SPORTS TUESDAY, DECEMBER 31, 2013 Australia unlikely to change bowlers for Sydney MELBOURNE: Australia are expected to keep the suc- fastest mover at the best of times. “He got through, he where we finished in the first innings batting-wise, just one-day internationals, but has managed only 136 runs cessful attack that has carried them to a 4-0 Ashes lead bowled in the second innings as well. “I don’t think proves we have a really good side - a great side in the for the series at an average of 27.20. His figures are the for the final test against England in Sydney, bowling there will be any drama with Watto.” making.” Australia’s selectors named uncapped bats- lowest for any specialist batsman on either team, bar- coach Craig McDermott said yesterday. Paceman Ryan Having skittled England’s second innings for 179 in man Alex Doolan, a disciple of fellow Tasmanian and ring England’s Jonathan Trott, who left the tour after Harris and all-rounder Shane Watson bowled sparingly two sessions and wrapped up the match before tea on former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, in a 14-man the first test in Brisbane. in the second innings of the fourth test win in day four, Australia’s pacemen, led by man-of-the-match squad for Sydney today. The 28-year-old Doolan An experienced number three in first class cricket, Melbourne as they managed respective knee and groin Mitchell Johnson, have an extra day to recover. All have replaces fast bowler Doug Bollinger in the squad, with Doolan would be expected to slot into Watson’s spot if complaints, raising doubts about their fitness. performed well in the series, with spinner Nathan Lyon uncapped paceman Nathan Coulter-Nile and all- the all-rounder proves unfit, but Bailey could also make “As I keep saying, you don’t play test cricket without enjoying a five-wicket innings haul at the MCG and rounder James Faulkner also in reserve. way to allow wicketkeeper Brad Haddin to move up to getting sore,” McDermott told reporters in Melbourne. “I Peter Siddle also making timely contributions. “All five of Australia’s batting lineup has been less dependable number six and bowling all-rounder James Faulkner to fully expect we’ll have the same team - or the same them have bowled very well,” former test bowler than the team’s bowling unit and was routed for 204 in come in at seven. “Obviously it’s pretty special times, 4- bowling group - in Sydney ... I’m very confident that will McDermott said. “We’ve been in a couple of little ... holes the first innings in Melbourne. The scrutiny is especially 0 with one to go,” McDermott said. “I’m looking forward happen.” “Watto (Watson) proved (his fitness) yesterday here and there, but good sides (work) through that. fierce on number six George Bailey, who was handed to a 5-0, from my side of it ... It’s a great achievement - he ran between wickets pretty well. “He’s not the “Certainly the last test match turnaround from his test debut this series on the strength of his form in from the side and all the staff.”— Reuters Warriors record their fifth straight victory Thunder rout tired Rockets 117-86 CLEVELAND: Stephen Curry scored 29 points and made a clutch jumper with 13.5 seconds left as the Golden State Warriors opened a long road trip with their fifth straight victory, 108-104 in overtime against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. Curry overcame a poor shooting performance after halftime, and nearly recorded a triple- double by adding 11 assists and nine rebounds. Curry was just 2 of 12 from the floor in the second half and OT. David Lee GRENOBLE: A helicopter lands by the Grenoble hospital where former seven-time scored 19 before fouling out for the Warriors, Formula One champion Michael Schumacher is being treated after sustaining a head who are on the road for seven games over injury during a ski accident, in Grenoble, France yesterday. — AP the next 13 days. Kyrie Irving scored 27 for Cleveland, which dropped its fifth straight F1: Love of speed and risk and lost its third tight game in a row. The Cavs lost by three in Boston on Saturday and two in double-overtime against Atlanta on haunts great Schumacher Thursday. PARIS: Formula One legend Michael Rubens Barrichello in 2010, which the Brazilian Schumacher may have retired in 2012 after a later described as “the most dangerous thing” THUNDER 117, ROCKETS 86 glittering career but his love for speed and he had been through. But even such mishaps Kevin Durant had 33 points, 13 rebounds danger has now led to a serious head injury didn’t slow Schumacher down or quench his and five assists, and the Oklahoma City while skiing in France. The German, who turns thirst for success as he went on to win five suc- Thunder won their second straight game 45 on Friday, had been skiing off-piste with his cessive titles with Ferrari from 2000-2004. He without Russell Westbrook, beating the Houston Rockets 117-86 on Sunday night. 14-year-old son at the upmarket Alps resort of retired at the end of the 2006 season before LOS ANGELES: Philadelphia 76ers center Spencer Hawes, left, and Los Angeles Lakers center Jeremy Lamb added a career-high 22 points Meribel when he fell and hit a rock. making a damp squib of a comeback in 2010 Jordan Hill battle for a rebound during the first half of an NBA basketball game on Sunday, Schumacher was left in a coma and under- with Mercedes. But during his retirement he and five assists for Oklahoma City, which has Dec 29, 2013. — AP went neurosurgical surgery at a hospital in survived a horror accident that knocked him the NBA’s best record at 25-5. The Thunder Grenoble after his evacuation from Meribel. He out when racing a motorbike in Spain. have won 12 of their last 13 and 20 of their 17 of 31 attempts (54.8 percent). Sefolosha NBA results/standings remains in a critical condition. After years of That time he was released from hospital last 22 games. Reggie Jackson, starting in scored 13 points, one off his season high, for racing in the high risk world of Formula One after just five hours. Even so he is the sport’s Oklahoma City. Omri Casspi added 15 points Westbrook’s place, had 16 points and eight Golden State 108, Cleveland 104 (OT); Orlando 109, and winning a record seven world titles, his most decorated champion with a record 91 GP assists. for the Rockets. accident suggests that perhaps retirement had wins, while he is one of only two men to reach Aaron Brooks had 17 points and Chandler Atlanta 102; Oklahoma City 117, Houston 86; San Antonio not dulled his relish of dangerous pursuits. As 300 races. In 2000 he also sealed Ferrari’s first Parsons scored 15 for Houston, which was SPURS 112, KINGS 104 112, Sacramento 104; Philadelphia 111, LA Lakers 104. an F1 racer, Schumacher was known for his championship in 21 years with victory in the playing its fourth game in five days. The Manu Ginobili scored 28 points, Tony daring overtaking manoeuvres, his at-times penultimate race of the season in Japan. Rockets, who had a three-game winning Parker added 22, and Tim Duncan had 17 almost reckless abandon in the pursuit of vic- Schumacher’s duels in his hey-day with Hill, Eastern Conference streak snapped, missed their first 12 shots points and 13 rebounds to lead San Antonio tory and his mastery of the tricky conditions Villeneuve and Mika Hakkinen, fired by an Atlantic Division and shot 36.5 percent from the field (31 of over Sacramento. Boris Diaw had 14 points presented by rain. unquenchable competitive spirit, have gone and Tiago Splitter added 11 for San Antonio W L PCT GB When he won his first world title in 1994 down in Formula One folklore. 85). Oklahoma City shot 57 percent (47 of 82) (24-7). DeMarcus Cousins had 29 points and Toronto 13 15 .464 - with Benetton, he did so in controversial fash- Schumacher was born in January 1969 in dealing the Rockets their worst loss of the ion, crashing into his title rival Damon Hill at near Cologne, Germany, the son of a bricklay- season. Oklahoma City moved to 3-2 on the 14 rebounds, Isaiah Thomas added 27 points Boston 13 17 .433 1 the final race after he had already scuppered er who also ran the local go-kart track, where season without Westbrook. The All-Star point and Rudy Gay had 24 for Sacramento (9-20). Brooklyn 10 20 .333 4 his own hopes by going off the track when his mother worked in the canteen. His guard underwent arthroscopic knee surgery Struggling mightily on defense for much of Philadelphia 9 21 .300 5 on Friday, his third surgery since last April, the second half, the Spurs turned to their Big pushing hard despite leading comfortably. It younger brother, Ralf also became a success- NY Knicks 9 21 .300 5 was indicative of Schumacher’s win-at-all-costs ful Formula One driver. By 1987, Schumacher when he tore his meniscus after Houston Three to close out the upstart Kings. Ginobili, attitude and his willingness to take huge risks was the German and European go-kart cham- guard Patrick Beverley banged knees with Duncan and Parker scored San Antonio’s Central Division in order to do so.