England face battle to save third Test in South Africa January 6, 2010 KEVIN PIETERSEN suffered yet another Test agony to leave England facing a gruelling uphill battle to save the third Test with South Africa at Newlands. The out-of-form batsman lasted just 22 balls before playing across his stumps to fall lbw to paceman Dale Steyn – adding to his second-ball duck in the first innings. It [...]
Football, racing and rugby hit by big freeze January 6, 2010 HEAVY snowfall continued to wreak havoc on the sporting calendar yesterday, with last night’s scheduled Premier League clash between Arsenal and Bolton the most high-profile event to be called off. Horse racing was also severely hit, while several of the weekend’s rugby union fixtures have already been put back. Arsenal had been hopeful earlier in [...]
Coyle rapped by Burnley for sideways switch to Bolton January 6, 2010 BURNLEY chairman Barry Kilby has aimed a dig at outgoing manager Owen Coyle’s decision to join Bolton, calling the switch to their relegation rivals a “sideways” move. Coyle, who is on gardening leave while compensation is thrashed out, has chosen to leave Burnley having guided them to 14th place in the Premier League. Bolton, meanwhile, [...]
I told you I was innocent, insists F1 mogul Briatore January 6, 2010 FORMER Renault F1 boss Flavio Briatore has poured more fuel onto the fire of Crashgate by insisting he had no involvement in the scandal. The Italian is celebrating after his lifetime ban from motorsport, imposed by governing body the FIA following a probe into the controversy, was overturned by a French civil court on Tuesday. [...]
Ford cheers investors as sales surge January 5, 2010 US CARMAKER Ford yesterday posted a 33 per cent sales gain for December, ending a crushing 2009 on an upswing as it recorded its first full-year market-share gain since 1995. The Ford sales surge ran beyond the expectations of analysts and sent the company’s stock sharply higher. Ford shares powered above $11 to hit their [...]
Broad locked in tampering row as Smith takes charge January 5, 2010 SEAMER Stuart Broad was last night embroiled in a bitter ball-tampering row as England lost their grip on the third Test in Cape Town. Television footage appeared to show Broad trapping the ball with the sole of his studded boot as he went to stop a defensive shot from Hashim Amla in the morning session. [...]
Odds shake-up will work in the bookies’ favour, says McCririck January 5, 2010 PUNDIT John McCririck believes plans to scrap fractional odds in favour of decimals will ultimately hit punters in the pocket. Decimal odds such as 1.5/1 will be trialled instead of the traditional 6/4 later this year, as part of a range of proposals aimed at broadening appeal. But while the system may be familiar to [...]
Manny and Floyd to use mediator January 5, 2010 BOXING: Representatives of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are set to meet with a mediator in a bid to save their mega showdown from collapse. Pacquiao pulled out of the scheduled 13 March clash and threatened legal action against Mayweather after the American demanded random drugs tests ahead of the bout. Former judge Daniel Weinstein, [...]
Pakistan put Aussies in a spin January 5, 2010 CRICKET: Pakistan look set for their first Test victory against Australia since 1995 after closing day three of the second Test in Sydney in complete control. Leading by 206 runs from the first innings, the tourists reduced the Aussies to 286-8 – a lead of 80. Spinner Danish Kanieria claimed 4-117, while Australia are pinning [...]
Premiership duo on chill alert January 5, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Sale and Leicester have moved the kick-off times for their weekend Premiership matches in a bid to beat the big chill. With more heavy snow and freezing temperatures expected, Sale have postponed their Friday night encounter with Saracens at Edgeley Park to Saturday with a 1.05pm kick-off. Similarly, Leicester have moved their kick-off [...]