Ultimate Test for the team ethic August 9, 2009 ENGLAND’S ethic is all about playing as a team and, following their Headingley humbling, they will need to provide the perfect example of that approach in the Ashes decider. Individually, they just don’t possess the quality to bounce back. They do not have a Sachin Tendulkar or Muttiah Muralitharan at their disposal to drag them [...]
First blood to Chelsea after United fluff shoot-out lines August 9, 2009 CHELSEA manager Carlo Ancelotti declared himself ready to launch an assault on Manchester United’s Premier League crown after beating the champions in yesterday’s Community Shield at Wembley. Blues goalkeeper Petr Cech saved two penalties as Ancelotti’s men won a shoot-out 4-1, after the traditional curtain-raiser to the top-flight season ended in an entertaining draw. Goals [...]
Harrington blows chance as Tiger takes advantage August 9, 2009 IRELAND’S Padraig Harrington squandered his chance of glory at the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio with a triple bogey eight at the 16th hole. Harrington led Tiger Woods by one shot with three to play, but found the water and was duly punished by the world No1, who birdied after hitting the green with a [...]
England team pulls out over terror threats August 9, 2009 ENGLAND yesterday pulled out of the World Championships in India on the eve of the competition because of security fears. Reports in the local media had suggested the tournament was a target for the Islamic extremist group Lashkar-e-Taiba. Badminton England’s performance director Ian Moss said: “When the players saw the lack of security at the [...]
Giants stand tall to beat holders August 9, 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE: Huddersfield will meet Warrington in the final of the Challenge Cup after the Giants’ 24-14 win over holders St Helens. Loose forward Stephen Wild scored two of the Yorkshire outfit’s five tries to send them into the Wembley showpiece on 29 August. Winger Francis Meli notched a hat-trick for St Helens but could [...]
Redknapp cool on Young move August 9, 2009 FOOTBALL: Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp insists he has no chance of prising England winger Ashley Young from Aston Villa. Spurs have been linked with a £21m bid for Young, but Redknapp, speaking after his side’s 3-0 friendly win over Olympiacos, said: “Everybody would like to have him but I don’t think there is a chance [...]
Keane fumes at Ipswich defeat August 9, 2009 FOOTBALL: Ipswich boss Roy Keane blasted his team’s defending after they lost their Championship opener at Coventry. City striker Clinton Morrison scored twice in a 2-1 win, with his decisive second a stooped header. Keane said: “If you’re a defender and he heads it that low you take his head off, it’s as simple as [...]
Clijsters poised to make return August 9, 2009 TENNIS: Former world No1 Kim Clijsters says she is ready to make her comeback this week after two years away from the court. The Belgian, who quit to have a baby in 2007, faces France’s Marion Bartoli at the Western and Southern Financial Group Women’s Open in Cincinnati.Clijsters, 26, said: “I’ve been practising for a [...]
Bet on Brett to spark the Aussie fightback August 6, 2009 ENGLAND vs AUSTRALIA TODAY 11AM, SKYSPORTS 1 The cherished urn may be among the smallest trophies in sport, but to the 17,000 Headingley spectators, and 22 men dressed in white, it is the biggest prize in the world. Yet, with three down and just two to go, we’re not much nearer to knowing who will [...]
IN-RUNNING TRADING HINTS August 6, 2009 Although scores are normally high at this ground – the 10-game average first-innings score taken from the totals posted by both teams is 367 – they are often far lower in the second innings, normally leading to a result in one team’s favour. A quick stat attack shows England have won six and lost four [...]