Shahzad left to sweat over Test debut June 3, 2010 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss says England will make an 11th hour decision on team selection ahead of the second Test with Bangladesh, which starts this morning. Strauss and the selectors are torn between handing Ajmal Shahzad a Test debut for the Old Trafford clash, or recalling Ryan Sidebottom in place of the injured Tim Bresnan. “They [...]
Sizzling Stosur reaches first slam final June 3, 2010 THE women’s game will have a new Grand Slam champion tomorrow after Sam Stosur and Francesca Schiavone booked their places in the final at Roland Garros. Australian Stosur, the No7 seed, continued her outstanding French Open with a 6-1, 6-2 trouncing of former world No1 Jelena Jankovic. Schiavone was handed an even easier path when [...]
Gerrard hails Capello mentality June 3, 2010 STEVEN GERRARD says coach Fabio Capello has given the England squad a “winning mentality”. Capello’s squad touched down in Johannesburg to begin their World Cup preparation yesterday ahead of the first match against USA, on 12 June. Gerrard has been a mainstay of the England squad since the days of previous coach Steve McClaren, who [...]
We’ll learn quickly to stun Wallabies, claims Easter June 3, 2010 NICK EASTER believes England can up the ante when they head Down Under for their summer tour of Australia and New Zealand. The Harlequins No8 captained the side to an encouraging 35-26 win over the Barbarians at Twickenham on Saturday and now has the six-game series, including two Test with the Wallabies, in his sights. [...]
Wood boosts Ryder Cup hope June 3, 2010 CHRIS WOOD gave Ryder Cup captain Colin Montgomerie a welcome nudge after firing a sizzling six-under-par 65 in the Wales Open at Celtic Manor. The course, which hosts the tournament in October, proved easy meat for the 6ft 5in Englishman, who raced to the top of the leaderboard, one shot clear of Australia’s Andrew Dodt [...]
Earls blow for Ireland June 3, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Ireland have suffered another blow ahead of their summer tour of New Zealand and Australia after Keith Earls was ruled out with a groin injury. The Munster back has been suffering with the on-going problem before eventually pulling out during a team training camp in Limerick. Earls, who is being replaced by Connacht’s [...]
Powell recall curtailed June 3, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Wales back-row forward Andy Powell has been ruled out of Saturday’s clash with South Africa and the subsequent two-Test tour of New Zealand. The Cardiff Blues star had been recalled by Wales coach Warren Gatland following his infamous golf buggy incident during the Six Nations Championship. But a torn thigh muscle in training [...]
Zimbabwe stun India again June 3, 2010 CRICKET: India suffered a second shock defeat at the hands of Zimbabwe after crashing by seven wickets in their triangular series match. The Indians, who lost by six wickets on Friday, made just 194 from their 50 overs with Greg Lamb taking 3-45. Hamilton Masakadza (66) and Brendan Taylor (74) put on 128 for the [...]
USA hit by Altidore injury blow June 3, 2010 ENGLAND’S opening-match opponents USA suffered an injury blow yesterday when striker Jozy Altidore was hospitalised with an ankle problem. Altidore, who spent last season on loan at Hull, underwent an X-ray and was diagnosed with a sprain. The 20-year-old, who has nine goals in 25 international appearances, is a doubt for USA’s final warm-up match [...]
Goalkeeper ploy backfires June 3, 2010 NORTH KOREA’S tactic of naming an extra striker instead of a third keeper has turned into a spectacular own goal. World chiefs Fifa have warned Korea that Kim Myong-Won will only be allowed to play in goal, rather than his usual position of centre-forward. A Fifa statement read: “The three players listed as goalkeepers can [...]