and “I’d have two half-hour breaks rather than a 40- Sri Lanka also lost the Tests 0-2 and the This contrasts sharply with waning interest in Darren Sammy all showing off their talents in the minute lunch break and a 20-minute tea break, one-day series 1-3 to the hosts. The sports Test cricket, as seen in Australia’s recent series eight-team Big Bash League rather than the Test (and) I’d extend it by about half an hour to get minister said Sri Lanka would also focus on against the West Indies. Even the flagship first day series against Australia. “ICC events are strong those 100 overs in. I think that’s going to be more finding a long-term coach after Marvan of the Boxing Day Test, also at the cavernous because they have context... but bilateral cricket is appealing for people and it’s worth a try.” Atapattu quit weeks before his contract Melbourne Cricket Ground, could only attract some struggling,” Irish told London’s Daily Telegraph this Former Australian captain Mark Taylor has also COLOMBO: Sri Lanka’s cricket captain was due to expire in September last year. 53,000. “When you get 80,000 at the Big Bash at the week. “Players are starting to turn away from the suggested a Test Championship, where three Angelo Mathews gestures as he addresses Sri Lanka appointed Jayaratne as interim MCG and it’s more than you’ve had on day one at game because they have an alternative market points were awarded for a win and one point for a a press conference in Colombo yesterday. coach, initially for the home series against the Boxing Day Test, you can see people saying, now.” He cited the Big Bash League as an example draw, similar to football. Sri Lanka skipper Mathews promised “no the West Indies and then for the New well, which way is this going? Are the scales tip- of the changing trend. “Where are the crowds Powerbrokers, in Australia at least, recognise mercy” for any team mates found guilty of Zealand tour. ping?” Cricket Australia boss James Sutherland told going? Where is the interest? Where do the players the need to liven up Test cricket and successfully misconduct during a disastrous tour of Jayaratne, 49, had been head of coach- reporters. According to Sutherland, it will be a dif- really want to play?” hosted the first ever day-night Test, using a new New Zealand after the sports minister ing at Sri Lanka Cricket but his elevation to ferent scenario when stronger Test teams are in pink ball, in Adelaide in November in an experi- raised allegations of drunken behaviour oversee the national team was seen as a town. “In two years’ time when the next Ashes series BIG-HITTING STARS ment which could give a new lease of life to the ail- and squabbling. — AFP stop-gap arrangement. —AFP (against England) comes around, people will under- Illustrating its burgeoning pulling power, the ing five-day game. —AFP