England close in on retaining the Ashes as Root leads the charge July 21, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook poured praise on youngster Joe Root last night after the 22-year-old inspired the host side to their second largest Test victory over Australia of all time, to go 2-0 up in this summer’s Ashes series. Root could not manage to record a double century yesterday morning, falling 20 runs short, but [...]
Spurs set to make £7m Chadli second signing of the summer July 21, 2013 BELGIUM winger Nacer Chadli is set to become Tottenham’s second major signing of the summer, after the north London club confirmed yesterday they had agreed a deal with FC Twente. Chadli, who is predominantly right-footed but comfortable playing on either flank, will cost Spurs £7m, subject to agreeing personal terms, and follows their recent capture [...]
Froome overwhelmed by historic Tour win July 21, 2013 TOUR de France champion Chris Froome revealed he was reduced to tears after crossing the line on the Champs-Elysees, in the final stage of this year’s race yesterday, linking arms with the fellow Team Sky riders that made his stunning win possible. The British rider knew only a disastrous final day on the 100th edition [...]
Golf Comment: Astounding 66 made Lefty a worthy champ July 21, 2013 HE IS no stranger to winning Majors but I suspect that yesterday’s dazzling and triumphant final round at the Open will stay with Phil Mickelson for as long as he lives. Shooting a 66 on a Muirfield course that proved such a test to the best players in the world is astounding. Lefty, as he [...]
Sport Comment: Sir Chris? Save the honours for when our sporting heroes retire July 21, 2013 A RISE Sir Andy Murray. Sir Chris Froome. Sir Alastair Cook. It was almost arise Sir Lee Westwood but for a masterful final round from Phil Mickelson at the Open yesterday. It’s going to be a busy time for the sporting honours committee when they sit down and ponder handing out the gongs in the [...]
You’re letting the country down, Clarke tells Australian batsmen July 21, 2013 AUSTRALIA captain Michael Clarke hit out at his fellow batsmen, after the tourists managed only 363 runs during the two innings of the second Test defeat at Lord’s. The visitors have a mountain to climb in order to reclaim the Ashes, having lost the opening two Tests against England for the first time since 1978-79. [...]
Ban cheats for longer, says Coe July 21, 2013 ATHLETICS: Lord Coe, vice-president of governing body the IAAF, has called for doping bans to be increased from two years to four. Track’s credibility is in crisis after it emerged last week that sprinters Tyson Gay and Asafa Powell had both tested positive. “We have to go back from two years to four years,” said [...]
Arthur: I’ve been targeted July 21, 2013 CRICKET: Sacked Australia coach Mickey Arthur says he has been the victim of a “campaign” since beginning legal proceedings against Cricket Australia. Arthur, who was sacked last month, said he was keen to reach an agreement “in spite of what has been a deliberate campaign against me in the past days”.
England show fight to recover poor start July 18, 2013 Century-maker Bell led the charge after three early dismissals on day one at Lord’s IN-FORM England batsman Ian Bell was content with his side’s patch-up job on the first day of the second Ashes Test at Lord’s after recovering from 28-3 to reach 289-7 at stumps. In the blazing Lord’s sun, and with Her Majesty [...]
Siddle’s no-ball blunder leaves Australia fearing for their Ashes chances July 18, 2013 AUSTRALIAN fast bowler Ryan Harris fears “unacceptable” errors could see his team throw away their chance to regain the Ashes this summer. England made an early recovery from 28-3 to move to 168-4 on the first day of the second Test at Lord’s when seamer Peter Siddle thought he had made the crucial breakthrough by [...]