Johnson injury blow for Australia March 16, 2014 CRICKET: Australia fast bowler Mitchell Johnson has been ruled out of the Twenty20 World Cup in Bangladesh after failing to recover from an infected toe. The tournament began yesterday with the hosts comfortably beating Afghanistan by nine wickets, while Nepal beat Hong Kong by 80 runs, bowling their opponents out for just 69 runs.
Djokovic fights back to beat Federer March 16, 2014 TENNIS: World No2 Novak Djokovic won his first title of the year last night with a dramatic tie-break victory over Roger Federer at the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells. The Serb lost the opening set but fought back to win 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). Flavia Pennetta beat Agnieszka Radwanska in the women’s final.
Baby drama won’t hinder England bid March 13, 2014 ENGLAND’S quest to win a first Six Nations title in three years will not be hampered by the last-minute loss of prop and expectant father Joe Marler, according to head coach Stuart Lancaster. Marler was initially included in Lancaster’s starting XV to take on Italy tomorrow, but doubts over his ability to join his team-mates [...]
Exclusive: Ecclestone: I’m surprised teams haven’t quit F1 March 13, 2014 FORMULA One boss Bernie Ecclestone believes teams have emerged unscathed from a financial crisis last year but warned that several outfits almost brought the sport into disrepute by not paying their drivers. Lotus endured financial difficulties, including a failed attempt to bring in a major new investor and a high-profile pay dispute with driver Kimi [...]
Europa League: Tottenham on the brink of Euro exit after Benfica’s masterclass March 13, 2014 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 1 BENFICA 3 TOTTENHAM boss Tim Sherwood conceded his team were outclassed by Benfica, as their heaviest ever home defeat in the Europa League left Spurs on the brink of elimination in the last-16. Rodrigo opened the scoring in the first half and two goals from defender Luisao, sandwiching Christian Eriksen’s sublime freekick, [...]
Ramsey return delayed again but Kallstrom may face Spurs March 13, 2014 ARSENAL midfielder Aaron Ramsey is out of Sunday’s north London derby after suffering another setback in his recovery from injury. Ramsey, who scored 13 goals during a blistering start to the season, has not played since 2013 due to a thigh problem. The Wales international, 23, had been tipped by Arsene Wenger to be ready [...]
Van Persie committed to United March 13, 2014 MANCHESTER United striker Robin van Persie last night quashed speculation he is looking to leave this summer and backed manager David Moyes to turn around the club’s fortunes. The 30-year-old moved from Arsenal in a £24m deal two years ago, but was said to have grown frustrated with a difficult season on the field which [...]
Jordan makes the difference March 13, 2014 ENGLAND’S stand-in Twenty20 captain Eoin Morgan hailed Chris Jordan’s fine all-round display that sealed victory in the last of their three-match series with West Indies. Jordan scored 26 in the final over of England’s innings then claimed bowling figures of 3-39 to help earn a five-run win. Morgan said: “It was a fantastic game and [...]
More Of That usurps duo as Big Buck’s bows out March 13, 2014 JOCKEY Barry Geraghty praised the staying power of More Of That after the Jonjo O’Neill-trained gelding upstaged Annie Power and Big Buck’s in the World Hurdle at Cheltenham yesterday. The feature race of the festival’s third day had been billed as a straight duel between the favourites but ended with Annie Power beaten for the [...]
Curlers advance to semi-finals March 13, 2014 WINTER PARALYMPICS: Great Britain’s curlers reached tomorrow’s semi-final despite a 6-3 defeat to China yesterday. Following an 8-7 win over the United States, Britain had to rely on Russia, their last-four opponents, to beat Slovakia in order to advance.