Flintoff: My body has told me it’s time to quit Tests July 15, 2009 ENGLAND’S Ashes preparations took a shock turn yesterday when talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff announced the current series would be his last in Test cricket. Ahead of today’s second clash with Australia at Lord’s, Flintoff said persistent injury problems over the last four years had forced him to reduce his workload. The 31-year-old will continue to [...]
Freddie exit won’t hurt Ashes bid July 15, 2009 ANDREW FLINTOFF’S announcement came as a surprise to no-one. It had become increasingly clear that his physique was not up to the rigours of Test cricket. Retiring from that is the best decision for him – the lesser workload will help his knee, and in any case his game is better suited to one-dayers and [...]
Tiger all set to roar towards his 15th Major at Turnberry July 14, 2009 TIGER WOODS has had a frustrating 18 months with his knee injury, but is now well on the road to recovery and is beginning to hit top form. He finished a disappointing 12th in his last Open Championship in 2007, but won both years prior to that and will be going for his fourth Claret [...]
Swing of Hilfenhaus to help Aussies keep unbeaten Lord’s run July 14, 2009 Despite England having fought hard for the draw on a hugely entertaining last day in Cardiff, there are few who would argue that they were not fortunate to emerge with their series record unscathed. The psychological damage however will have been a little more painful, as the Three Lions clung on to the Aussie coat [...]
Mega-rich City could overtake United July 14, 2009 THE bottomless pit of cash that Manchester City are mining this summer has already seen them snatch Carlos Tevez away from their more prestigious local rivals. And it is far from unthinkable that their spending spree could even see them poach Manchester United’s place in the top four too. Tevez has followed Gareth Barry and [...]
Jenas bait in Tottenham’s Vieira swoop July 14, 2009 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp is ready to use England midfielder Jermaine Jenas as bait in a sensational deal for Patrick Vieira. Inter Milan are reportedly willing to let Vieira, former captain of Spurs’ arch-rivals Arsenal, leave the club for a fee of around £3.5m. Tottenham are among a host of clubs chasing the 33-year-old Frenchman’s [...]
Purring Tiger confident of denying Harrington hat-trick July 14, 2009 WORLD No1 Tiger Woods insists he feels ready to claim his first Major for more than a year and deny Padraig Harrington a third successive Open title this weekend. Woods was still recovering from knee surgery when Harrington sealed back-to-back triumphs 12 months ago at Royal Birkdale. But the American has won three tournaments since [...]
Let Pietersen go on attack, says Vaughan July 14, 2009 FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has urged star batsman Kevin Pietersen to stick to his attacking instincts ahead of tomorrow’s second Ashes Test at Lord’s. Flamboyant Pietersen was criticised for two poor dismissals in the first Test at Cardiff, prompting calls for him to adopt a more conservative approach. In particular, the Hampshire ace was [...]
Cavendish seals third stage win July 14, 2009 CYCLING: Mark Cavendish produced a rousing late finish to hold off rival Thor Hushovd and claim his third stage victory of the Tour de France. The Colombia-HTC rider pipped the Norwegian to clinch the 194.5km, 10th stage between Limoges to Issoudun and close Hushovd’s lead in the race for the green jersey to just six [...]
Johnson backs Wilko to shine July 14, 2009 RUGBY UNION: England manager Martin Johnson says injury-plagued Jonny Wilkinson is fit and raring to go following his call-up to the 32-man elite player squad. Fly-half Wilkinson hasn’t played since dislocating his kneecap playing for Newcastle 10 months ago, but Johnson said: “He is a world-class player. He was in here for a fitness assessment [...]