Fairytale over for Vaughan as England captain quits August 4, 2008 Batsman Kevin Pietersen is red-hot favourite to be named England captain today after an emotional Michael Vaughan resigned yesterday. Vaughan stepped down less than 24 hours after defeat to South Africa in the third Test condemned England to a third defeat in five series. Struggling to hold back the tears, Vaughan announced he would be [...]
Anelka stakes claim with four-goal haul August 4, 2008 Chelsea manager Luiz Felipe Scolari has promised Nicolas Anelka a central striking role after the Frenchman thumped four goals in a 5-0 thrashing of AC Milan. Anelka has failed to shine in a variety of attacking roles since joining the Blues in January, but rediscovered his form as Chelsea ended their preseason trip to Russia [...]
Freddie’s on fire but he’s getting no support August 1, 2008 Whether it be with bat, ball, or in the field, England have almost been a one-man team in the opening two days of this third Test. From one to 11 the only man to have played with any kind of confidence at all is Andrew Flintoff and if England are to steal anything from this [...]
Bentley: Spurs can break into top four August 1, 2008 David Bentley is convinced his arrival will help Tottenham break the so-called Big Four’s iron grip on Champions League qualification. Spurs have repeatedly failed to live up to expectations of reaching the lucrative and prestigious European club competition. Manager Juande Ramos was recruited from Sevilla last year and tasked with breaking into the top four, [...]
Yeats shows why he’s one in a million August 1, 2008 Yeats took his career earnings past the £1m mark with a superb performance to win the Goodwood Cup for a second time The triple Ascot Gold Cup winner powered his way past 33-1 shot Tungsten Strike in the closing stages to repeat his 2006 success for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The clear 8-15 favourite handed jockey [...]
Hamilton cool on Hungary hat-trick bid August 1, 2008 Lewis Hamilton could become the first British driver for more than a decade to win three successive Grands Prix this weekend in Hungary – but the Stevenage racer insists he is not bothered. Back-to-back wins at Silverstone and Hockenheim have hoisted Hamilton to the top of the drivers’ championship, with a four-point lead over Ferrari’s [...]
Magnificent Flintoff gives England hope of comeback August 1, 2008 All-rounder takes four wickets as South Africa restricted to 256-6 on Day Two Andrew Flintoff produced a devastating bowling spell to lead England’s fightback in the third Test at Edgbaston. The all-rounder single-handedly ripped through the South Africa middle order to record figures of 4-68 and reduce the tourists to 256-6. After dominating the morning [...]
Eight for 2008: The ones to watch as Team GB go for gold in Beijing July 31, 2008 With our Olympians set a target of winning 35 medals, with 10 golds, Jon Couch looks at our most likely successes It’s just over a week before the start of the Beijing Olympics, and already the pressure is building on Team GB as they go in search of the ultimate prize in sport. A total [...]
Henry powers to a fourth big success as Murtagh enjoys famous win treble July 31, 2008 Group one specialist Henrythenavigator swept to his fourth big race success of the season, while jockey Johnny Murtagh enjoyed a memorable win treble in a thrilling second day at Glorious Goodwood. The 4-11 favourite – the shortest price horse in Sussex Stakes history – held off a strong finish from 4-1 shot Raven’s Pass to [...]
Dire England face scrap to avoid defeat July 31, 2008 England coach Peter Moores refused to condemn his side last night after another woeful batting display left them facing a series defeat against South Africa. Captain Michael Vaughan’s golden duck typified a miserable first day of the third Test for England, who managed just 231 runs before being dismissed by the tourists. Recalled one-day skipper [...]