England to triumph at Lord’s despite Australia’s record July 17, 2013 ROBIN HUTCHISON PREVIEWS THE SECOND INVESTEC ASHES TEST THE second Investec Ashes Test, which begins today, has a lot to live up to if it is to match the drama we witnessed at Trent Bridge last week. England prevailed – but by the narrowest of margins – after an enthralling five days, thanks largely to [...]
Back Pietersen to be thorn in side of Aussie bowlers July 17, 2013 Kevin Pietersen will have mixed emotions about his Test match debut against Australia at Lord’s back in the heady and historic summer of 2005. It was all going swimmingly when Steve Harmison ran through the tourists, taking 5-43 and restricting them to just 190 on day one. But when Glenn McGrath skittled England for an [...]
Benitez blast at board and fans leaves job in doubt February 27, 2013 FA CUP MIDDLESBROUGH 0 vs CHELSEA 2 CHELSEA boss Rafael Benitez plunged his immediate future at Stamford Bridge into doubt last night, after launching an astonishing attack on the club’s fans and board, believing the supporters hold an unhelpful agenda against him and that holding the title of interim manager is a massive mistake. Benitez, [...]
Pistorius substance was herbal aid for muscles and sex stamina February 27, 2013 THE MYSTERY substance found at the home of Paralympic star and murder suspect Oscar Pistorius that sparked accusations of doping was a herbal muscle recovery aid, his representatives said yesterday. The substance was named as Testis Compositum, which is also marketed as a “testosterone booster” and a treatment for “symptoms associated with male sexual weakness”, [...]
Club change is affecting form, admits McIlroy February 27, 2013 WORLD No1 golfer Rory McIlroy admits he is still struggling to find his rhythm since signing a reported £150m, 10-year deal with Nike last month to use new clubs. The Northern Irishman has endured an uncharacteristically poor start to the season. He lost in the first round of last week’s WGC Match Play tournament to [...]
Tragedy demands update of testing policy February 27, 2013 CRICKET COMMENT WHILE I’m sure we’d all like to think that Tom Maynard’s apparent drug use is an isolated case in cricket, the reality is that it probably isn’t. In cold terms, there are 18 counties, each with 25 players, so that’s around 400 professional players in this country. Many of them are paid very [...]
Bell supports hair testing to prevent Maynard repeat February 27, 2013 ENGLAND batsman Ian Bell has backed plans for cricket’s governing body to begin testing players’ hair samples to crack down on drug use and avoid a repeat of the circumstances surrounding the death of Tom Maynard last June. An inquest into the former Surrey cricketer’s death, held earlier this week, heard that tests of hair [...]
Why I believe Bale will stay put February 27, 2013 FOOTBALL COMMENT I VIVIDLY remember a chat I had around six years ago with Brian Flynn, who was then in charge of the Wales Under-21 team. He was raving about a player who was only 16 or 17 but already in his set-up and had, he said, two gears more speed than anybody else. That [...]
Khan announces home fight in bid to get career back on track February 27, 2013 BOXER Amir Khan will fight on home soil for the first time in two years when he steps into the ring with Julio Diaz of Mexico in April. The light-welterweight, who has lost two of his last three fights, takes on a 33-year-old opponent with a career record of 40 wins from 48 fights, including [...]
Healy free to play after stamp ban gets reduced February 27, 2013 PROP Cian Healy will be available to play in Ireland’s next RBS Six Nations match against France, after successfully having his three-week ban for stamping on England’s Dan Cole last month reduced. Healy argued at a committee hearing held yesterday that his three-week ban, initially down-graded from five weeks because of mitigating factors, was in [...]