Queen’s return bolsters Nadal’s Wimbledon bid March 23, 2015 WORLD No3 Rafael Nadal has opted to return to Queen’s Club after a four-year absence to play the Aegon Championships in June in an attempt to rediscover his best form at Wimbledon. Nadal has reached the final of the grand slam on all five occasions that he has prepared for the tournament by playing at [...]
Somerset sign Gayle for T20 March 23, 2015 SOMERSET have signed power-hitting West Indies opener Chris Gayle for a portion of the coming season’s T20 Blast tournament. Gayle follows in the footsteps of countrymen Joel Garner and Viv Richards in signing for the county and is set to join on either 22 or 29 May, depending on how far his franchise, Royal Challengers [...]
Skrtel stamp charge set to deal Reds blow for run-in March 23, 2015 LIVERPOOL’S surge for the end of season tape was dealt a further blow yesterday when centre-half Martin Skrtel was slapped with a Football Association charge for violent conduct. The charge relates to an injury-time incident in the Reds’ clash against Manchester United at Anfield on Sunday where the Slovakia defender was alleged to have stamped [...]
Spurs star set to start after Sturridge woe March 23, 2015 ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson could throw prolific Tottenham striker Harry Kane straight into his starting line-up for the Euro2016 qualifier against Lithuania after Daniel Sturridge was last night forced to withdraw from the squad. Sturridge suffered a hip injury during Liverpool’s Premier League defeat to Manchester United on Sunday and has been ruled out of [...]
Lancaster’s side lead way in top player election March 23, 2015 ENGLAND’S ultimately forlorn Six Nations title bid has not prevented Stuart Lancaster’s side snagging the largest representation on a 12-strong shortlist for player of the tournament. The Red Rose finished runners-up for the fourth year in succession after falling agonisingly short of holders Ireland on points difference, despite dispatching France 55-35 on a frantic final [...]
Fresh riddle over Alonso crash as driver prepares for F1 return March 23, 2015 MCLAREN have added to the intrigue surrounding double world champion Fernando Alonso’s pre-season crash by revealing previously unknown details of the mystery shunt. Alonso missed the season-opening Australian Grand Prix due to concussion suffered in the high-speed accident in Barcelona last month but is set to race in Malaysia this week, pending final medical checks. [...]
Golf Comment: Stenson may have been innocent but officials entitled to hurry him March 23, 2015 IT WASN’T obvious that Henrik Stenson was being hurried along towards the end of his thwarted challenge at the Arnold Palmer Invitational on Sunday, but he made his displeasure about it clear soon afterwards. The Swede complained that he felt hurried into missing putts by officials keen to enforce speedier play over the final few [...]
Clarke: McIlroy will win Masters and complete career grand slam March 23, 2015 EUROPE’S Ryder Cup skipper Darren Clarke harbours no doubt that world No1 Rory McIlroy will one day win the Masters and complete a career grand slam. Only five golfers have won each of golf’s four Major tournaments, with the illustrious group containing American quartet Gene Sarazen, Ben Hogan, Jack Nicklaus and Tiger Woods, as well [...]
Premier League: Mourinho talks up title as edgy Blues pull away March 22, 2015 HULL CITY 2 CHELSEA 3 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho admits he is now “pretty confident” of clinching the club’s first Premier League title for five years after inching six points clear with a nervy victory in Hull yesterday. The Blues needed a late winner from substitute Loic Remy after squandering an early two-goal lead, earned [...]
Premier League: Gerrard sorry for instant red card March 22, 2015 LIVERPOOL 1 MANCHESTER UNITED 2 LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard apologised to team-mates, supporters and manager Brendan Rodgers after being sent off just 40 seconds after coming off the bench in yesterday’s defeat to Manchester United. Gerrard was dismissed for stamping on Ander Herrera early in the second half, as the Reds saw their five-match winning [...]