11-07-2019

SPORTS
THURSDAy,
JUly 11, 2019
9
Four years of planning will be put on the line for England when they face holders Australia in a
blockbuster Cricket World Cup semi-final at Edgbaston today.
Photo: AP
England face acid test in World Cup
semi-final clash with Australia
Sports Desk: Four years of planning
will be put on the line for England when
they face holders Australia in a blockbuster
Cricket World Cup semi-final at
Edgbaston on Thursday, reports BSS.
England's woeful first-round exit at
the 2015 edition prompted a complete
rethink of their approach to one-day
internationals for a side that had long
placed Test success above all other considerations.
Australian coach Trevor Bayliss was
drafted in with the aim of guiding their
bid for a first World Cup title.
The transformation has been impressive,
with England climbing to number
one in the ODI rankings under the
astute captaincy of Eoin Morgan.
Their rise to the summit has been
based on dynamic run-scoring, with inform
openers Jason Roy and Jonny
Bairstow leading the way.
But the stakes for hosts England are
higher than simply the winning of a
match that would see them into a final
against either India or New Zealand at
Lord's on Sunday.
Satellite subscription host broadcaster
Sky has said it will allow the final to
be shown on free-to-air television in
Britain - but only if England are
involved in the showpiece match.
It would be the first time since 2005
that a major England men's home
match had emerged from behind a UK
television paywall, with cricket having a
chance to reconnect with a 'lost' audience
in its birthplace. Australia, however,
have never lost any of their seven
previous World Cup semi-finals -
although they did tie with South Africa
at Edgbaston 20 years ago before
advancing into the final on superior net
run-rate. They landed a psychological
blow in the group stage when they beat
Ashes rivals England by 64 runs at
Lord's last month.Australia left-arm
quicks Jason Behrendorff and Mitchell
Starc shared nine wickets between
them in a match where Australia captain
Aaron Finch made 100 after surviving
a testing opening from England's
fast bowlers.
Roy, however, was missing with a
torn hamstring and since his return,
England have scored crucial wins over
India and New Zealand that took them
into the semi-finals.
By contrast Australia, who have not
won in any format at Edgbaston since
the 2001 Ashes Test, suffered a surprise
10-run defeat by South Africa at Old
Trafford in their final group game.
England, as well as finding a way to
cope with Starc, will have to contain the
run-scoring threat of a powerful Australian
top order.David Warner has
scored 638 runs this tournament following
the left-handed opener's return
to international cricket after a 12-
month ban for his role in a ball-tampering
scandal in South Africa. But paceman
Liam Plunkett insisted England
could rise to the occasion.
"We're a different sort of animal compared
to our last teams," he said.
"We've played well for the past four
years, we're ranked number one.
"We feel on our day we can beat anyone
in the world."
The five-time world champions, will
pitch late call-up Peter Handscomb
straight into Thursday's match after fellow
batsman Usman Khawaja suffered
a tournament-ending hamstring injury
against South Africa.
Australia coach Justin Langer led his
squad on a barefoot walkabout around
Edgbaston on Monday before they
shared stories on the outfield in a socalled
"bonding circle".
"Haydos (Matthew Hayden) and I
used to do it as a bit of a ritual before
every Test match," former Australia
opener Langer explained.
"If you go back 12 months there wasn't
much to be relaxed and chilled
about in Australian cricket, was there?
We went through a major crisis in our
cricket. It didn't just affect our cricket, it
affected our country.
"We've got to work hard on being
more humble in what we do and being
focused on playing good cricket."
But despite the coach's new-age talk,
Australia's Nathan Lyon tried to put
pressure on England in typically acerbic
style.
"It's all on them," the off-spinner
said. "It's their World Cup to lose if you
ask me."
Murray rules
out US Open
singles return
Sports Desk: Andy Murray
on Tuesday ruled out
playing singles at the US
Open, indicating it could
take up to 18 months before
he felt ready to return,
reports BSS.
The 32-year-old Scot had
hinted that his successful hip
surgery, as well as a promising
foray into doubles at
Wimbledon, could pave the
way for a dramatic appearance
at the season's concluding
Grand Slam in August
and September.
However, despite reaching
the mixed doubles third
round with Serena Williams,
the former world number
one said he would not return
for singles in New York
where he won his first Slam
in 2012. "I think it's pretty
unlikely just in terms of timing.
Just a lot of stuff I need
to get done physically, to get
myself stronger," said Murray
whose ranking has
slumped to 227 in the world.
"The amount of work I
need to do on the court to get
ready for singles, the
amount of work I need to
put in off the court to get
myself strong enough to play
best-of-five sets, it's still
quite a ways away unfortunately."
Murray's most
recent singles match was at
the Australian Open in January
where he was defeated
in five sets in the first round
by Spain's Roberto.
Man United manager says Pogba
future not concerning for him
Sports Desk: Manchester United manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has deflected questions
over the future of France midfielder
Paul Pogba, saying that Pogba has "never
been a concern" for him and that Manchester
United doesn't have to sell players,
reports UNB.
Pogba, who is considering a possible move,
with Real Madrid or Juventus mentioned
prominently, was among the players who
arrived in Perth on Monday for a 10-day,
two-match tour in Western Australia. Pogba
said last month in Tokyo that he feels ready
for a change despite him having two years
remaining on his contract.
"There has been loads of talk and speculation,
of course, about all our players or many
of our players, both ins and outs," Solskjaer
said Wednesday during his first media conference
in two months. "For me, it's business
as usual. When you're Man United, you
expect all these things to pop up in the summer.
"As far as I am aware and up to now, we
don't have any bids for any of our players so
there's no reason to say other than Paul - or
most of our players - have long contracts. We
are Man United. We don't have to sell players."Solskjaer
said he hasn't noticed any difference
in Pogba's demeanor or effort during
training.
"When he's on the pitch he's working hard,
he's a true professional and he's a proud
boy," Solskjaer said. "He's been fantastic so
far in training. Paul has never been a concern
for me." Manchester United finished in sixth
place in the Premier League this season, 21
points behind champion Liverpool.
"We know last year was disappointing but
we know what we have to aim for this year,"
Solskjaer said. "We have to close the gap in a
very competitive league and we have trophies
to play for. United is about bouncing
back and pre-season has been very encouraging
so far."
Solskjaer was also speaking for the first
time since the arrivals of Aaron Wan-Bissaka
and Daniel James.
"We've got some fantastic players and
there's loads of players here that will be successful
at this club," he said. "We've signed
two fantastic players in Daniel and Aaron
with speed and quality, and they're hungry to
succeed."
Man United signed defender Wan-Bissaka
from Crystal Palace in a deal worth around
$60 million at the end of June. The 21-yearold
Wan-Bissaka, who made 46 appearances
in all competitions for Palace, was Solskjaer's
second signing following the arrival of
winger James from Swansea earlier in the
month.
The English Premier League team plays its
first match on Saturday against the A-
League's Perth Glory. On July 17, Leeds
United will be the opposition at the same
Perth Stadium.
Pogba's comments in Tokyo last month
suggested the 26-year-old wanted to play
elsewhere."For me, you know I've been here
for three years in Manchester, it's been
great," Pogba said then. "(But) I think for me
it can be a good time to have a new challenge
somewhere else."
On Tuesday, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola
said he was hopeful that Pogba would soon
be allowed to leave Man United.
"The player (Pogba) has done nothing
wrong," Raiola said. "He has been respectful
and professional in every way. The club has
known his feeling for a long time. Hopefully
there will be soon a satisfying solution."
NBA allows coach's
challenge, replay
center reviews
Sports Desk: NBA team
owners unanimously
approved two changes to
instant replay rules on Tuesday
that will allow a coach's
challenge and other video
reviews triggered by the
NBA Replay Center, reports
BSS.
The measures, recommended
by the NBA competition
committee, are being
used in NBA Summer
League games and will be
adopted on a one-season trial
basis for the 2019-20 campaign.
In all cases, "clear and
conclusive visual evidence"
will be required to declare a
call incorrect and overturn a
referee's decision.
The coach's challenge is
available in a limited set of
situations, provided a team
has at least one timeout
remaining. The replay center
reviews were first tested
at last year's summer league.
"These initiatives further
strengthen our officiating
program and help referees
make the right call," NBA
President of League Operations
Byron Spruell said.
"Giving head coaches a
voice will enhance the confidence
in our replay process
among teams and fans and
add a new, exciting strategic
element to our game.
"Enabling the NBA Replay
Center to trigger instant
replay will improve game
flow and provide real-time
awareness of any adjustments
to the score."
Each team is allowed one
challenge a game, successful
or not, on a personal foul
charged to a player on that
team, an out of bounds call
or whistles for goaltending
or basket interference.
Federer eyes 100th Wimbledon
win and Nadal showdown
Sports Desk: Roger Federer can rack up
his 100th win at Wimbledon on Wednesday
and set-up a blockbuster semi-final against
Rafael Nadal, reports BSS.
In a quarter-final line-up which features
five players over 30, there is a growing anticipation
of a potential 40th career match-up
between the sport's two most successful
players. If it does happen, it will be their first
at the All England Club since 2008 when
Nadal triumphed in what is widely regarded
as the greatest final ever played at the tournament.
However, before they reach that stage,
eight-time champion Federer has to get past
Kei Nishikori while Nadal, a two-time winner,
tackles big-hitting Sam Querrey.
Whoever battles through that side of the
draw is likely to find defending champion
and four-time winner Novak Djokovic waiting
in the final. At 37, Federer is the oldest
quarter-finalist since Jimmy Connors in
1991. He reached his 17th quarter-final at the
All England Club - and 55th at the majors -
with a 74-minute demolition of Italy's Matteo
Berrettini, dropping just five games.
Between them, Federer, Nadal and
Djokovic lost only 19 games in their fourthround
ties and faced just one break point.
"I think the best guys now are fully
engaged, they know exactly what to expect
from the court and the conditions," said second
seed Federer. "That helps us to play better.
I think with experience, that's good. We
haven't dropped much energy in any way."
Federer will take a 7-3 record over seventhseeded
Nishikori into his quarter-final.
Nishikori defeated the great Swiss in the
ATP Finals last year, ending a drought which
had stretched to almost five years.
"I'm a big fan of his game," said Federer of
the Japanese star, who is into his second successive
quarter-final at Wimbledon.
"I think he's got one of the best backhands
in the game. He's a great return player. Solid
mentally. I always thought he was a great talent."
Nishikori is bidding to become the first
Japanese man since Jiro Satoh in 1933 to
make the semi-finals at Wimbledon. Nadal,
playing in his seventh Wimbledon quarterfinal,
faces Querrey backed up by a 4-1
record over the 65th-ranked American.
At 37, Federer is the oldest quarter-finalist since Jimmy Connors in 1991.
Photo: AP
Pogba, who is considering a possible move, with Real Madrid or Juventus mentioned prominently,
was among the players who arrived in Perth on Monday for a 10-day, two-match tour in Western
Australia.
Photo: AP
Madagascar
tongue-twisters
tackle Tunisia for
semi-finals place
Sports Desk: Before the
Africa Cup of Nations kicked
off in Egypt last month,
Madagascar were best
known for the tongue-twisting
surnames of players such
as Anicet Andrianantenaina
and Charles Andriamahitsinoro,
reports BSS.
Now, 20 days into the
biennial tournament, the
Indian Ocean islanders have
stunned three-time champions
Nigeria and are preparing
to face Tunisia on Thursday
in the last quarter-final.
While France-born coach
Nicolas Dupuis insists "the
team is the star", midfielder
Andrianantenaina and forward
Andriamahitsinoro
have caught the eye.
Bulgaria-based Andrianantenaina
was among the
11 footballers chosen by a
Confederation of African
Football (CAF) panel as the
best in the 36-match group
phase.
Andriamahitsinoro, who
plays for a Saudi Arabian
club, made the substitutes'
list in the group 'dream
team', and his two goals
have put him in contention
for the Golden Boot award.
"The coach is correct to say
the team is the star and,
sometimes, an individual
will stand out when we need
him to. That is our strength,"
explained Andriamahitsinoro.
Ex-England batsmen
slam ‘awful’ World
Cup semi-final pitch
Sports Desk: Former England batsmen
Graeme Fowler and Mark Butcher both took
to Twitter to condemn the "awful" pitch used
for the World Cup semi-final between India
and New Zealand at Old Trafford on Tuesday,
reports BSS.
New Zealand found run-scoring tough on
what many observers agreed was a slow and
two-paced surface, making 211 for five in
46.1 overs before rain forced the match into
a reserve day.
New Zealand captain Kane Williamson,
one of the world's best batsmen, took 97 balls
to make 67 after winning the toss.
Fowler, who spent the bulk of his first-class
career with Old Trafford-based Lancashire,
was scathing about the conditions at the
Manchester ground, tweeting: "What an
awful wicket for (a) World Cup semi-final.
"I feel sorry for the spectators who have
travelled and paid hefty prices having to
watch this lottery on a very substandard
pitch.
"It's a disgrace."
India still had to bowl well regardless, and
paceman Jasprit Bumrah led a disciplined
display by his side's attack with one wicket
for 25 runs in eight overs.
Low scores have been a feature of this
World Cup, with pitches playing in significantly
different fashion from the surfaces
seen in one-day internationals in England
during recent years. Some have attributed
this to an unusually wet June hampering
groundsmen in their pitch preparation.
But Butcher, like Fowler a former England
opener, had little sympathy.
"Sorry, but pitches have been garbage this
tournament," Butcher tweeted.
"Uneven, two-paced…MIGHT give you an
exciting 5 overs at the end of a run chase, but
you've scared everybody off in the previous
95," he added.
Meanwhile the International Cricket
Council again denied accusations it had
instructed local groundsmen to prepare
deliberately slow pitches.
"The guidance we give any host of an ICC
event is to prepare the best possible pitches
for the conditions in that country - so in this
case the best possible ODI pitch for typical
English conditions and we would also look
for even bounce and good carry," said a statement
from the global governing body.
"The ICC does not instruct groundsmen to
prepare pitches in a certain way to advantage,
or disadvantage, any team."
England batsman Jonny Bairstow, whose
host side face champions Australia in Thursday's
second semi-final at Birmingham's
Edgbaston ground, had previously queried
why this tournament's pitches were so different
from those normally associated with
World Cup venues.
"The pitches we've been playing on the last
two years are surely the pitches we would be
playing on in a World Cup? I don't know why
they've changed," Bairstow said.
Williamson has been New Zealand's runscoring
rock this World Cup and former
England fast-medium bowler Mike Selvey
tweeted Tuesday: "Travelling home and
reflecting that I have seen one of the finest
innings I've ever witnessed from Kane
Williamson today. "Look and learn those
who think teeing off is the only answer,"
Selvey, also a former cricket correspondent
of the Guardian newspaper, added.