10/07/2025

SPORTS THURSDAY | JULY 10, 2025

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India look to maintain momentum against England

NEW Black Caps coach Rob Walter says Kane Williamson still wants to represent New Zealand in international cricket despite opting out of the upcoming tour of Zimbabwe. The 34-year-old master batsman turned down a central contract with New Zealand Cricket for this season, enabling him to pick and choose his availability and take up lucrative contracts in franchise cricket. So instead of playing two Tests in Bulawayo in late July and August, Williamson will be captaining London Spirit in The Hundred in England. “Myself and Kane have had a nice conversation, a long conversation,” South African Walter told the New Zealand Herald. Williamson still wants to play for Kiwis

AN in-form India will continue their quest for just a fourth series win in England when the third Test at Lord’s starts today. India levelled this five-match campaign at 1-1 with a 336-run rout of England in last week’s second Test at Edgbaston. Here’s a look at several key talking points ahead of what promises to be a fascinating encounter: Will Shubman still run riot? Shubman Gill has enjoyed a stunning start to his reign as India captain, with a remarkable 585 runs in his first two Tests as skipper after replacing the retired Rohit Sharma. At Edgbaston, thanks to innings of 269 and 161, the admirably composed and elegant Shubman became the first batsman in Test cricket to make scores of 250 and 150 in the same match. So prolific has Gill been, he could now threaten Australia great Donald Bradman’s record of 974 runs in a single Test series, after the 25-year-old also made 147 in India’s five-wicket defeat in the opener at Headingley. One encouraging thought for

paceman Stuart Broad told his For the Love of Cricket podcast. Overseas players often raise their game at Lord’s and Jasprit is unlikely to be an exception as the 31-year old fast bowler bids to gain a coveted

Ben Stokes, however, as he ponders how to get the better of Shubman, is that Bradman’s mark has stood for 95 years. Many batsmen have made blistering starts, only for the runs to dry up later on. Can Archer revive England’s flagging attack? It has been over four years since fast bowler Jofra Archer last played a Test but the injury-blighted express quick now appears set to return at Lord’s, where in 2019 he marked his debut by felling Australia’s Steve Smith with a fearsome bouncer. Doubts remain over whether Archer can be the bowler he once was after such a lengthy lay-off. Archer at his best would Chris Woakes has taken just three wick ets at a hugely expen sive average of nearly 97 apiece so far this series, despite being given the new ball. England great Geoffrey Boycott suggested the 36-year-old was now certainly give England a much-needed cutting edge.

“past his sell-by date” but all rounder Woakes has a fine record at Lord’s, with 32 wickets in seven Tests at a miserly average of 12.90, as well as a batting average of 42.50. Boom Boom returns Akash Deep proved a more than capable stand-in with a 10-wicket haul in

place on the dressing room honours board

for the first time in his career. – AFP

Birmingham – a return that will surely see him keep his place – but it is hard to see how India can be anything but stronger with a refreshed Jasprit Bumrah in their side after resting the world’s top-ranked Test bowler at Edgbaston.

“It was really great to catch up with him and discuss cricket. It was great to get his lens on New Zealand cricket and the Black Caps. He’s been so influential in their success over the years. “But then also to discuss what the

future might look like. I’ve said it repeatedly, he’s still very committed to the Black Caps, and wants to play international cricket. I don’t think it’ll be too long until we see that.” – Reuters

“He (Bumrah) jogs in, you will be thinking ‘this will be 70 miles an hour’ and it hits you at 90,” former England

India’s Shubman Gill in action against England at the Edgbaston Cricket Ground in Birmingham. – REUTERSPIC

Schauffele ready to ‘take hands off wheel’ in Scotland XANDER SCHAUFFELE was playing the best golf of his life at this time last year, two months after his major breakthrough at the PGA Championship and one week before capturing The Open Championship. Back in the United Kingdom for this week’s Genesis Scottish Open, the World No. 3 has battled through a rib injury this year and has not finished atop the leaderboard since lifting the Claret Jug at Royal Troon. Schauffele has not played since tying for 61st at the Travelers Championship three weeks ago. His best finish in 2025 was a T8 at The Masters, and in the other majors, he finished T28 at the PGA Championship and T12 at the US Open. “I was really beating up on myself for quite some time to try to get myself to play like I did last year and things of that nature, which isn’t really how you’re supposed to do it,” Schauffele told reporters yesterday at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. Schauffele won the Scottish Open in 2022 and tied for 15th last year at the 7,237-yard, par 70 course, where the final tune-up for The Open Championship begins today. Schauffele, 31, said that there’s something about returning to playing a links-style course this week that puts him in a good head space. “There’s some version of, I wish I could have come over here and played earlier in the year to be honest, just from a mental standpoint,” he said. “Something about playing over here relaxes me a little bit. Something about being here, you start taking your hands off the wheel – and that’s how I played my best.” Schauffele touched on a variety of subjects, including this September’s Ryder Cup showdown and the possibility of US captain Keegan Bradley playing with the team. “Clearly he’s earning it,” Schauffele said. “If you ask him, he’s playing the best golf of his career. We just want our best 12 playing. I think that’s sort of what it really comes down to. “So he is just flying up the qualifying, that standings leaderboard. Would I be surprised if he got into the top six and it wasn’t even a conversation anymore? I don’t think I’d be very surprised and I don’t think he would, either.” – Field Level Media

Horner sacked!

Notices

322

IN THE HIGH COURT OF MALAYA AT SHAH ALAM IN THE STATE OF SELANGOR DARUL EHSAN, MALAYSIA (COMMERCIAL DIVISION) COMPANIES (WINDING-UP) NO. BA-28NCC-427-06/2025

Red Bull remove embattled team principal in shock move R ED BULL have sacked team principal Christian Horner (below) and appointed Laurent Mekies as the Briton’s replacement, the Formula One team announced yesterday. The Red Bull chief had led the team since its incep tion in 2005, guiding them to six constructors’ titles and eight drivers’ championships. victories during his time in charge. Both Sebastian Vettel and Max Verstappen claimed four drivers’ championships under his guidance. Yet Horner’s career and personal life were rocked by last year’s scandal involving a female colleague, includ ing the revelation of WhatsApp messages allegedly between Horner and the colleague in question.

In the matter of Section 465(1)(e) & (h) and 466(1)(a) of the Companies Act 2016; And In the matter of IFK PETROLEUM & POWER SDN. BHD. (201001020750 (904520-W));

BETWEEN

RED TEAM (M) SDN BHD (Company No: 200201015796 (583459-H))

… PETITIONER

Former F1 driver and current commentator Martin Brundle told Sky Sports : “Completely out of the blue, given things going on and problems in the team. I’m quite sad about it if I’m honest, I consider Christian a friend. “He took it from what was the Stewart team through Jaguar to a lot of success and a huge trophy cabinet.

However, just one year after a personal scandal involving alleged “inappropriate behaviour” with a female colleague – an accusation Horner was cleared of twice – the 51-year-old lost his job yesterday. Horner, who is married to Spice Girl pop star Geri Halliwell, has been replaced by Mekies as CEO of Red Bull Racing. Mekies was previously the team principal at sister team Racing Bulls. Red Bull CEO of Corporate

AND

IFK PETROLUEM & POWER SDN. BHD. (Company No.: 201001020750 (904520-W)) … RESPONDENT ADVERTISEMENT OF PETITION NOTICE is hereby given that a Petition for the Winding-Up of the abovenamed Respondent Company by the High Court was, on the 18th day of June, 2025 presented by Red Team (M) Sdn Bhd of 38D-2A, Jalan Radin Anum, Bandar Baru Seri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur,and that the said Petition is directed to be heard before the Court sitting at Shah Alam at 9:00 o’clock in the forenoon, on the 18th day of September 2025; and any creditor or contributory of the said Respondent Company desiring to support or oppose the making of an Order on the said Petition may appear at the time of hearing by himself or his Counsel for that purpose; and a copy of the Petition will be furnished to any creditor or contributory of the said Respondent Company requiring the same by the undersigned on payment of the regulated charge for the same. The Petitioner’s address is 38D-2A, Jalan Radin Anum, Bandar Baru Seri Petaling, 57000 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur. The Petitioner’s solicitors are Messrs David & Paulian of B-11-06,Gateway Corporate Suites,Gateway Kiaramas, No.1,Jalan Desa Kiara,Mont Kiara, 50480 Kuala Lumpur. Any person who intends to appear on the hearing of the said Petition must serve on or send by post to the abovenamed Messrs. David & Paulian, notice in writing of his intention so to do.The Notice must state the name and address of the person, or, if a firm, the name and address of the firm,and must be signed by the person or firm, or his or their solicitors (if any) and must be served, or, if posted, must be sent by post in sufficient time to reach the abovenamed not later than twelve o’clock noon of the 17th day of September 2025 (the day before the day appointed for the hearing of the Petition). MESSRS.DAVID & PAULIAN Solicitors for the Petitioner NOTE

“But it’s not been difficult to feel in the F1 paddock and to observe and hear that things were not particularly rosy.” On Verstappen’s future, Brundle said: “It remains to be seen. Every point that Max has through his own genius driv ing is in a Red Bull car. “They’re debuting their own engine for the first time next year, which is going to be the biggest change in Formula 1 history. “Questions for their seat and driv ing, that aspect of the team... We know that Max has an exit clause based on where he is in the world championship at the end of this month.

Projects and Investments, Oliver Mintzlaff, said in a statement: “We would like to thank Christian Horner for his exceptional work over the last 20 years. “With his tireless com mitment, experience, expertise and innovative thinking, he has been instrumental in establishing Red Bull Racing as one of the most successful and attrac tive teams in Formula 1. “Thank you for everything, Christian, and you will forever remain an important part of our team history.” Red Bull endured a race to for get at the British Grand Prix on Sunday, and the team are now a dis tant fourth in the constructors’ standings, but this announcement still comes as a shock to the team at Milton Keynes and the whole F1 paddock. Horner was the long est-serving team boss in F1 and guided Red Bull to 124 grand prix

“I can only surmise it means it’s more likely he stays at this moment.” – The Independent