Twenty20 takes major scalp as sad Australia crash out June 8, 2009 AUSTRALIA’S summer got off to the worst possible start at Trent Bridge last night after a six-wicket defeat to Sri Lanka saw them crash out of the World Twenty20. Just two days after West Indian captain Chris Gayle put them to the sword at The Oval, the Aussie bowlers succumbed again as Tillekeratne Dilshan’s blistering [...]
Rain-lashed Celtic Manor passed its first major test June 8, 2009 WITH high winds and torrential rain expected in advance, the revamped Twenty Ten course at Celtic Manor faced its first major test on hosting the Welsh Open this weekend. Ryder Cup captains Colin Montgomerie and Corey Pavin both experienced the course first hand ahead of the 2010 event, and it has to be said the [...]
KP: Fear factor will not plague revitalised England June 8, 2009 KEVIN PIETERSEN believes his England side have finally conquered their fear of failure following their impressive World Twenty20 victory over Pakistan on Sunday. The Hampshire batsman returned from an Achilles injury to smash a match-winning 58 and seal England’s qualification for the Super Eights. England came out fighting after Friday night’s embarrassing six-wicket defeat to [...]
West Ham taken over by Icelandic banks as Gudmundsson era ends June 8, 2009 WEST HAM’S new owners CB Holding have reassured fans that manager Gianfranco Zola and assistant Steve Clarke are going nowhere. And the asset management company – made up of several Icelandic banks – insist Zola will be given money to spend this summer. CB Holding acquired the Premier League club yesterday in a takeover estimated [...]
World Cup chance everything to me, says grateful Upson June 8, 2009 ENGLAND and West Ham defender Matthew Upson is set to get another chance to impress against Andorra tonight – but admits his mind is already wandering to next summer’s World Cup finals. Upson had to wait later than most for his career to blossom, with injuries and competition for places curtailing his progress at Arsenal. [...]
Kaka completes record 56m Real Madrid switch June 8, 2009 BRAZILIAN playmaker Kaka last night became the world’s most expensive footballer after completing his record transfer from AC Milan to Real Madrid, believed to be worth in the region of £56m. The Spanish giants revealed the completion of the transfer on their website last night just hours after the 27-year-old superstar underwent a medical while [...]
SUMMER SALES June 8, 2009 Baggies seek £2m for Mowbray WEST BROM are standing firm on a £2m compensation fee for manager Tony Mowbray to fend off interest from Celtic. The Baggies confirmed the SPL giants had made an official approach for Mowbray to replace Gordon Strachan but chairman Jeremy Peace is holding out for £2m. “Most people would regard [...]
Federer joy at long-awaited French glory June 7, 2009 WORLD No2 Roger Federer toasted the finest moment of his distinguished career after finally triumphing at the French Open yesterday. A straight-sets victory over Sweden’s Robin Soderling saw Federer snare the one Grand Slam to elude him, and equal Pete Sampras’s record of 14 major titles. Federer sank to his knees in relief upon completing [...]
Button’s Turkish delight after sixth win June 7, 2009 BRITAIN’S Jenson Button paid tribute to his “monster” car after tightening his grip on the world championship with a sixth win of the season at the Turkish Grand Prix. Button took full advantage when pole-sitter Sebastian Vettel ran his Red Bull wide at turn nine on the opening lap. He quickly extended his lead and [...]
Flutey back in contention as Lions prepare to face Sharks June 7, 2009 ENGLAND centre Riki Flutey has given the British and Irish Lions a fitness boost ahead of their penultimate warm-up game against the Sharks on Wednesday. Flutey will resume training today after overcoming a knee injury he sustained in the Lions’ opening tour game against the Royal XV. The Wasps player will hope to earn his [...]