Dr. Phil Jauncey, the Australian based performance psychologist, who was invited by Sri Lanka Cricket to help raise the performance levels of the national cricket team, began his stint with the Lankan team on Wednesday at the SLC headquarters.

“We invited Jauncey to work with us at the request of our new head coach Chandika Hathurusingha, who wanted us to bring him here to work with our players,” said SLC president Thilanga Sumathipala.

Accordingly, the performance psychologist is currently working with the Sri Lankan side, where he will focus on identifying the personality traits of each player, the best communication and learning method suited for each player and also of the coaching staff. Jauncey, who holds a Masters and Doctorate in Counselling and Educational Psychology, has lectured at Mt Gravatt CAE (now Griffith University), QUT and the University of Queensland in areas such as educational psychology, social psychology, developmental psychology, counselling, marketing and multicultural psychology.

He currently works as the psychologist of the Australian baseball team among many of his other engagements. Jauncey has also worked with the Queensland Bulls cricket team.

He has been the mental skills coach with the Brisbane Lions AFL team from 1994 until 2008 and sports psychologist with the Brisbane Broncos NRL team.

Jauncey has authored a series of books such as ‘Understanding Ourselves and Others’, ‘Management Education’, and ‘The Power of Positive Doing’ among several other works.

S. Thomas’ College Mt. Lavinia recorded their fifth win of the season when they beat Nalanda College by six wickets in their ‘Singer Cup’ Under 19 inter-schools cricket match played at Mt Lavinia yesterday.

Dellon Peiris took five wickets for 27 as Nalanda were bundled out for 81 in their second innings leaving the Thomians to score 33 for victory which they achieved losing four wickets.

Mahanama College also won their match against St. Aloysius College Galle by 6 wickets.

Maris Stella College Negombo, Mahinda College Galle, Christ King College Ja Ela and Lyceum International School were the other schools to record victories.

Pethum Hasaranga of Vidyaloka College Galle scored his fourth century of the season while Nimnaka Jayathilake of St. Anthony’s Katugatota took a match bag of 10 wickets against Royal College.

Twenty-five wickets fell on day one of the match at Bandaragama between Gurukula College Kelaniya and Dharmapala College Pannipitiya.

RESULTS

n At Reid Avenue: Match drawn.

Royal: 170 and 194 in 65.5 overs (Gayan Dissanayake 87 n.o., Pasindu Sooriyabandara 58, Thevindu Senarathne 23, Asitha Wanninayake 4/17, Nimnaka Jayathilake 3/74, Navodya Wijekumara 2/23)

St. Anthony’s: 260/8 decl. (151/2 o/n) in 56.2 overs (Deon Stouter 59, Sunera Jayasinghe 55, Theeksha Gunasinghe 44, Thamashana Abeykoon 40 n.o., Manula Perera 3/72, Kamil Mishara 2/57)

n At Moratuwa: Mahanama won by 6 wickets.

St. Aloysius Galle: 139 and 54 (4/0 o/n) in 34.2 overs (Pasindu Nanayakkara 15, Hashan Sandeepa 4/09, Wathsara Perera 3/9)

Mahanama: 107 and 88/4 in 35.1 overs (Pethum Botheju 30 n.o., Bishan Mendis 26, Dinuka Lakmal 3/19)

n At Mt. Lavinia: S. Thomas’ won by 6 wickets.

Nalanda: 151 and 81 in 47.5 overs (Sachith Gunathilake 21, Dilhara Polgampola 20, Dellon Pieris 5/27, Shanon Fernando 3/22, Dineth Kanangara 2/12)

S. Thomas’: 202/8 decl. (93/2 o/n) in 67 overs (Dulith Gunarathne 47, Maneesha Rupasingha 37, Thevin Eriyagama 26, Kishan Munasinghe 23, Dellon Pieris 23, Maheema Weerakoon 6/50) and 33/4 in 13.5 overs(Maheema Weerakoon 2/13)

n At Kurunegala: Mahinda won by 188 runs.

Mahinda: 235 and 214/8 decl. in 43 overs (Kavindu Ediriweera 59 n.o., Hansika Welihinda 58, Dulaj Ranatunge 3/62, Nishantha Hettiarachchi 2/42)

Maliyadeva: 131 and 130 in 47.4 overs(Sanjeewan Priyadarshana 25, Dulaj Ranathunge 22, Navod Paranavithana 5/25, Subaru Rajapaksa 4/31)

n At Negombo: Maris Stella won by inns & 9 runs.

Maris Stella: 332/9 decl.;

Bandaranayake Gampaha: 125 and 138 (23/2 o/n) in 33.4 overs (Janindu Jayawardena 54, Ravimal Alwis 25, Madawa Sathsara 23, Pasindu Ushetti 4/48, Naveen Fernando 3/27, Ravindu Fernando 2/18)

n At Dehiwala: St. Peter’s Negombo won by 8 wickets.

S. de S. Jayasinghe Central: 142 and and 58 (41/6 o/n) in 22 overs (Isuru Uthpala 5/24, Sasindu Madusanka 4/34)

St. Peter’s Negombo: 119 and 84/2 in 19.2 overs (Lasith Nisalnaka 25 n.o.)

n At Railway grounds: Lyceum Nugegoda won by inns & 125 runs.

Lyceum Nugegoda: 295;

Sri Siddartha Wellampitiya: 56 and 114 (20/1) in 37 overs (Chathushka Kavishwara 27, Salinda Akash 21, Randika Nirmal 19, Hansaja Bandara 3/27, Lakindu Rajarathne 2/08, Ravindu Rajaratne 2/21)

n At Veyangoda: Christ King Ja-Ela won by 7 wickets.

Bandaranayake Central Veyangoda: 165 and 116 in 41.2 overs (Malindu Manabharana 42, Madushanka Fernando 6/25)

Christ King Ja-Ela: 213 (191/7 o/n) in 61.2 overs (Lahiru Silva 98, Malith Nawanjana 40, Nipun Santhush 6/33, Chathushka Kalunayake 2/45) and 69/3 in 17.4 overs

DAY ONE SCORES

Matches will be continued today on day two.

n At Matara: Richmond: 199 in 61.2 overs (Adithya Siriwardhane 57, Akash Kavinda 55, Avindu Theekshana 20, Gishanthika Jayaweera 3/34, Kavindu Ridmal 2/28, Sachira Rashmika 2/39, Thineth Sithira 2/42)

St. Thomas’ Matara: 40/3 at close in 20.4 overs (Woshitha Amarasinghe 20 n.o., Sandun Mendis 2/0)

n At Bandaragama: Gurukula Kelaniya: 139 in 43.4 overs (Pruthuvi Rusara 62, Dilshan de Silva 3/19, Dulaj Egodage 3/29, Chamindu Samarasinghe 3/51) and 19/5 at close in 12.4 overs(Dilshan de Silva 3/10, Dulaj Sandaruwan 2/1)

Dharmapala: 94 in 33.3 overs (Kusanka Peiris 25, Yushan Malith 3/25, Sachintha Chamith 2/19)

n At Kandana: Lumbini: 314 in 66.3 overs (Ranmal Fernando 96, Lakindu Upendra 53, Sadunil Sankalpa 33, Kevin Kithmina 29, Amitha Dabare 30, Romal Fernando 6/91, Saliya Jude 2/15)

De Mazenod: 88/2 at close in 21 overs (Mithila Geeth 30 n.o.)

n At Panadura: St. John’s Panadura: 169 in 51 overs (Pasan Perera 54, Sandamal Wickramadhara 45, Prasanka Perera 4/17, Dilhara Nanayakkara 3/47)

Holy Cross: 155/5 at close in 42 overs (Sheron Fonseka 50, Kavindu Umayanga 42, Sandamal Wickramadhara 3/29)

n At Prison grounds Pallekelle: St. Sylvester’s: 301/8 decl. in 75 overs (Nadeera Balasooriya 75, Manjith Rajapaksha 46, C. Hiroshan 41, Abishek Isuranga 24, Chandula Jayakody 23, Manoharan Pavithran 21, Lasith Nirmal 3/63, Ridmika Nimesh 3/70)

Zahira: 46/0 at close in 17 overs (Chathura Dilrukshan 30 n.o.)

n At Kalutara: Revatha: 128 in 38.4 overs (Chathun Kawya 31, Kavindu Dilhara 21, Kavindu Gayashan 4/31, Dilisha Arunodya 2/25, Avishka Lakshan 2/28)

Kalutara Vidyalaya:196/7 at close in 62 overs (Kavindu Gayashan 49, Dhanuka Nimmana 26 n.o., Hiruna Dilip 25, Sunera Agasthi 24, Chami Nimsara 5/81, Avishka Dilshan 2/36)

n At Beddagana: Rahula: 159 in 61.2 overs (Yuraj Chalaka 60, Binara Sanketh 31, Samindu Sathmina 3/35, Thimira Malshan 3/40)

Ananda Sastralaya Kotte: 110/8 at close in 31 overs (Sajitha Rajapaksha 3/35, Tharusha Dakshina 2/25)

n At Dalupotha: Galahitiyawa Central: 141 in 45.2 overs (Sandaruwan Chinthaka 51, Gimhan Abeynayake 29, Senesh Nadeeshan 24, Amith Akalanka 6/34, Chamodh Dayan 2/58) and 34/1 at close in 11 overs

St. Joseph’s Wattala: 104 in 33.5 overs (Amith Akalanka 21, Senesh Nadeeshan 5/31, Kavindu Thilakaratne 4/25)

n At Ranpokunagama: Bandaranayake MMV Meerigama: 67 in 24.4 overs (Nimesh Wickramarathne 5/29, L.V. Pathirana 5/33) and 96/7 at close in 14 overs (Supun Tharuka 30, Ravindu Nipun 24 n.o., Dinal Perera 4/39)

Ranpokunagama MV: 300/9 in 51.4 overs (Umesh Wickramarathne 98, Gayesh Nimashka 61, Savindu Tharaka 32, Chamin Malith 4/48)

n At Horana: Karandeniya Central: 238 in 60.1 overs (Dimuth Sandaruwan 127, Ishan Pramodya 40, Theneth Vinvinu 5/73, Sandun Ranga 2/34, Sasindu Janith 2/81)

Taxila:171/2 at close in 42 overs (Chanidu Ranvinu 71 n.o., Asanka Adeepa 60, Pasindu Janith 33 n.o.)

n At Kegalle: Kegalu Vidyalaya: 211 in 44.2 overs (Madushan Gunasinghe 101, Umesh Tharaka 35, Divindu de Silva 3/13, Sadun de Zoysa 2/11)

Sri Devananda: 172/8 at close in 9 overs (Kavindu Rajapaksha 75 n.o., Kavindu Shohan 52, Tharindu Sandaruwan 3/40)

n At Galle. Vidyaloka: 311/9 decl. in 62.4 overs (Pethum Hasaranga 112, Avishka Sampath 57, Hansaka Kamosh 52, Sachindu Saumya 26, Sanka Prasad 4/48)

Loyola Bopitiya: 129/6 at close in 32 overs (Radeesha Umayanga 55, Nadeera Ishan 3/32)

n At Jaffna: Jaffna Central: 255 in 74.2 overs (S. Kowthaman 71, V. Viyathkanth 57, K. Ihalarasan 34, Ashan Jayaratne 2/13, Kasun Ratnayake 2/19, Hashan Ekanayake 2/45)

Nugawela Central: 41/4 at close in 22 overs

n At Pelwatte: Bandarawela Central: 206 in 47.1 overs (Ruchira Wijesundara 52, Anjula Wijesundara 40, Uditha Bandara 30, Sadith Ratnayake 25, Lakshitha Maleesha 3/31, Dilipa Nuwan 2/31, Nadun Deemantha 2/44)

Dutugemunu NS Buttala: 185/3 at close in 45 overs (Nandun Deemantha 107 n.o., R. M. Ruchira 55 n.o., Uditha Bandara 2/32) - YK

Chilaw Marians CC recorded their third win of the season in the SLC Premier League Inter-Club cricket match against Baduraliya SC winning by 321 runs at FTZ Katunayake yesterday.

Oshadha Fernando of Chilaw Marians CC scored his second ton of the season scoring an unbeaten 103 off 146 balls with 10 fours.

The mach between Colts CC and SSC ended in a draw at Havelock Park.

RESULTS

l At FTZ Katunayake: Chilaw Marians CC won by 321 runs.

Chilaw Marians CC: 371 and 267/3 decl. (163/2 o/n) in 58 overs (Oshada Fernando 103 n.o., Kasun Vidura 78, Sachithra Serasinghe 51)

Badureliya SC: 162 and 156 in 52.1 overs (Pethum Nissanka 50, Madhura Lakmal 28, Nadeera Nawela 26, Asitha Fernando 3/22, Sachithra Serasinghe 3/49, Malinda Pushpakumara 3/55)

l At Havelock Park. Match drawn.

Colts CC: 267 and 203 (80/5 o/n) in 79.5 overs (Priyamal Perera 87, Kavishka Anjula 27 n.o., Sangeeth Cooray 23, Avishka Fernando 21, Sachithra Senanayake 4/50, Akthab Cader 3/40, Akash Senaratne 3/80)

SSC: 200 and 100/2 in 34 overs (Dimuth Karunaratne 55 n.o., Sammu Ashan 28 n.o., Prabath Jayasooriya 2/44)

THREE MATCHES TODAY

Three Premier Tier A league matches commence today: CCC vs Ragama Cricket Club at CCC, Army SC vs NCC at Panagoda, and Ports Authority CC vs Tamil Union A & CC at FTZ Katunayake. - YK

TURIN: Douglas Costa and Mario Mandzukic scored in either half as defending champions Juventus advanced to the semi-finals of the Italian Cup on Wednesday with a 2-0 win over city rivals Torino.

Brazilian Costa opened after quarter of an hour in the Allianz Stadium with Croatian Mandzukic adding the second amid controversy on 69 minutes to set up a meeting with Atalanta, who eliminated Serie A leaders Napoli 2-1 on Tuesday, in the final four.

Lazio, finalists in 2017, will meet AC Milan in the other semi-final played over two legs on January 31 and February 28.

The winning team will earn a direct entry to the group stages of the Europa League.

“We’ve reached the semi-final for the fourth year running and the lads took the right approach to this game,” said coach Massimiliano Allegri.

Torino had wanted a free-kick for Sami Khedira’s challenge on Afriyie Acquah in the build-up to Mandzukic’s goal which was awarded after consultation with the video assistant referee (VAR). AFP

Entries for the ‘Saalis Wasaraka Mahaweli Asiriya’ Open Cycle Race which is to be held on January 8 from Maragahakanda to Polgolla will be closed today at the Sports Development Department. Sports Ministry and the Sports Development Department with the assistance of Cycling Federation of Sri Lanka will conduct the race in two categories, Open Racing and Open Standard.

The registration of cyclists will take place on January 7 from 10.00a.m. at the Mahaweli Authority’s Moragahakanda auditorium. Cyclists above 18 years are eligible for the races and they must submit a medical report and an E.C.G. report at the registration. Winners first place to fifth place will receive cash awards of Rs. 150000, 100000, 75000, 50000 and 25000. From sixth place to tenth place will be presented with cash prizes of Rs. 10000 each while the 11th to 15th place will be given Rs. 5000 each. Cash awards of Rs. 5000 each will be presented to the Best Sprinter and Best Mountain Climber as well.

Both races will commence at 11.00 am in front of Mragahakanda Tank and will continue through Kongahawila, Nawula, Dambulla, Matale, Balakaduwa, Akurana, Katugastota to reach Polgahawela covering a total distance of 108 kms. For more details contact I. P. Wijeratne (071-4321910) and Gamini Kosta (075-7150647). 

A good bowling spell of 5 for 9 by Shihas Nethdinu helped Royal College, Colombo to beat Maris Stella College, Negombo by 87 runs on first innings in their Inter School under 13 division two tournament cricket match played at Colonbo. Batting first visitors collapsed for 54 runs and in reply at stumps Royalists were 141 for 4 with Kevan Panapitiya unbeaten on 63 runs.

Chief Scores

Maris Stella College - 54 in 38.4 overs - Suwath Yapa 16, Shihas Nethdinu 5/9, Suwindu Madawal 3/14

Royal College - 141/4in 25.4 overs - Kevan Panapitiya 63 n/o, Venusha Akash 40 n/o, Yohan Fernando 2/44, Menula Jayasumana 2/13 

LOS ANGELES: Reigning British Open champion Jordan Spieth and fellow 2017 major winners Justin Thomas and Brooks Koepka are among contenders in the US PGA Tournament of Champions opening Friday in Hawaii.

Defending event champion and 2017 PGA Championship winner Thomas, US Open champion Koepka, Spieth and long-hitting Dustin Johnson lead a set of US stars into the 34-player field at Kapalua for the first US event of 2018.

“The unknowns are very exciting right now,” Spieth said.

Spieth cited a new group of rising stars, a solid group of veterans and even the latest comeback of 14-time major winner Tiger Woods in his excitement for the new year.

“With the amount of depth and talent at a younger age mixed with the guys in their 30s that are playing... some other phenomenal players that you would call maybe in prime and then the major question, which is what’s it going to be like with Tiger coming back, within the next six months, it’s a pretty special time to be a part of professional golf,” Spieth said.

Global challengers include Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama, Spain’s Jon Rahm, Australians Marc Leishman and Cameron Smith, Sweden’s Jonas Blixt and South Korean Kim Si Woo.

The field boasts an average age of 29.7 years, the youngest since at least 1970.

Thomas won last year’s Tournament of Champions and the following week’s Sony Open in Hawaii plus his first major title on the way to collecting the US PGA Tour FedEx Cup playoff crown.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua played as the easiest course on the US tour last season.

“It’s just a great way of, not easing into the year, but get the year going, because of how relaxing it is,” Thomas said. “The course is great. There are obviously some great places to eat. And who doesn’t like being in Hawaii?” Spieth, who shook off memories of a final-round 2016 Masters meltdown to claim his third major crown last year at Royal Birkdale, says he has turned a corner mentally entering the new year.

“Starting 2018 I’m kind of ready for anything,” Spieth said. “I’m ready for failure, for success, and everything in between.” Spieth has two wins and two runner-up efforts in his past eight events and three top-three finishes in his past three Maui starts. And he’s engaged to long-time girlfriend Annie Verret.

“I’m just in a fantastic place compared to where I was last year,” Spieth said.

AFP

LOS ANGELES: Former England defender Ashley Cole, a long-time Premier League star with Arsenal and Chelsea, has signed a one-year deal to remain with the Los Angeles Galaxy, the Major League Soccer club announced Wednesday.

The 37-year-old left back has 55 Galaxy appearances over two seasons, scoring one goal and setting up two others in 29 games for Los Angeles last season.

“We are very excited that Ashley will be returning for us in 2018. He has been a tremendous leader for our club,” Galaxy coach Sigi Schmid said. “He has shown he can be successful in this league and we’re confident that will continue in the season ahead.” Cole won two Premier League crowns and three FA Cups with Arsenal from 1999 to 2006, then added a Premier League crown, four FA Cups and a UEFA Champions League title from 2006 to 2014 with Chelsea.

He then spent two years at AS Roma before joining the Galaxy in 2016.

Cole played for England in the 2002, 2006 and 2010 World Cups and with more than 100 international appearances became the most capped fullback in English history.

AFP

WASHINGTON: Terry Rozier scored 20 points off the Boston bench to lead six double-figure scorers Wednesday and the Celtics routed visiting Cleveland 102-88 in an NBA Eastern Conference showdown.

Jayson Tatum and reserve Marcus Smart each scored 15 points, Jaylen Brown added 14 points and Kyrie Irving and Al Horford each contributed 11 and nine rebounds as the East-leading Celtics improved to 31-10.

“That shows what type of team we are,” Rozier said of the Celtics’ scoring depth. “From day one we’ve always had that next man up mentality and we’ve kept it going.” LeBron James led Cleveland with 19 points and added seven rebounds and six assists but the Cavaliers (25-13) had a season-low point total.

“Their defense was very good. They were very in tune to what we wanted to do execution-wise offensively,” James said. “They had a good defensive plan and they executed very well.” Cavaliers big man Kevin Love injured his right ankle. He had only two points on 1-of-11 shooting.

Cleveland’s Isaiah Thomas sat out a night after making his season debut, missing more than two months with a hip injury after being traded from the Celtics in the deal that sent Irving to Boston.

“I don’t know who we are and who we can be until we get it back consistently,” James said. “We haven’t played well as of late so we are trying to figure that out as well. We will be fine, though.” Thomas exchanged hugs and smiles with his former teammates and when he was shown on the scoreboard videoscreen, Boston fans responded with a standing ovation.

“This is genuine love from both sides,” Thomas said. “The fans are everything here. Boston is definitely in my heart and will always be some type of home for me.” The Celtics avenged a 102-99 opening-night loss at Cleveland in which Gordon Hayward suffered a broken left ankle in his Boston debut.

AFP 

Sydney: Young English leg-spinner Mason Crane was encouraged by his first bowling stint in Test cricket in Sydney on Friday and hoping for a better return than legendary Shane Warne's unflattering Test debut.

Crane, who at 20 is the youngest specialist spinner to play for England in 90 years, made a creditable start to his Test cricket career with figures of no wicket for 58 off 17 overs on the second day.

The Hampshire youngster had the daunting task of bowling to Australia's prolific scorers Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, but he stuck to his guns and was unlucky not to snare a wicket.

Crane, who took five wickets bowling for New South Wales in a domestic Sheffield Shield match at the Sydney Cricket Ground last year, takes encouragement from Warne's one for 150 on his Test debut against India at the SCG in 1992.

Warne went on to become the greatest Test leg-spinner with 708 wickets, second only to Sri Lankan world record holder Muttiah Muralitharan's 800.

"I'm hoping for slightly better figures (than Warne's)," Crane told reporters.

"At the end of the day that's how it goes, he turned into a great bowler and I'm sure it was character building for him."

Crane, who has been coached by another Australian leg-spin great Stuart MacGill, said he had been very nervous when called on to bowl his first over in the final Sydney Ashes Test.

"It was awesome. Naturally I was a little bit nervous, but I was also really excited. I had great fun out here and I can't wait until tomorrow," he said.

Crane said MacGill had helped him deal with the pressures of playing in his first Test match.

"He told me I would be nervous when I was called on to bowl and that's very natural," he said.

"It was about dealing with that and focusing on the keys that make me bowl my best."

Crane had a couple of chances, but he was level-headed about his performance before almost 44,000 fans at the SCG.

"There were periods where we had a couple of inside edges that didn't quite get to short leg or to slip, but that happens," he said.

"That's the game and you keep plugging away and hopefully they go my way tomorrow."

Crane said Steve Smith, unbeaten on 44 at the close and chasing his fourth century in the series, was the key wicket for England.

"He's got out four times in this series, he's playing it very well, he's seeing it very well but he's only human so we'll keep plugging away tomorrow and hopefully get him out," Crane said.

"He's a key player for them. I feel if we can get him out and we can take a couple more wickets then we can hopefully get a first innings lead." AFP

MELBOURNE, Friday - Defending champion Serena Williams pulled out of the Australian Open on Friday, saying she was "super close" but still not at the level she needs to be after giving birth to her first child.

The American 23-time Grand Slam winner made a tentative return at an Abu Dhabi exhibition late last month, losing to French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko.

Prior to that her last competitive match was at the Australian Open final almost a year ago, which she won despite being two months pregnant, memorably beating sister Venus in the decider.

Since then, she has given birth to her first child and married Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian at a star-studded wedding, where guests included Beyonce and reality TV star Kim Kardashian.

"After competing in Abu Dhabi I realised that although I am super close, I'm not where I personally want to be," the 36-year-old said in a statement.

"My coach and team always said 'only go to tournaments when you are prepared to go all the way'.

"I can compete, but I don’t want to just compete, I want to do far better than that and to do so, I will need a little more time.

"With that being said, and even though I am disappointed about it, I've decided not to compete in the Australian Open this year," she added.

Her withdrawal deprives the opening Grand Slam of the year of another major star, after former world number one Andy Murray and Japan's Kei Nishikori both pulled out injured on Thursday.

In Abu Dhabi, Williams was clearly sluggish and had problems with her serve. She also stuck mostly to the baseline and only twice charged the net.

Despite this, she made it clear afterwards that she missed being on court and was desperate to play at Melbourne Park, where she has been crowned champion seven times.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley expressed his admiration for her efforts to return to the game she loves.

"The true champion Serena is has been demonstrated in the Herculean efforts she has made over the past few months in her desire to play the Australian Open," he said.

"It was never going to be good enough for her to just compete, she wants to give herself the best chance to win.

"I’ve been in constant contact with Serena and her team and know this is why she has pushed it and pushed it until the eleventh hour to make her final decision."

Few players have successfully bounced back after giving birth, and even fewer have managed to go on to win Grand Slam titles.

Williams can look to Margaret Court, Kim Clijsters, and Evonne Goolagong Cawley as those who achieved the feat as mothers.

A key motivation for her is to match Court, who boasts 24 major titles and is renowned as the most successful player in Grand Slam history, but this must now wait until the French Open at the earliest.

The Australian Open starts on January 15, with a host of top names either out or battling to be fit.

Murray has returned home after failing to recover from a hip injury sustained last year, while Nishikori has been on the sidelines since August due to a torn tendon in his right wrist.

World number one Rafael Nadal and six-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic also have injury issues, having yet to play a competitive match this year.

Stan Wawrinka, Milos Raonic, Johanna Konta, and Garbine Muguruza are among others either on the comeback trail or fighting to be ready.

The irrepressible Roger Federer appears to be one of the few top names to be fully fit, leading Switzerland into the Hopman Cup final with another masterclass against top-10 rival Jack Sock in Perth on Thursday. - AFP 

ACCRA, Ghanam, Thursday - Prolific Liverpool scorer Mohamed Salah was named African Player of the Year in Ghanaian capital Accra on Thursday, the first Egyptian to win the award since Mahmoud al Khatib in 1983.

The 25-year-old has scored 23 goals in 29 matches in all competitions this season for the Premier League outfit after moving from AS Roma in the summer.

He also starred for resurgent Egypt, who last year finished runners-up to Cameroon in the Africa Cup of Nations and secured a first World Cup appearance since 1990.

In the penultimate round of World Cup qualifying, Salah scored the brace that edged Congo Brazzaville in Alexandria, including the stoppage-time winner from a penalty that sealed a trip to Russia.

Salah's Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane, of Senegal, was runner-up and 2015 winner, Gabon and Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang third after a 30-player list had been trimmed to three.

National coaches, Confederation of African Football (CAF) officials, journalists and the public were involved in the voting.

"Winning this award is a dream come true -- 2017 was an unbelievable year for me I had a fantastic time with the national team," said Salah after receiving the trophy.

"This is a big award for me, a special moment in my career. I would like to dedicate it to all the kids in Africa and Egypt.

"I want to tell them to never stop dreaming, never stop believing."

The Egyptian succeeds Algerian Riyad Mahrez of Leicester City as holder of the most prized CAF individual award.

It is the first time since 1986 that stars from the north of the continent, which along with the west is the strongest football region, have won successive titles.

Victory on Thursday completed an awards hat-trick for Salah, who was named BBC African Footballer of the Year in December and Arab Player of the Year earlier this week.

Mane was voted 2016-2017 Liverpool Player of the Season, but the 25-year-old has since been overshadowed at Anfield by Salah's scoring exploits.

He did stand out for Senegal, however, as they secured a first World Cup appearance since 2002, providing much of the creativity in a team stacked with physically formidable footballers.

Aubameyang was Bundesliga top scorer with 31 goals last season, holding off Bayern Munich and Poland ace Robert Lewandowski.

He flopped with Gabon, though, failing to take the 2017 Cup of Nations hosts past the first round and shunning several World Cup call-ups as Gabon failed to qualify. Other award winners included Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala of Nigeria and Youth Player of the Year Patson Daka of Zambia.

Argentine Egypt manager Hector Cuper was named Coach of Year and other honours went to Egypt (national team), South Africa (women's national team) and Wydad Casablanca (club).

Ahead of the awards ceremony, CAF president Ahmad Ahmad told a media conference why the Africa-based Player of the Year and Referee of the Year awards had been scrapped. – AFP

MELBOURNE, Friday - Tennis great Margaret Court, whose views on homosexuality sparked calls for a boycott of the Australian Open stadium named after her, will not attend this year’s tournament, organisers said Friday.

The Australian legend, now a church pastor, initially drew fire for saying last year she would avoid Qantas airline for its support of same-sex marriage, which became law in her homeland in December.

She later claimed tennis was “full of lesbians” and that transgender children were the result of a Nazi-style plot.

Her views drew stinging criticism from a host of players including gay former star Martina Navratilova, who called Court a “homophobe” and lashed out at the “sick and dangerous” comments.

The furore led to suggestions that some players would boycott the Margaret Court Arena at this month’s opening Grand Slam unless the flagship stadium at Melbourne Park was renamed.

Court, 75, poured more fuel on the fire by claiming a gay conspiracy from America was behind calls to strip her name from the arena.

“As a former champion Margaret was invited to the Australian Open. We have been advised she will not be attending this year,” tournament organisers told AFP.

Court denied she was avoiding the tournament after the controversy.

“I don’t run from things, I face them,” she told Melbourne’s Herald Sun newspaper Friday. “I decided not to come across this year and do more crabbing.”

The Perth-based Court said she would instead head to her holiday home and watch the tennis on television, while indulging her hobby of catching crabs.

She also said it would be “childish” for players to boycott the court named after her.

“I think that is petty if they do that and it says what’s in their heart,” she said.

“I think that’s very childish -- but that’s not up to me and it doesn’t affect me.”

Court is Australia’s greatest female tennis player, winning a record 24 major titles.

Serena Williams has won 23 but said Friday she would not be playing in Melbourne after recently giving birth.

Court told the Herald Sun she did not hate gay people and was angered how she was made out to be a homophobe who no longer deserved credit for her tennis career.

“In many ways they bought my tennis into it and I was speaking from a biblical side,” she said. “Bringing my tennis into it and what I did in my life ... they should be ashamed.” – AFP 

Singhalese Sports Club leads the points table earning 53.410 in the ongoing Cricket Major League Tier A while Ragama Cricket Club (27.050) and Colombo Cricket Club (25.850) standing in second and third place respectively. 

Barcelona: Lionel Messi has ensured he could become a free agent if Barcelona no longer plays in a major European league as a result of Catalan independence, Spanish media wrote on Friday. According to a report in Madrid daily El Mundo, the contract Messi signed last November includes a clause that he must remain a Barcelona player only as long as the club is playing in “a top-level European league.” A source at Barcelona told AFP that “for reasons of confidentiality the club never comments on contractual relations with players.”

Catalonian nationalists proclaimed independence from Spain after a referendum on October 1, precipitating a crisis which is still unresolved.

The Spanish civil and football authorities have said repeatedly that Catalan secession would end the participation of the region’s clubs in the Spanish League. If Catalonia becomes independent and Barcelona are booted out of La Liga and cannot persuade another major league (France, Italy, Germany or England) to give them a home, Messi could leave without having to pay his 700 million euro ($843 million) buyout clause, said El Mundo. AFP

Sydney: Steve Smith racked up another milestone as he continued to torment England and Usman Khawaja neared a century to put Australia in a strong position after day two of the final Ashes Test in Sydney on Friday.

The Australian skipper became the second fastest batsman to reach 6,000 Test runs in his 111th innings, second only to the legendary Don Bradman.

Smith, with three centuries in this five-match series, has been the bane of the England team and was potentially heading towards another ton.

At the close, Smith was on 44 with Khawaja reaching his highest score of the series on 91 in Australia's 193 for two in reply to England's 346 first innings.

"We're stoked he's on our team so we don't have to bowl at him," Ausralia paceman Pat Cummins said of Smith.

"Those big innings he has played have been really important. In Brisbane and Perth they were match-winning and in Melbourne it was match-saving.

"It's just incredible and I think he's been the difference between the two sides."

So far in the series Smith has scored 648 runs at 162.

The pair shared in a 107-run partnership after the loss of openers Cameron Bancroft and David Warner.

Khawaja raised his third fifty of the series with a six down the ground off Moeen Ali.

"Great reception when he walked back in, all just really happy for him," Cummins said of Khawaja's knock.

"We know how well he's been hitting them all summer, he just hasn't got that big score to get him away."

Debutant Mason Crane, the youngest specialist spinner at 20 to play for England in 90 years, troubled Smith and Khawaja with his wrist spin, enticing some edges and false shots to finish with a creditable no wicket for 58 off 17 overs. "It was awesome. Naturally I was a little bit nervous, but I was also really excited," Crane said. "I had great fun out here and I can't wait until tomorrow.

"There were periods where we had a couple of inside edges that didn't quite get to short leg or to slip, but that happens and you keep plugging away and hopefully they go my way tomorrow."

Warner reached his fourth half-century of the series before James Anderson coaxed an edge behind for 56 after Bancroft was bowled by Stuart Broad for a seven-ball duck. England's maligned tail earlier piled on runs before the tourists were bowled out at lunch. Newcomer Tom Curran smacked 39 off 65 balls, Moeen Ali hit 30 and Broad clubbed two sixes in his 31 off 32 balls as England lashed out late in the extended morning session.

Smith pulled off a stunning one-handed catch to dismiss Dawid Malan for 62, but the Australians were guilty of two embarrassing dropped catches to give England a helping hand.

But Australia then dropped two regulation catches in the space of four balls.

Cummins put down Curran on 21 at mid-on off Nathan Lyon then in Cummins' next over Josh Hazlewood made a dreadful hash of a skied catch at mid-on from Moeen on 22.

It was the 11th dropped catch by Australia's fielders in the series, with five coming off Lyon's bowling.

But Cummins made partial amends when he had Moeen caught off his glove to a lifter for 30, giving wicketkeeper Tim Paine his fourth catch of the innings.

Broad and Curran hit out late in the session with Broad clubbing Cummins for two sixes to the delight of England's Barmy Army supporters. Curran finally fell to a bat-pad catch by Bancroft for 39 off 65 balls to give Cummins his fourth wicket.

Broad went for another heave on 31, only to top-edge behind the wicket for Smith to take the catch and give spinner Lyon his only wicket. Australia have already clinched the Ashes with an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-Test series. AFP 

A close battle for supremacy can be expected when Havelock Sports Club lock horns with giant killers CH & FC in the second leg of the Dialog ‘A’ Division inter club league rugby tournament today at Havelock Park, kick off will be at 6.30 pm umder lights.

Going by how the two teams had fared this season, Havies has a slight edge hence will have a definite chance of coming on top over CH as they are playing this game on their home grounds and this factor makes the event a thrilling tussle.

It is the Park Club which won the closely fought out match in the first round league tournament this year by 31 points to 26 against CH played at Race Course grounds.

In the first round games of the league this year Havies thrashed Police (36 nil), Air Force SC (46 – 23), lost to Navy SC by (14-25) , won against Army SC (29- 19|), won with CR & FC (35 – 30) lost to formidable Kandy SC (9-20). In the second round they beat Air Force (34-18) in their first match at Air force grounds in Ratmalana.

Meanwhile in the first round the lads from Maitland Place lost their first match to Kandy SC (06 - 23), lost to Army SC (15-20), beat the formidable young CR side by 19 points to 12, lost to Havies (26-31), held Police SC to a 21 all draw, thrashed Air Force SC (43-31) and beat Navy SC (27-24) . In their first match of the second round they lost to Navy SC (24-27) after a grueling game last week at Navy grounds in Welisara.

CH will have a definite advantage when it comes to the two fly halves with former St.Anthony’s college Kandy sensational fly half Samuel Maduwantha is very much faster than Havies fly half Dulaj Perera The Park Club boys with the presence of a sturdy set of forwards who are capable of pulling the game in their favour will have to play a vital role in today's game and if their speedy three quarter line spearheaded by their dynamic play maker cum former Peterite and the national centre Nishone Perera delivers the desired results today, then it will be a daunting task for the CH and FC outfit. But they will be countering their attack through another Peterite and national centre Lee Keegal to pull off a much needed victory in the end exactly like he did against the formidable CR and Navy outfits in the first round games.

All in all the spectators can witness a close battle for supremacy

CH and FC (Probable XV)

Sathya Ranathunga, Pulathisi Bandara, Terrence Henry, Matheesha Sarathchandra, Sajith Saranga, Sasanka Ariyaratne, Yoshitha Rajapaksa, Rohitha Rajapaksa(Captain), Avishka Lee and Samuel Maduwantha, Anuradha Herath, Lee Keegal, Ryan Weerakoon Dinushan Ariyapala, Avantha Lee, Head coach: Tavita Tulagese “Laga” (Samoa)

Havelocks (Probable XV)

Dushmantha Priyadarshana “ Bodhi”, Prasath Madushanka, Liston Flatney, Shehan Dias, Jason Melder (Captain) Sharo Fernando, Shenal Deelaka, Sithum Peiris, Sudam Sooriarachchi and Dulaj Perera, Chamara Dabare, Dinuk Amarasinghe or Hirantha Perera, Nishon Perera, Ramesh Fernando or Vimukthi Rahula, Reza Mubarak, Head Coach: Sanath Martis 

Former Sri Lanka fast bowler 36 year old Akalanka Ganegama took 5 wickets for 35 for Ports Authority CC on the first day of the SLC Premier League Inter-Club match against Tamil Union played at P Sara Oval yesterday.

Thanks to Ganegama’s right-arm medium pace Tamil Union was shot out for 120. By the close Ports Authority CC had replied with 169-6.

Matches will be continued on day two today.

FIRST DAY SCORES

* At P Sara Oval: Tamil Union: 120 in 44.5 overs (Jeevan Mendis 32, Shalika Karunanayake 25, Akalanka Ganegama 5/35, Chaminda Bandara 2/34, Chanaka Komasaru 2/37)

Sri Lanka Ports Authority CC: 169/6 at close in 41 overs (D. Compton 56, Gayan Maneeshan 43, Gihan Rupasinghe 38, Dinuk Wikramanayake 4/16)

* At CCC: CCC: 273 in 62.1 overs (Lasith Abeyratne 96, Ashan Priyanjan 70, Lahiru Madushanka 33, Ron Chandraguptha 24, Nishan Peiris 3/78, Sahan Nanayakkara 3/78, Ishan Jayaratne 2/55)

Ragama CC: 63/3 at close in 24.3 overs (Shehan Fernando 30, Lahiru Madushanka 2/13)

* At Army grounds Panagoda: NCC: 224 in 59.2 overs (Angelo Perera 80, Chamika Karunaratne 39, Tharindu Kaushal 30, Bhanuka Rajapaksa 29, Nuwan Liyanapathirana 3/40, Janith Silva 2/27)

Army SC: 92/0 at close in 28 overs (Lakshitha Madushan 52 n.o., Navod Ilukwatte 29 n.o.) - (YK) 

Udayanga Mihiran of Air Force SC scored a century against Navy SC in their SLC Premier League Inter-Club Tier ‘B’ cricket match played at Welisara yesterday.

Gayan Sirisoma of Galle CC took 5 wickets for 29 runs against Police SC.

Matches will continue on the second day today.

FIRST DAY SCORES

* At Welisara: Air Force SC: 304 in 83.5 overs (Udith Mihiran 115, Ravindu Gunawardhane 40 n.o., Chamikara Hewage 32, D. Weeraratne 21, Tharushan Iddamalgoda 4/39, Sudaraka Dakshina 3/68, Nuwan Sampath 2/33)

Navy SC: 21/1 at close in 4 overs.

* At Police Park: Police SC: 95 in 27.3 overs (Samith Dushantha 23, Gayan Sirisoma 5/29, Lasith Fernando 5/49)

Galle CC: 193/4 at close in 68 overs (Lasith Fernando 64, Damitha Hunukumbura 53, Thilina Masmulla 26 n.o., Chanaka Wijesinghe 22, Nimesh Vimukthi 2/60)

* At Welagedara Stadium Kurunegala: Kurunegala YCC: 275/7 at close in 90 overs (Damith Perera 88, Dhanushka Dharmasiri 52,Tharindu Dassanayake 46, Charith Mendis 28, Lakshan Jayasinghe 2/39, Matheesha Perera 2/66) vs Kalutara TC

* At Panadura: Panadura SC: 218 in 60.1 overs (Kashif Naved 50, Sakuranga Fonseka 39, Rasika Fernando 39, Suresh Peiris 31, Vinodh Perera 23, Navin Kavikara 4/80, Dinushka Malan 3/42, Chanaka Ruwansiri 2/31)

Lankan CC: 142/3 at close in 27 overs (Lakshan Rodrigo 63, Shasheen Fernando 28, Chanaka Ruwansiri 27 n.o., Suresh Peiris 3/37) - (YK)

CR and FC who scored a shock 24-17 victory against Army SC in their opening match in the second round last week at Havelock Park, will go all out to overcome the unpredictable Police sports club in their Dialog ‘A’

Division League second round rugby match at Police grounds in Police Park today. Kick off will be at 4.00pm.

The lads from Longden Place scored a run away 53-13 win against Police SC in the first round game played at their home grounds in Longden place hence another terrific tussle for supremacy can be expected today.

CR will miss the services of second row forward Panduka

Angammana and prop forward Udara Gayan, who are on the injured list. But the good news for them is that their third row forward cum ex Royal college crack flanker Shawqat Lahir will makes a welcome return to the CR team for today’s match. He was injured and did not take part in any of the CR & FC matches throughout the first round league tournament this year.

Police who lost a hard fought game to Kandy sports club by 20 points to 61 in their last match will strive to give of their and it wont

be a surprise if they pull off a surprise victory today since the match will be played on their home grounds at Police Park .

CR & FC (Probable XV)

Hafiz Adahan, Supun Warnakulasooriya, Kokila Sammandapperuma, Gayan Jayamanna, Charana Chamikara, Shawqat Lahir, Shemal Weerasekara, Omalka Gunaratne, Avishka Heenpalla and Tharinda Ratwatte, Reza Rafaideen, Rehan Silva, Kushan Indunil, Kavindu Perera (Captain), Chanaka Chandimal

Police Sports Club (Probable XV)

Jayanga Silva, Lahiru Pawithra, Deshan Fernando, Romesh Archarige, Rukshan Payantha, Wajid Fawmy, Pradeep Kumara, Sajith Saram,Hashan Gomez and Sandesh Jayawickrama, Sujan Kodithuwakku, Chanaka Udara, Lahiru Gurusingha,Anushika Uthpala, Janith Chandimal