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SUNDAY CHRONICLE January 8, 2017
Lynn, Stanlake named in Australia ODI squad By Nick Mulvenney SYDNEY,(Reuters)-Uncapped middle-order batsman Chris Lynn was rewarded for his Big Bash League (BBL) pyrotechnics with a place in the Australia squad for the five match one-day international series against Pakistan yesterday. The 26-year-old has been in impressive form in the domestic Twenty20 competition and hit a stunning 11 sixes in an unbeaten 49-ball 98 for the Brisbane Heat against the Perth Scorchers earlier this week. Pace bowler Billy Stanlake, who stands 2.04 metres tall and has been in fine form in the BBL for the Adelaide Strikers, also earned a callup to the one-day squad for the first time. Opener Aaron Finch and former skipper George Bailey have been dropped from the squad that beat New Zealand 3-0 at the back end of last year, along with all-rounder
Hilton Cartwright, who made his test debut against Pakistan this week. Test top-order bats-
ball-striking ability to ODIs,” head selector Trevor Hohns said. “Usman Khawaja has
CHRIS LYNN
man Usman Khawaja is the third addition to the 14-man squad and could open with David Warner when the series opens in Brisbane on Friday. “Chris Lynn is in superb form for the Brisbane Heat and although that is a different form of the game, we believe it is right that we give him the chance to show whether he can convert his wonderful
been in excellent touch throughout this Test summer, is able to bat anywhere in the top order and deserves another chance to demonstrate his ODI credentials. “Billy Stanlake is an exciting prospect who bowls with genuine pace and is a player who has made a terrific return to action for the Adelaide Strikers in the Big Bash League after a lengthy time
out through injury.” Stanlake looks to have a good chance of winning a first cap with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, who played all six tests in the home summer, set to be rested for some of the matches as they start preparations for four tests in India. “I guess we’ll probably pick our times to have a rest here or there, whether it’s one game or two in the series,” Hazlewood said on Friday. “Depending on how we’re feeling and how much we’ve bowled.” After Brisbane, the series continues with matches in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney and Adelaide. Squad: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith (captain), Mitch Marsh, Travis Head, Chris Lynn, James Faulkner, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, Adam Zampa, Billy Stanlake.
Djokovic beats Murray to win Doha final (REUTERS) Novak Djokovic made an immense statement in his bid to rule men’s tennis again when he defeated Andy Murray, the man who deposed him as world number one, 6-3 5-7 6-4 in an epic Qatar Open final in Doha yesterday. Looking back to near his peerless best at times in a game of searing quality, the Serbian missed out on three match points and had to repel a roaring Murray comeback before ending the Briton’s 28-match, five-tournament winning streak. In their first meeting since Murray won their season-ending climax at the ATP World Tour finals, the Briton ran into a rejuvenated Djokovic who, despite having problems with his racket hand and receiving two warnings for his behaviour, prevailed thrillingly in their 36th contest. The world number two said it was “the dream start” to 2017 in his build-up to the defence of the Australian Open title later this month and defeat provided food for thought for Murray, who lost for the 25th time against his old rival.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC
“It was close, a very physical battle. All the way to the last shot, you never know with Andy. It’s no strange occurrence for us to play three sets for three hours,” Djokovic told Eurosport. “It means a lot. For the last three months of 2016, I haven’t felt that confident on court and didn’t play that consistent. But to start 2017 with a win over the world number one and my biggest rival was a dream start so I’m hoping I can get the best out of it.” Djokovic had looked
out of sorts as he struggled to tame Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in Friday’s semi-final and he started inconsistently again, also requiring treatment to a bleeding right thumb in the third game. Yet Djokovic began playing with an authority that he had not displayed all week and was so frustrated after losing one 29-shot rally that he was warned for hitting the ball away petulantly towards his box. Still, he pressurised Murray, making his breakthrough in the eighth game as the Scot
surrendered the crucial break with a mis-hit forehand. When Djokovic cashed in on a sloppy service game, in which Murray delivered two double faults, to take a crucial 4-3 lead in the second set, he looked unstoppable. He seemed certain to wrap up the victory serving at 5-4 but a couple of missed backhands and courageous aggression from Murray led to him missing out on his three match points. The Briton pounced to break serve -a feat he has now achieved in an impressive 112 successive matches. Djokovic received a point penalty for smashing his racket which handed the 11th game to Murray and the Scot rammed home his ascendancy by breaking again to take the second set. Yet just when Murray seemed to be taking control physically, with Djokovic looking increasingly weary, the Serbian produced an inspirational game to break to love at 3-3. When he served for the match again, he made no mistake, crashing a forehand winner to seal victory.
Red Force name strong Super50 squad DESPITE the absence of some of its biggest stars, the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board has named a strong 14-member squad for the West Indies Cricket Board Super50 tournament set to begin at the end of the month. The defending champions will be without Dwayne Bravo, who is recovering from hamstring surgery, Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Samuel Badree, Lendl Simmons and Darren Bravo but will still field a pretty solid unit that will still include former West Indies captain Denesh Ramdin, Kyle Hope and Evin Lewis. Also included are Jason Mohammed, ShelDenesh Ramdin don Cottrell, Rayad Emrit, Shannon Gabriel and Ravi Rampaul. Kjorn Ottley, Nicholas Alexis Roshon Primus, Khary Pierre, Jon Russ Jaggesar and Imran Khan complete the squad. According to Suruj Ragoonath, CEO of the TTCB, Darren Bravo’s availability will depend on the outcome of his upcoming meeting with the West Indies Cricket Board(WICB). TT Super50 squad: Denesh Ramdin (captain), Kyle Hope, Evin Lewis, Kjorn Ottley, Jason Mohammed, Nicholas Alexis, Roshon Primus, Ravi Rampaul, Shannon Gabriel, Khary Pierre, Jon Russ Jagessar, Imran Khan, Sheldon Cottrell, Rayad Emrit.
RHTY&SC invites cricket teams to register for 2017 tournaments
AS part of its cricket development programme, the Rose Hall Town Youth and Sports Club, M.S, will be arranging a minimum of fifteen cricket tournaments during the year at the Under-15,U- 17 and U-19 levels, as well at the female and second division levels. As such, the club is inviting cricket clubs in Berbice to officially register their respective teams if they wish to participate in the cricket tournaments. Club Secretary/CEO,Hilbert Foster, stated that the RHTY&SC is very disappointed with the current situation, whereby the Berbice Cricket Board (BCB) is unable to fulfil its mandate due to a court injunction. Foster also expressed concerns about the state of Berbice Cricket and the lack of investment in the development of new talents. Foster noted that 16 teams will be involved in the Under-15,U17 and U- 19 tournaments, with the RHTY&SC expected to field three of the 16 teams. With 13 teams available, clubs have until February 10 to register. The Under-15 players have to be born on or after the 1st September, 2002; Under-17 players on or after the 1st September 2002, and Under-19 players on or after the 1st September, 1998. Twelve teams will be involved in several second division tournaments, with two coming from the RHTY&SC. Only two first division players who have played more than a combined four first division matches (3 days, 50 overs or 20/20) in 2016/2017 shall be allowed to play per team, while Under 19 players born after the 1st September 1998 shall not be considered as first Division players. All junior team applications must have the names of the players, dateS of birth, telephone numbers and schools attended. The RHTY&SC will debar any club which provides misleading information. Contact can be made at the club’s office via telephone number 337-4562;email or visit the office during working hours: 8:30hrs -18:00hrs Monday to Saturday. Interested clubs can also send emails to fosterhilbert@ yahoo.com.