Old Antonians and Old Josephians were declared joint champions of the Quadrangular T20 Cricket tournament played amongst past cricketers of four well known Catholic schools namely St. Joseph’s, St. Peter’s, St. Anthony’s and St. Benedict’s yesterday.

Old Antonians beat Old Bens by 7 wickets at St. Peter’s ground Bambalapitiya and Old Joes beat Old Peterites by 4 wickets at Darley Road in the first round.

Old Antonians and Old Josephians qualified to play in the final which was unfortunately abandoned due to rain resulting in the two teams being declared joint champs.

RESULTS

* Match No 1 at Bambalapitiya: Old Antonians beat Old Bens by 7 wickets.

Old Bens: 151/5 (20) (Carmen Mapatuna 83 n.o., Thenura Gunathilake 24, Selvin Jemion 2/34)

Old Antonians: 156/3 (16) (Manoj Sarathchandra 55 n.o., Gimhan Dissanayake 50, Ferin Silva 2/30)

* Match No. 2 at Darley Road: Old Joes beat Old Peterites by 4 wickets.

Old Peterites: 147/6 (17) (Lakshan Rodrigo 72, Shehan Fernando 35, Angelo Perera 23, Supeshala Jayathilake 2/24)

Old Joes: 148/6 (16.2) (Thisara Perera 35, Roshane Silva 29 n.o., Priyamal Perera 23, Dimuth Karunaratne 19, Supeshala Jayathilake 19, Dushan Hemantha 2/43) -YK

Navy SC beat BRC by five wickets in their Major Emerging Inter-Club match played at Navy ground Welisara.

Scores: BRC: 102 (39.3) (Kalana Madushanka 42, Nimantha Gunasiri 23, Kavika Dilshan 5/36, K. Sathik 4/30) and 99 (42.3) (Nimantha Gunasiri 22, Savindu Peries 3/17, Sathushka Nimalsha 3/21, Ashen Dilman 2/17, Kavika Dilshan 2/22)

Navy SC: 147 (143/9 o/n) (46.2) (Savindu Pieris 51, Shalith Fernando 40, Dinal Ishen 24, Duvindu Thilakaratne 4/31, Nimantha Gunasiri 3/21, Kevin Koththigoda 2/23) and 58/5 (13) (Duvindu Thilakaratne 3/20) - YK

TOKYO, Sunday - South Africa flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit was named World Rugby Player of the Year on Sunday, in a clean sweep of the main awards for the World Cup-winning Springboks.

Rassie Erasmus won coach of the year and South Africa also took the team award at a glittering ceremory in Tokyo, a day after they lifted the Webb Ellis Cup for the third time.

Du Toit beat off competition including his team-mate wing Cheslin Kolbe, as well as All Black Ardie Savea and England’s young star Tom Curry.

The World Rugby panel picked South Africa as team of the year and Erasmus as coach of the year after the Springboks won the World Cup and also secured the Rugby Championship for the first time since 2009. – AFP

Garrett House emerged champions at Trinity College Students-Friendship inter-house ten-a-side senior rugby tournament conducted with the assistance of the Old Trinitians’ Rugby Scrummage at Nittawela grounds yesterday. Simithraaratchy House took second place. - HM

LAS VEGAS Sunday: Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez knocked out Sergey Kovalev with a vicious combination in the 11th round to win the WBO light heavyweight title on Saturday, moving up two weight classes to become a four division champ.

The 29-year-old Mexican superstar caught Russia’s Kovalev with a left hook-right hand combination that sent the former champion almost crashing through the ropes near the end of the 11th round at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

“This is just one step in my history,” Alvarez said. “Be patient because Canelo will make history. It’s a guarantee.” ‘Krusher’ Kovalev was officially knocked out at 2:15 of the 11th and stayed down for some time while being attended to by his corner and the doctor.

It was one of the most devastating knockouts of the brilliant career of boxing’s biggest star Alvarez, who was fighting in the 175 pound division for the first time.

“The plan was patience, to have patience. We knew it would take time for me to get to him. I am new at this division, but overall it was successful,” Alvarez said.

The fight had been close throughout with Kovalev (34-4-1, 29 KOs) winning most of the early rounds by using a steady jab to keep the burly Alvarez at a distance. Alvarez was ahead 96-94, 96-94, 95-95 on the scorecards.

Alvarez (53-1-2, 36 KOs) becomes just the fourth boxer in history to win a junior middleweight world title and one at light heavyweight, a spread of 21 pounds (154 to 175). The other three are Sugar Ray Leonard, Thomas Hearns and Mike McCallum. Alvarez is also the second fighter from Mexico to win a light heavyweight belt, joining Julio Gonzalez who did it in 2003 and 2004.

Despite giving up a size and reach advantage, Alvarez’s best punch throughout was the left hook which he used in the 11th to initially send Kovalev staggering backwards to the ropes. AFP

The fixture and match-ups for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 in Australia have been finalised, following the completion of the Qualifier event in the UAE.

Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands, Oman, Papua New Guinea and Scotland have secured their places at ‘The Big Dance’, to be held in seven host cities across the country from 18 October – 15 November 2020.

Papua New Guinea, Ireland and Oman will join Sri Lanka in Group A of the first round, with the four teams competing in Geelong from October 18-22. The opening match of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020 will be played between Sri Lanka and Ireland at Kardinia Park Stadium.

Netherlands, Namibia and Scotland will join Bangladesh in Group B, with their matches taking place from October 19-23 at Bellerive Oval in Hobart.

For Papua New Guinea, runners-up at the Qualifier in the UAE, it will be their first ever major global cricket event at senior level after narrowly missing qualification to the 2104 and 2016 ICC T20 World Cup tournaments. They are coached by Australian Joe Dawes, who played over 100 state games for Queensland.

Another team to qualify with an Australian at the helm is The Netherlands, winners of the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Qualifier 2019, with former hard-hitting batsman and wicketkeeper Ryan Campbell having been in charge since 2017.

Following the conclusion of first round matches in Geelong and Hobart, the highest-placed team in Group A and the second-placed team in Group B will join Pakistan, Australia, New Zealand and West Indies in Group 1 of the Super 12s.

Hosts Australia, who have never won the global showpiece event for men’s T20 cricket, will play their first match against the world’s number-one ranked team Pakistan, at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday 24 October 2020.

Group 2 of the Super 12s phase will see India, England, South Africa and Afghanistan each face the highest-placed team in Group B and the second-placed team from Group A.

ICC T20 World Cup 2020 Local Organising Committee CEO, Nick Hockley, said: “We are thrilled to be welcoming Ireland, Namibia, Netherlands, Oman, Papua New Guinea and Scotland to Australia for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2020.

“We know that all 16 men’s teams will receive the warmest welcome and fantastic support from fans living here in Australia and those visiting from around the world.”

2020 will be a massive year for cricket, with not one but two standalone World Cups coming to Australia. The ICC Women’s T20 World Cup will take place first, from 21 February – 8 March in six host cities.

Both the women’s and men’s finals will be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The women’s decider will be played on Sunday 8 March 2020, International Women’s Day, presenting an opportunity to set a new world record for highest attendance at a women’s sporting fixture.

Defending champions Australia have won four of the six editions of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, and will play the opening match of the 2020 tournament in a blockbuster clash with India at Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday 21 February.

Tickets to all women’s and men’s matches are on sale now at t20worldcup.com, from $5 for children and from $20 for adults across both tournaments.

Ananda College, Colombo and Maliyadeva Girls School, Kurunegala emerged B division boys’ and girls’ overall champions at the All Island inter-school Ritzbury Kids’ Play Day tennis championship concluded at the Sri Lanka Tennis Association courts yesterday.

Ananda College won the Orange Ball first place, Green Ball first place and Red Ball second place to become overall boys’ winners. Maliyadeva girls bagged Red Ball first place, Green Ball first place and Orange Ball second place to clinch the girls’ overall champion title.

The tournament is part of the ‘Cool Tennis’ Programme initiated by the SLTA Junior sub-committee in recognizing budding tennis talent and help promote them to the next level of the game at a very tender age. Over 500 youngsters are involved in the ‘Cool Tennis’ programme and the tournament served as a great platform for them to showcase their talent.

Nilupul de Silva the General Manager - Marketing, CBL Foods Internatioanl (Pvt) was the chief at the awards ceremony.

Results:

Boys’: Red Ball:

1. Maliyadeva College ‘A’ Kurunegala, 2. Ananda College ‘B’, 3. De Mazenod College - Kandana

Orange Ball:

1. Ananda College ‘B’, 2. St. Peter’s College - Negombo, 3. De Mazenod College - Kandana

Green Ball:

1. Ananda College ‘B’, 2. Maliyadeva College - Kurunegala, 3. Wesly College - Colombo

Girls: Red Ball:

1. Maliyadeva GS ‘A’, 2. Visakha Vidyalaya (Blue), 3. St. John’s GS - Panadura (white)

Orange Ball:

1. Holy Family Convent - Colombo, 2. Maliyadeva GS - Kurunegala, 3. Kalutara BV (Black)

Green Ball:

1. Maliyadeva Girls School, 2. Methodist College - Colombo, 3. Musaeus College (Gold)

SYDNEY Sunday: Pakistan were saved by the rain Sunday as persistent showers halted a rampant Aaron Finch as Australia headed for victory in their opening Twenty20 international.

The visitors managed 107 for five in a reduced 15 overs due to the weather at the Sydney Cricket Ground, with Australia set a target of 119 under the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern (DLS) method.

With dark clouds looming, Finch plundered 37 off the first 3.1 overs, leaving David Warner, who scored 217 without losing his wicket in his previous three innings, a mere spectator at the other end. He finished Sunday not out on two.

But the heavens opened again, with Australia, fresh from a 3-0 whitewash of Sri Lanka, stranded on 41 without loss when the match was abandoned, with no result declared.

“It’s frustrating,” said the Australian skipper. “But you can’t do too much about the weather. “We played really well. To restrict them to 107 off 15 overs was a great effort and then to be on track to get them was nice.” A valid result would have been declared if 11 more balls had been bowled under DLS, but a 20-minute break between innings, when it wasn’t raining, prevented this from happening. AFP

North Western Province and Western Province (North) entered the final of the Prima Champion Trophy Inter-Provincial Cricket tournament.

North Western Province leads the points table in Group ‘A’ with 14 points and Western Province (North) lead the points table in Group ‘B’ with 14 points at the end of the first round.

North Western Province will meet Western Province (North) in the final at the R. Premadasa Stadium on November 9 (Saturday).

RESULTS

* At Rangiri Dambulla: Western Province (North) won by 8 wickets.

Nothern Province: 127 (28.5) (D. Paul 35, K. Sadeshan 33, Chamith Chathurya 4/13, Hasanga Nanayakkara 3/30, Senuk Serasinghe 2/27)

Western Province (North): 128/2 (16.2) (Rusiru Vilochana 42 n.o., Shevon Daniel 34, Sahan Dabare 21)

* At MCG Katunayake: Western Province (South) won by 7 wickets.

North Western Province: 203 (47.1) (Amesh Thennakoon 65, Vishwa Rajapaksha 37, Gayan Harshana 24, Sumalka Theekshana 3/43, Sukitha Dewthilina 2/29, Hiran Silva 2/36)

Western Province (South): 207/3 (39.1) (Romesh Mendis 80, Praveen Kumarapperuma 51, Sumalka Theekshana 28 n.o., Thenuka Praveen 25 n.o.)

* At Gampola: Central Province won by 239 runs.

Central Province: 326/6 (50) (Lahiru Abeysinghe 67, Anjala Bandara 57, Malith Kulathunge 55, T.S. Matthew 46, Thisara Ekanayake 32, Induwara Galapitage 24, Chanuka Dhananjya 2/29)

Uva Province: 87 (26) (Sandun Sandeepa 37, Ishara Maduwantha 2/14, Vihan Mudunkotuwa 2/27)

* At Pallekele: Western Province (Central) won by 9 wickets.

Eastern Province:126 (37.5) (Nithya Dharshan 51, Thisum Rukmal 20, Yasiru Yugath 5/25, Venusha Akash 2/15, Yuneth Seneviratne 2/35)

Western Province (Central): 130/1 (17.3) (Sahan Kaushalya 50 n.o., Yuneth Seneviratne 48)

* At Moors: Western Province (South Outer) won by 44 runs.

Western Province (South Outer): 131 (45.5) (Yesith Kalupahana 34, Sachin Chamuditha 30, Charuka Peiris 20, Chanaka Jananga 3/23, Dhanuja Jayaweera 2/15)

Southern Province: 87 (33) (E. Denuwan 25, Ravishan Nethsra 21, Udan Thejasa 3/20, Vishwa Lahiru 2/14)

* At R Premadasa Stadium: Western Province (North Outer) won by 69 runs according Parabola method.

Western Province (North Outer):237 (49.3) (Yehabn Adithya 40, Thishan Senavirathne 39, Thishan de Silva 30 n.o., Janitha Shehan 29, Muditha Lakshan 25, Rashmika Hirushan 23, P. Deshan 3/41, Sithul Wijesekara 3/45, Kavindu Amantha 2/45)

North Central Province: 89/4 (25) (Chamathka Wijeratne 26) - YK

Bangladesh took a handy first innings lead on the second day of the second under 19 youth test played at Sheikh Abu Naser Stadium, Khulna yesterday.

Bangladesh who won the toss and fielded first dismissed Sri Lanka for 184 in the first innings and by stumps on the second day had replied with 321 for 8 wickets, a lead of 137 runs.

Opener Kavindu Wickramasinghe scored 73 runs in 105 balls with 11 fours and Lakshan Gamage 47 runs in 68 balls with 5 fours and a six in Sri Lanka’s innings which collapsed to the bowling of right-arm medium paceman Shahin Alam who took 7 wickets for 62 runs.

In Bangladesh’s reply opener Prantik Nawrose Nabil scored 98 off 181 balls with 11 fours, Alvi Hoque scored a valuable 72 off 226 balls with 2 fours and a six. Both batsmen were involved in a 135-run stand for the third wicket. Shahadat Hossain also scored a half century off 121 balls with 3 fours. Match continues on its third day today.

Sri Lanka U19s: 184 (54.3) (Kavindu Wickramasinghe 73, Lakshan Gamage 47, Nipun Dhananjaya 29, Shahin Alam 7/62, Ashiqur Rahman Ruhit 2/60)

Bangladesh U19s: 321/8 at close (112) (Prantik Nawrose Nabil 98, Alvi Hoque 72, Shahadat Hossain 50, Sajid Hossain 26, Kavindu Wickramasinghe 2/19, Nipun Dhananjaya 2/23, Dunith Wellalage 2/59) - YK

Sudeera Weeraratne, off-spinner of Devapathiraja College Ratgama took 6 wickets for 43 runs against St. Sebastian’s College Katuneriya in their ‘Singer Trophy’ Under 19 inter-schools cricket match played at Katuneriya yesterday.

RESULTS:

* At Yakkala: Match drawn.

Lyceum Nugegoda: 142 (44) (Nushan De Silva 45, Duvindu Silva 39, Suraj Randeepa 5/31, Samitha Rukshan 3/17) and 142 (38.5) (Hasindu Chamika 83, Danal Senevirathna 23, Hashan Piyumantha 4/32, Samitha Rukshan 2/11, Sachintha Tharuka 2/48)

Sri Chandrajothi Yakkala: 61 (22.3) (Lakindu Sachin 5/32, Danal Senevirathna 2/16, Sasindu Shamika 2/1) and 2/0 (2.1)

Day One scores

* At Katuneriya: St. Sebastian’s Katuneriya: 107 (52.3) (Senura Deemal 26, Sudeera Weerarathne 6/43, Irushka Thimira 3/39)

Devapathiraja Ratgama: 3/0 at close (5.1)

* At Naula: St. Peter’s Negombo: 137/6 (42.4) (Pasindu Navod 64, Dulara Madushanka 2/2, Indika Pasindu 2/53) vs St. Thomas’ Matale. - YK

S. Thomas’ College came with a good display to beat Trinity College by 4 goals to 1 in their annual hockey encounter at the Asgiriya Stadium yesterday and retain the Warden Neville de Alwis memorial shield.

The Thomians played a good game, to run Trinity’s defence to the ground with swift moves being far ahead of their opponents.

In the under 16 game Thomians won by 2 goals to 1 to win the B.G.D. Sahayam trophy. The old boy’s game went in favour of Old Thomians 2-1 to take the Mirzan Ousmand trophy.

There were awards for best player and goal keepers for the two school sides. All three games were played under the patronage of Mohamed R.M. Haniffa, the 1974 Trinity hockey Lion winner.

Bandara of Weekada M.V. Lunuwila and Shelinda Jansen were adjudged best athletes in the boys and girls categories respectively of the All Island School Games that was concluded at the Sugathadasa Stadium yesterday.

St. Peter’s College won the Boys’ Overall Championship with a comfortable 33-point lead over St Mary’s College, Chilaw who finished second with 73 points while Walala Boys was placed third with 72 points.

Walala A. Ratnayake did well to hold on to the top spot in the Girls Overall standings with a massive 235 points. Sumana Balika College Ratnapura and Gateway College Rajagiriya finished second and third with 89 and 73 points respectively.

Wijewardene Vidyalaya, Kiriwaththuduwa beat Lenagala Vidyalaya, Dedigama by 24 runs on first innings in their inter school under 13 division three tournament cricket match played at Moratuwa. Batting first Lenagala Vidyalaya were all out for 151 runs with Dilshan Lasindu scoring 52 runs and Mahith Nethdinu took 5 for 13. In reply Wijewardene Vidyalaya declared at 175 for 3 with Nisalitha Sandeev and Gausitha Maligaspe scoring unbeaten 61 and 50 runs respectively and at stumps Lenagala Vidyalaya were in trouble with 23 for 5.

Chief Scores

Lenagala Vidyalaya– 151 in 48.2 – Dilshan Lasindu 52, Mahith Nethdinu 5/38 and 23/5 – Nisalitha Sandeev 3/10

Wijewardene Vidyalaya– 175/3 in 25 overes – Nisalitha Sanddev 61 n/o, Gausitha Maligaspe 50 n/o

Bens triumph

In another game in the same age and division St. Benedict’s College beat Thurstan College by 45 runs on first innings at Muthuwella. Batting first Bens scored 141 runs with Dinel Esara scoring 54 runs and in reply Thurstanites were bowled out for 96 runs with Migara Perera taking 5 for 6 and Bens declared at 85 for 4 in their second essay and at stumps visitors were 71 for 3.

Chief Scores

St. Benedict’s– 141 in 34 overs – Dinel Esara 54, Nathan Gunawardene 3/17, Tharusha Wijesinghe 3/24, Yakmitha Rathnasinghe 2/5 and 85/4 – Eron John Pillay 29 n/o

Thurstan - 96 in 24 overs – Isuru Jayasinghe 33, Videv Ganithage 20, Migara Perera 5/6, Akeeva Perera 2/10 and 71/3, Gurawa Indrayapa 43 n/o

Somerset Cricket Club beat Brendon Cricket Academy by 16 runs in their Inter Provincial Tournament Cricket Match played at Bandaragama, Batting first Somerset Cricket Club were all out for 103 runs with Rohan Suresh scoring 52 runs and Lasantha Hemal captured 5 for 41 runs and in reply Brendon Cricket Academy were dismissed for 87 runs with Viran Wickramage claiming 4 for 15 runs.

Chief Scores

Somerset Cricket Club– 103 in 32.1 overs – Rohan Suresh 52, Lasantha Hemal 5 for 41, Isuru Gunasekera 2 for 28, Senidu Hansaja 3 for 7

Brendon Cricket Academy– 87 in 35.2 overs – Sumudu Mapalagama 27, Matheesha Sankalana 23, Kasun Udara 20, Viran Wickramage 4/15, Rohan Suresh 2/13

NEW DELHI, Sunday: Bangladesh ended their 20-overs jinx against India after Mushfiqur Rahim’s unbeaten half-century helped secure their seven-wicket victory in the first Twenty20 International on Sunday.

Their bowlers laid the platform for a memorable victory against their mighty neighbours by restricting India to 148-6 at the Feroz Shah Kotla Stadium.

Mushfiqur, dropped in the deep on 38, made 60 not out and featured in a crucial partnership with Soumya Sarkar as Bangladesh finally humbled India in this format at the ninth attempt.

Rajkot hosts the second Twenty20 of the three-match series on Thursday.

Earlier, touring captain Mahmudullah elected to field after winning the toss ending speculation about the match being scrapped because of Delhi’s notorious smog.

Air pollution in New Delhi and surrounding towns reached the worst levels so far this year on Sunday, with authorities having already declared a public health emergency and ordered the closure of schools.

Home captain Rohit Sharma hit a couple of boundaries before falling in the first over from Shafiul Islam.

Frontline batsmen KL Rahul and Shreyas Iyer both looked comfortable but could not convert the starts they got.

A subdued Shikhar Dhawan (41) hit his first six in the 15th over but was run out just when his team wanted him to accelerate.

Rishabh Pant made 27 and India milked 30 runs from the last two overs but they still settled for a sub-150 total against Bangladesh’s eight-bowler attack.

Bangladesh lost Liton Das in the first over but Mohammad Naim and Soumya kept them on course with a 46-run stand.

Yuzvendra Chahal removed Naim but Soumya (39) and Mushfiqur effectively killed off the contest with their 60-run stand.

Skipper Mahmudullah pulled debutant Shivam Dube for a six to seal a memorable victory for his team.

– Agencies 

A cricket school known as the Stallions Cricket Academy was declared open by the Mayor of Matara, Ranjith Yasaratne recently in Walgama, Matara.

The Academy is well equipped with all facilities not only for cricket but also for volleyball and will have the services of highly qualified personnel.

The management of the academy hopes to train the younger generation to reach higher levels to make their way to national teams in the future. 

M.S.J.Akhtar, a student of Pottuvil Central College (National School) was adjudged best player of the year at the All Island School Softball Cricket Championship Boys under-20 title, was awarded a cash prize by the Education Ministry at the Sugathadasa Stadium recently.

Pottuvil Central College (National School) emerged champions of the All Island Schools Softball Cricket Boys under-20 tournament which was conducted by the Education Ministry at the Giriulla Wickramashila National School Playground.

Pottuvil Central College (National School) won all five matches during the final rounds at the All Island School Softball Cricket Championship tournament-2019.

Pottuvil Central College had to face a big challenge in competing with Debarawewa National School in the quarter final and Medirigiriya National School in the semi final during the final rounds.

Pottuvil Central College beat Debarawewa National School by 11 runs in the quarter final played at Elebodagama Sinhala Maha Vidyalaya play grounds.

Pottuvil Central College beat last year’s runner up Medirigiriya National School in the semi final.

Batticaloa Methodist Central College (National School) Team batted first and scored 37 runs in the eight over’s for the loss of 9 wickets. In reply Pottuvil Central College team, scored 42 runs in 4.2 over’s for loss of 3 wickets.

AUSTIN, United States, Sunday : Lewis Hamilton clinched his sixth world title, but not in the style he hoped for on Sunday when he finished second behind his triumphant Mercedes team-mate Valtteri Bottas in an eventful United States Grand Prix.

The 34-year-old Briton fought with ferocious determination to win from fifth on the grid, but was unable to resist the Finn, who started from pole and, with a two-stop strategy, had fresher tyres in the critical final laps.

After leading twice, Hamilton was passed by Bottas with three laps remaining and then resisted Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to take his 150th podium finish and his 31st successive finish in the points.

It sealed his sixth title, leaving him one adrift of Michael Schumacher on seven.

Hamilton added the 2019 title to previous triumphs in 2008, 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018.

“I can’t believe it, thanks a lot,” Hamilton said over the team radio as he moved out of a tie for five titles he held with Argentina’s Juan-Manuel Fangio.

He added: “It’s just overwhelming if I’m really honest. It was such a tough race today, Valtteri did a great job. As an athlete I feel as fresh as can be. We’ll keep pushing for the rest of the season.”

“I didn’t know if it would be possible but I worked as hard as I could here with my team back at the factory. My mum, dad, step-mum and step-dad and my family are here and it’s an honour to be here with six titles with those greats.

“My dad told me when I was like six or seven never to give up and that’s kind of the family motto.”

It was Bottas’s fourth win of the season and the seventh of his career.

“It’s a good win,” said the Finn. “Personally, I failed on my target this year, but Lewis deserves it. He’s had a good season.”

Hamilton parked his Mercedes in a space “reserved for the champion” before leaping into the arms of his family and friends.

Verstappen finished third ahead of Charles Leclerc of Ferrari -– some compensation to team boss Mattia Binotto on his 50th birthday following the early retirement, with broken suspension, of Sebastian Vettel –- with Alex Albon fifth in the second Red Bull.

Daniel Ricciardo was sixth for Renault ahead of the two McLarens of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, Nico Hulkenberg in the second Renault and Toro Rosso’s Daniil Kvyat.

On a perfect blue-skied day, the race began with an explosive rush uphill towards Turn One, Bottas taking full advantage of his pole position with a flawless start.

Behind him, Verstappen pulled alongside Vettel to take second while Hamilton followed and took advantage of both Ferraris.

“I must have damage,” reported Vettel. “I didn’t hit anything, but I have under-steer like crazy.” By lap five, he had tumbled to seventh, but worse followed when his car’s suspension failed, the right-rear collapsing as he went through Turn Nine.

Vettel’s exit left Hamilton chasing Verstappen who pitted early, on lap 14, for a set of hard tyres. One lap later, Bottas came in, also for hards, and Hamilton inherited the lead. The Finn was soon past Leclerc to claim second as the Silver Arrows led the field.

“Just be sensible,” Red Bull warned Verstappen, who had a new rear wing fitted on the grid.

He was soon up to third in hot pursuit while Bottas, on fresh rubber, cut chunks of time from Hamilton’s lead, reducing it from 15 seconds to 6.6 by lap 20.

Leclerc pitted from fourth on lap 21, but was held for 7.7 seconds as his crew struggled to fit his left rear wheel.

Like Hamilton, still nursing his original mediums, he was presumed to be on a one-stop strategy.

Hamilton was asked to pit on lap 24. “Box, box,” said his engineer, but the driver said no. “I want to go longer,” he replied, ignoring a Mercedes team request.

A lap later, he was in and stationary for 2.4 seconds, re-joining third on hard tyres, 23 seconds behind Bottas and 15 in arrears to Verstappen.

Hamilton quickly clocked a fastest lap to his team’s alarm, fearing tyre welfare.

Five laps later, Verstappen pitted again for mediums and re-joined third. Bottas followed one lap later, re-joining second ahead of the Dutchman as Hamilton led again, by ten seconds.

– AFP

Formula One: World championship standings

DRIVERS

1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR) 381 pts (CHAMPION), 2. Valtteri Bottas (FIN) 314, 3. Charles Leclerc (MON) 249, 4. Max Verstappen (NED) 235, 5. Sebastian Vettel (GER) 230, 6. Alexander Albon (THA) 84, 7. Carlos Sainz Jr (ESP) 80, 8. Pierre Gasly (FRA) 77, 9. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS) 46, 10. Sergio Pérez (MEX) 43, 11. Lando Norris (GBR) 41, 12. Nico Hülkenberg (GER) 37, 13. Daniil Kvyat (RUS) 35, 14. Kimi Räikkönen (FIN) 31, 15. Lance Stroll (CAN) 21, 16. Kevin Magnussen (DEN) 20, 17. Romain Grosjean (FRA) 8, 18. Antonio Giovinazzi (ITA) 4, 19. Robert Kubica (POL) 1

CONSTRUCTORS

1. Mercedes 695 pts (CHAMPIONS), 2. Ferrari 479, 3. Red Bull-Honda 366, 4. McLaren-Renault 121, 5. Renault 83, 6. Toro Rosso-Honda 65, 7. Racing Point-Mercedes 64, 8. Alfa Romeo Racing-Ferrari 35, 9. Haas-Ferrari 28, 10. Williams 1

Leading Formula One title winners

7: Michael Schumacher (GER) -- 1994 (Benetton-Ford), 1995 (Benetton-Renault), 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 (Ferrari)

6: Lewis Hamilton (GBR) -- 2008 (McLaren-Mercedes), 2014, 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019 (Mercedes)

5: Juan Manuel Fangio (ARG, 1911–1995) -- 1951 (Alfa Romeo), 1954 (Maserati/Mercedes-Benz), 1955 (Mercedes-Benz), 1956 (Ferrari), 1957 (Maserati)

4: Sebastian Vettel (GER) -- 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 (Red Bull-Renault)

4: Alain Prost (FRA) -- 1985, 1986 (McLaren-Tag Porsche), 1989 (McLaren-Honda), 1993 (Williams-Renault)

3: Ayrton Senna (BRA) -- 1988, 1990, 1991 (McLaren-Honda)

3: Nelson Piquet (BRA) -- 1981 (Brabham-Ford), 1983 (Brabham-BMW), 1987 (Williams-Honda)

3: Niki Lauda (AUT) -- 1975, 1977 (Ferrari), 1984 (McLaren-Tag Porsche)

3: Jackie Stewart (GBR) -- 1969 (Matra-Ford), 1971, 1973 (Tyrrell-Ford)

3: Jack Brabham (AUS) - 1959, 1960 (Cooper-Climax), 1966 (Brabham)

Bangladesh’s Shafiul Islam (2L) celebrates with teammates after dismissing India’s Rohit Sharma (not pictured) during the first T20 international cricket match of a three-match series between Bangladesh and India, at Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium in New Delhi on November 3. AFP

New Delhi, Monday: Bangladesh’s stunning first-ever Twenty20 win over India brought back smiles to a team left in turmoil by weeks of scandal, according to man of the match Mushfiqur Rahim.

The veteran wicketkeeper-batsman scored an unbeaten 60 on Sunday to anchor Bangladesh’s chase of 149 in pollution-hit New Delhi.

Skipper Mahmudullah Riyad hit the winning six in the final over to give Bangladesh their first T20 win over India in nine attempts and a 1-0 lead in the three-match series.

The Bangladesh players danced in the Delhi smog, having eased what Mushfiqur called the “toughest” weeks of his career following a two-year ban on star player and captain Shakib Al Hasan for failing to disclose corrupt approaches.

The past month also saw a player revolt against the Bangladesh board over pay.

“In my 15 years, these last two or three weeks were the toughest that I have faced,” Mushfiqur said after the seven-wicket win.

“Before I left Bangladesh, I said the only thing that can put us on the right track is if we can win a couple of matches or play really well.

“So this brings smiles and calmness in our team and the whole nation. That’s what we have done and we will try continue this form.”

Bangladesh were also without Tamim Iqbal, who took leave for family reasons, when Mahmudullah won the toss and elected to field first.

Their bowlers restricted India to 148 for six and then Mushfiqur took charge after Bangladesh lost opener Liton Das, for seven, in the first over.

Mushfiqur put on 60 for the third wicket with Soumya Sarkar, who made 39, and hit eight fours and a six in his 43-ball knock.

“It is a great moment for Bangladesh,” said Mushfiqur.

“We are missing a couple of key players but the way the young players stuck together and the way bowlers bowled on this track, especially against India, it’s outstanding.”

He added that winning had given Bangladesh “the freedom to play... fearless cricket”.

With regular skipper Virat Kohli rested for the series, India were sloppy in the field. Krunal Pandya dropped Mushfiqur on 38 and poor judgement in two TV reviews also cost the hosts.

Yuzvendra Chahal rapped Mushfiur on the pad but India did not opt for a review following wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant’s call. Replays indicated the ball would have hit leg stump.

“It was a defendable score, and we made mistakes on the field. The guys are a bit inexperienced, and they can learn from that, perhaps not make them the next time,” said stand-in-skipper Rohit Sharma.

“The reviews were a mistake by our side.”

The second T20 is in Rajkot on Thursday. AFP