THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2021 11 Anderson accepts he could be rested for second Test The ins and outs of BRAVE CF’s stacked Lightweight Division Amin Ayoub leads the BRAVE CF Lightweight division and its contenders are eager to take on the kingpin Ayoub is set to defend• his title for the very first time TDT | Manama KNOW WHAT James Anderson (C) celebrates a wicket AFP | Chennai n the world of Mixed Mar- Ayoub is on the top tial Arts, the Lightweight di- and now he’s the one ames Anderson says he is vision, up to 70kg, or 155lbs, with a target on his J“not assuming anything” I’m not reluctant to Iis usually the most stacked cat- as England contemplate rest- egory, due to high availability back. The options for change a winning the first title defence ing their star bowler for the team now if it’s the of adult men near that weight, second Test against India de- considering that most fighters of Fierceness are spite his match-winning per- best thing to do for cut roughly 10, 20 pounds be- many and the threats formance in the series opener. the players, the team fore each fight. BRAVE Combat are coming from all The paceman took three and the longevity of it Federation is no exception to sides wickets in a superb spell of JAMES ANDERSON this trend and has in its Light- reverse-swing bowling in weight division, arguably, the Chennai on Tuesday as Eng- rhythm and form, they want most stacked division in the en- consider his nickname, as his land won by 227 runs to go to keep batting and keep that tire promotion. present seems as bright as once 1-0 up in the four-match rhythm going, and it’s the same Currently led by the world promised. The British youngster series. for a bowler,” said Anderson. champion Amin “Fierceness” lost his BRAVE CF debut back The 38-year-old’s fitness “You want to keep that going Ayoub, the BRAVE CF Light- in 2017 but since then is on a levels appear to be as good as if possible, but I’m very aware weight division is a true shark six-fight streak undefeated, in- at any time in his long career that we’ve got four Test match- tank, with its contenders eager cluding the biggest win of his but Anderson may be left out es in quick succession here and to take on the kingpin. professional career over Brazil’s for the second Test, also in there will probably be a need The champion himself was Amin Ayoub Felipe Silva. Chennai, depriving him of the to rest and rotate. So I’m not in a similar position not long Last but not least, Roland Dy chance to add to his tally of 611 assuming anything.” ago, as he became the Light - Currently on the best shape Kubanychbek has not been a is the BRAVE CF Fighter of the Test wickets -- a record for a England will make at least weight title holder back in No- of his career, and coming off BRAVE CF fighter for as long as Year in 2020 and has recent- fast bowler. one change to their team, with vember, when he dethroned a two consecutive victories over Amir but that doesn’t mean that ly signed a new deal with the England face a packed 2021 wicketkeeper Jos Buttler tak- literal “Predator”, former world Yousef Wehbe and Cian Cow- ‘’Omok’’ hasn’t made an impact fastest-growing promotion in Test schedule, culminating in ing a pre-arranged break and champion Cleiton Silva. ley, the Egyptian-Bahraini star in his 12-month tenure within the world. an Ashes series in Australia, Ben Foakes set to return be- Now, Ayoub is on the top and feels he’s finally ready to take a the fastest-growing MMA pro- Dy closed the year of 2020 and the coaching staff know hind the stumps. now he’s the one with a target shot at the world title, and has motion in the world. with a dominant performance they must use their resources England coach Chris Silver- on his back. The options for the been involved in a scuffle with Kubanychbek is on a and a unanimous decision vic- carefully. wood admitted yesterday: “It is first title defense of Fierceness the champion recently, when three-finish streak, including tory over New Zealand’s John The tourists could stick to hard (to leave Anderson out), are many and the threats are he crashed the weigh-ins for two knockouts over Vagif Asker- Brewin at Kombat Kingdom’s their policy of rotating Ander- he is a class act. But you’ll have coming from all sides. BRAVE CF 44 to demand a title ov and João Paulo Rodrigues, BRAVE CF 44. son with longstanding new- to wait and see. One of the longest active shot against the winner of Clei- and a second-round submission The cards are dealt, the cham- ball partner Stuart Broad, who “I’m not reluctant to change BRAVE CF fighters, Ahmed “The ton Silva and Amin Ayoub - the over Jahongir Saidjamolov, and pion can’t wait to step into the missed the first Test but has a winning team now if it’s the Butcher” Amir is competing un- Frenchman knocked out the is another candidate for a title BRAVE CF Arena once again, this been in fine form over the past best thing to do for the players, der the truly global promotion’s Brazilian and could now face off shot. time to defend his title for the 18 months. the team and the longevity of banner since BRAVE CF 1: The against ‘’The Butcher’’. Known as “The Future”, Sam very first time, who will be the “When a batsman gets in it.” Beginning, back in 2016. Kyrgyzstan’s own Abdisalam Patterson might have to re - challenger? Kante still a force to be reckoned Carey hangs up jersey after 17 seasons in PBA with, says Chelsea’s Tuchel TDT | Manila arvey Carey, one of TNT HTropang Giga’s most de- pendable players, has finally ended his 17-year career in the Philippine Basketball Associa- KNOW WHAT tion (PBA). The ballclub’s governor and league chairman Ricky Vargas Carey is tied with confirmed that the 6-foot-3 Alvin Patrimonio in power forward and the sev - en-time PBA champion — all for second place for being the Tropang Giga — is retiring. the longest-tenured “I am personally grateful to player in a single Harvey for his loyalty, honesty team. Mark Caguioa and contributions to the team. currently holds the Thomas Tuchel (C) hugs Chelsea’s French midfielder N’Golo Kante (L) He has been a quiet pillar of top honour having AFP | London strength in building the TNT played all his 18 years Tuchel said. “From what I see culture,” Vargas said. on the pitch in games and what The rugged Carey — the last — and soon his 19th — homas Tuchel dismissed I see on the pitch at Cobham, remaining member of the fabled with Ginebra Tyesterday fears that N’Go- it’s everything I expected -- TNT team that won the fran - lo Kante’s spate of hamstring and I expected a lot, I can tell chise’s first-ever title in the PBA Carey is leaving a legacy in the PBA players in their 40s to see ac- injuries could diminish the you. — was drafted by TNT in 2003 as been a great teammate, who and Kelly Williams also retired tion in the Philippine Cup held France World Cup winner’s “I’m a huge fan and I can see its fourth overall pick. leads with example and has leaving team captain Ryan Rey- inside a bubble setup in Clark midfield dynamism, declaring the input he has on teams, he Since then, Carey, 41, played been part of TNT Tropang GIGA es and Jayson Castro as TNT’s Freeport late last year. himself a “huge fan”. makes teams better, he makes for TNT in his entire career, av- since he started his career in the veteran players. Recently, NLEX Carey is tied with Alvin Patri- Kante will start Thursday’s guys around him feel comfort- eraging 6.4 points (49.5 percent PBA and helped us win champi- veteran Cyrus Baguio, the 2008 monio in second place for being FA Cup fifth-round clash at able. field goals), 6.1 rebound and 1.0 onships,” Vargas said. Most Improved Player, also de- the longest-tenured player in Barnsley in a much-changed “He has the mentality of a assists in 729 games. “We do fully understand and cided after 16 seasons. a single team. Mark Caguioa Blues line-up, with new boss water-carrier, but on such a In his rookie year, TNT won appreciate his motivation to stay “Not much can be said except currently holds the top honor Tuchel delighted by the high level.” its first Philippine Cup title un- with his family in the US.” that we could not have won any having played all his 18 years — 29-year-old’s return to fitness. Tuchel, who taken 10 der the Manuel V. Pangilinan In his last elimination round one of our titles while I was and soon his 19th — with crowd Chelsea boss Tuchel has points out of 12 in the Premier franchise together with fellow for the Tropang Giga, Car - there without Harvey,” said darling Barangay Ginebra. tipped the “humble” midfield- League since he replaced rookie Jimmy Alapag, who won ey played 4 out of 11 possible Chot Reyes, who coached TNT He was also part of the 2011 er to rediscover his aggressive, Frank Lampard last month, the Rookie of the Year title.