SPORT IN BRIEF November 18, 2009 Lord’s will not sell naming rights CRICKET: The owners of Lord’s have denied reports they plan to sell naming rights for the famous stadium to finance a £400m redevelopment. The MCC say the work will be funded by flats around the stadium and dismissed any suggestion of selling rights for individual stands. Chief executive Keith [...]
Murray paired with No1 Federer November 18, 2009 ANDY MURRAY has been drawn in the same group as world No1 Roger Federer for the ATP World Tour Finals at the O2 Arena, on Sunday. The British No1 also goes up against US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro and Spaniard Fernando Verdasco in Group A. Group B consists of world No2 Rafael Nadal, [...]
Cesc: I want cups before I leave Arsenal November 17, 2009 ARSENAL captain Cesc Fabregas has snubbed fresh interest from Spain by insisting his immediate priority is to bring silverware to the Emirates Stadium. Barcelona and Real Madrid are both preparing huge summer bids for the midfielder, with the former reported to be willing to offer midfielder Yaya Toure and striker Bojan Krkic plus cash. But [...]
Button likely to join McLaren as Mercedes GP tighten belt November 17, 2009 WORLD champion Jenson Button is expected to sign for McLaren this week after Mercedes GP chiefs said they would not raise their offer to the Englishman. Talks between Button and McLaren are said to have progressed significantly since he visited the team’s headquarters last week. The Woking-based outfit are keen to pair Button with Lewis [...]
Rowntree backing for under-fire Wells November 17, 2009 GRAHAM ROWNTREE rallied round under-fire forwards coach John Wells last night as England’s management team set out to quash rumours of a split in the camp. Wells’ position has been thrown into uncertainty amid speculation that a clash in philosophies with attacks coach Brian Smith is hindering England’s progression. Poor performances from the pack against [...]
Super Sarries shock Boks at Wembley November 17, 2009 SARACENS (24) vs. SOUTH AFRICA (23) PREMIERSHIP leaders Saracens staged a thrilling comeback to stun world champions South Africa in front of a roaring crowd of over 46,000 at Wembley last night. Former Springbok fly-half Derick Hougaard kicked 14 points to help Sarries claw their way back from 18-6 down and subject the tourists to [...]
Star Jon’s hot to Trott in guiding England home November 17, 2009 JONATHAN TROTT cemented his place in the England top order after guiding the tourists to a fighting four-wicket victory over a strong South Africa A side in a thrilling encounter at Potchefstroom last night. The South African-born batsman smashed 78 from 89 balls to lead the injury-hit tourists to a daunting victory target of 279-9 [...]
Wrap stars up in cotton wool November 17, 2009 WE may be just two weeks into a two-and-a-half month tour but the England selectors have already reached their first dilemma. So far this week we have seen our best fast bowler, Jimmy Anderson, our best all-rounder Stuart Broad, No1 spinner Graeme Swann and key batsmen Paul Collingwood and Alastair Cook all go down with [...]
QUEEN SENT FROM RUSSIA WITH LOVE November 17, 2009 FIRST there was Bobby George; the Bobby Dazzler, the King of the Bling, the first true bastion of darting glitz and glamour. Then, there was Andy Fordham. Thirty-one stone at his peak, hair down to his backside and regular consumer of 25 bottles of Holsten Pils before going on stage. Equally adored by his public. [...]
Gerrard ready to face City but Torres still out November 17, 2009 LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard has handed the Reds a huge boost by declaring himself fit for Saturday’s blockbuster against Manchester City. A nagging groin injury has restricted the midfielder to just 70 minutes of action since the Premier League defeat to Chelsea on 4 October. Gerrard rushed himself back against Birmingham earlier this month but [...]