SOCCER
Games return to South Africa
Soccer on Saturday resumed in South Africa after a 145-day COVID-19-induced shutdown with Bloemfontein Celtic reaching the Nedbank Cup final behind closed doors. The semi-final at Orlando Stadium in Soweto saw Celtic score in first-half stoppage time after Baroka had a man sent off, and twice more during the second half for a 3-0 win. After Namibian Ananias Gebhardt was red-carded for a late, studs-up tackle, captain Ndumiso Mabena put Celtic ahead and substitute Sepana Letsoalo netted twice in the closing stages. The teams walked separately onto the pitch, which resembled a dustbowl in parts after several months without rain, then stood still and clapped to honor COVID-19 victims.
BASEBALL
More Cardinals test positive
The St Louis Cardinals have had another two players and a staff member test positive for COVID-19, and as a result their entire three-game weekend series against the visiting Chicago Cubs has been postponed, Major League Baseball said on Friday. The Cardinals have not played since July 29 due to positive COVID-19 tests and had previously said their traveling party had returned 13 positive tests, including seven from players. MLB initially postponed the Friday series opener and then “out of an abundance of caution” decided to postpone the games that were scheduled for Saturday and yesterday as well. St Louis have now had 11 games postponed in a 60-game season that began two weeks ago.
GOLF
McIlroy praised for integrity
World number three Rory McIlroy has earned praise for upholding the spirit of the game after a bizarre incident in his second round at the PGA Championship. The Northern Irishman’s tee shot on the third hole sailed way right of the green on Friday, before the ball was accidentally stepped on by a TV reporter in the rough. McIlroy was entitled to replace the ball under the supervision of the official without penalty, but said he was “uncomfortable” having it dropped in a more favorable lie, which gave him a potential chance to save par. “The rule is try to replicate the [original] lie,” he said. He pushed the ball much deeper into the rough and eventually had to settle for a two-putt bogey. “At the end of the day golf is a game of integrity, and I never try to get away with anything out there,” said McIlroy, who signed for a 69 to finish one-under for the tournament. The 31-year-old earned plaudits on social media and during the television commentary. One Twitter user wrote: “Class from Rory as he asks for a worse lie #integrity.”
CRICKET
England beat Pakistan
Chris Woakes on Saturday hit an unbeaten 84 as England came from behind to beat Pakistan by three wickets in the first Test at Old Trafford. England were struggling in pursuit of a victory target of 277 after collapsing to 117-5 on the fourth day. Man-of-the-match Woakes, who had helped drag England back into this contest with 2-11 in just five overs late on Friday, and fellow World Cup winner Jos Buttler turned the tide with a stand of 139. “It was a brilliant chase,” said England captain Joe Root at the presentation ceremony. “I couldn’t be more proud of the lads.”
Kawhi Leonard on Sunday scored 41 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a lopsided 115-96 victory at Minnesota. The 34-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion, matched the second-best road scoring effort of his career as the Clippers improved to 25-27. “Just being aggressive. My teammates trust me,” Leonard said. “Every moment when I touch the ball — assist, shooting the basketball or getting a rebound — I’m just trying to help the team win.” Leonard made three steals in a row at the start of the contest. “Just wanted to come out early in the
FLOP TO CONQUEROR: It was sweet vindication for Sam Darnold, who played for four NFL teams before his debut season in Seattle ended in the ultimate win The Seattle Seahawks on Sunday coasted to Super Bowl glory, routing the New England Patriots 29-13 as Sam Darnold sealed his journey from flop quarterback to conqueror of the NFL’s biggest prize. Brushing off a reputation for wilting in big games, journeyman quarterback Darnold threw for a touchdown and 200 yards on the grandest stage of all to give the Seahawks their second-ever Lombardi Trophy. “It’s unbelievable. Everything that has happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. The victory was buoyed by a dominant defensive display and kicker Jason Myers’
Donyell Malen on Monday scored in each half as AS Roma beat Cagliari 2-0 to stay in touch with the chasing pack at the top of Serie A. Leaders Inter are eight points clear of city rivals AC Milan and nine ahead of reigning champions SSC Napoli. Roma are three points further back along with Juventus. Dutch centerforward Malen had scored only once in four appearances since joining on loan from Aston Villa last month, but he proved his worth on Monday with two excellent finishes. He ran on to a clever through-ball from Gianluca Mancini and his deft chip over the goalkeeper
Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the cohosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the World Cup yesterday in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, for their second win in Group B. The 2014 champions piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9. The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a 50 in T20 World Cups. Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century. It has been
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