Cricket Comment: March of time lends extra edge to this series for England stars November 19, 2013 IT’S not quite the end of an era, but this Ashes series in Australia represents the end of a cycle that coach Andy Flower and selectors have long been gearing up for. A number of players who make up England’s spine are the wrong side of 30 and will know that this could be their [...]
Pietersen eyes goals beyond Ashes glory November 19, 2013 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen has declared his intention to play on until 2016 as he prepares to win a 100th cap in tonight’s first Ashes Test. The 33-year-old had been tipped by some commentators to retire at the end of this series, following a succession of knee problems and a turbulent history with England’s cricket [...]
Favourite Invictus set for Gold Cup charge as race day looms November 19, 2013 TRAINER Alan King hopes Hennessy Gold Cup favourite Invictus can showcase his capability in this month’s big race at Newbury. The £175,000 showpiece will be the first time the colt has competed since winning the Grade Two Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase at Ascot in February 2012, after later straining a tendon ahead of the RSA Chase [...]
O’Shea future lies with Quins November 19, 2013 HARLEQUINS director of rugby Conor O’Shea, who has masterminded the most illustrious period the club has enjoyed in the professional era, has extended his contract until 2016. Since the 43-year-old’s arrival at Twickenham Stoop in 2010 Quins have won four trophies, including the Premiership title in 2012. O’Shea said: “I am very privileged to be [...]
Injured Joshua cancels fight November 19, 2013 BOXING: British heavyweight Anthony Joshua has been forced to pull out of Saturday’s fight against Hector Alfredo Avila with a bicep injury. The Olympic champion was scheduled to fight on the undercard of Carl Froch and George Groves’s meeting in Manchester. Joshua is hopeful of being fit to return to the ring against Dorian Darch [...]
England hit nine in record victory November 19, 2013 FOOTBALL: England Under-21s extended their unbeaten run to seven matches with a record 9-0 demolition of San Marino at Shrewsbury last night. Danny Ings and Raheem Sterling each bagged a brace, with Michael Keane, Tom Ince, James Ward-Prowse, Carl Jenkinson and Will Hughes also on target to keep England on top of their European Championship [...]
England boss does not fear Hart failure November 18, 2013 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson insists he has no doubts about handing out-of-form goalkeeper Joe Hart the No1 shirt for the final friendly of 2013 against Germany tonight. Hodgson, who named his team yesterday, has made nine changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Chile at Wembley on Friday, with striker Wayne Rooney and midfielder [...]
Leave Chelsea, De Bruyne told November 18, 2013 CHELSEA forward Eden Hazard has told team-mate and Belgium compatriot Kevin De Bruyne to leave Stamford Bridge or risk wrecking his World Cup dream. De Bruyne, 22, scored four times to help Belgium top their World Cup qualification group yet has been a peripheral figure at Chelsea, making just two Premier League starts so far [...]
Day to play on after tragedy November 18, 2013 THREE-TIME Major runner-up Jason Day intends to represent hosts Australia in this week’s World Cup of Golf, despite losing eight members of his family in Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. Day’s grandmother, uncle and six cousins died in the tropical cyclone that has claimed almost 4,000 lives. Yet the world No18 will partner Masters champion [...]
Scots face weakened Aussies as tourists ban six for drink session November 18, 2013 AUSTRALIA rugby coach Ewan McKenzie admits his team will be vulnerable against Scotland on Saturday after six players were banned and nine more warned for taking part in a drinking session. In the latest alcohol-related storm to hit the Wallabies, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Nick Cummins, Liam Gill, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson and Paddy Ryan were yesterday [...]