Marcos Leonardo strike sees Al-Hilal edge Al-Shabab in SPL
RIYADH: Marcos Leonardo’s first-half goal secured a narrow 1-0 win for Al-Hilal over Al-Shabab, lifting them to second in the Saudi Pro League table.
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Cummins out of first Ashes test, Smith to captain Australia
SYDNEY: Australia fast bowler Pat Cummins will not be fit for the first Ashes test in Perth next month and will be replaced as captain by Steve Smith, Cricket Australia said on Monday. Cummins has been sidelined by a lower-back issue since July and was already a major doubt for the series opener against England, which starts on November 21. CA said in a statement that Cummins had now resumed running and would be back bowling soon, offering hope the 32-year-old might be fit to take part in the second day-night test in Brisbane from December 4. While losing the captain and top fast bowler for the opening test of a high-profile series, Australia have had plenty of time to make contingency plans as the nation has sweated on the fitness of Cummins. Even if the squad for the series has not been announced yet, Scott Boland is almost certain to replace him in the bowling attack alongside Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc at Perth Stadium. Boland has had infrequent opportunities at test level over the years given Australia’s depth in the fast-bowling department, but he has more often than not produced when called upon. The 36-year-old is particularly effective on Australia’s hard decks and has taken 62 wickets at an average of 16.53 in his 14 previous tests. Cummins has been an ever-present in the Australia side for Ashes clashes since his first test against England in the 2017-18 series, helping Australia first win back and then retain the urn ever since. Smith, who was sacked as captain in 2018 for his part in the Newlands ball-tampering scandal, has led the team six times in the absence of Cummins since his rehabilitation. Australia also play tests against England in Adelaide, Melbourne and Sydney around the New Year as they
Mbappé and Bellingham score in tense clasico as Madrid wins 2-1 to end losing run against Barcelona
MADRID: Real Madrid finally ended its recent struggles against Barcelona in a tense clasico which saw players confronting each other after the final whistle. Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham scored as Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first clasico of the season on Sunday, halting a four-game losing streak against the Catalan rival. The victory increased Madrid’s league lead over Barcelona to five points after 10 rounds. There was a scuffle between the bench players from both teams after Barcelona’s Pedri was sent off just before the final whistle. The altercation continued after the game ended, with Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior and Barcelona star forward Lamine Yamal — who was successfully contained by Madrid defenders during the match — among those involved. “It was the moment and the tension from both teams,” Madrid coach Xabi Alonso said.
Norris claims ‘beautiful’ Mexico win, replaces Piastri as championship leader
MEXICO CITY: Lando Norris regained the lead in the drivers’ world championship for the first time in six months on Sunday when he steered his McLaren to a commanding victory in a breathless Mexico Grand Prix. Driving with great authority, the 25-year-old Briton came home 30.324 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, with four-time champion Max Verstappen third for Red Bull. For Norris, it was a first win in Mexico, his sixth this season and the 10th of his career — achieved with a near-perfect race from pole position to lift him back to the top of the drivers’ title race by one point for the first time since the Saudi Arabian race in April. With four races remaining, Norris has 357 points, ahead of Piastri on 356 and Verstappen, who is third on 321. “A beautiful win to celebrate here in this stadium in Mexico,” said Norris. “It’s one weekend at a time for me. I am happy and I am focused on myself.
Munich voters approve plan to bid for Summer Olympics
MUNICH, Germany: A two-thirds majority in the German city of Munich voted in favor of a bid to host the Summer Olympics in 2036, 2040 or 2044 in a referendum on Sunday. Final results showed 66.4 percent of voters in the Bavarian capital voted in favor of the proposal. “Munich clearly voted yes,” city mayor Dieter Reiter said in a statement on Sunday. Joerg Ammon, the pesident of the Bavarian State Sports Association (BLSV), celebrated the “dream result.” With 42 percent of Munich’s 1.1 million eligible voters taking part, the turnout was the highest for a referendum in the city’s history. The previous participation record was 37.5 percent, recorded in 2001 for a vote on building the Allianz Arena, home to German football champions Bayern Munich and host of the 2012 and 2025 Champions League finals.
Sinner fights back against Zverev to win Vienna crown
VIENNA: Jannik Sinner clinched his fourth title of the season on Sunday as the Italian rallied from a set down to beat Alexander Zverev in the final of the Vienna Open.
Arsenal extend Premier League lead as Man City lose at Villa
LONDON: Arsenal stretched their Premier League lead to four points as Eberechi Eze’s goal beat his former club Crystal Palace 1-0, while Manchester City lost 1-0 at Aston Villa on Sunday.
Al-Buraikan strike enough to beat Al-Najma and take Ahli to fourth
RIYADH: Al-Ahli on Thursday night defeated hosts and newly promoted Al-Najma 1-0 in Buraidah to climb to fourth in the Saudi Pro League table, with the rest of the sixth round of matches still to come this weekend.