Czech Republic v England: Mason Mount deserving of a first start ahead of Ross Barkley October 10, 2019 Tournament qualifiers hold a strange significance for England. On the one hand they are fully-fledged competitive internationals which need to be won in order to reach World Cups and European Championships. But on the other hand, England haven’t lost one in 43 instances – an unbeaten streak which dates back almost exactly 10 years, since [...]
Chris Tremlett: Chris Silverwood has all the attributes to be a success as England head coach October 9, 2019 Chris Silverwood has been appointed as England’s new head coach and I think the ECB hierarchy have made a good decision. I came across Silverwood in county cricket and, like others, all the feedback I’ve heard has been positive: he has a simple approach, is a strong communicator and man-manager. I’ve written previously that England [...]
Under-fire Mo Farah faces moment of truth at the Chicago Marathon October 9, 2019 Sunday is a big day for Sir Mo Farah. Having chosen to sit out of the World Athletics Championships in Doha only to see his name in the news for all the wrong reasons, following the four-year ban issued to his former coach Alberto Salazar, Farah is back racing this weekend. The Chicago Marathon is [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Snap looks the perfect Fit for Zac in the lucky last October 8, 2019 ZAC Purton will be having sleepless nights! We may only be eight meetings into the season, but the reigning HK champion jockey’s deadly rival Joao Moreira is back to his brilliant best. Moreira already holds a four win advantage over Purton in the championship race, but it was the Brazilian’s breathtaking ride on My Winner [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Power the pick on big day for Aldo Domeyer October 8, 2019 FORMER South African champion Aldo Domeyer could be the jockey to follow at Happy Valley this afternoon. The likes of Zac Purton, Joao Moreira and Karis Teetan will continue to hog the headlines, given they rode seven of the ten winners at Sha Tin last Sunday, but 32-year-old Domeyer has a chance of stealing some [...]
‘Safe pair of hands’ Chris Silverwood brings continuity rather than innovation to England head coach role October 7, 2019 The appointment of Chris Silverwood as England’s new head coach is one which sees the England and Wales Cricket Board’s hierarchy backing continuity, rather than innovation. Silverwood has stepped up from his role of bowling coach, which he has performed for the last two years, to fill the shoes of Trevor Bayliss in an act [...]
Sam Torrance: Spanish Open win shows Jon Rahm’s potential – Major win and world No1 ranking await October 7, 2019 Jon Rahm is a proud Spaniard, so to defend his title at the Spanish Open over the weekend was a phenomenal achievement. Rahm didn’t put a foot wrong over the four days in Madrid. He looked like he thrived on the pressure, carding a five-under-par final round of 66 to finish on 22-under-par – five [...]
Ian Poulter interview: Englishman confident the Italian Open can spark a strong end to the season October 7, 2019 Ian Poulter does not have to look far for inspiration as he aims to launch a late-season charge at the Italian Open. The English Ryder Cup hero, 43, won his first European Tour title at the event in 2000 and two years later repeated the feat at Olgiata, near Rome – where he returns this [...]
England 39-10 Argentina: Ford delivers, substitutes make an impact but Vunipola injury a worry October 6, 2019 Argentina promised a war but in the end it proved to be little more than a skirmish. England are through to the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with a third successive win after seeing off the Pumas 39-10 in Tokyo on Saturday. England will be delighted to have their passage into the knockout stages [...]
Premier League talking points: Matty Longstaff’s heartwarming interview, Frank back super, Pochettino struggling and more October 6, 2019 Manchester United’s problems are showing no signs of easing, with their 1-0 defeat against Newcastle leaving them 12th and just two points above the relegation zone. Unsurprisingly the underlying statistics don’t make for happy reading. No away wins since March, five victories in the last 23 matches altogether and just seven goals scored in the [...]