Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha

The helicopter was seen enveloped in flames in mobile phone images shot at the scene and an AFP photographer at the scene saw smoke coming from the wreckage.

The helicopter crashed after Saturday’s game against West Ham in the Premier League club’s car park close to its King Power Stadium — the scene of jubilation two years ago when underdog Leicester City won the Premier League in a remarkable footballing feat.

Police said: “We are dealing with an incident in the vicinity of the King Power Stadium. Emergency services are aware and dealing.”

Thai businessman Srivaddhanaprabha, who has poured millions into the club, often leaves the stadium in his helicopter, which takes off from the pitch, when he attends a Leicester home game.

The identities of the pilot and any passengers on board have not yet been confirmed. It is also not yet known if anyone on the ground was injured.

“We are assisting Leicestershire Police and the emergency services in dealing with a major incident at King Power Stadium,” the club said in a statement.

Srivaddhanaprabha, who owns the King Power company, bought the club in 2010 and became chairman the following February.

Leicester City footballers Jamie Vardy and Harry Maguire both tweeted praying hands emojis.

A witness told Sky News: “I hope they’re okay. Doesn’t seem like they have had much of a chance. Just burst into flames.”

Jonathan Ashworth, Labour MP for Leicester South, tweeted: “Awful horrific scenes at @LCFC with the helicopter crash. I’ve been in touch with our emergency services and thanked them for responding so quickly. Our hopes and prayers for all those caught up in this desperately awful incident.”

The local ambulance service said it was alerted at 2138 GMT.

“We sent a doctor, two paramedics in ambulance cars, a crewed ambulance and our Hazardous Area Response Team, with the first resource arriving within two minutes of the call,” it tweeted.

Sky Sports said the helicopter took off from the pitch between 8.30pm-8.45pm local time (1930-1945 GMT) but developed problems shortly afterwards with its tail rotor.

It was under the ownership of Srivaddhanaprabha that Leicester created one of the biggest shocks in English football history by winning the 2015/16 Premier League, having started the season as 5,000/1 outsiders for the title.

West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta, who played in Saturday’s game, tweeted: “My thoughts and prayers are with all those involved in the helicopter accident at Leicester City.”

His teammate Declan Rice tweeted: “Horrendous scenes at the king power tonight, my prayers & thoughts go out to everyone involved at Leicester”

ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS sent shockwaves of excitement throughout the iconic Thuwunna Indoor Stadium, featuring a series of compelling bouts that left fans on the edge of their seats. The blockbuster event culminated with a much-awaited championship clash as two-division kingpin Aung La N Sang defeated Lebanese challenger Mohammad Karaki to successfully defend his ONE Middleweight World Championship.

In the main event of ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS, “The Burmese Python” Aung La N Sang retained his ONE Middleweight World Championship in dominant fashion, toppling Mohammad Karaki of Lebanon by technical knockout in the first round. Aung La N Sang was the aggressor from the opening bell, unloading a barrage of strikes against the challenger, who tried in vain to take the bout to the ground. A well-placed uppercut from Aung La N Sang stunned Karaki and signified the beginning of the end as he put his opponent away with a relentless volley of punches, forcing the referee to call a halt to the contest and award the victory to the hometown hero. His impressive performance earned him the GoDaddy Knockout of the Night.

Aung La N Sang, ONE Middleweight and Light Heavyweight World Champion, stated: “This is just the beginning. I’m going to keep getting better, and I guarantee that I’m going to put on better shows. Together, Myanmar, there are 60 million of us. If we unite and if we work together, we can achieve anything.”

In the co-main event of the evening, Malaysian standout Keanu Subba silenced the crowd at the Thuwunna Indoor Stadium after submitting hometown favorite Phoe Thaw in the first round. Subba took the action to the ground early in the opening round, negating Phoe Thaw’s advantage in the stand-up. Midway through the round, Subba capitalized on an error by Phoe Thaw and fastened a deep guillotine choke, leaving his opponent with no other choice but to tap.

Two-time Superkombat Heavyweight World Champion Tarik Khbabez of the Netherlands outclassed Moroccan-Dutch striker Ibrahim El Bouni en route to a third-round technical knockout victory in an exciting, back-and-forth ONE Super Series Kickboxing contest. From the get-go, Khbabez and El Bouni went toe-to-toe as they traded blistering strikes in the opening round. However, it was Khbabez who picked up steam as the bout progressed, hammering shots to the body until finally getting the stoppage late in the third and final round.

Japanese submission specialist Masakazu “Ashikan Judan” Imanari put on a grappling clinic, needing only 83 seconds to submit Singapore’s Radeem Rahman with a crushing armbar. It didn’t take long for Imanari to impose his will on Rahman, bringing the action to the ground with the intent to end the bout with an omoplata. After Rahman managed to shrug off the aforementioned submission hold, Imanari quickly transitioned into armbar, forcing Rahman to wave the white flag to record his 26th career win by way of submission.

Top King Muay Thai World Champion Han Zi Hao of China weathered an early storm from debuting Filipino kickboxer Ryan Jakiri to notch an astonishing first-round knockout victory. Jakiri came out very aggressive in the opening frame, clobbering Han with well-timed punches and lashing low kicks. However, it was Han who had the last laugh as he uncorked a counter right cross that instantly turned the lights out on Jakiri, claiming his second consecutive win on the ONE Super Series stage.

Two-time Lethwei Gold Belt Champion Ye Thway Ne of Myanmar overcame a gallant effort from countryman Mite Yine to score a unanimous decision victory. The two locked horns in an energetic clash between talented and fierce strikers, peppering each other with fiery combinations. A tough three-round affair would end with all three judges scoring in favor of Ye Thway Ne.

Former ONE Welterweight World Title challenger Luis “Sapo” Santos of Brazil remarkably placed himself back on the winning track, making quick work of Japanese debutant Daichi Abe. Santos only needed 33 seconds to get the job done, pulverizing Abe with thunderous body kicks to clinch the knockout win.

Australia’s very own Josh Tonna took on Italian striker Joseph Lasiri in a spirited ONE Super Series Kickboxing contest, featuring plenty of action and excitement. The two traded their best shots in three solid rounds of action, but it was Tonna who showcased superior technique, plastering Lasiri with thudding kicks and impactful punches. In the end, all three judges ruled the bout in favor of Tonna, earning the 30-year-old Australian kickboxer a unanimous decision victory.

In a battle between two outstanding bantamweights, Afghanistan’s Ahmad Qais Jasoor emerged triumphant, claiming his first victory under the ONE Championship banner at the expense of Chinese opponent Ma Xu Dong. Switching his stance from orthodox to southpaw, Jasoor repeatedly caught Ma with staggering straight punches. With his switch-hitting style posing problems that Ma could not handle, Jasoor went for the finish in the second round, landing a hard left hand before drilling his counterpart with a series of solid blows to secure the knockout win.

Setting the tone for an action-packed evening was a flyweight encounter between Rudy Agustian of Indonesia and Kaji Ebin of the Philippines. Agustian turned in a spectacular performance, submitting Ebin with a wrenching americana lock in the opening round.

Official results for ONE: PURSUIT OF GREATNESS

ONE Middleweight World Championship bout: Aung La N Sang defeats Mohammad Karaki by TKO (Strikes) at 2:21 minutes of round 1

Featherweight bout: Keanu Subba defeats Phoe Thaw by Submission (Guillotine) at 2:47 minutes of round 1

ONE Super Series Light Heavyweight Kickboxing bout: Tarik Khbabez defeats Ibrahim El Bouni by TKO at 2:26 minutes of round 3

Catch Weight bout (67.0kgs): Masakazu Imanari defeats Radeem Rahman by Submission (Armbar) at 1:23 minutes of round 1

ONE Super Series Kickboxing Bantamweight bout: Han Zi Hao defeats Ryan Jakiri by Knockout (KO) at 1:39 minutes of round 1

Flyweight bout: Ye Thway Ne defeats Mite Yine by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Welterweight bout: Luis Santos defeats Daichi Abe by Knockout (KO) at 0:33 minutes of round 1

ONE Super Series Kickboxing Flyweight bout: Josh Tonna defeats Joseph Lasiri by Unanimous Decision (UD) after 3 rounds

Bantamweight bout: Ahmad Qais Jasoor defeats Ma Xu Dong by Knockout (KO) at 2:16 minutes of round 2

Flyweight bout: Rudy Agustian defeats Kaji Ebin by Submission (Americana) at 4:01 minutes of round 1

Phillip Island is a place for the brave in any weather, with some of the fastest corners on the calendar. In qualifying for the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix that was even more true, as cool and windy conditions – and the threat of rain – made it a who dares wins and newly-crowned Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) played his cards to perfection, pushing early and then managing the risk to take his fifth pole in a row at the track. That equals Australian and MotoGP™ Legend Casey Stoner, who was the last man to take five in a row at the fabled circuit. Can Marquez add another win tomorrow to start to threaten Stoner’s victory count?

Standing in his way is some tough opposition. Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) starts second and has shown top pace all weekend, with French fighter Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) completing the front row. But when asked in the Press Conference who was the biggest threat for the win, the hot pick was in fact the man who heads up Row 2 – Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar).

The ‘Maniac’ has been on top of or close to the top of the timesheets all weekend and looks a key threat on race day. Iannone had taken provisional pole part-way through the session but he was then quickly ousted by Zarco as P1 chopped and changed. Marquez then slotted into third, 0.037 back. The Champion didn’t stay there for long though and he shot to P1 by a stunning 0.506 to raise the bar, setting a personal and session best lap time that would prove to be crucial. Why? As most of the riders pitted for fresh rubber, the heavens opened again.

The rain didn’t stick around but it hampered anyone in the quest to dramatically lower laptimes. Home hero Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) – in typical Miller fashion – had other ideas as he set orange sectors, but was ultimately unable to improve after a huge moment coming onto the Gardner Straight. Viñales then raised eyebrows by going quickest in the first split…but then couldn’t hook up the final sector in the difficult conditions either.

That was therefore that and an enthralling session ended with Marquez, Viñales and Zarco on that front row, with Iannone missing out by just 0.007 seconds. Fellow Team Suzuki Ecstar rider Alex Rins will start from P5, with Miller grabbing P6 in front of his home fans. Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) will aim to challenge for a podium from seventh on the grid as he leads an all-Italian third row, with the ‘Doctor’ having been on the podium in the premier class at Phillip Island 15 times out of 18. As always, not a bad record…

He’s joined on the row by Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) who was top Ducati, and Friday’s standout performer is joined by Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) in P9 after ‘DesmoDovi’ took his worst qualifying result of the season.

Despite a huge Turn 1 crash in FP3, Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) earns his best Saturday afternoon result of the season and is top rookie in P10, joined on the fourth row by Q1 graduates Pol Espargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Alvaro Bautista (Ducati Team), also a crasher.

The title is done, the pressure is off and Phillip Island creates some of the greatest racing in the world. The front row think it will be another incredible Island battle, so don’t miss out – tune in from 16:00 local time (GMT +11) for the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix.

MotoGP™ Qualifying Results

1 – Marc Marquez (SPA) HONDA 1’29.199

2 – Maverick Viñales (SPA) YAMAHA +0.310

First Independent Team Rider:

3 – Johann Zarco (FRA) YAMAHA +0.506

The world number 41 ended day three of the US$10 million event in tied-seventh place, six shots back of American leader Tony Finau, who stamped his authority at the Shanghai showpiece by being the only player to birdie the last three holes to lead with his three-day total of 13-under-par 203.

Defending champion Justin Rose, who is seeking to become the only player other than Tiger Woods to defend a World Golf Championships title, returned with a 70 to share second place with Americans Patrick Reed and Xander Schauffele.

While a maiden WGC win at the Sheshan International Golf Club is still within sights, the Thai prefers to play down expectations and just focus on getting off to a fast start so that he chase Finau down on the final day.

Kiradech birdied two of his opening three holes before dropping a shot on six. He recovered quickly with another birdie on the next hole but suffered another bogey on the eight hole.

The Thai then marked his card with another pair of birdies on 13 and 14 before another bogey on 15 dropped him back to two-under for the round.

“I got off to a good start, hit solid shots and rolled the putts well but towards the end of the day, I didn’t strike the ball as well as I could have. It’s the same every day, my iron game isn’t sharp enough to make it. I think so far I hit like seven greens in regulation, which is like so low. Accuracy is quite key around this course because when the wind picks up and it’s very windy around here, the golf course gets more difficult,” said Kiradech, the first player from Thailand to gain full-time membership on the PGA TOUR.

“I still have to work hard on my game to get everything back. I have to get off to a very hot start and just keep it going. I really need a low number to have a chance but finishing top-five is the goal for me this week,” said the Thai whose best result in Shanghai was at tied 24th last year.

Like Kiradech, Finau is also eyeing his breakthrough at a WGC event and is hopeful of getting the job done provided he continues to maintain his composure as he is wary of the host of world class players ready to capitalise on any of his mistakes he may make on the final day.

The players and the famous trophy will be at the Beacon Zone, Central World, Bangkok, from 3.30pm onwards, where fans will get a fantastic opportunity to take photos with two of the country’s finest players.

Tanaboon, aged 25 years old, and Supachai are part of the squad that will attempt to win this year’s AFF Suzuki Cup for the third time in a row – a feat that has not been achieved before.

Bangkok Glass player Tanaboon played in the past two AFF Suzuki Cups – in 2014 and 2016 – while Supachai, aged just 19, is in the competition’s squad for the first time.

Supachai has been a key player in an impressive Buriram side that’s won back-to-back domestic titles, and is one of the Thailand’s most gifted youngsters.

The first matches of the AFF Suzuki Cup kick-off on November 8 but in the lead-up to the tournament the trophy has been touring the region.

The trophy has already made stops in Cambodia and Myanmar, while it visits Manila tomorrow before heading to Bangkok on Sunday. Next weekend it will be in Jakarta.

Thailand have claimed the AFF Suzuki Cup a record five times, so the trophy will feel at home on Sunday in The Kingdom.

After opening his campaign with a flawless 67, Siddikur fired eight birdies against two bogeys to match the efforts of overnight leader Suradit, who returned with a bogey-free 67, on 11-under-par 133 total at the venerable Delhi Golf Club.

Local hotshot Ajeetesh Sandhu carded a 67 to trail the leading duo by one in third place while his playing partner Jazz Janewattananond of Thailand, who also carded a 67, lurked two shots off the pace in fourth.

Placed 97th on the Habitat for Humanity Standings, Siddikur will have the Merit chase at the back of his mind when he bids for a third victory on the region’s premier Tour and second at the Delhi Golf Club in the weekend.

The 33-year-old Bangladeshi is hopeful of turning his season around with a strong showing on his favourite hunting ground, where he holds an impeccable track record on. He needs to finish inside top-60 on the final Merit rankings to keep his card for 2019.

Suradit, who goes by his Thai nickname ‘Art’, has enjoyed a commendable season on the Asian Tour thus far, claiming two top-five finishes which include a joint runner-up result in India two months ago. The 19-year-old is seeking his maiden Asian Tour title this week.

A total of 74 players will progressed into the weekend rounds after making the halfway cut set at two-over-par 146 at the popular event, which is celebrating its eighth consecutive edition on the Asian Tour.

The Panasonic Open India is sanctioned by the Asian Tour and Professional Golf Tour of India (PGTI) and is the second leg of the 2018/19 Panasonic Swing, which is an aggregate points race that spans five events – in Thailand, India, Indonesia, Malaysia and Japan.

THEY MAY have a childish innocence when they are out of the ring, but once inside they turn into fierce competitors, unleashing blows, kneeings and kicks in the hope of a victory that will earn them money in return. Little bruises, after all, are acceptable inconveniences as long as they bring food to the family table.

Most muay thai fighters and boxers come from impoverished families. Their parents are often construction workers, cleaners or farmers who are unable to make ends meet and sometimes are forced to seek financial help from neighbours or even loan sharks.

“The mother of one of my students works as a cleaner at a temple,” Sarawut Hiyoshi, 37, owner of Kaennorsing Muay Thai Gym in Udon Thani province, told The Nation Weekend.

“After her son became a boxer and started making as much as Bt6,000 a month, she has never asked for a loan again.”

Tawin Puensopa, a 12-year-old from Mor Ratanabandit Boxing Camp in Nong Chok, helps his family pay the bills through the martial art.

The young fighter, son of a construction worker, became a junior champion not long after he took up muay thai lessons two years ago.

“My mother had debts,” Tawin said when asked why he had taken up boxing. “When I gave her a few hundred baht from my first fight, she was in tears,” the boy said in a soft quivering voice, while his eyes looked sorrowful as old memories flashed back.

Now that he has the experience of more wins, Tawin can make up to Bt1,500 per fight or even more with tips from fans. His life is now much better compared to that of his brother, who is in prison because of narcotics.

Children as young as 12 in his neighbourhood are lured into the illicit drugs trade. Worried about their children being exposed to the world of crime, parents see boxing camps as a way to shield their kids.

“Drug addicts won’t come close to my camp,” said 37-year-old Sarawut, who first set up a camp to teach his two daughters Remina, 5 and Riina, 3, to fight on a stage. “Once children start training, they will be too tired to go out or get into trouble,” he added. The workouts at a boxing camp have also improved the health of some, even curing asthma or ending obesity.

“My son’s weight has gone down from 120 kilograms to 85kg in two years,” said rice farmer Prawit Noiubon, 52, in Nong Chok.

However, growing concerns about injuries and the damage to the bodies and brains of young fighters could lead to a ban on those under 15 from entering competitions without approval from authorities, under a draft boxing bill being submitted for the Cabinet’s consideration. Children under 12 years old would be totally banned from fighting in the ring.

Like many camp owners, Pramote Sang-a-roon, the owner of Mor Ratanabandit Boxing Camp and a World University muay thai instructor, is far from happy with the idea

and insists that boxers were safe if properly trained.

“They’ve learnt how to protect themselves and won’t get hurt so easily if they are physically tough,” said Pramote, who has around 50 boxers at his camp in Nong Chok. Poor children would be affected if they were deprived the boxing stage, he said.

“How would they put food on the family table? Remember that these children have difficult lives,” added Pramote. Boxers at his camp are guaranteed a high education with at least a BA degree if they are well disciplined.

Danger of damage to the brain

Former Lumpinee champion Pichet Chutong, better known as “Hippy Singmanee”, argues for a compromise by the authorities, as the proposed bill could impact the transfer of this Thai heritage to the younger generation.

“There should be talks to find protection measures first, not stop children from boxing all of a sudden. There are headguards and knee protectors, while judges and the medical team could stop the bout if boxers were not in a condition to continue,” said Pichet, 50, owner of Town in Town Thai Boxing School.

If they start late, say above the age of 13, they will be too old to become good boxers, he said. As a father, Prawit admits he has concerns about the safety of his sons but he considers boxing injuries to be minor.

“I will be very sad if he has to give up boxing,” said 11-year-old Weetara Devilor, whose father raises cows on the outskirts of Bangkok. “I may have injuries but they will go away. Suffering a little pain is better than having no money.”

Health experts, however, see it differently.

Child Safety Promotion and Injury Prevention Research Centre (CSIP) director Dr Adisak Plitponkarnpim expects the law to stop what he sees as the “madness” of child boxing, where sometimes adults allow boxers as young as age 5 or 6 to beat each other up until there is serious damage.

“No matter how old the children are, they are never ready to take blows to their head or face, but at 12 the children may understand the risks before making the decision to fight,” Adisak said.

In a recent study, Adisak and other researchers from the Advanced Diagnostic Imaging Centre (AIMC) scanned over 200 brains of child boxers aged under-15. They found signs of brain injuries, including a build-up of iron inside the brain, a sign of internal bleeding. Young boxers who had fought for five years also had lower average IQ scores compared to their non-fighting peers, the researchers found.

Adisak hails the proposed law’s requirement that child boxers wear protective gear, though they cannot fully protect the child.

“Boxing can never be a hundred per cent safe, even if the child wears a head guard,” he said. Head protection can absorb the power of direct blows, but punches that spin the head can cause the brain to shake and suffer injury, he says. “But it is better than wearing nothing.”

Ideally, he hopes stakeholders will come together to talk about the possibility of forbidding punches to the face or head.

Sarawut Hiyoshi and his two daughters.

Thitipan Puangchan at training.

The Bangkok Glass player was disconsolate when injuries and poor form deprived him of the chance to take part in 2014 and 2016, so appreciates even more the latest-call-up by national coach Milovan Rajevac to attend a two-week camp ahead of the tournament. A total of 27 players have been selected – just 23 will make the final cut.

 “This is one of the tournaments I’ve been waiting for as I never got the chance to play in the past. I feel most ready for it,” said Thitipan, who scored a goal for Thailand in the 2017 King’s Cup against North Korea.

He said Rajevac’s training sessions had so far focused on improving the players’ physical strength – but is still without several players from Buriram and Chiangrai who have been committed to the FA Cup final on Saturday.

The 2013 and 2015 SEA Games gold medallist is certainly expecting a tougher programme when they join up with the rest of the squad on Sunday.

“It’s normal that our training focused on our defensive style earlier as we had to play stronger teams [in the King’s Cup and friendly games]. But as we are the favourites in Asean, we will definitely concentrate more on our attack.

“This will be a challenge not only for the coach but also for the players as we need to prove how good we are,” added Thitipan, who won the Thai League with Muangthong United in 2012.

He also pointed out that despite being the two-time defending champions Thailand should never let their guard down at any moment if they hope to live up to expectations and win the title for the sixth time.

“We can be beaten if we get too relaxed and careless. We have to stick to the coach’s game plan and play as fiercely as possible,” he said.

Others at training already include Pokklaw Anan of Bangkok United and Thai-German Philip Roller of Ratchaburi Mitr Phol.

Taipei, Taiwan | AFP | Friday 10/26/2018 – 16:59 UTC+7 | 198 words

Former world number one Lydia Ko shot a dazzling six-under-par 66 to lurk two strokes off the lead at the LPGA Taiwan Championship on Saturday.

Ko, who tied for second in Shanghai last week — her best result since April — fired seven birdies against a lone bogey at par-72 Ta Shee Golf and Country Club.

The Korean-born New Zealander, 21, trailed halfway leader Hsu Wei-ling, who carded 67 for an aggregate score of nine-under 135, and Jodi Ewart Shadoff who was a shot off the pace.

Home favourite Hsu shot a bogey-free five birdies to overtake England’s Ewart Shadoff, who couldn’t repeat her pace-setting opening round of 65 and carded 71.

Ko, who shot to prominence in her mid-teens but endured her first winless season last year, has been back in the swing with six consecutive top-16 finishes after she missed the cut at the Ladies Scottish Open in July.

Earlier this year she snapped her unaccustomed win drought at the LPGA Championship in April, one of six top-10 performances so far this season.

America’s Danielle Kang, the winner last week in Shanghai, withdrew from the second round through illness, the LPGA said without giving details.

Andrea Iannone (Team Suzuki Ecstar) left it late to leap to the top of the combined timesheets at the Michelin® Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, setting a 1:29.131 on his final lap to oust Danilo Petrucci (Alma Pramac Racing) from P1.

The two Italians were separated by 0.160, with FP1’s quickest man Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) completing the top three made up of three different manufacturers. One of the biggest headlines of the day was less positive, however – with LCR Honda Castrol rider Cal Crutchlow, who currently leads the Independent Team rider standings, suffering a crash in FP2 that has seen the Brit declared unfit for the rest of the weekend.

He was fifth fastest on Friday before the incident and will now undergo surgery on a broken right ankle and tibia in the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

It was an incident-filled day on the Island as Moto3™ saw an early Red Flag and subsequent delays due to track conditions, and even after there were a few riders finding the limits. Crutchlow’s fellow Honda rider Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team), crowned Champion in Japan, was also a crasher – escaping unscathed from a fast one at Turn 10.

He also suffered a run off later in the day, as did arch rival Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP). The two men ended the day a little down the timesheets, with Marquez in P7 and Rossi rounding out that all-important top ten; inside it by 0.046. But Rossi’s key rival for second overall in the standings, Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team), outpaced both as he took fourth just ahead of Crutchlow – and steered clear of the drama.

Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3), meanwhile, was only 0.070 behind Crutchlow to complete the top six. The Frenchman was back on front row form at Motegi and opened the Australian GP well, ahead of Marquez. With Crutchlow now unable to complete the weekend, both Zarco and Petrucci will be looking to gain on the Brit in the Independent Team rider standings.

In P8 there was some top news for home fans with another Independent Team rider as Jack Miller (Alma Pramac Racing) ended the first day well within that all-important initial top ten – as well as only a tenth off Marquez. He was just ahead of Team Suzuki Ecstar’s Alex Rins in P9 to make it both Hamamatsu factory machines in the top ten.

Hafizh Syahrin (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) was top rookie in P11, ahead of Bradley Smith (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) as top Austrian machine. Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) suffered a crash – rider ok – and ended Friday in P13, ahead of Pol Epsargaro (Red Bull KTM Factory Racing) and Alvaro Bautista (Ducati Team) – another crasher.

That’s it from a frantic Friday on Phillip Island. Come back for FP3 on Saturday morning to see who will make it through to Q2 qualifying, before the grid is decided from 16:10 local time (GMT +11).