Cook will get form back, insists Bopara August 12, 2010 ENGLAND batsman Ravi Bopara is backing team-mate Alastair Cook to recover from his slump in form and return to the top of his game in next week’s third Test with Pakistan. Vice-captain Cook has only managed 100 runs in seven Test innings this summer with a highest score of just 29. The 25-year-old’s dip in [...]
England seal warm-ups August 12, 2010 ENGLAND will warm up for next year’s Rugby World Cup with a double-header with Wales and a Test against Ireland. Martin Johnson’s men line up at Cardiff and Twickenham before travelling to Dublin on August 27 of next year – just two weeks before England’s World Cup opener against Argentina in Christchurch. The national side [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF August 12, 2010 Spofforth earns Britain gold SWIMMING: Gemma Spofforth led home a British 100m backstroke one-two at the European Championships. Spofforth pipped Lizzie Simmonds, while Liam Tancock took 50m backstroke silver. But golden girl Rebecca Adlington trailed a distant seventh in the 800m freestyle. Erratic Murray into last eight TENNIS: British No1 Andy Murray wobbled badly before [...]
Spurs can continue fine record against Man City August 12, 2010 TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR vs MANCHESTER CITY TOMORROW, 12.45PM, SKY SPORTS HARRY REDKNAPP would love to have the funds that Roberto Mancini has at his disposal, but the financial gap between the managers meant nothing last season as Tottenham pipped Manchester City for fourth spot. He also has the psychological edge over his Italian counterpart, knowing that [...]
Return to seven furlongs can give Ouqba the edge in the Hungerford August 12, 2010 IT may well be over a year since he last won a race, but Barry Hills’ OUQBA looks the one to beat in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury this weekend. The four-year-old son of Red Ransom is ideally suited by a fast-run seven furlongs on decent ground and he should have all those conditions in [...]
the INSIDER August 12, 2010 York takes centre stage next week and there’s nothing I like more than finding a few winners the weekend before a big meeting. Frankie Dettori is at Newbury tomorrow and I fancy him and KITE WOOD to win the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer (2.30pm) for the second year running. He won well on his reappearance [...]
Hero Gerrard saves England August 11, 2010 ENGLAND (2) vs HUNGARY (1) CAPTAIN marvel Steven Gerrard spared the blushes of both his under-fire coach and Fifa bosses last night as England came from behind to beat Hungary in their first outing since their dismal World Cup showing. The stand-in captain scored two memorable goals in the space of just four minutes as [...]
Capello: Beckham’ is “too old” to continue August 11, 2010 FABIO CAPELLO last night appeared to call time on David Beckham’s international career, admitting the 35-year-old former captain is a “little bit old”. Beckham missed the World Cup through injury but joined Capello as part of his back-up team because of the influence he has on the squad. But the Italian admitted the LA Galaxy [...]
Lerner: O’Neill quit over dispute August 11, 2010 ASTON VILLA chairman Randy Lerner yesterday claimed Martin O’Neill’s departure was down to a difference of opinion as bookies slashed the odds on Sven-Goran Eriksson to take over the reigns at Villa Park. The American tycoon revealed a disagreement over the club’s direction caused O’Neill to step down just days before the new season and [...]
Sir Alex expecting a dogfight – just to finish in the top four August 11, 2010 SIR ALEX Ferguson yesterday warned his Manchester United side to prepare for a “dogfight” this season – just to finish in a Champions League place. The wily United boss expects the likes of Tottenham, city rivals Manchester City, managerless Aston Villa, and Everton to contest a scramble for European spots this term, while he himself [...]