Prior vows to show his true colours March 23, 2011 ENGLAND wicketkeeper Matt Prior believes it’s about time England did themselves justice at the World Cup. Embarrassing defeats by Bangladesh and Ireland were offset by a victory over South Africa and a remarkable tie against India in the group stages as England limped unimpressively into the last eight. Andrew Strauss’s men face co-hosts Sri Lanka [...]
Afridi plays down World Cup dream despite crushing win March 23, 2011 PAKISTAN captain Shahid Afridi believes it’s still premature to talk of his side winning the World Cup despite an emphatic victory over West Indies in yesterday’s quarter-final. Afridi led the way with the ball again taking another four wickets in a crushing 10-wicket win, Pakistan’s third such victory of the tournament, as the Windies were [...]
Spinner Titmus dies March 23, 2011 CRICKET: Former England spinner Fred Titmus has died, aged 78, following a prolonged spell of illness. Londoner Titmus, who was also an effective lower-order batsman, enjoyed a remarkably long career spanning 33 seasons before retiring aged 50 in 1982. “Fred was a fine cricketer, a fine off-spin bowler and a very useful batsman,” said former [...]
Klitschko: I’ll KO Haye March 23, 2011 BOXING: Defending IBF and WBO heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko has vowed to knock out Britain’s David Haye in the 12th round when they meet in the summer. Haye, the WBA title-holder, is set to collide with the Ukrainian in Germany in either late June or early July. Klitschko said: “I will definitely enjoy the fight [...]
2012 park name hunt March 23, 2011 OLYMPICS: Members of the public have been invited to pick names for five new neighbourhoods to be built within the Olympic Park after next year’s London 2012 Games. The first housing in the rename Queen Elizabeth Park, which is currently home to the stadium, aquatics centre, velodrome and other arenas, will be opened in 2015. [...]
Hoy adds to medal tally March 23, 2011 CYCLING: Sir Chris Hoy celebrated his 35th birthday by winning his 21st World Championship medal as Britain’s sprint team powered to a bronze medal in Holland. After qualifying for the final in third position, Hoy, Jason Kenny and Matt Crampton eased past Australia in 44.235 seconds, with France winning gold from Germany. The GB pursuit [...]
The boys are behind me March 22, 2011 ENGLAND captain John Terry announced his return as the team’s leader by admitting: “I’m not everybody’s cup of tea” but insisted that he has 100 per cent support of his international team-mates. Terry will wear the armband for the first time in over a year at the Millennium Stadium for the Euro 2012 qualifier with [...]
World Cup starts at last March 22, 2011 AT LONG long last after 42 generally one-sided and predictable matches the World Cup can officially begin with the top eight teams in the world having made it through to the last eight. The group stages have been a complete waste of time and by maintaining such a long-winded format the latter stages have potentially [...]
United Supporters Trust fury at Glazers £109m loss March 22, 2011 THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE of the Manchester United Supporters Trust, Duncan Drasdo, has accused the clubs owners of wasting money after the Glazers announced losses of £109m yesterday. The loss by Red Football Joint Venture, the family’s parent company that owns United, includes some one-off costs from setting up the £526m bond scheme last year to [...]
Usmanov ups stake in Arsenal March 22, 2011 RUSSIAN-BASED billionaire Alisher Usmanov has again increased his share in Arsenal to over 27 per cent. The Uzbek oil magnate remains the club’s second largest shareholder behind American Stan Kroenke who, unlike Usmanov, holds a seat on the board. Under the financial rules of the City, were any party to cross the 29.99 per cent takeover [...]