SYDNEY: England’s leading bowler James Anderson says Australia played the pressure moments better than the battle-weary tourists and deserved their crushing 4-0 Ashes series triumph.
Steve Smith’s Australians swept to an innings victory in Monday’s final Sydney Test, condemning England to four comprehensive defeats in the five-match series.
The Ashes were relinquished by the third Test in Perth and England gave the impression by the final day of the series that they just wanted it all to end.
Vice-captain Anderson, deputising for stricken skipper Joe Root, said the writing had been on the wall for some time.
“We’ve known for a few weeks they’re going to lift the (Ashes) urn, but I guess, seeing them do it in person is tough to watch,” Anderson told reporters.
“There’s not a lot we can do about it. We’ve not played well enough and they’ve deserved to win.
“Just got to give them credit and they’re well within their rights to be over the moon with that win.”
Anderson, 35, who is England’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 523 in 134 Tests, said the tourists were unable to make their moments count during the series.
“I do think it’s been closer than 4-0. We’ve been on top in some games, if not all the games at some stage,” he said.
“We’ve just not capitalized on the key moments where if we kick on with the bat and get a big score in the first innings then we’ve put them under more pressure. Similarly, if we get them a few wickets down early, then a couple more would get us in the game and get us on top.
“They’ve played those pressurised moments and those situations better than us. When they’ve done that and put the pressure back on us, we have not coped with that very well and that’s why they’ve won.”
Anderson, who toiled away for 223.3 overs for 17 wickets during the series, said the tour outcome was galling for the team.
“After Perth we were all bitterly disappointed as we had come over here thinking we could challenge Australia and to be three down after three Tests was not where we wanted to be,” he said.
“All the guys in the dressing room are hurting. I’m sure they’re hurting as much as I am. That feeling that you get should make you determined to win the Ashes back in 2019.”
Looking ahead to the Ashes series in England next year, Anderson said he was “hungry” to play.
“I’m going to do everything I possibly can be to be ready for that series in 2019. I’m still hungry to play,” he said.
“I’m delighted Ive got through these five Test matches and bowled pretty well.
“I’m going to go away now and have a few weeks off and get ready for New Zealand in March.
“I’d never really liked looking too far ahead, but I’d still like to be around in 2019.”
Meanwhile, Steve Smith praised Australia’s awesome attack.
Mitchell Starc, John Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and spinner Nathan Lyon all finished with 20 or more wickets in the series to take 87 in total to dominate the England batsmen.
“I think all the bowlers did an exceptional job,” the Australia skipper said.
“Each of our bowlers have over 20 wickets which showed that the guys have bowled together as a group, bowled in partnerships, bowled for one another and helped us take the 80-odd wickets that we’ve needed to take four Test matches.”
Cummins, who captured four for 39 to finish man-of-the-match in Sydney, finished as the leading wicket-taker in the series with 23 at 24.65 and played in all five Tests.
Starc claimed 22 wickets at 23.54, Hazlewood 21 at 25.90 and Lyon 21 at 29.23.
Lyon, the leading all-time Australian off-spinner, has now taken 290 wickets at 31.64 in 74 Tests.
“Nathan has been exceptional with the way he’s bowled and the consistency he’s had has been outstanding,” Smith said.
“For me the moment that changed the whole series was Nathan Lyon and his run out (James Vince on 83) at the Gabba, that was such a huge moment in the series.
“Those sorts of plays can change a series and I think that was a series-changing moment.”
Having got his hands on the Ashes urn on his own turf Smith then turned his attention to the next meeting between the old enemies, and insisted he is keen to beat Joe Root and Co. in their own backyard.
“The 2019 series in England is a long way away but that’s a bucket list item for me: winning an Ashes series as captain in England,” Smith said.
“It’s a tough tour and a great place to play. England play incredibly well at home.
“This team has been magnificent this series. The more we play together, the more we’re going to get better as a group.”
Australia played the pressure moments better in this Ashes: James Anderson
Australia played the pressure moments better in this Ashes: James Anderson
Son scores 50th international goal as South Korea beat Kuwait in World Cup qualifying
- Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra
- Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0
MELBOURNE: Son Heung-min scored his 50th international goal on Thursday as South Korea beat Kuwait 3-1 to take a big step toward an 11th successive World Cup appearance.
The Tottenham forward converted a penalty to make it 2-0 in the 19th minute and help South Korea earn a fourth successive win in Group B of Asia’s World Cup qualifiers to move five points clear at the top with five games to go.
Oh Se-hun headed in South Korea’s opener in the 10th minute and Son, who had just returned from a hamstring injury, extended the advantage after being fouled in the area. Mohammed Daham pulled a goal back with a spectacular strike with 30 minutes remaining but Bae Jun-ho sealed the win for the visitors.
“(Son is) such an important part of our team,” South Korea coach Hong Myung-bo said. “He just came back after being hobbled by injury.”
Jordan and Iraq stayed in second and third place on eight points after drawing 0-0 in Basra while Oman are now two points behind after defeating the Palestinian team 1-0.
In Group A, Iran defeated North Korea 3-2 in Laos to move onto 13 points, three clear of Uzbekistan which lost 3-2 at Qatar. The 2022 World Cup host stayed in fourth with seven points, level with the United Arab Emirates which defeated Kyrgyzstan 2-0.
In Group C, Australia and Saudi Arabia drew 0-0 in Melbourne and remained level on six points from five games and are joined by China, which defeated Bahrain 1-0 with an injury-time goal from Zhang Yuning. Leader Japan will move seven points clear if they can defeat Indonesia in Jakarta on Friday.
Only the top two of six in each group will qualify automatically for the 2026 World Cup. The third- and fourth-place finishers will advance to the next stage.
McIlroy shares Dubai lead with Ballesteros mark in sight
- McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton
- McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros
DUBAI: Rory McIlroy claimed a share of the first-round lead at the World Tour Championship in Dubai on Thursday as he closed in on equalling Seve Ballesteros’ mark of six European Tour Order of Merit crowns.
McIlroy fired a 67 to stand on top of the leaderboard alongside Tyrrell Hatton.
The 35-year-old McIlroy started the season-ending event in Dubai with a healthy lead over South Africa’s Thriston Lawrence who endured a nightmare day, signing for a one-over 73 which included five bogeys.
With 2,000 points on offer to the winner, McIlroy only needs a top ten finish to secure a sixth Race to Dubai crown of his career, matching the tally of Ballesteros.
Playing partners Hatton and Paul Waring, who sealed the biggest victory of his career at last week’s Abu Dhabi Championship, hit the front at four under after they each birdied the 14th hole, but the Northern Irishman followed suit shortly after.
Hatton became the first person to reach five under with a birdie at the penultimate hole, only to be matched by McIlroy’s 48-foot putt at the same hole to share the lead with Englishman.
“I thought I played well. I hit the ball pretty well. I gave myself plenty of chances, plenty of looks,” four-time major champion McIlroy said.
“I want to go on from here and win the golf tournament. I’ve opened up with a really good score, but I need to go out and play similarly over these next three days, not just to try to win the tournament, but also to try to get the job done in the Race to Dubai.
“I’m under no illusions that that was probably Thriston’s worst day. If he goes out and has three good ones, I still need to go out there and play some very solid golf.”
Hatton, 33, carded seven birdies and two dropped shots in his round.
Dubai-based Waring reached the turn in 32 before mixing a bogey and birdie on the back nine to sit alone in third at four under.
There are seven players at three under — Billy Horschel, Matt Wallace, Adam Scott, Alex Fitzpatrick, Niklas Norgaard and Japanese duo Keita Nakajima and Rikuya Hoshino.
Jeddah Corniche Circuit to host SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 on Nov. 29-30
- SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races, the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe and the GT4 European Series
- Some of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers will take part in the race
JEDDAH: The Jeddah Corniche Circuit, dubbed the fastest street circuit in the world, is set to host the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 for the first time on Nov. 29-30.
The SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024 consists of two main races — the Fanatec GT World Challenge Europe powered by AWS, which lasts for six hours and covers 1,000 km with more than 40 teams participating, and the GT4 European Series powered by RAFA Racing, which is 250 km long and features more than 30 teams.
GT racing showcases car models designed for road use that have been expertly modified for high-speed endurance events, often proving to be more powerful and durable than Formula cars, according to a media statement on Thursday.
The championship is sponsored by Fanatec, a leading manufacturer of racing simulation equipment, offering a connection between real and virtual motorsports.
The race will see an array of the world’s leading drivers and manufacturers take part, such as Porsche, Aston Martin, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Ford.
The primary focus of GT racing is to challenge the endurance of both drivers and cars, particularly in events such as the SAL Jeddah GT Race 2024.
Teams, drivers and spectators are set to make the most of the opportunities offered by the SAL Jeddah GT 2024. Saudi Arabia will again be in the global spotlight as it becomes an important destination for international motorsport stars and racing enthusiasts, in a new championship that stands apart from other regional competitions, the media statement said.
UEFA investigates English ref Coote over footage of alleged drug use at Euro 2024
- “A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said
- The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal
NYON: UEFA started another investigation into English match official David Coote on Thursday after a video allegedly showed him using cocaine during the European Championship.
“A UEFA ethics and disciplinary inspector has been appointed to evaluate a potential violation of the UEFA disciplinary regulations by the referee, Mr. David Coote,” UEFA said in a statement.
Coote worked as a video review specialist at Euro 2024, where match officials stayed at a hotel near Frankfurt. He was an assistant supporting the lead VAR official at eight games.
British daily The Sun published a video late Wednesday appearing to show Coote snorting the drug using an American banknote.
The report said the incident was filmed one day after Coote’s last match duty, the quarterfinal between France and Portugal. France won a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw.
Coote was suspended on Monday by the English match referees body after a different cellphone video circulated of him making offensive comments with friends about former Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. That body and the English FA started investigations.
UEFA already withdrew Coote from match duty for national team games this week after the first video was published.
The games he worked at Euro 2024 included host Germany’s 2-0 win over Denmark in the round of 16 that included a controversial penalty award for handball. The lead VAR official at that game, Stuart Attwell, was involved in some of the tournament’s most debated decisions.
Sinner doping case could have been communicated more efficiently, ATP chair says
- A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency in September
- The Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year
TURIN: There “could have been better communication” in explaining the rules involved in Jannik Sinner’s doping case, ATP Tour chairman Andrea Gaudenzi acknowledged Thursday.
However, Gaudenzi said at the ATP Finals that anyone hinting that a “double standard” was applied because of top-ranked Sinner’s status is “unfair because the rules have been the same.”
Sinner is playing at home this week for the first time since it was announced before his US Open title that he tested positive for an anabolic steroid in two separate drug tests in March.
The case wasn’t made public until August.
“I learned the day before we all learned,” Gaudenzi said in his first public comments on the case. He spoke in a round-table discussion with international reporters.
“And to be honest, I’m happy about that. I really thank the ITA (International Testing Agency) and our representatives there for intentionally keeping me and our entire team in the dark because that’s how it should be.
“It should be completely independent and that was agreed by the (parties). It was a shock, but obviously comforted by the evidence afterward.”
A decision by an independent tribunal to clear Sinner of wrongdoing was appealed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) in September and the Switzerland-based Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) is expected to make a final ruling on the case early next year.
Sinner’s explanation was that the banned performance-enhancer entered his system unintentionally through a massage from his physiotherapist, who used a spray containing the steroid to treat his own cut finger.
WADA is seeking a ban of one to two years for Sinner.
“We are completely external and it’s (an) independent process,” Gaudenzi said. “I generally think has been a fair process. It was really done by the book and by the rules. Maybe there could have been better communication in explaining those rules, and that is something that I would urge every party involved to work better in the next time.”
ATP Finals future will be revealed
Gaudenzi said he plans to announce on Sunday the future host of the ATP Finals. The contract with Turin expires next year and there is an option to move the event to nearby Milan at a bigger arena being built for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics.
