Flower backs captain Cook after Warne’s Twitter blast August 13, 2013 ENGLAND team director Andy Flower has leapt to the defence of captain Alastair Cook following stinging criticism from Australia’s all-time leading wicket-taker Shane Warne. Cook masterminded Australia’s collapse on day four of the fourth Test in Durham as England moved 3-0 ahead in the series with one match to play. However, Warne had been critical [...]
Cricket Comment: What would Australia give to have Ian Bell? August 13, 2013 WHEN Ian Bell was selected for Michael Vaughan’s team in the 2005 Ashes series he was ridiculed by Australia. They nicknamed him the Sherminator and, Old Trafford aside, he scored 47 runs in four Test matches. Fast-forward eight years and what would Australia give to have Bell in their team now? He has been by [...]
Gerrard to go out all guns blazing against Scotland August 13, 2013 ENGLAND captain Steven Gerrard has risked upsetting Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers on the eve of the new Premier League season by outlining his desire to play as many minutes as possible in tonight’s friendly with Scotland at Wembley. Just three days before Liverpool take on Stoke in the opening game of the new campaign, Gerrard [...]
Hodgson backs young talent as England hit six August 13, 2013 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson believes the Under-21s’ 6-0 thrashing of Scotland last night at a packed Bramall Lane proved there is plenty of reason to be positive about the strength of the national team. With senior manager Hodgson in temporary charge after previous boss Stuart Pearce departed earlier this summer, England’s youngsters took the lead on [...]
Strachan wants regular renewal of auld rivalry August 13, 2013 SCOTLAND manager Gordon Strachan hopes his side can start to play England more often, as they prepare to take on the auld enemy at Wembley tonight for the first time in 14 years. The pair have met competitively just three times since 1989, with England triumphing 2-0 in a Euro ’96 group match and 2-1 [...]
Spurs prepare to lighten midfield load by three August 13, 2013 TOTTENHAM have accepted a £2m bid from Championship club Queens Park Rangers for tough-tackling midfielder Scott Parker, while Tom Huddlestone and Jake Livermore have emerged as targets of Hull. Parker moved to north London in August 2011 and made 50 Premier League appearances for Spurs, also winning the club’s Player of the Season award during [...]
Farah hopeful of replicating his Olympic double August 13, 2013 DOUBLE Olympic champion Mo Farah admitted he was conscious of conserving energy during yesterday’s 5,000m heat in the hope of adding to his world 10,000m title in Friday’s final. Farah cruised over the finish line in 13 minutes 23.93 seconds – almost 30 seconds slower than his personal best – to finish in the fifth [...]
Knight helps England battle back August 13, 2013 CRICKET: Opener Heather Knight scored 157 as England fought back on day three of the Ashes Test at Wormsley. The hosts resumed trailing Australia by 159 runs, but Knight’s mammoth score, coupled with a patient 55 from Laura Marsh saw England bowled out for 314. Australia will begin the final day on 61-1, leading by [...]
Nine charged with fixing offences August 13, 2013 CRICKET: The International Cricket Council have charged nine people in relation to match-fixing offences in the Bangladesh Premier League. Seven have been charged with fixing-related offences, while another two for failing to report corrupt approaches made to them. The charges related to an alleged conspiracy within the Shaka Gladiators and does not only involve players. [...]
Banned Dwyer gets PJA backing August 13, 2013 HORSE RACING: The Professional Jockeys Association have given their backing to banned former Derby winner Martin Dwyer and urged the British Horseracing Authority not to replicate the eight-month suspension dished out by the Royal Western India Turf Club for preventing a horse from running on its merits until after his latest appeal is heard.