Asher-Smith wins third medal as GB take relay silver

Dina Asher-Smith became the first Briton to win three medals at a major global athletics championships as the 4x100m relay team won world silver.

Asher-Smith, who won 200m gold and 100m silver this week, was on the second leg instead of the anchor leg after a late change as Great Britain finished behind Jamaica.

Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce, the 100m champion, won her second title in Doha.

Defending champions the United States took bronze.

Fraser-Pryce did the damage on the second leg as she gave Jamaica a clear advantage over the field. Jonielle Smith maintained the lead coming off the bend before Shericka Jackson brought the baton home in 41.44 seconds.

Asha Philip – a late call-up after Imani-Lara Lansiquot pulled out after sustaining an injury during the warm-up – Asher-Smith and Ashleigh Nelson performed faultless changeovers before Daryll Neita held off USA’s Kiara Parker to cross the line in a season’s best of 41.85.

The United States’ 42.10 was also their best time of the year.

An ecstatic Asher-Smith revealed the British quartet for the final had not practised the baton changes in the warm-up.

“I think we all handled the pressure between us which is testimony to how much experience we have got as a squad,” she told BBC Sport.

“It’s been a good champs but obviously it’s a team event.”

Neita, who was moved to the anchor leg from the opening leg, added: “I’m just so proud of us girls. It was a great leg to run and we’re showing we have strength in depth in this team. Last-minute changes but we can still get the job done.”

That third medal for Asher-Smith and silver for the men’s 4x100m team means Great Britain have five medals in total.

The team will be hopeful of adding to the tally on the final day, with events including the men’s 1500m final and women’s 4x400m final.

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