Butcher hangs up his bat August 6, 2009 CRICKET: Former England batsman Mark Butcher announced his retirement from cricket last night with immediate effect. The Surrey captain, 36, scored 38 first-class centuries – eight of them for England – in a career spanning 17 years. He managed five County Championship matches for Surrey this season but has now admitted defeat in his battle [...]
Bent: Twitter jibe worked August 6, 2009 FOOTBALL: Striker Darren Bent admits his Twitter outburst against Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy helped speed up his £10m move to Sunderland. Bent, 25, hit out at Levy on the social networking site after the proposed transfer was delayed. Bent said: “In the long run it seems like it has paid off but at the same [...]
Fulham progress in Europe August 6, 2009 FOOTBALL: Fulham booked their place in the Europa League play-off stage with a 3-0 win over FK Vetra. Midfielder Dickson Etuhu opened the scoring at Craven Cottage, before a brace from striker Andrew Johnson completed a 6-0 aggregate win over the Lithuanian side.
Tigers pounce for pair August 6, 2009 FOOTBALL: Hull City have completed the double signing of Seyi Olofinjana from Stoke City and USA international Jozy Altidore. Midfielder Olofinjana has joined on a four-year contract for £3m, while striker Altidore arrives on a season-long loan from Spanish club Villarreal, subject to a work permit. Newcastle defender Habib Beye could be next to arrive [...]
Casey’s USPGA injury worry August 6, 2009 GOLF: England’s Paul Casey is a major doubt for next week’s US PGA Championship after suffering a chest injury last night. The world No3 pulled a muscle teeing off at the seventh hole of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational in Ohio. Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington held the early clubhouse lead with a six-under-par 64.
Schumi return excites Brawn August 6, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Ross Brawn insists that he is relishing the prospect of going head-to-head with former protege Michael Schumacher. The Brawn GP boss helped Schumacher to seven world titles – two with Benetton, five at Ferrari – before the German quit three years ago. Schumacher has come to Ferrari’s aid to replace the injured Felipe [...]
Flower praise hands off-key Broad a boost August 5, 2009 UNDER-FIRE seamer Stuart Broad looks set to retain his place in the England side for the fourth Ashes Test with Australia at Headingley tomorrow – after receiving a glowing assessment from coach Andy Flower. The Nottinghamshire bowler has failed to impress with the ball in the series so far, taking just six wickets in the [...]
Schumacher comeback hitch August 5, 2009 SEVEN-TIME champion Michael Schumacher’s racing comeback is in serious doubt due to a six-month-old neck injury, his spokesperson admitted last night. Schumacher will only be allowed to come out of retirement at the European Grand Prix later this month if the 40-year-old passes a stringent medical assessment, she added. “It is not sure yet the [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF August 5, 2009 Headingley crackdown on fansCRICKET: Security has been increased at Headingley to avoid repeats of the rowdy behaviour at the fourth Ashes Test, which starts tomorrow. Some 81 fans were ejected from the Leeds ground when England played South Africa last year and, following the booing of Australia captain Ricky Ponting at Edgbaston, Yorkshire County Cricket [...]
Benitez seals 20m swoop for Aquilani August 5, 2009 LIVERPOOL manager Rafael Benitez yesterday moved quickly to fill the gap left by Xabi Alonso by agreeing a £20m fee with Roma for Italy midfielder Alberto Aquilani. While Alonso was completing his protracted £34m transfer to Real Madrid, Benitez wasted no time in replacing the Spaniard by confirming a deal for Aquilani. The 25-year-old is [...]