JUST CHAMPION September 23, 2009 PAKISTAN batsman Umar Akmal struck a mature 41 to help beat the West Indies in their Champions Trophy opener in Johannesburg. The 19-year-old, brother of wicketkeeper Kamran, rescued his side from 61-4 with some tight defence and masterful strokeplay. Earlier the West Indies were skittled out for a paltry 133, Nikita Miller top scoring with [...]
Bopara has a point to prove September 23, 2009 AT THE CREASE WITHANDY LLOYD I’M NOT expecting much from England at the Champions Trophy, but the stage is set for Ravi Bopara to answer his critics and prove he can still be a top international batsman. Bopara has had his opportunities this year but has been a major disappointment, failing to pass 50 in [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF September 23, 2009 Cavendish forced to pull outCYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish had to withdraw from this week’s Road Cycling World Championships road race with a respiratory infection. The 24-year-old, who won six stages in this summer’s Tour de France, pulled out of this month’s Tour of Missouri with breathing difficulties. England v Brazil – in QatarFOOTBALL: England will [...]
Symonds accepts blame for Crashgate September 23, 2009 SHAMED former Renault engineering chief Pat Symonds says he will always regret his role in the Crashgate scandal, insisting he was blinded by loyalty to the team he helped to establish. Symonds was banned from the sport for five years on Monday after Renault were found guilty of fixing last year’s Singapore Grand Prix by [...]
Bellamy dodges ban as FA decide to warn striker September 22, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY striker Craig Bellamy yesterday escaped punishment for his altercation with a pitch invader during Sunday’s explosive derby at Manchester United. The Football Association decided only to issue Bellamy with a warning for the clash, in which he appeared to push the spectator in the face while the man was being held by stewards. [...]
Henin follows Clijsters back to the court September 22, 2009 FORMER world No1 Justine Henin will return to competitive action next year after declaring she has rediscovered her love of the game. The 27-year-old, who retired from the sport 16 months ago, confirmed she is to make a comeback in 2010 during a television broadcast in her native Belgium last night. The seven-time grand slam [...]
Vela inspires late salvo to sink Baggies September 22, 2009 ARSENAL (2) vs WEST BROM (0) ARSENAL boss Arsene Wenger hailed Carlos Vela after the Mexican starlet came off the bench to propel his youthful Carling Cup side into the fourth round. Forward Sanchez Watt’s first senior goal put the Gunners ahead against 10-man West Brom, after some neat footwork and a smart shot from [...]
Ngog downs Leeds and vows to repay boss Benitez’s faith September 22, 2009 LEEDS UTD (0) vs LIVERPOOL (1) LIVERPOOL youngster David Ngog is relishing further opportunities to impress after his clinical finish sent Liverpool into the last 16 of the Carling Cup. The French striker pounced on Javier Mascherano’s mis-hit shot in the 65th minute and spun well before coolly slotting home. And the 20-year-old believes his [...]
Bolton fight back to nail Hammers September 22, 2009 BOLTON (3) vs WEST HAM (1) WEST HAM came within four minutes of a rare foray into the fourth round before being dumped out of the Carling Cup in extra time by battling Bolton. Defender Herita Ilunga’s goal looked to have sent the Hammers into the last 16 for only the second time in eight [...]
Chelsea acted properly in Kakuta deal, insists scout September 22, 2009 CHELSEA’S French scout has defended the club’s conduct in the controversial signing of youngster Gael Kakuta. The Blues were this month banned from signing players until 2011 after Kakuta’s former club Lens complained to governing body Fifa that the Premier League club had induced him to break his contract. But Guy Hillion, who spotted and [...]