Cook hungry for taste of 2005 success July 6, 2009 ENGLAND’S last Ashes triumph came too early for Alastair Cook – the opening batsman, then 20 years old, was still cutting his teeth with Essex and was yet to make his Test debut. County commitments meant he wasn’t even able to join the rest of the country in watching television coverage, as Michael Vaughan’s men [...]
Strauss calls for calm in Ashes furore July 6, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss has called on his England players to show composure and not get caught up in the hype surrounding the Ashes series.The Middlesex opener leads his side out for the eagerly-awaited first Test against Australia in Cardiff tomorrow with the intention of recreating the intensity of the victorious 2005 series. But with an [...]
AUSSIES SUFFER LEE BLOW July 6, 2009 AUSTRALIA have been handed a massive blow ahead of tomorrow’s first Test in Cardiff after paceman Brett Lee was ruled out with a rib injury. The 32-year-old complained of soreness following last week’s draw with England Lions and underwent a scan yesterday, which revealed a torn muscle. Furthermore, the Aussie strike bowler only has a [...]
Ancelotti: Terry not for sale July 6, 2009 CARLO ANCELOTTI issued ambitious Manchester City with a chilling warning on his first day in charge at Chelsea yesterday, insisting: “John Terry is not for sale.” Terry has been the subject of sustained interest from mega-rich City, who are preparing a third audacious swoop for the England captain this week in the region of £35m. [...]
Federer unable to rest on his laurels after Wimbledon win July 6, 2009 WIMBLEDON champion Roger Federer has admitted his 15th grand slam title left him so excited he could not sleep, but insisted it failed to take any of the sheen off his record-breaking feat. Federer overcame American Andy Roddick in Sunday’s marathon five-set men’s singles final, eclipsing Pete Sampras as the most successful player of all [...]
Stage winner Cavendish sprints into history books July 6, 2009 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish toasted his team’s courage after retaining the green jersey with his second successive Tour de France stage victory. The Team Columbia rider’s success made him the first Briton to hold the jersey – awarded to the leading sprinter – for consecutive days. Cavendish finished strongest in a 27-man breakaway on the Tour’s [...]
Big guns take significant step July 6, 2009 YOU can usually tell when a Major is round the corner when the big guns come to the fore. Is it a coincidence, for example, that Tiger Woods and two of Europe’s best in Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter begin to show just days before the start of the Open Championship? Westwood may have been [...]
SUMMER SALES FOOTBALL UPDATE July 6, 2009 Ronaldo draws record crowdA WORLD record crowd packed Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium for the unveiling of winger Cristiano Ronaldo last night. The Portugal star, who joined in an £80m deal from Manchester United earlier this month, was greeted by 80,000 fans – more than attended Diego Maradona’s arrival at Napoli. Ronaldo said: “I have [...]
Springboks charged over protest July 6, 2009 RUGBY UNION: South Africa have been charged with misconduct by the International Rugby Board for their protest against the suspension of Bakkies Botha. The Springboks sported white armbands with the message “Justice 4 Bakkies” during Sunday’s third Test against the British and Irish Lions after Botha was given a two-week ban for a dangerous charge [...]
Welsh RFU faces High Court date July 6, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Wales’ first autumn Test encounter with New Zealand on 7 November is likely to be the subject of a High Court hearing after a row broke out over player release. Wales coach Warren Gatland wanted his Test stars available for national team duty despite the four regions – the Ospreys, Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets [...]