Monday 7 August 2017

Dunya TV

Dunya TV

Tennis: Nadal eyes number one in Montreal with Murray sidelined

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MONTREAL (AFP) - Rafael Nadal says hell focus on the foes in front of him at the ATP Montreal Masters this week, and not on his chance to return to number one in the world.A semi-final run in Montreal would see the Spaniard supplant Britains Andy Murray atop the rankings.I dont even think about that now, Nadal said of number one. Im trying to have the right preparation now and thats it.Im going to keep trying to play the way I did in the first part of the season, so if Im able to make that happen, I hope to have a chance to do well.The top seed is expected to open his campaign for a fourth Canadian title on Wednesday with a second-round meeting against either Croatian Borna Coric or Russian lucky loser Mikhail Youzhny.Nadal could also be on track for a third round showdown against 2009 tournament runner-up Juan Martin del Potro who beat hard-serving American John Isner in straight sets 7-5, 7-5 in a night match on Monday.Murray is among the notable absentees from this key US Open tuneup. Novak Djokovic is taking off the rest of the season to rehab an elbow injury and US Open champion Stan Wawrinka has ended his 2017 campaign with a knee problem.Murray is trying to recover from a nagging hip injury in time for the final Grand Slam of the season that starts later this month in Flushing Meadows.Nadal claimed his 10th French Open title this year but bowed out in the fourth round at Wimbledon -- his fifth exit before the quarter-finals in his last five appearances at the All England Club.Roger Federer, who seized his 19th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, is also slated to open on Wednesday.Former US Open champion del Potro of Argentina snapped an eight-match win streak for Isner, who earned from back-to-back title in July at the Hall of Fame Open in Newport and the Atlanta Open.Del Potro had to overcome 24 aces by 14th seeded Isner as he seeks to return to the final for the first time since losing to Murray in 2009.Del Potro hammered nine aces, had three double faults and won 85 percent of his first serves in the one hour, 49 minute match.Del Potro closed out the victory on his second match point by hitting a forehand winner down the line. He broke Isner at 5-5 in the second set then jumped out to a 40-0 lead in the final game.Isner won back-to-back titles in Newport and Atlanta in July before withdrawing from last weeks tournament in Washington with a knee injury. He also pulled out of the Madrid tournament with knee trouble.Del Potro next faces either Rogerio Dutra Silva or 18-year-old Canadian wild card Denis Shapovalov. If he wins, del Potro would likely face Nadal.In early matches on Monday, Australias Nick Kyrgios romped past Serbian Viktor Troicki 6-1, 6-2 and Frances Gael Monfils shook off a slow start to beat American Steve Johnson 2-6, 7-6 (7/1), 6-1.Frances Benoit Paire also advanced, downing American Donald Young 6-3, 5-7, 6-4, but rising French star Lucas Pouille fell 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (10/8) to American Jared Donaldson.Monfils was broken twice in a sluggish first set, but gradually found his range, firing 11 aces and saving the only other two break points he faced in the one-hour, 38-minute victory.At 4-3 in the second set I started putting the ball in the court. I was able to move better, said Monfils who had his knees taped during the second set. I was able to make it more difficult for him. From then on, I was able to get some more opportunities and I was able to make him have some doubts.French veteran Richard Gasquet survived an early scare from Canadas Brayden Schnur but held on for a 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-1 win in their opening round match.

Tennis: French Open champ Ostapenko falls to US qualifier Lepchenko

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TORONTO (AFP) - Qualifier Varvara Lepchenko rallied to stun French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 1-6, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5) on Monday in the first round of the WTA hardcourt tournament in Toronto.American veteran Lepchenko, 31-years old and ranked 68th in the world, trailed 6-1, 3-0 before turning things around against the 12th-ranked Latvian, who had followed up her Roland Garros triumph by reaching the quarter-finals at Wimbledon.I think I woke up, I was a little bit in the sleeping mode for a set and a half, said Lepchenko, a former top-20 player herself. All the credit to her, she played amazing tennis - she hardly missed any ball from the very beginning.Once I gave her a little push back, thats when the game started. I pretty much focused on my game.I know I have powerful shots and Im as good a player as her, so I knew I just had to give my best, and it would be a battle.Lepchenko notched her first win this season over a top-20 player and her first since she beat then 15th-ranked Timea Bacsinszky at the US Open last year.The match was one of the Centre Court highlights on the opening day of this key US Open tuneup.Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, seeded ninth, headlined the night session, taking on Romanian qualifier Irina-Camelia Begu. Two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, seeded 14th fended off Spains Carla Suarez Navarro 6-1, 7-6 (7/5).Kvitova breezed through the opening set, but had to battle back from 1-4 down in the second to finish off the Spaniard in straight sets.Top seed Karolina Pliskova and second-seeded Simona Halep -- who won the Canadian crown last year when the WTA played in Montreal -- were among the top eight players enjoying first-round byes.In other early action on Monday, Czech Barbora Strycova upset 13th-seeded Kristina Mladenovic of France 6-2, 6-3.Strycova, ranked 26th in the world, raced to a 5-0 lead in the first set as Mladenovic struggled to find her rhythm.Although Strycova was broken the first time she served for the set, she finally served it out with a love game and quickly took a 4-0 lead in the second frame.She again turned back a late challenge from Mladenovic, who cut the deficit to 4-3 but was unable to convert three break points that would have seen her level the set.It was another disappointing Canadian outing for Mladenovic, who has never won a match in Montreal or Toronto.Elsewhere, British qualifier Heather Watson bowed out early, retiring while trailing Japans Naomi Osaka 6-1, 4-1 with a shoulder injury.Belgiums Kirsten Flipkens was up 6-2 when Croatian opponent Ana Konjuh retired, the victory sending Flipkens into a second-round clash with fourth-seeded Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza of Spain.

Football: Neymar parties in Saint-Tropez after record move

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RAMATUELLE (AFP) - Brazilian superstar Neymar partied alongside the jetset in Frances upmarket resort of Saint-Tropez on Monday ahead of his highly-anticipated debut for Paris Saint-Germain, an AFP photographer said.The 25-year-old, who moved from Barcelona to Paris in a world record deal last week, was spotted on the beach in the glitzy French Riviera resort favoured by the rich and famous.Neymar spent five hours enjoying La Bagatelle beach before being whisked off in a Zodiac inflatable boat towards a luxury yacht with seven of his friends and bodyguards, followed by another boat carrying a further ten revellers.The group got on board a yacht called Ginevra around 8pm (1800 GMT).Neymar became the most expensive player in history when the Ligue 1 giants snatched the Brazilian from Barcelona after paying his 222 million euros ($264m) release clause.He watched from the stands as PSG opened their season on Saturday with a 2-0 win over Amiens as he awaits his international transfer certificate, which is expected to be rubber-stamped this week.

Athletics: McLeod wins world title, Merritt's dream dashed

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LONDON (AFP) - Jamaicas Omar McLeod added the world 110 metres hurdles title to his Olympic crown in London on Monday and jointly dedicated it to his mother and superstar Usain Bolt.However, world record holder Aries Merritts dream of winning at least a medal two years after a kidney transplant were dashed as the American 2012 Olympic champion finished fifth.McLeod, 23, led from start to finish to take the title in 13.04 seconds from defending champion Sergey Shubenkov with Balazs Baji of Hungary taking a surprise bronze.Its crazy, its my moment, said McLeod.I had to win tonight as my mother (Arnella Knight-Morris) was watching in the stands.I dedicate this win to my mother.McLeod provided Jamaica with a much needed boost after both Bolt and womens double Olympic sprint champion Elaine Thompson failed to bring home gold in the 100m.I really wanted to come out here and keep the Jamaican flag high, said McLeod.Usain Bolt hes still legendary, this is also for you His legacy to Jamaican athletics he deserves such a tributeMcLeod added: This one is special, honestly. There was a lot of pressure coming in but I channelled it positively.Its totally different to last year where we had Usain and Elaine winning, which I used to propel me. I didnt have that this time so I really wanted to come out and shine my own light.McLeod dominated the race leaving the others to fight it out for the minor medals with Merritt in contention until the final hurdle.However, he weakened and Russian Shubenkov, who was running as an Authorised Neutral Athlete because of his countrys ban over a massive doping scandal, burst through to take second with 2016 European silver medallist Baji edging Frenchman Garfield Darien for the third spot on the podium.Im so frustrated, said Shubenkov. I struggled over the last few hurdles.The Jamaican is just too fast. Im just happy to be competing at a world champs and get a world medal. Last year was a disaster and not just because of the Russian ban (on competing at the Olympics) so Im happy to be back winning a world medal.To be honest it doesnt matter the colour of the vest I am wearing, it is more important that I gave pleasure to the people in my country who were watching.Merritt said it felt great to be back in London where I won Olympic gold.The crowd greeted me very warmly. Of course, I am not happy to be in lane nine but just being in the stadium is enough for me, he said.I am not even meant to be running, so Im more happy to be here than not be here. I am back on the world stage, thats the main thing.Its definitely possible for me to medal in the future. Everyone in the hurdling game is hurdling well.Since I broke the world record its really transformed. There are a lot of new people and new talent, and thats fine. Im just happy still to be part of it.

Trump asks 'tough questions' on Afghan mission: Tillerson

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MANILA (AFP) - President Donald Trump has asked his advisers tough questions about American strategy in Afghanistan and is not willing to continue on as before, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said Monday.The White House has launched a review of the US plan for Afghanistan after 16 years of war, and reports suggest that Trumps national security team is divided on whether to send more troops or to pull out.Speaking in Manila on the sidelines of a regional security forum, Tillerson did not reveal his own advice to the president -- but said Trump would not be content with continuing the fight as before.The president is not willing to accept that, so he is asking some tough questions, Tillerson told reporters.Tillerson said the presidents National Security Council has met three times on the issue and that Vice President Mike Pence has joined Trump in taking a close interest in the strategy review.The president is asking some very, very pointed questions, and I think good questions that he should be asking, Tillerson said.And perhaps these are questions that no-one has been willing to raise in the past, he continued.So we want to give him good thorough answers and good thorough analysis to go with that -- a very clear-eyed view, a very realistic view of what the future is likely to look like.Trumps generals have called the Afghan conflict a stalemate and even after years of intensive help from the US and other NATO nations, Afghanistans security forces are still struggling to hold back an emboldened Taliban.In an early move to address the situation, Trump gave his Pentagon chief, former general Jim Mattis, broad powers to set troop numbers. But several months later the level remains stuck at about 8,400 US and about 5,000 NATO troops.Mattis wants to wait until the White House has come up with a coherent strategy for not just Afghanistan but the broader region, notably Pakistan and how it deals with terror groups, before he commits to adjustments.But reports have suggested that other Trump advisers, including his influential strategy chief Steve Bannon, favor cutting American losses by pulling out or sending private military contractors to replace troops.How does this all play out and where does this go? Tillerson asked, rhetorically.Its one thing to say were just going to keep fighting because theres no other options. There are always other options, he said.And so thats what the presidents asked us to fully explore.

Boko Haram kill 31 fishermen in Nigeria

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KANO (AFP) - At least 31 fishermen have been killed by Boko Haram jihadists in two separate attacks on islands in Lake Chad in northeastern Nigeria, fishermen and vigilantes fighting the Islamists told AFP late Monday.Armed jihadists stormed the fishing islands of Duguri and Dabar Wanzam in the freshwater lake Saturday, attacking fishermen working in the area and shooting and hacking their victims.Boko Haram attacked Duguri and Dabar Wanzam islands and killed 31 people, a member of a local militia fighting the jihadists in Maiduguri, Babakura Kolo told AFP.They (Boko Haram) killed 14 in Duguri and another 17 in Dabar Wanzam, Kolo said.The fishermen had returned to the fishing hub of Baga on the lakes shores days earlier and had paddled out to the two islands in wooden canoes on Friday, looking for fish, said another militia Musa Ari, who gave similar account.News of the attacks was slow to emerge with communication in the area difficult as Boko Haram has destroyed telecom masts in the region in attacks over the last few years.The Boko Haram jihadists first attacked Duguri island where they killed 12 fishermen and injured two others who later died, said fisherman Sallau Inuwa.The attackers split into two groups. While the first attacked Duguri the second went to nearby Dabar Wanzam where they laid in wait for those who fled the attack in Duguri. They killed 17 in Dabar Wanzam, Inuwa told AFP.The attackers spared one fisherman in Duguri and loaded the 12 bodies of the men they killed in a canoe and ordered him to take them to Baga as a warning that no one should fish in the lake, said another fisherman Dauda Tukur.They told the man they spared to inform the troops in Baga that they were waiting for them on the islands, he said.The military and Nigerian officials have not yet commented on the attacks.The attacks happened a week after military authorities lifted a two-year ban on fishing in the freshwater lake that straddles Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon and Chad.Nigerian military banned fishing on the Nigerian side of the lake following accusations that Boko Haram was using proceeds from fishing to fund its armed campaign.The ban left thousands of displaced residents impoverished, forcing them to rely on food handouts from government and aid agencies.The lifting of the ban drew many fisherman back to the area.Although the military reclaimed Baga from Boko Haram in February 2015 allowing some residents to move back, jihadists continued to launch sporadic attacks from their hideouts on several islands dotting the lake, where dense vegetation provides cover against military attacks.In November 2014 Boko Haram killed 48 fishermen near Baga who were on their way to neighbouring Chad to buy fish, in one of the deadliest attacks against fishermen by the jihadists in the area.

Tainted eggs scandal spreads to Britain, France

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BRUSSELS (AFP) - Britain and France said Monday that some insecticide-tainted eggs may have entered their countries, as millions of chickens faced being culled in the Netherlands in a growing European contamination scandal.Belgium meanwhile vowed full transparency about why it kept the scandal secret despite originally learning in June about the problem involving fipronil, a substance potentially dangerous to humans.Supermarkets in Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium have pulled millions of eggs from the shelves since Belgium gave the European Commission the first notification on July 20, while retailers in Sweden and Switzerland have followed suit.The Commission said Monday that under its EU rapid alert system it had been determined that eggs under suspicion of contamination had also been distributed to France and Britain via Germany.Its now up to the Swedish, Swiss, French and to the UK to check because all these eggs are traceable and trackable, Commission spokeswoman Anna-Kaisa Itkonen told reporters.Britains Food Standards Agency said it was urgently investigating the distribution of these eggs in the UK from farms at the centre of the scare, while adding that the number of eggs involved is very small and the risk to public health is very low.It did not give a number but said it represented 0.0001 percent of eggs annually imported into Britain.We are working closely with the businesses that have received eggs from affected farms. Investigations to date indicate that any affected products are no longer on the shelves, it said.The French government said 13 batches of Dutch eggs contaminated with fipronil have been found at two food-processing factories in central-western France.The agriculture ministry said they were unable to immediately say whether any of the products had been shipped to customers.It is believed the toxic substance was introduced to poultry farms by a Dutch business named Chickfriend brought in to treat red lice, a parasite in chickens.Dutch and Belgian media reports that the substance containing the insecticide was supplied to Chickfriend by a Belgian firm have not been confirmed.The French agriculture ministry also said Monday that on July 28 a poultry farm at Pas-de-Calais in northern France was put under surveillance after the farmer told authorities a Belgian supplier had provided him with the tainted product in question.The ministry said no eggs from the farm have been sent to market and that the results of testing there should be known by the end of the week.Meanwhile Dutch farming organisation LTO said several million hens may need to be culled at 150 companies in the country, with 300,000 having already been killed.An LTO spokesman said they had to be eliminated because of contamination.Dutch authorities have shuttered 138 poultry farms -- about a fifth of those across the country -- and warned that eggs from another 59 farms contained high enough levels of fipronil that they should not be eaten by children.Belgium currently has production blocked from 51 farms -- a quarter of those nationwide -- with fipronil found at 21 farms, although levels were ten times below the maximum EU limit, the countrys food safety authority AFSCA said.Belgiums agriculture minister meanwhile said he had ordered the agency to report by Tuesday on why it failed to notify neighbouring countries until July 20 despite knowing about fipronil contamination since June.Denis Ducarme said in a statement he had told AFSCA to produce a report on the circumstances of the agencys actions since the first information it received about the fipronil problemFacing pressure from Germany and the Netherlands, Ducarme promised complete transparency.Belgian officials admitted on Saturday they had kept the problem under wraps and failed to trigger the EUs international food safety alert system, but said it was because of a fraud probe.Germany has demanded an explanation from Belgium about why the issue was kept covered up.Fipronil is commonly used in veterinary products to get rid of fleas, lice and ticks. But it is banned from being used to treat animals destined for human consumption, such as chickens.The substance is absorbed into the skin or feathers of chickens and then passes into the eggs.In large quantities, the insecticide is considered moderately hazardous by the World Health Organization, and can have dangerous effects on peoples kidneys, liver and thyroid glands.

Lahore: 4 terrorists killed in encounter with CTD

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least four terrorists of a banned outfit were killed in encounter with Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) personnel near Sagian Pull in Lahore, hours after a truck bomb explosion that ripped through rhe Bund Road area on Monday night, Dunya News reported.The CTD set up a check post near Sagian Pull on an intelligence report that six to seven terrorists of banned outfit will enter Lahore from Sheikhupura. When the CTD personnel asked a vehicle to stop at the check post, the terrorists present in the vehicle opened fire. The CTD personnel returned the fire as a result four terrorists were killed while three other managed to escape.The CTD personnel also recovered huge quantity of arms and explosive material from the dead terrorists. According to a CTD spokesperson, the aim of the terrorists was to attack Police Lines in Lahore.

Quetta tragedy: PBC to observe countrywide strike today

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QUETTA (Dunya News) - Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has announced to observe countrywide strike and mourning day on the first anniversary of martyrs of Quetta tragedy.At least 60 advocates were martyred and over a hundreds were injured in terrorist attack in Quetta on August 8, 2016.The PBC vice-chairman Muhammad Ahsan Bhoon and chairman, executive committee Hafeez-ur-Rehman in a statement said that the lawyers throughout Pakistan will observe full day strike and mourning day on Tuesday and will hold condolence references and meetings for martyred advocates in their bar rooms.

Tahirul Qadri to reach Lahore today

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LAHORE (Dunya News) - Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) chairperson Dr Tahirul Qadri will reach Lahore from Oslo via Doha today (Tuesday) at 8 AM, Dunya News reported.A large number of PAT supporters and followers of Tahirul Qadri would welcome him on his arrival at the Allama Iqbal International Airport.Tahirul Qadri is scheduled to reach Nasir Bagh Mall Road via passing through Jory Pull, Sadar Roundabout, Dharampura and Charing Cross. He will address a big public gathering at the Nasir Bagh and will then visit Data Darbar and offer nawafil.

Khurram Dastgir assumes charge as Defence Minister

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ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Khurram Dastgir Khan assumed charge as Federal Minister for Defence on Monday, Dunya News reported.Khurram Dastgir held introductory meeting with the senior officers of the Ministry. He was also briefed about the role and functions of Ministry and its allied organizations, in detail.Speaking on the occasion, Khurram Dastgir said that the Armed Forces of the country would be strengthened, in terms of resources and equipment, so as to make defence of the country impregnable.He stated that National Defence of the country would be strengthened as it is confronting enormous internal and external challenges.

One killed, 39 wounded in truck bomb blast in Lahore

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LAHORE (Dunya News) – At least one person was killed and 39 other were wounded in a truck bomb blast at the Bund Road in Lahore on Monday night, Dunya News reported.The blast was so severe that it was heard in far flung areas in the city. The powerful explosion destroyed a nearby building and damaged several vehicles. The explosion also created a big crater.Initial reports suggested that the explosive material was planted inside a truck which was loaded with fruit and parked at the busy Bund Road for at least three days. Residents of the area have alleged that police were informed about the suspicious vehicle but no action was taken.Rescue 1122 reached the spot after the explosion and shifted the injured to Mian Munshi Hospital. Meanwhile police have cordoned off the entire area.Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Operations Wing of Punjab Police Haider Ashraf said that investigations have been launched and details would be shared with media once confirmed.Counter-Terrorism Department (CTD) collected evidence at the site and handed over the command of the scene to Rangers.Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Shehbaz Sharif has instructed police authorities to file a report of the incident.Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf leader Yasmin Rashid, who is also a candidate to contest election from NA-120 after the seat fell vacant due to former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s disqualification, has demanded implementation of National Action Plan (NAP) in Punjab to curb attacks.The explosion took place a day before former premier Nawaz Sharif is to arrive in Lahore via GT Road on Wednesday in an apparent power show through PML-N cavalcade accompanying him.Security arrangements are supposed to be tight as per the instructions to the authorities however, the explosion tonight has raised questions.It should be noted that Lahore has been hit twice within around two weeks.Former premier was to travel to Lahore on Sunday but it was postponed until Wednesday allegedly over workers request.The blast was reported today around two weeks after a terror attack near Lahore’s Arfa Karim Software Park claimed 26 lives and wounded over 50.

England resilience delights Joe Root

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - England captain Joe Root was proud of the way his side had come though periods of adversity after completing a 3-1 series win over South Africa at Old Trafford on Monday.The Yorkshiremans first series as England captain ended with a convincing 177-run victory in the fourth Test at Old Trafford.South Africa, set a mammoth 380 to win, were bowled out for 202 shortly after tea on the fourth day.Moeen Ali ended the match with two wickets in two balls, having finished off Englands 239-run third Test win at The Oval with a hat-trick.Monday saw off-spinner Ali finish with innings figures of five for 69 to cap a brilliant series where he took 25 wickets in total and scored 252 runs.Several ex-England captains criticised Roots men for a lack of application after South Africa levelled the series at 1-1 with a huge 340-run win in the second Test at Trent Bridge.I am really pleased with the way the series has gone, Root told Sky Sports after England completed back-to-back series wins over South Africa for the first time since 1964.Credit to South Africa, they put us under pressure a number of times throughout but the way our guys have responded has been exceptional, the star batsman added.We have had to overcome a number of different challenges, but the way we have played as a unit, especially the last two games, we have been brilliant.Concerns remain over Englands top order batting, a problem the selectors will look to address in an upcoming three-Test series at home to the West Indies that precedes an Ashes defence in Australia later this year.We have got a lot of hard work to do in the future but it was a great series, said Root.It has been a fantastic team performance and thats what it takes to win a series like this, everybody contributing and thats what we have had this time around.South Africa checked Englands progress with a fourth-wicket stand of 123 between Hashim Amla (83) and skipper Faf du Plessis (61).But Ali then took three wickets for five runs in 11 balls, including the prize scalp of Amla, shortly before tea and there was no way back for South Africa.It was the end of a lengthy and unsuccessful tour for the Proteas.They were also beaten by England in one-day international and Twenty20 series and suffered a hugely disappointing first-round exit in the Champions Trophy ODI tournament as well.England were well deserved winners of this series, they were consistently the better team, said du Plessis.Three months in England has been a tough time for us, he added.At times we showed some real good fight but consistently England were just coming up with answers.The quality of the English bowling was superb this series, they were relentless.As a batting unit we felt we could never get on top of them and from a runs point of view we felt we didnt do ourselves any justice.Ali took 10 wickets in Englands 211-run win in the first Test at Lords and never looked back.I feel like I got into a good rhythm after that, Ali said. I have done a lot of work and I have had a lot of consistency this series.

Bayliss hails all-round Ali heroics

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - England coach Trevor Bayliss was confident Moeen Ali would leave nothing to chance in his quest to become truly world-class after a record-breaking display with both bat and ball in a 3-1 series win over South Africa.Ali completed a brilliant campaign by taking two wickets in two balls as England won the fourth Test at Old Trafford by 177 runs shortly after tea on Mondays fourth day.That gave the off-spinner an innings return of five for 69 on a day when he also finished off a valuable knock of 75 not out.It meant Ali, who ended Englands win in the third Test at The Oval with a hat-trick, had taken 25 wickets in the series and scored 252 runs as well.In the process he became the first player in history to take 25 wickets and score at least 250 runs in a four-Test series.England great Ian Botham, whose aggressive on-field personality was in marked contrast to that of the softly-spoken Ali, performed a similar feat twice during triumphant home Ashes campaigns in 1981 and 1985 -- but both of those contests were six-Test affairs.For much of this series, Bayliss -- and Ali too -- referred to the 30-year-old Worcestershire all-rounder as a second spinner.It was a ruse that did not fool anyone, although England would not have cared if it helped eased the pressure on Ali.Maybe the psychology is working, Bayliss told reporters after England had completed their first home Test series win over South Africa since 1998 .Theres no doubt hes our No 1 spinner and maybe he will become world-class.He has work to do but, knowing Mo, he wont leave anything to chance because hes one of the hardest workers in the nets, the Australian added.As for Ali equalling a feat achieved by Botham -- and in two fewer Tests -- Bayliss said: Most people are astounded (with that statistic).He does it in a quiet manner, he just gets the job done and is a great team man.Mondays result also saw meant Joe Roots first Test series as England captain had ended in victory and the novice skipper was delighted by Alis displays.It was great to see Moeen in particular in this series step up and put in some unbelievable performances to win games for us, said Root.The kidology seems to have worked, the star batsman added.He (Ali) is definitely improving all the time. I said at the start of this series, its a great opportunity for guys in that bracket of 30-plus Test matches to stand up and become more senior, explained Root, with Ali now having played 41 Tests.Hes definitely taken that on and put in some brilliant performances.Hopefully its not just a one-off series and he can go on now and do it again and again.Meanwhile South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis was had no doubts about Alis quality.Hes a real dangerous cricketer and every captain would love to have him in their team, said du Plessis.You often think hes not going to take wickets on the day and then you look up and hes got three or four, hes just brilliant and a real dangerous batter.Hes a very good spinner and under-rated.

'We needed Vern' says du Plessis after England defeat

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MANCHESTER (AFP) - South Africa captain Faf du Plessis lamented Vernon Philanders lack of fitness after his sides Test series loss to England.The hosts 177-run victory in the fourth Test at Old Trafford on Monday saw England secure a 3-1 triumph in Joe Roots first series as skipper.But a four-Test contest played largely in the kind of overcast conditions in which Philander thrives might have been a very different story if the key seamer had remained fully fit throughout.The 32-year-old appeared poised for a brilliant campaign after taking five wickets and making scores of 54 and 42 in a man-of-the-match display during South Africas 340-run series-levelling win in the second Test at Trent Bridge.But he was struck down by a mystery virus that reduced his effectiveness in the third Test at The Oval and Philander did not even make the team at Old Trafford because of a back problem.It was not the first time Philander, whose overall Test record of 171 wickets in 46 Tests at an average of 22.45 is outstanding, had failed to complete a series and du Plessiss patience appears to be wearing thin.For us to have competed and to win Test matches we needed Vern, you need your best players, the Proteas captain told reporters following South Africas first Test series loss in England since 1998.Duanne (Olivier) bowled well this game but Vern is one of the best in these conditions, probably the best in seaming, swinging conditions which has been the case in all four Test matches, so not having him here was very frustrating and disappointing.The last I spoke to you (the media) I said hes just got to do a small fitness test but hell be fine. So when he woke up with a stiff back the next morning it was frustrating, the middle-order batsman added.It is a challenge for Vern because its happened too often that he doesnt play a full series, du Plessis explained. Ive spoken to him about that and hes accepted the challenge and that he needs to improve that.There have just been too many times when we as a team go (gulp) Vern might be injured again.Looking ahead, du Plessis said: We have important series coming up, not that we play series that are not important, but India and Australia at home, its eight Test matches and he needs to be fit to get through all of them.
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